Roberts has shouldered the load for West Chester East
As West Chester East coach Dave Gueriera recanted a story of how Jon Jon Roberts converted a broken play into a 72-yard, game-winning touchdown against Hatboro-Horsham last season, he said more than once, “he just bailed us out.”
Roberts has a way of doing that. He’s made plays out of nothing countless times in his four years as a starter, and in the grand scheme of things, he’s made East something after entering the program when it was more of a nothing.
But Roberts’ fourth year as a Viking almost didn’t happen. His family picked up and moved to Missouri this past summer due to a job change for Jon Jon’s father, Jonathan. It was Jon Jon’s choice to stay or go.
“When I first heard the news I wasn’t 100 percent sure,” Roberts said. “I tossed it around, but I didn’t want to leave my senior year with all my friendships and the recruiting process getting worked out. A family offered me to stay in an extra room and I’ve been pretty comfortable with that. It’s definitely been an adjustment though.”
Roberts lives with the family of friend Ryan McNulty, who is a star lacrosse player at Bishop Shanahan but lives in East territory. Tonight’s homecoming game against Sun Valley will be the first time this season Roberts’ father, mother and brother will all be there together.
Either mom or dad has been to each game this year, and they have witnessed some of their son’s finest work.
In the past two games alone, Roberts has passed for 795 yards, which is more than seven area teams have this whole season.
“I’ve been coaching for 18 years and I’ve never coached a more complete football player from an athletic, mental toughness, smarts aspect,” Gueriera said. “He’s a kid I’m going to miss and not just for the positive impact he’s had on the field, but the positive impact he’s had on our program and community.”
From a broad view, Roberts has put up historical numbers. He’s started 37 games, passed for 6,972 yards and 58 touchdowns, according to Daily Local reports, and run for 2,118 yards and 23 more scores.
He’ll become the second quarterback from the Ches-Mont league to break the 7,000-yard mark and would be the first to throw for 7,000 and run for 2,000 for a career.
“I think he’s among the top of all to come out of the Ches-Mont,” Gueriera said. “Based on his ability and production, when he graduates we’re losing one of the best players we’ve ever had in this league.”
Roberts has enjoyed the ride.
“It’s all great and it’s a high honor, but really what I’ll remember is how much fun it was playing and the memories I made with friends,” Roberts said. “It’s been a huge learning experience, developing leadership. I love playing quarterback. It’s such an important position and to do the things I’ve done, it’s been a great four years.”
The Vikings are 3-4 this season, which has them 22nd in the Class AAAA District 1 playoff standings. With Downingtown East yet on the schedule, the Vikings control their own destiny, but it will be no easy task.
In the five seasons prior to Roberts arriving at East, the Vikings went 9-45. In Roberts’ 37 starts, he’s won 16 with marquee wins over Downingtown East in 2013 and Coatesville two weeks ago.
While his team hasn’t had the success that some of the immortal Ches-Mont quarterbacks like Dan Ellis, Pat Devlin and Emmitt Hunt have had, Roberts legacy is cemented, says Gueriera.
“In Jon Jon’s case, his teams have been good, but he’s been through a couple rebuilds in his four years,” Gueriera said. “And this is the most difficult division, top to bottom, in the state in my opinion. Going through two rebuilds and playing in this division, I don’t think that dampers his production and ability.”
Roberts played his first two seasons under Ellis before Gueriera stepped in last season. Fortunately for Roberts, both coaches employ a version of the spread offense.
“I think if I was stuck in a wing-T offense, a lot of my ability would not be able to be shown,” Roberts said. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to come in as a freshman, which isn’t a common situation. It’s been great playing in these offenses and display my full skill set.”
Roberts missed three games his freshman season but hasn’t missed a start since, despite his 5-foot-8, 165-pound frame.
He’s also been able to shoulder a significant burden for the Vikings. In the past three seasons, he’s attempted 789 of East’s 799 passes, and run 314 of East’s 891 carries. That puts him with a direct influence on the play 65 percent of the time.
It’s been heavy lifting, but Roberts has tortured defenses.
“You just can’t get to him,” Downingtown West coach Mike Milano said. “They do a good job spreading you with five wide and isolating match-ups, and all he needs is a bump by his linemen and he finds a crease. He’s really, really good.”
Roberts has been harder to wrangle this season, using a Russell Wilson-like spin move to get out of trouble in the pocket, and pinball-like quickness when he carries the ball. Those traits, as well as his high marks academically, drew the interest of the Naval Academy, where Roberts is committed to play next fall.
After all, the service academies are never at a shortage for young men willing and able to bail his mates out.
