By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer
Matt Luetjen, on the surface, was facing some pressure when he moved to Hennessey this summer after his father, Rick, took a position on the Eagles coaching staff.
Luetjen didn’t only have to live up to being a coach’s son but faced some additional resentment because Caleb Weaver, Hennessey’s incumbent quarterback, was being moved to wide receiver.
Luetjen was up to the task. Not only did he have 2,626 yards in total offense (1,366 rushing and 1,260 passing) and account for 41 touchdowns in leading the Eagles to a 13-1 season and a Class A semifinal berth, he became close friends with Weaver.
For his efforts, area coaches voted him the Enid News & Eagle’s Northwest Oklahoma 11-man Player of the Year.
“The people here made the transition wonderful,’’ Luetjen said. “Caleb is a real good guy. We hit it off right away. It was quite easy making the transition. It was almost a perfect season.’’
Weaver’s attitude, Luetjen said, was one of the keys for the near-perfect season that ended with a 24-22 loss to Tonkawa in the state semifinals.
“Unselfishness was definitely the key,’’ he said. “I had great receivers who could get their hands on the ball. I had a great line which gave me protection. I was surrounded by 10 good players.’’
Luetjen never felt pressure being the son of the offensive coordinator.
“I think it’s a very big plus,’’ he said. “It’s very enjoyable. It’s been pretty much 24/7 football around our house since I was a child.’’
The higher expectations of being a coach’s son, he said, drove him to be a better player and person.
“(Coach Luetjen) was pretty hard on me,’’ he said, “but it made me work harder and not be as easily satisfied.’’
Luetjen had been used to moving. The family had lived in Locust Grove, Stigler, Leota, Kan., and Rolla, Kan., before the Hennessey move.
“That’s one of the perks of being a coach’s son,’’ he said. “You get good at making new friends. Each stop is a new adventure. I missed my friends at Locust Grove but I knew Hennessey was good at football and I enjoyed having the chance to play there.’’
The moves were made easier by having a brother (Derrick) on the team. The younger Luetjen started the season at tight end but became a left tackle to protect his brother’s blind side.
“I loved throwing to him,’’ Luetjen said, “but I never had to worry about my blind side with Derrick there.’’
Luetjen threw only two interceptions, but one went for a touchdown in the Tonkawa game. That was one pass he wishes he had back.
“It was a crushing feeling,’’ he said, recalling the Eagles’ only defeat. “You could tell it on everybody’s faces. We were all shocked and stunned. It was a tough way to go out.’’
While Luetjen may have lived a 24/7 football existence, academics have come first in the household.
His mother, Kathy, is a teacher in the Hennessey system. His grandfather was a mathematics professor at Southwestern Oklahoma State.
He is a 4.0 student and has offers from Army and the Air Force Academy. The Naval Academy was recruited him hard.
Four or five Ivy League schools are in the mix, as well as Rice and Texas Christian University.
“I don’t take easy classes,’’ he said. “I’ve been pushed by both of my parents to do my best in the classroom as well.’’
Math, not surprisingly, is his favorite subject. He is interested in becoming a forensic scientist, inspired somewhat by an uncle who was a sheriff in Stigler.
He considers himself a runner first and a passer second. His ability to run the option, as well as his academics, make him the ideal candidate for one of the service academies.
