DuRocher, Locker ready if needed

  • By Mike Allende / Herald Writer
  • Tuesday, October 17, 2006 9:00pm
  • Sports

SEATTLE – Both Johnny DuRocher and Jake Locker say they are ready if called upon to play quarterback for Washington, though both say they have confidence that Carl Bonnell will be able to lead the Husky offense for the rest of the season.

With Isaiah Stanback’s season over because of an injured foot, Bonnell shot up to the starting job and DuRocher and Locker are now competing to be the backup. DuRocher is listed as the backup, but coaches said both players will get snaps this week in practice.

“Jake and Johnny will get a little bit more reps, but Carl’s going to get the most reps because he’s the starter,” UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said. “We’ll go with Carl and see what happens.”

There are arguments to be made for both DuRocher and Locker.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

DuRocher is a junior who played in five games last season and has more experience. Locker is Washington’s heralded true freshman with athletic ability similar to Stanback. DuRocher has seen few snaps in practice this year while Locker has seen plenty running the scout team.

“It’s a tough situation, but you have to make the best of it,” DuRocher said. “They have to make sure Carl gets ready and Jake gets ready. I just have to be ready to go if my number gets called.”

“I’m confident in my abilities,” Locker said. “It’s a different game and I haven’t had a chance to play in a big-time atmosphere like this. But I’m confident I’d be able to go out and move the ball (and) help our team.”

Both players say they’ve been happy with the way the season has gone because the Huskies have been winning. They’re both looking forward to getting more snaps in practice this week.

Lappano said that DuRocher’s lack of mobility will hurt him, but said his experience is a plus. He said Locker hasn’t had much of a look in the Huskies’ offense, but has been impressive on the scout team and has shown he knows the offense.

“As far as knowing the offense, understanding the offense, he’s right there,” Lappano said. “He understands what we’re doing.”

Lappano said he and coach Tyrone Willingham would have to decide “in the next week or two” whether to commit to redshirting Locker or playing him. Locker said he has no preference.

“I don’t think they’re going to throw anyone into a situation that hurts them or the team,” Locker said. “I feel like I’m ready to play, but the coaches know. They’ve been doing this a long time, they’ve been around a lot of players.”

What happened? Lappano pointed to a number of issues that went wrong in the loss to Oregon State. Washington struggled on third downs, had too many negative yards on running plays, too many penalties and quarterbacks didn’t do a good job of finding receivers.

“We were sloppy fundamentally in every position everywhere,” Lappano said. “We broke down. We didn’t trust our technique in a lot of areas.”

Feeling for Isaiah: Lappano said Monday was tough after he found out Stanback’s college career was over. The two had developed a close relationship as Stanback began to emerge under Lappano’s tutelage. But Lappano hopes that Stanback will still get a shot in the NFL.

“He’s going to have to do it the hard way,” Lappano said. “It really hurts him for the combine and that stuff. Because he was getting a lot of attention from the next level. He probably won’t be able to do that stuff and that’s what bothers him right now, that’s what hurts. But he’ll do it the hard way just like he’s done the past few years. … A good kid like him doesn’t deserve that.”

Felder finding time: California coach Jeff Tedford said sophomore linebacker Anthony Felder, an O’Dea graduate, is battling for time at linebacker after starting the season “banged up.”

“He’s been a spot player for us,” Tedford said. “He plays about 12 to 20 plays a game. He’s a very solid player. We have a lot of depth at our linebacker corps right now. He’s rotating in there with the guys and is doing a good job on special teams.”

Felder has 12 tackles this season.

What about Montgomery? He might have been battling for playing time at Washington but instead, freshman running back James Montgomery is a redshirt for Cal. Montgomery originally committed to the Huskies as a senior at Rancho Cordova (Calif.) High School, where he was one of the nation’s top-rated running backs, but instead changed his mind and went to Cal. Now he’s behind three talented running backs in Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett and Marcus O’Keith.

“He’s done a nice job,” Tedford said. “He had a very good camp. He has a bright future for us, but we have three running backs that are pretty good players.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Jackson baseball players cheer before starting their next exercise during practice on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson baseball’s bond of ‘brothers’ carries team to semis

The Timberwolves will play Friday for a spot in the Class 4A title game.

Jeff Page spent 47 years coaching track & field at Lake Stevens, including 32 as the program's head coach. The boys and girls teams totaled 33 Wesco titles, and the boys won the 2022 4A State Championship during his stint as head coach. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Page)
Turning the Page: Lake Stevens track coach set to retire

Jeff Page to close out 47-year coaching career with Vikings after state championships.

Owen Murray signs his WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Everett Silvertips, which selected him with the 31st overall pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. (Photo Courtesy: The Everett Silvertips)
Silvertips reach terms with second-round draft choice

Owen Murray, the 31st overall pick, signs a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Everett's Colt Emerson (1) celebrates with Lazaro Montes after the infielder's sacrifice fly lifted the AquaSox to a win in the 10th inning at Funko Field on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
Colt Emerson Walks Off Spokane in 10

The Everett AquaSox overcome a 5-run deficit, win in extra innings.

The New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) drives against the Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the third quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (Al Bello / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Jalen Brunson gives Knicks new life against the Pacers

Jalen Brunson was being picked on defensively by the… Continue reading

Reid Nicol signs his WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Everett Silvertips alongside his family on May 28, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Everett Silvertips)
Silvertips sign top draft pick Reid Nicol

Everett selected the 15-year-old center with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 Draft on May 7.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Shorewood's Meiron Bereket dribbles past Bellevue's Masora Takashima during a 3A State boys soccer quarterfinal game on May 24, 2025 at Shoreline Stadium. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer clinches first state semifinal in 11 years

The No. 1 Stormrays prevailed 7-6 in penalties over No. 8 Bellevue after a scoreless match.

Everett AquaSox first baseman Brandon Eike gets set defensively against the Spokane Indians at Funko Field on Wednesday May 28, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud, Everett AquaSox)
Sox hitters go cold against Spokane

The Everett AquaSox fell to the Spokane Indians 10-2 in… Continue reading

The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards (5) loses control of the ball in the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Thunder, after the Wolves had already lost control of the game. (Jeff Wheeler / The Minnesota Star Tribune / Tribune News Services)
Thunder storm into NBA Finals

The polite reaction to what unfolded Wednesday night in… Continue reading

Milkar Perez of the Everett AquaSox prepare to catch a ball at Funko Field on May 26, 2025 (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox comeback bid falls short

Everett hits two solo homers in the ninth but loses 4-3 to Spokane.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.