KEN LANE

Freshman Kenneth Mouton will lead the Golden Gate Titans at quarterback as they head into the 2008 high school football season.

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Three weeks ago, Kenneth Mouton was just another freshman anxious to start high school, hoping to earn playing time on Golden Gate’s junior varsity football team.

That all changed soon after Mouton arrived for his first fall practice with the Titans. After quarterback Mike Spano abruptly decided he would not be back for his senior season, Mouton was thrust into the starter’s role before even starting his ninth grade year.

Now, in addition to learning his locker combination and the halls of his new school, Mouton is rapidly digesting Golden Gate’s playbook, while trying to gel with his new teammates before the Titans season-opener.

“I was shocked,” said Mouton about being elevated to starter. “I’m just trying to learn everything. I’m still learning now. There’s a lot to do.”

Mouton was tagged as the starting quarterback soon after Spano informed Golden Gate coach Dave Tanner his football days were over. Spano instead wants to focus on baseball, but didn’t make his decision until two weeks before the Aug. 11 start of practices.

Tanner picked Mouton on potential more than performance. He knows Mouton will more than likely struggle early, but thinks the freshman has the size and athleticism to be a star down the road.

“He’s got a lot of ability, it’s just going to take him a while,” said Tanner, in his fifth year at Golden Gate. “You can’t expect many great things his freshman year. The good thing about it is he’ll get tough experience this year. Next spring, he’ll know everything.”

Mouton is listed at 6 feet 1 inches and 181 pounds on the Titans roster, though he said he might be closer to 6 feet 2 inches following a summer growth spurt. Tanner said he sees the freshman as a runner-thrower type quarterback in the mold of Vince Young, the 6-5 passer for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

If he wants to be as successful as Young, though, Mouton admits he has a lot of learning to do. In addition to adjusting to the speed of the varsity game, the freshman is fast at work learning his new offense.

Though he’s only been the starter for less than a month and has yet to see any game action, Mouton said he is progressing well.

“If I keep my mind focused, I know I can be good,” Mouton said. “I’m gonna have to work hard, stay fearless.”

At least one member of the Golden Gate coaching staff has been impressed by Mouton’s performance so far. Kenneth Mouton Sr., the Titans strength and conditioning coach, isn’t surprised with how well his son has adjusted to the varsity level.

Ever since starting football as a third-grader, the younger Mouton has always been big for his age, his father said. Because of his size, Golden Gate’s new QB has always played with older kids in all the sports he’s tried, which the elder Mouton said has prepared him well to lead the Titans.

“He’s adjusting very well, and he’s probably ahead of where most freshman would be at this stage,” Mouton Sr. said of his son. “He picking up the offense really well. He understands all he needs to do is just go out there and play.”

Mouton hopes he can take after his father. Mouton Sr. was a standout football player at Naples High in the early ‘80s before playing defensive back at the University of Michigan. He played for coaching great, Bo Schembechler, from 1984 to 1986.

As Mouton continues to learn, Tanner said the freshman’s passing skills and awareness will come with time. What will determine his success, the coach added, is how quickly Mouton adjusts mentally to his new role.

“What he’s lacking now more than anything is just confidence,” Tanner said. “It’s taken him a while to adjust, but I see flashes of real good things.”