ESPN RISE

Before the season it might have appeared odd. After all, how often does a championship-winning, two-year starting quarterback get moved to another position to make room for a first-year starter?

But Edmondson-Westside (Baltimore, Md.) head coach Dante Jones did just that when he moved Carroll Washington to receiver and started 6-foot-4, 200-pound Jerry Lovelocke at quarterback.

"When he [Lovelocke] came into the program we knew we had a special kid," Jones said. "With Carroll moving to receiver it just opened up that opportunity for him and he took the bull by the horns. His stature and poise in the pocket is remarkable."

Washington was the Red Storm's starting quarterback during the team's 2006 Class 2A championship, but had a better chance of being recruited by colleges as a receiver -- which prompted the move. Washington will attend Dean Junior College (Franklin, Mass.).

Lovelocke's first start of the season was against Friendly (Fort Washington, Md.). Lovelocke completed 10 of 15 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown, leading the Red Storm to a 16-7 win over the Patriots.

The junior struggled in the first half of the Red Storm's next game, against Loyola, but settled down in the second half, throwing for a touchdown and finishing the game with 277 yards.

Jones said that game helped motivate Lovelocke, who is one of the team's hardest workers.

"As the year went on he played well in every big game," Jones said. "Jerry has stepped up in ways that symbolizes a leader. In practice when we're running he may start back further than anybody else just because he wants to push himself. He just does things to improve -- things like that I consider being a leader."

Lovelocke finished the season with 2,496 yards passing, 25 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.

At 6-4, Lovelocke has the size of a prototypical college quarterback and Jones said they are fine-tuning his throwing motion to make sure Lovelocke stands out during one-day camps. Though Lovelocke has all the physical tools, his best trait could be mental.

"He has strong pocket presence," Jones said. "He has no problem taking a hit. He will stand there until the last minute to complete the throw."

With the last of Edmondson's Class 2A championship team graduating in June, Lovelocke will be expected to take an expanded leadership role during his senior year.

Jones said Pittsburgh, Boston College and Georgia have requested more film on Lovelocke and that they plan on attending several one-day camps during the spring.

Lovelocke is also expected to attend the Nike Baltimore Combine at M&T Bank Stadium on March 28.

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Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com