Mount Vernon QB Joey Rhomberg doesn’t take anything for granted after injury kept him out of state championship game

MOUNT VERNON — Joey Rhomberg watched from the sidelines.

Mount Vernon was playing in its biggest game of the year. One he had helped the Mustangs reach.

Unfortunately for Rhomberg, an injury suffered late in the state semifinal victory relegated him to a support role for the school’s 10th state finals appearance.

Although the situation was hard to swallow, Rhomberg was determined to have an effect on the outcome.

“I tried to be the best leader I could by trying to tell coaches what I saw on the field and what coverages he was seeing,” Rhomberg said about the 30-23 loss to Harlan in last year’s Class 3A title game. “It was super tough during the game to stay focused. You can’t let your teammates see you might not be too happy on the sideline.

“I was just trying to be positive and let my teammates see I still cared and wanted to impact the game.”

Rhomberg has made a major impact to open his senior campaign. He has amassed 503 yards, including 450 passing, and powered Class 3A second-ranked Mount Vernon to a 2-0 mark. The Mustangs (2-0) host Benton Community (2-0) Friday at First Street Field.

“The biggest thing with Joey is he didn’t end the season the way he wanted to last year,” Mount Vernon Coach Lance Pedersen said. “Joey has come in and has been working extremely hard. He’s worked with people to do things physically and mentally. He has increased his ability to make great reads on the football field.

“He has done a great job becoming a leader for our football team. He’s done all those little things that have separated him from the rest.”

Rhomberg began preparing for this season shortly after the runner-up finish in November. The loss has produced the drive to dedicate more time to becoming a better quarterback, physically and mentally, and reclaiming the form that led to a 12-0 start a year ago.

“It was a huge motivating factor for me, personally,” Rhomberg said. “Just coming to work every single day at practice, in the weight room and stuff like that. We want to be back to that position but we want to be on the other side with that state championship trophy.”

It also provided a little perspective for the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association first-team all-state offensive utility player. Make the most of every opportunity because you don’t know when you will play your last snap.

“It wasn’t like that at the time but I think it’s helped me be more grateful of what I have now,” Rhomberg said. “I don’t take anything for granted.”

The offseason included lots of film study, camps across the Midwest and just grabbing teams to work on routes and timing in their free time. The effort has paid dividends with 251 yards passing and three scores in a 35-6 win over 2A No. 5 Monticello in Week 1 and 199 yards and a touchdown in a 33-0 victory over Union Community last week. He added two rushing TDs against the Knights.

“It’s been fun with the guys,” Rhomberg said. “We’ve been working every day. We’re off to a better start than we were last year. It’s just a matter of keeping that momentum going and getting better every day.”

Similar to last season, Rhomberg has spread the ball around to teammates. Eight Mustangs have at least one reception. Evan Brase has been his top target with 16 catches for 191 yards. Watson Krob is next with 85 yards on eight receptions.

“They worked hard in the offseason getting ready mentally, physically and knowing where to be running the right routes,” Rhomberg said. “It’s mostly just been them working hard. I tried my best to help them out.”

Rhomberg has brought some inexperienced receivers into the mix, replacing players who graduated. His knack to make various throws and read coverages makes it challenging on a defense.

“He’s distributing the ball all across the field,” Pedersen said. “It’s difficult to defend when you have eight guys you can trust, rely on and be able to get the ball to. Joey has the ability to know who’s open, when they’re open and how to get the ball to them. He does a really nice job of that.”

All the physical skills were there when Rhomberg threw for 2,543 yards and 25 TDs last fall, adding 210 and four on the ground. The most notable improvement has been in a different area. Rhomberg shows signs of being a better all-around QB.

“This year has seen more on the mental side,” Rhomberg said. “I think physically I was pretty decent but this year has been more mental. I’ve been making better decisions, know where to go with the ball and working through your process, taking those easy throws and not trying to take the hard plays being risky with it.”

Pedersen praised assistant coach Dan Ketchum and offensive coordinator Brad Meester for making players better and putting them in positions to succeed. Rhomberg has a strong rapport with both.

“He completely understands our playbook,” Pedersen said. “He understands how the passing concepts are, who is supposed to be open against what coverages and what we’re trying to get accomplished on a third-down situation versus a first-down situation. His football IQ has grown tremendously. It has helped make him a much better football player.

“He does a great job being a leader for our football team. I’m very proud of this young man.”

Leadership has been another key adjustment. He demonstrated the trait last season but it has been a greater focus in his final year. Rhomberg credits a lot of growth to the “Leadership Council” work team members participate in with Pedersen.

“Quarterbacks have to be leaders,” Rhomberg said. “Leadership is different than what I thought it was at the start of my high school career. … We learn a skill to be better leaders.”

The Mustangs face a Benton Community defense that allows just 3.5 points per game and has held Marion and Vinton-Shellsburg to 109 total passing yards.

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“Benton is huge up front,” Pedersen said. “It’s going to be a difficult challenge for us. It’s an opportunity for us to get better and play the game that we love. Benton is a very good football team.”

Comments: nathan.ford@thegazette.com