Willingness to learn has Bayside QB among all-time passers

VIRGINIA BEACH

Quarterback Deion Stitt has led Bayside to so many dramatic victories in his three seasons that what the junior did last Friday was almost expected.

Playing against previously unbeaten Woodside in the Eastern Region Division 6 quarterfinals, Stitt threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns. One of those scores came in overtime, giving the Marlins an upset victory.

“When a big play happens, I always walk away, take deep breaths and calm myself down,” Stitt said. “Keep telling myself big-time players make big-time plays. Here’s your chance to be a big-time player.”

Stitt has been a big-time player since the first game of his high school career. After making the varsity as a freshman, he was thrust into the lineup in the second quarter of Week 1 with Bayside trailing Green Run 17-0.

Stitt proceeded to hit on 9 of 11 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns as Bayside rallied to win 21-17.

“I thought he would be a good quarterback,” Bayside coach Darnell Moore said. “But after that game, I knew he could be a great one.”

Stitt, who leads his team into an Eastern Region Division 6 semifinal at Salem at 7:30 p.m. Friday, has indeed turned into a great one. His 5,025 career regular-season passing yards rank ninth in South Hampton Roads history.

“He’s played since his freshman year and he’s matured a lot,” senior wide receiver Anthony Cooper said. “He knows what he has to do. I wouldn’t want another quarterback leading us.”

Stitt’s developed in large part because of his willingness to learn. One of his older brothers, Jamal, played defensive back at Bayside when current Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel was there. The two regularly discuss Deion’s games in depth.

“He’s always wanted to work,” Jamal Stitt said. “Always open to new things, always trying to learn.”

Bayside went 10-2 in Stitt’s freshman season, but lost in the region semifinals.

That offseason, Moore talked with Stitt about the need to reign in his free-wheeling style.

Stitt spent the summer shortening his release to make it quicker and throwing short-distance passes into tight windows. The result: Stitt threw for 2,153 yards and 18 touchdowns with only six interceptions, and Bayside won the Eastern Region championship and reached the state semifinals.

This season, Stitt has hit on 66 percent of his 177 passes, throwing for 2,160 yards and 23 touchdowns with six interceptions.

“He is very efficient,” Moore said. “He’s probably only thrown 30 times in a game two or three times. So he makes the most out of those opportunities.”

Stitt is hungry for the chance to face Salem again. The SunDevils beat Bayside 31-6 in the season opener.

Stitt admits the Marlins weren’t mentally prepared for that game because they’d been resting on their laurels. He also notes Bayside had a young offensive line in that game, one which has had an entire season to grow.

The Marlins also have a quarterback they know they can count on.

“He wants to have the ball in his hands in big games,” Moore said. “He accepts any challenge.”