Kaneland’s New Quarterback Shines in First Varsity Start

Sometimes thinking differently can lead to success. For Kaneland quarterback Brody Guthrie, this approach is paying off. Now a junior, Guthrie was elevated to the varsity team last year as a sophomore to serve as a backup. The move, although unusual, was made by Knights coach Mike Thorgesen. “We kind of went against our norm,” said Thorgesen. “We usually bring kids up only if they’re going to play. With more JV games, we brought Brody up last year to sit behind Jalen Carter.”

Guthrie gained experience by participating in JV games, learning the offense, and preparing to take over. The plan seems promising. In his first varsity start, Guthrie helped Kaneland secure a 49-7 victory against Rock Island. The 6-foot-3, 192-pound quarterback completed 9 of 11 passes, achieving 203 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Colten Van Dyke caught three passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns, while senior wideout Cooper Stombres secured a 19-yard touchdown among his two receptions.

Guthrie expressed excitement about his promotion. “Coach Thorgesen brought me up to learn from our seniors,” he said. Jalen Carter, now at Northern Illinois, had a mentoring role, guiding Guthrie in understanding play reads. “Jalen was like, ‘Come here, kid. I’ll help you,’” Guthrie added. Notably, Carter supported Guthrie during games, including sideline presence during their recent match.

Remarkably, Guthrie’s path to quarterback was not straightforward. He began playing football as a safety and receiver in fourth grade. His transition continued through offensive line roles until his growth spurt in eighth grade. “I grew like 4 1/2 inches, going from 5-4 to 5-9,” recalled Guthrie. Recognizing the need for a new position, he chose quarterback after excelling in his first attempt, throwing a 45-yard touchdown.

Outside of football, Guthrie is also involved in basketball and track. He takes private lessons from former Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Hohensee and participates in a Rockford-based 7-on-7 team. “We call it ‘The Breakfast Club,’” Guthrie mentioned about the early Sunday sessions with Hohensee at Yorkville. Coach Thorgesen praised Guthrie for his dedication. “Brody is always working at it and wants to get better,” Thorgesen commented.

Guthrie’s teammates recognized his efforts, electing him as one of the team captains. Thorgesen anticipates the veteran defense will anchor the team while the offense develops rhythm, especially with new skill-position players. “We have skill at every position and determined players who want to win,” Guthrie asserted. “I’m very confident of that.”