MARYSVILLE — The quarterback carries a load of responsibility for any offense, but sophomore Caleb Koellmer executed both physically and mentally in his debut game last week.

Koellmer recorded two touchdown passes for Marysville Getchell High School in its 15-7 win over Lake Washington Sept. 2.

The first pass resulted in a 6-yard touchdown to Michael Stewart. His second TD went for 26 yards to Cody Day.

After improving his skills over the summer, Koellmer was itching to get back out on the field.

“I was really excited to be out there,” he said. “It’s been a long time since last season, and I really love this group of teammates.”

Coach Davis Lura was impressed with what he saw out of his young quarterback, with not only his arm, but also his brain.

His first throw, he got “slammed to ground” while completing it, but the second one he audibled, changing the play at the line of scrimmage and telling his receivers where to go.

“He did a really good job of calling stuff on his own,” Lura said. “He’s doing a lot of thinking.”

It also helped that his receivers caught the ball. Not only did Koelmer sharpen his skills over the summer but also built “chemistry” with his receivers.

“I now know when they’re going to cut and how their hands are,” he said. “I can rely on them.”

Lura added, “He’s definitely shown in practice that he can wing the ball.”

Koellmer has always played quarterback, even when he was younger in flag football.

“I kind of get to control the offense, which can be a good or bad thing,” because if something goes wrong, the quarterback is usually to blame, he said.

Koellmer also plays basketball in the winter. He loves both sports but tends to favor the one he is currently playing.

“Right now it’s football,” Koellmer said.

With plenty of high school football still in front of him, Koellmer hasn’t given much thought to where he wants to take his career afterward. But he would love to take any opportunity if a scholarship presents itself, he said.

While the young QB stood out in the opener, he said he knows MG wouldn’t have won such a close game without the group playing well as a team.

“The offensive line really helped me out, and our defense was amazing,” he said.