For all the Tom Tupa fans!

[BernietheKid]

The son shines in Brecksville: Another Tupa leads the Bees to the playoffs

Published: Thursday, November 04, 2010, 1:15 AM Updated: Thursday, November 04, 2010, 7:38 AM

Joe Maxse, The Plain Dealer


Chuck Crow / The Plain Dealer
Tom Tupa Jr. has displayed skills that belie his sophomore standing for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights football team this season. Part of his maturity comes from his father, a former Ohio State and NFL player who is now the Bees' offensive coordinator.

THE TUPA FILES
Tom Tupa Jr.
Age: 16.
School: Brecksville-Broadview Heights.
Year: Sophomore.
Position: Quarterback.
Family: Parents Tom Sr. and Beth; younger brothers Tim and Tyler; younger sister Emma.
Career: Started all 10 games this season, completing 117 of 189 passes (61.9 percent) for 1,489 yards and 14 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Tom Tupa Sr.
Age: 44.
Position: Offensive coordinator for Brecksville-Broadview Heights, first season.
Career: Quarterback for Brecksville when it won Division II state championship in 1983, finishing 13-0; played under coach Earle Bruce at Ohio State (1984-88); drafted by Phoenix Cardinals in the third round of 1988 draft (68th overall); played for the Cardinals (1988-91), Colts (1992), Browns (1993-95), Patriots (1996-98), Jets (1999-2001), Buccaneers (2002-03) and Redskins (2004); earned Pro Bowl and All-NFL honors as a punter in 1999.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- Brecksville-Broadview Heights has been in football playoff mode for the past three weeks. Tom Tupa Jr. has been in quarterback mode much longer than that.

With no margin for error, it paid off having the sophomore at the helm as he helped guide his club in clutch victories against Division II playoff-bound Avon Lake and playoff challenger Westlake the past two weeks. It got the Bees (7-3) into the eighth and final spot in the Division I, Region 1 computer standings to set up Saturday's first-round playoff game at top-seeded Solon (10-0), ranked second by The Plain Dealer.

The contest poses another challenge, one a seasoned senior would find daunting. But when you are the son of a former Brecksville, Ohio State and 18-year NFL quarterback/punting veteran, much is expected from the signal-calling position.

That's just fine with the Tupas, especially since Tom Jr. is running the plays his father, Tom Sr., is calling as the Bees' offensive coordinator more than 25 years after leading Brecksville to a state title in 1983.

"I always wanted to be quarterback," said Tom Jr., whose 6-3, 190-pound frame is position perfect. "I tried to play other positions but it didn't work out. Dad loves breaking it down. I love quarterback."

In his first varsity season, Tupa Jr. has thrown for 1,489 yards and 14 scores, with seven interceptions. In his first start, he passed for three touchdowns and led Brecksville to a 21-17 come-from-behind Week 1 win at North Royalton, then ranked 18th by The Plain Dealer, going 17-of-26 for 165 yards.

With the position comes all the praise and scrutiny, literally from play to play. Having your father on the coaching staff can open all sorts of difficulties on and off the field, especially when expectations come into play.

"I came in knowing you are going to get certain criticism," said Tupa Jr., behind center since he was 7. "I tell myself not to get too high or too low. You take a lot of heat. I just want to make my team better and win games."

That has been the case as the Bees have gone from 2-8 a year ago to returning for their seventh playoff appearance, the most recent one in 2008. In their first one, Tom Sr. guided Brecksville to the 1983 Division II state title with a 13-0 record.

It can make for a stressful situation at times, when both father and son want success.

"Earlier on in the season I may have put a little pressure on him because of mistakes," admits Tom Sr., who moved into the coordinator's role this season under second-year coach Jason Black. "I had a talk [with Tom Jr.] and I think I've been better with him. He's relaxed and plays like he knows how. Of late, we've had a bunch of nice plays going."

A bunch is an understatement. With all of dad's football experience, the plays come fast and furious. The Bees are running a pro-style offense with multiple formations. The information overload is not lost on the head coach.

"We ask [the quarterback] to do so much in a game," said Black. "We send in two plays and ask him to check us into the right one. That's a lot for a college player, let alone a 16-year-old.

"As far as [Tom Sr.] goes, we have been on the same page. We are very imaginative."

Black said he learned a lot about his young quarterback during last year's basketball season. As an assistant basketball coach, he said Tupa Jr., a forward, handled himself well in numerous pressure situations.

It has certainly helped in football that senior running back Matt Galland has pounded out 1,250 yards and 17 touchdowns. It has taken some of the pressure off the passing game.

Having seniors cover your back never hurts. That can also be a bit tricky for a heralded sophomore, who still has to pay his dues. But as any quarterback knows, you should count the offensive linemen among your best friends.

"At first, I didn't know what to expect," said senior two-way lineman A.J. Cook, one of the team's co-captains. "Week 1 you could tell he was a little uneasy. He's matured a lot. He's relaxed and with the amount of talent he has, he's already at a high level. His dad knows his stuff and makes it fun for us."

Football fun is mostly about winning. While there are still a lot of career games to be played, notching an upset victory over Solon would be a good one to remember.

"Obviously, they are a very good team," said Tupa Jr. "I watch film to get any hints I can. We expect to win every game, but we know we have to play very good to beat them."

It helps to have someone with a lot of personal experience calling the plays.

The son shines in Brecksville: Another Tupa leads the Bees to the playoffs | cleveland.com

[AdaM]

Awesome, thanks for posting that.