Standing under center with the entire defense staring you down and having to make a positive play is not something every one can do or excel at consistently.

Those that do give their teams a big boost.

Three area football teams are looking to make deep playoff runs this year and it comes to no surprise that all of those teams — Southland, Blooming Prairie and Grand Meadow— are led by strong quarterbacks.

What might be surprising is the different style those quarterbacks play with.

THE WORKHORSE

Calling Grand Meadow senior Caleb Leichtnam a quarterback is like calling a combine a lawn mower. He lines up under center, but he’s usually carrying the ball and making things happen for the Superlarks (5-0 overall), who are ranked No. 2 in the state and are averaging 44.2 points per game.

Leichtnam has racked up 1,437 all-purpose yards while scoring 21 touchdowns this season with an average of 12.8 yards per carry.

“We’ve done about everything imaginable with him and he’s found ways to get into the end zone,” GM head coach Gary Sloan said. “Caleb is probably one of the smartest football players I’ve ever had. He really understands what other teams are trying to accomplish and where holes are on defense.”

Leichtnam has mastered the cut-back run as he’ll often wait for the defense to overplay one side and then jet across to the opening.

“I’m pretty patient and I’ll go lateral for awhile until I see an opening,” he said. “As soon as I see that opening, I’ll take it.”

As defenses have blitzed and loaded up the line of scrimmage to stop him this year, it only has only helped Leichtnam produce the big play.

“Teams have been trying to stop the run so much that they’re bringing more guys than we can block and that’s part of the reason we haven’t been able to pass,” Leichtnam said. “But that’s also why we’ve had so many big runs. Because once you break that initial line it’s pretty much a touchdown.”

For GM’s offensive lineman, it can be a nightmare to block for their quarterback, who has been knwon to scramble all over the field.

Senior lineman Scott Wilson can attest, but he said it’s gotten a little easier over the years.

“It’s kind of difficult to block for him, because he’s always cutting back,” Wilson said. “If we have a play called one way, it’s not guaranteed that it’s going that way. You’ve got to keep your head on a swivel.”

While he does most of his damage with his legs, Leichtnam is capable of making solid throws — he threw for over 700 yards last year — but this year he’s thrown for just 72 yards with one TD and one interception on 13 attempts.

Leichtnam has scored by passing, rushing, catching, and on kick, punt and an interception return for the Larks.

He also has his head coach’s trust.

“There are some things that if he sees them (on the field) he can do them on his own,” Sloan said. “I really value his opinion and if he makes a suggestion, I’ll look at it and maybe we’ll run it within the next couple of plays.”

GM will host No. 10 ranked Spring Grove (5-0 overall) Friday at 7 p.m.

THE DOUBLE THREAT

When Southland senior Sam Noterman steps behind the center and begins to scan the defense, he’s always got four words running through his mind — softest coverage, shortest throw.

While Noterman, who has completed 67.1 percent (51-for-76) of his passes for 881 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions, is capable of throwing the ball downfield, he’s more likely to burn a defense with a quick slant or a quick out.

“I’m looking for what the defense gives me, but If I have to throw downfield, I’ll make the best of it I can,” he said.

Noterman also can do some damage on the ground as he has run for 162 yards (6.2 per carry) and scored three times for the Rebels (4-1 overall).

Southland head coach Shawn Kennedy wouldn’t mind seeing his quarterback take off a few more times.

“I think his biggest problem is he doesn’t believe in himself enough on Friday nights,” Kennedy said. “He’s a great passer, but he’s also a great runner and we have a great line that can block for him.”

Noterman has gotten better at his mechanics ever since he stepped on the field as a starter his sophomore year. This summer he made sure to get in plenty of time with his wide receivers — especially his No. 1 target Alan May.

“He’s at my house too much,” Noterman said of May. “We worked a lot together over the summer and our timing is down.”

May, a senior, said that Noterman give the Rebels passing game a boost.

“Sam’s a great quarterback,” he said. “He works hard in practice and he understands it. Every day he gets better and he can run the ball too, which makes him even better.”

While the Rebels like to pile up yardage on the ground, Kennedy said that the passing game completes their potent offense, which is putting up over 35 points per game.

“We’ll take the run if they give it to us. That sets up our boot play and it’s wide open,” Kennedy said.

Southland will host Fillmore Central (3-2 overall) Friday at 7 p.m.

THE CONTROL FREAK

While he’s made throws of up to 40 yards on a rope for scores, Blooming Prairie’s Luc Zellmer isn’t too worried about how strong his arm his or how deep he can chuck it. He’s more worried about keeping the ball on offense.

“I have no idea (what my range is). I try to hit them early so the receivers can just run,” said Zellmer, a junior. “You always want the best opportunities for your receivers and you can’t do that if you turn the ball over. You learn a lesson after every pick and you have to learn what you can and can’t do. I just try to stay in my boundaries.”

Zellmer has thrown for 1,582 yards, 20 touchdowns and just one interception on 158 attempts while completing 55 percent of his passes this season. For BP receiver Dylan Hatch, catching the ball from Zellmer is about as good as it gets.

“It’s a lot of fun, you don’t know when a big play is going to break free and you don’t know when you’re going to get the ball,” Hatch said. “He’s a great quarterback and I couldn’t ask for more. The ball is always in the right spot.”

The success between Zellmer and his receivers certainly has not come overnight. He started every game as a sophomore for a BP team that went all the way to the state semifinals and he spent two days a week during the summer throwing to his receivers.

“We put a lot of time in the offseason and we kind of both get on each other,” Hatch said. “If I make a mistake he gets on me. He pushes himself real hard, so I don’t have to motivate him too much.”

Playing quarterback for the Awesome Blossoms, who are averaging 41.8 points per game, is not like it is for every other team. BP lives by the pass and has done so for the past few years.

This season that is even more so as BP has yet to get its running game going.

“We’ve relied a lot on our passing game this year and Luc’s really carried us. He makes a lot of great decisions,” BP head coach Chad Gimbel said. “Luc’s really gotten better at telling us what he thinks can be adjusted on the field and he’s usually right.”

While carrying the bulk of the offense and not committing any turnovers can be stressful, Zellmer keeps his cool just fine on the field

“There’s definitely a lot of pressure,” he said. “I try not to think about it, but it’s always kind of back there.”

BP will host Medford (3-2 overall) Friday at 7 p.m.