Catching up with Jackson football’s Lucas Ecrement and Badre Bardawil
MASSILLON, Ohio — It is always football season in Stark County. Warmer days and longer nights signal summer is here, but high school football coaches and players are working on spring/summer practices to prepare for the start of two-a-days in August. This year, the Polar Bears’ offense is looking for a reset. Under the direction of second-year offense coordinator Badre Bardawil, and the return of quarterback Lucas Ecrement, who is fully recovered from knee surgery, Jackson is looking to be a powerhouse on the offensive side of the field. Ecrement, the son of Randy Ecrement and Jill Schoonover, injured his knee at the end of his sophomore season on a play in the red zone against rival North Canton Hoover. Bardawil, who graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School and later coached at his alma mater, described what he is looking for with this year’s offense.
“I came in last season and implemented some new things into the offense while keeping a lot of core concepts and principles from the previous season,” wrote Bardawil, who graduated from Kent State University.
“Lucas came back last year from knee surgery and worked extremely hard to get himself ready to play. He was able to compete in a normal off-season this year, and he has taken full advantage. He has put on 20 pounds and regained a lot of the speed he showcased as a sophomore. My expectations for him are extremely high. He needs to build on all the experience he has gained over the last three seasons and put together a special senior season. I’m excited to watch him play at full strength.”
Ecrement described how tough it was for him to sit out last season. “It was tough, especially not being able to play with the seniors one last time,” wrote Ecrement, who has a sister, McKenzie. “My rehab is over, and I’m finally back at 100%. One way I stayed involved with the team last season was coming to the liftings even if I could not participate.”
As previously stated, Bardawil is leading the offense in his second season. There are changes he is looking to implement that he did not last season. “I’m trying to keep things pretty consistent from what we did last year and continue to improve on it,” wrote Bardawil, who works in safety and security at Canton McKinley High School. “I don’t want another off-season of learning. Our players got comfortable learning the offense from last year, and I want them to play fast and confident because they are familiar with what they have repped.”
Bardawil described Ecrement’s style of play.
“As a freshman/sophomore, he was definitely a dual threat, showing speed that made him a difference-maker when he ran the ball,” wrote the purple and white’s play caller, who is married to Megan.
They have a daughter, Maya, and a son, Rocco.
“Coming off his knee injury, he molded himself into more of a pocket passer, expanding his football IQ and showing confidence sitting in the pocket and having a good understanding of what he’s reading and how to get the ball out vs. pressure. I think he’s ready now to put all that together and be a true dual-threat QB.”
Ecrement is looking forward to returning to the field. He believes he aligns with what his coach is implementing. “(I feel like) me and coach think very alike in terms of offensive thinking,” wrote Ecrement, who also plays baseball at Jackson, is involved in student council, and enjoys hanging out with family and friends in his spare time.
Ecrement’s coach described his strengths and areas in which he could grow.
“Lucas’s strengths are his toughness, coachability, and poise,” wrote Bardawil, who enjoys spending time with his family and everything football in his spare time.
“This kid has shown his ability to perform at a high level while taking big hits and playing through injuries. He never wants to take plays or reps off, no matter how hurt he may be.
“He is also a great listener. He is open to coaching every day and wants to get better with every rep. He handles criticism well and always just plays the next play. He is fun to coach every day, even though he is not much of a talker. Plus, the moment doesn’t get too big for him. He plays with a calmness and poise that is required in high-pressure situations.”
Ecrement describes what he feels are his strengths on the field.
“My strengths of being a quarterback, I feel, are knowing and trusting every single person on the field and off the field,” he wrote.
A concern is Ecrement needs to keep building his body and continue to get stronger in the weight room, which Ecrement agreed to as well. Ecrement also feels he needs to polish his footwork. This year, spring/summer practices will be extremely important to the Polar Bears, who compete in the competitive Federal League.
“It is extremely important because we have four new starters on the offensive line and we must replace an All-Ohio running back and two veteran wide receivers who had a lot of production,” wrote Bardawil. “I’m very excited about the guys we have for next year, though. It will be a hungry group of kids eager to build off last season’s success, and having a veteran QB like Lucas helps that transition.”
Ecrement is looking to make a strong statement this year. And that starts with the relationship he has with his teammates.
“Ever since I came into the program as a freshman, everyone has been super supportive and I’ve made relationships I feel will last a lifetime,” wrote Ecrement. “Spring football and 7 on 7s are going to be super important this year because we have a lot of new guys, and we need to build some chemistry and trust. Ecrement discussed what he hopes to get out of his senior year.
“This is my senior year,” he said. “But from last year, my junior year, I think the most important thing that I learned was to take every opportunity and utilize it to the fullest.”
An injury can take a toll on an athlete’s mental health; he described how he powered through.
“Tearing my knee and then having to get surgery was tough,” he wrote. “But I took it one day at a time because if you look too far ahead, you may start to get negative thoughts and self-doubt.” As a new season sits on the horizon, the Polar Bears’ offense looks to make an explosive impact on the upcoming season.
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