SMETHPORT, Pa. (EYT/D9) — Noah Lent likes being in charge. He thrives on pressure. Excels when all eyes and expectations are squarely on him.
Lent craves big moments. He relishes the chance to make an impact on the football field.
Even from the age of 7, when he first put on the shoulder pads and cleats, he gravitated to quarterback — a position where everything funneled through him.
“I always want the ball in my hands,” Lent said. “I want to take control of the game. I just like having control over it all. Being a quarterback, you’re the leader of the offense. I just like the leadership.”
Lent is certainly in control this season for the Smethport football team. Lent is putting up video-game numbers for the 5-0 Hubbers.
At the midway point in the regular season, Lent has already accounted for 29 touchdowns for Smethport. He’s put the dual in dual-threat with 918 yards rushing on just 88 carries and 16 touchdowns and 678 yards passing and 13 more scores.
Lent is pleased, but not surprised by his torrid pace this year.
But not for the reasons one would think.
“We had a lot of younger kids step up and work hard over the offseason,” Lent said. “We just have a great group of guys around me making me better and themselves better.”
Smethport coach Adam Jack for one isn’t shocked by that answer.
“He’s very humble,” Jack said. “It’s never about him, but about the team.”
Lent had a very good junior season last year, passing for 617 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for another 813 yards and 11 TDs. He helped lead Smethport to the District 9, Class A championship game, but the Hubbers fell to Redbank Valley, 20-6.
The loss stuck with Lent and this offseason, he dedicated himself to get even better, particularly throwing the ball.
Lent was just 5 of 15 for 27 yards in that loss to the Bulldogs.
“I’m really proud of the effort he’s put forth,” said Smethport coach Adam Jack.
Redbank Valley coach Blane Gold has also noticed the difference on film between Lent of 2020 and Lent of 2021 as the Bulldogs prepare for the rematch with the Hubbers Friday night in Smethport.
“What makes him really dangerous is he’s good at throwing the ball on the run,” Gold said. “A lot of times at the high school level, you don’t typically see dual threats do both very well and you really don’t usually see kids running full speed, whether they’re rolling out or scrambling, and can deliver a strike. There’s a lot of things he provides that’s a matchup nightmare.”
Jack said Lent focused in particular this offseason on not taking off running the moment the play breaks down. He’s been better at holding the ball and waiting for things to develop in the passing game before running.
“He’s been able to keep his eyes downfield when, in the past, he’d just pull the ball down and run,” Jack said. “We’ve said for a long time that he’s better throwing on the run.”
Lent said he’s been able to tune his internal clock; The alarm goes off a little later during a play.
“Your line can’t hold their blocks for 10 seconds,” Lent said. “It’s tough knowing when to hold the ball and when to run, but I’ve gotten better at that. When I do get flushed and nobody’s open, that’s just when you have to take off, make a play and make something happen.”
Lent has done that a lot already.
Last week in a 56-18 win over Otto-Eldred, Lent had perhaps the best game of his career — or almost anyone’s career, for that matter.
Lent threw for 159 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 277 yards and five more TDs.
One of the big reasons for Lent’s big season has been the return of senior wide receiver Alex Ognen.
Lent and Ognen — close friends off the field — developed an immediate connection in the field.
“Oh, he’s been huge,” Lent said. “He’s great. Over the offseason we worked very hard and he gained speed and has great hands and is a great route runners. He’s just amazing for our team. Him coming back was just great for me.”
Lent has run the same offense — a power-spread attack — since junior high.
“You could say I have it all memorized,” Lent said, chuckling. “That helps a lot.”
Lent said he would love to play football in college — if only colleges would call him.
Despite his gaudy numbers, the 6-foo-1, 170-pound Lent has received little interest.
“I hear from coaches and recruiters about visits and camps, but nothing more than that,” Lent said.
Is part of the reason for the tepid interest the fact that Lent plays in rural McKean County in the Pennsylvania Wilds?
“Maybe. Yeah,” Lent said. “I’d like to think that.”
Lent, however, isn’t concerning himself too much with his future. He’s more focused on the present, namely what he can do to get a measure of revenge against his nemesis, Redbank Valley, and get his team more victories this season.
“It feels good to jump out to 5-0, but I’m not satisfied,” Lent said. “The job’s not finished. We still have a lot to accomplish.”
