Western’s Collin Hurst is Broward 8A-6A Football Offensive Player of the Year
Collin Hurst spent all of two weeks of his high school football career as a backup before being thrust into the limelight.
But even after two seasons as Western’s starting quarterback, Hurst still didn’t feel fully comfortable in his role.
That changed as a junior. He entered the season as the established starter, unlike his freshman year. He entered the season knowing a full slate of games was on the horizon, unlike his sophomore year when the COVID-19 pandemic limited Western to three regular-season games each spaced three weeks apart.
Everything was set up for Hurst to succeed.
And he did.
Hurst was the centerpiece of a Western team that went 9-3 this season before losing in the Class 8A regional semifinals. He completed more than 70 percent of his passes for 3,267 yards and 35 touchdowns against just two interceptions. He also ran for three more touchdowns for good measure.
For his efforts, Hurst is the Miami Herald’s Broward Class 8A-6A Offensive Player of the Year.
“It’s a great honor,” Hurst said. “I put in a lot of work this offseason and it’s really a good thing after the season to see that it’s really paid off.”
Western coach Adam Ratkevich called Hurst a “lead-by-example guy.”
“He’s quiet. He’s not a huge talker. The most you’re gonna get out of him most times is ‘Here we go,’” Ratkevich said, “but it doesn’t matter what the situation is. He’s ready to just strap it on and get after it.”
It’s been that way ever since Hurst took over the starting quarterback job on Sept. 13, 2019. It was the third game of his freshman year. Western was playing University School. The quarterback on the other side, Nick Vattiato, was one of Hurst’s mentors and training partners.
He completed 11 of 15 passes for 151 yards and ran for a touchdown that night in a 14-9 defeat. He’s had the starting job ever since.
“It was nerve-racking,” Hurst said. “I just went in there. I knew what I had to do, the same thing I do in practice. ... It was a great stepping stone for sure.”
He has elevated his game ever since. He finished his freshman year completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,102 yards and 26 touchdowns against just seven interceptions as he led Western to the regional finals, leading the Wildcats to playoff wins over South Dade and Miami Palmetto before falling to eventual state champion Miami Columbus.
“You don’t have those expectations for anyone,” Ratkevich said. “You don’t expect a 14-year-old to go out and do the things that he did.”
The COVID-19 pandemic limited Hurst to just four games in his sophomore season, but he still threw for 940 yards and six touchdowns.
And then there was his breakout junior season, one that saw Hurst take the next step individually but also left so much hunger after the Wildcats lost in the playoffs to Miami Columbus.
“I love being the commander of the offense,” Hurst said, “and just being a leader out there.”
Hurst has one more year to hopefully lead Western to an elusive state title.
He hopes to keep his career going after that. Where, exactly, is still up in the air.
“I’m just looking for anybody that wants to take a chance on me,” Hurst said. “Not many schools are looking for a quarterback that’s 5-10, 170 pounds. I’m just waiting for my name to get called from somewhere and for somebody to take a chance on me. I think I can really do some damage.”
.JPG)