Life without Walker Howard: How St. Thomas More has handled the QB's departure for LSU

Before the question was finished being asked, St. Thomas More football coach Jim Hightower interrupted with pointed eyebrows and quipped, “He was a special player.”

Arguably, no other high school football team across Louisiana had a bigger hole to fill entering 2022 than STM following the graduation of quarterback and current LSU freshman Walker Howard.

A generational talent as the 2022 recruiting class’ fifth best rated quarterback and 40th overall, per the 247Sports Composite, players like Howard just don’t play for the Cougars often.

Hightower and his staff knew there was no replacing Howard, who threw for 2,394 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the Cougars to the Division II state semifinals his senior season – and two state championships before that.

However, when Howard missed time during the 2021 for a fractured fibula then sophomores Sam Altmann and Will Taylor filled in as a tandem.

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What exactly STM had behind Howard was always a question and Hightower and his staff, due to unfortunate circumstance, embarked on a trial-and-error stretch to find out.

The sentiment, offensive coordinator Shane Savoie said, has been that the offense can utilize both quarterbacks.

"You might lose some game experience if you play just one guy," Savoie said. "They've both grown exponentially. For those two guys, it's not about winning the starting position, I think they both would like to, but it's about winning games."

Both Taylor and Altmann rotated in and out and did the best they could in the situation leading the Cougars to a 3-1 record during those four games, with the lone loss coming against eventual Class 4A state champions Westgate.

Heading into the 2022 season, Savoie wanted one of the quarterbacks to outright win the starting job, although he felt like the pair would make that decision tough.

"Every time one of us takes a step, the other takes a step at the same time," Taylor said of the competition. "I don't see much difference between us. I might be a little quicker or throw a little further but it's nothing crazy.

"We're almost the same."

Altmann said sharing time with Taylor has positively affected his game more than anything else and the two have a budding relationship.

"If I had no competition, I wouldn't be where I'm at. And with the mindset, I'm always amped up," Altmann said. "Will shows me how to be calmer and he's an example of that. He's chill."

In Hightower’s extensive coaching career, he’s never ran a two-quarterback system and the idea of doing so wasn’t alluring. Perhaps life without Howard makes you try new things.

"Both have developed. I'm not at a point where I feel like one guy overwhelmingly gives us a chance to win over the other," Savoie said. "The more I've coached them, the more I think I can utilize their skill sets.

"There's no worry on our end about there being one set starter."

Through two games, Altmann and Taylor have shared quarterback duties and have STM off to a 2-0 start, the latest win against a 5A state title contender in Alexandria, and up to No. 3 in the LSWA Class 4A poll.

The Cougars face another tall task Friday night in Class 5A against visiting No. 5 Brother Martin (2-0).

Taylor is 9-of-15 for 175 yards with three touchdowns while Altmann is 9-of-14 for 141 yards and two TDs. Both have had a 100-yard passing game.

“I think their approaches are pretty similar,” Hightower said. “There’s little difference in their skill sets but not much. As far as preparation and knowledge of the game, I think they’re both really natural with that.

“We’re really not committed to (a two-quarterback system), but until something happens one way or the other, we’re going keep giving them both their shot.”

How St. Thomas More has used both quarterbacks to their advantage have been to in-game evaluation to how defenses call schemes against both and adjust their offensive plan.

"We're really hard to cover," Taylor said. "We got some good guys at receiver, good backs and offensive linemen. Then you mix in two different types of quarterbacks, it's tough from keeping us from scoring."

And offensive rhythm, Hightower said, has not been a concern or issue.

“If one of them can do this and that’s what they are giving us, then we’ll put him out there more often. That happened once last year. One of the defenses was giving us something to Will’s benefit and we left him out there for an extra series or two,” Hightower said.

There’s learning still for both Altmann and Taylor. The Cougars led Alexandria by 21 in the early going in Week 2, but the Trojans inched back in the game and has a shot to tie it at the end before STM held on, 42-35.

Savoie said there were plenty of valuable game situations that arose during the contest with ASH for Altmann and Taylor. It was another step in their overall improvement.

"The types of questions they ask are more in-depth. It's encompassing the entire picture now," Savoie said.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: How St. Thomas More is handling Walker Howard's departure to LSU