varsity.roanoke.com

JARED SOARES The Roanoke Times

Derrick Hickman is the latest to assume the starting quarterback position at Salem High.

Consistency.

It's preached in every level of athletics from youth leagues to the pros and Salem's football program has it nailed.

During the past four years, the Spartans have compiled a 39-1 regular-season record and won Group AA Division 4 championships in 2004 and 2005.

What hasn't been consistent, however, is the starting quarterback from year to year.

Salem has started a new quarterback in each of Stephen Magenbauer's five years as head coach at the school.

Now, it's Derrick Hickman's turn.

The former wide receiver and defensive back has playing experience, just not under center.

This has been the case for previous quarterbacks during Magenbauer's tenure.

"One thing that we do ... is we always want to see if we can get them on the field somewhere before they play quarterback," Magenbauer said. "They're used to having game experience, just not at that position.

"I think the main thing is they're getting competition. They're playing at a high level and it makes the transition much easier."

And if past success is any indicator for the reigning River Ridge District champions, expect similar results this season.

Hickman takes over for Nick Leftwich, who led Salem to a 10-0 regular-season record and the state semifinals last year.

So what does Hickman, a senior, bring to the quarterback position?

"Nick was more of a pocket passer, I mean, he can scramble pretty good too," said Hickman. "The only difference between me and him is that he was more focused on staying in the pocket. He felt pressure real good, but if I have to, I can tuck and run."

The new quarterback says his prior experience at other positions has made the transition easy.

"Going from receiver to quarterback, timing's going to be perfect because that's what I did last year," he said.

Senior wide receiver Donte Harvey agrees and thinks that Hickman should take over with ease.

"I think it's a whole lot better," Harvey said. "[Hickman] knows how to read well. Leftwich was a good quarterback, but it's a big change because [Hickman] knows how to get out of the pocket well and run the ball and maneuver a little bit better.

"He can get the ball to you quicker and he knows all the receivers, everybody's speed."

There's really only one main difference, according to Harvey.

"I'm just snapping my head around a little bit more quicker with him because he'll get the ball there faster," he said.

It seems that no matter who is running the offense, the on-field results are the same and Magenbauer attributes this to a number of factors.

"We like to think it's part of the system, [but] it's mainly the fact that we've got a good football program and we've got good support from the city and the community and the kids really care about it," he said.

He also outlined what it takes to be a quarterback on his team.

"We ask them to do a lot," he said. "We want them to be able to win football games when it matters. But the main thing is we want them to be consistent leaders. Never be afraid to try to make the big play when they have to."

And each of the young signal-callers have responded when called upon.

Whether it was Matt Shawver in 2004, Keith Gaines in 2005, Mark Hanabury in 2006 or Leftwich last year, the Spartans have had steady leadership and a stellar record.

Hickman is confident he'll be able to do the same thing that so many seniors have done before him.

"It just gives me big shoes to fill," he said. "I hope I can fill them."