Filling big shoes: Donovan Pawlowski steps in at QB to lead Brookfield to 4-1 start | News, Sports, Jobs

Staff Photo / Brian Yauger Brookfield quarterback Donovan Pawlowski (right) dives for the sideline while being chased by Beau Brungard of Springfield in their clash earlier this season.

BROOKFIELD – Brookfield quarterback Donovan Pawlowski has had big shoes to fill.

Following the graduation of four-year-old starter Haden Gibson, who led the Warriors to two playoff appearances and was an All-State third-team selection, Pawlowski entered the year with plenty to do.

With Brookfield at 4-1 heading into Week 7, it looks like the junior is doing pretty well for his first season at the helm of the program.

“We thought that at the start of the year he was definitely the answer after losing Gibson, but we have a lot of confidence in him,” Warriors coach Randy Clark said. “He worked his tail for us. He has good receivers that he can throw the ball to and we have a couple of running backs that we can build around.

Stepping into his new role, Pawlowski received a lot of help from his predecessor.

Gibson, who is now a track athlete at Mount Union, has been like an additional coach for the junior and Pawlowski credits him for his success so far.

“The most important thing he taught me was never to come down” Pawlowski said. “When he got injured last year for three games I replaced him and he was always by my side telling me what to do, what not to do and he was really one of my coaches. I really admired him and just try to continue what he taught me.

The two are still in communication and Gibson did not hesitate to congratulate his successor.

“It’s really important, because I think half of the reason I’m so confident is because of him to be honest,” Pawlowski said. “He tells me that I do a great job all the time, he tells me what to do if I’m not doing something right. He always tells me to hold my head up high and never go negative. I think he’s really the key to all of my confidence right now.

A critical part of Brookfield’s roster is its offensive line. The team’s five-man front was hailed by Clark early in the season as the team’s focal point and made Pawlowski’s transition under cross much easier.

“I have all the time I need in my pocket” Pawlowski said. “I mean we’ve all worked really hard this summer. We’ve gotten stronger, faster, bigger, and they’ve really managed to hold the season so far and we have to keep up. I’m nothing without my line so we love them for that.

Pawlowski’s receivers are another big part of his quick adjustment to the quarterback position. He’s been playing with the same group of players his entire life, so there’s already a chemistry built in. One of those receptors is his brother, David, so there’s an extra amount of chemistry there as well.

“This whole team, we grew up together”, Pawlowski said. “We had this chemistry. Isaiah Jones, 6-4, he’s fast bro, we’ve been playing ball since we were younger. Xzavier (Witherow) is another. He’s tall and he’s good.

“(With David) it’s amazing. No matter what kind of cover, if no one is open I know it will always be open because it can catch anything. I just know I always have somewhere to go.

The quarterback still has a year to further improve his game, which he wants to do. Pawlowski just wants to keep winning football games and keep improving as a player.

“I just want to do my best” he said. “Next year I want to take the next step and be the best player I can be.”

Pawlowski and the Warriors are looking to maintain that success on Friday as they host Newton Falls.