Jay Cutler as a Patriot

Waiting for the 2007 season to start is killing me, so I decided to take a closer look at our starting QB and his background. I’ll skip his much discussed Vandy experience as that topic has been beaten to death.

Yes, they didn’t win much.
Yes, it was a small school with no talent.
Yes, Cutler single-handedly beat Tennessee in Knoxville.

However, his last minute touchdown pass in the last game of his college career was not the first time he pulled out a big win in the closing minutes of an important game.

Years before that, Jay Cutler was a Patriot. Well, a Patriot from Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, IN that is. Heritage Hills did not suffer from the perennial losses that Vanderbilt did. In fact that school has a long history of winning teams. So, when young Cutler joined the team, he had to compete for a varsity spot — and Heritage Hills plays both ways.

Jay Cutler ended up starting three years of his High School career and played both QB and Safety. Anyone what thinks Cutler doesn’t have a winning background should research his time with the Patriots. Cutler lead the school to a 26-1 record his last two years including a perfect senior season. During these seasons in Indiana, Cutler completed 60% of his passes (going 122 of 202) for 2,252 yards and 31 TDs. He also recorded 493 yards rushing and 11 TDs on 65 carries — that’s an average of 7.6 yards.

While most of the glory comes from running the offense, Jay had 88 tackles and nine interceptions as a safety during those years. In addition to that he returned six kicks, a fumble and interception for touchdowns. By helping on both sides of the ball, Cutler’s Patriots outscored their opponents 746-85.

However, it was his final game at the High School level that raised many eyebrows…

Larry McWhorter had led Zionsville into the state finals for the second time in five years. While the Patriots, coached by Bob Clayton, had finished an undefeated season on their way to their first appearance in the state finals.

After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, Heritage Hills responded with three scores including an 11-play, 69-yard drive that consumed 5:37 and ended with a one-yard run by Jay Cutler. The Patriots led at halftime 21-7.

However, Zionsville responded with two early scores in the third quarter to tie the score at 21.

In the first overtime state championship game in 14 years, Zionsville scored first with a 24 yard field goal — Cutler’s Patriots were in need of a big play.

Two downs later they got it their wish. The play started with a lateral from Jay to running back, Cole Seifrig, who then threw the ball back to Jay. Jay Cutler, with a wide lane in front of him, ran the ball 16 yards into the end zone to score the winning touchdown.

Heritage Hills claimed its first state title in any team sport in the school’s history with this game, and Jay went on to play for Vandy (and then, of course, for the Broncos).

I think it’s a good thing that Cutler ended up at Vanderbilt and had to play under harsh conditions (Elway had quite a few years like that with the Broncos). But I also think it’s good to know we have a clutch QB, that’s tough enough to play both ways (he recorded 19 tackles in that championship game). But above all, we should remember that Cutler does have a championship pedigree.

I can’t wait to see what 2007 holds for Jay Cutler and the rest of our Broncos!

Go Broncos! :)