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Words cannot express the value Andrew Marcum means to the Calumet New Tech football team.
Instead, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior quarterback just goes about his business and lets his actions on the field do the talking for him.
In his first year as a rookie, Markum completed 69-of-108 (64 percent) for 1,487 yards with 23 touchdowns and two interceptions, helping the Warriors (7-0) to the best start in program history.
“The driving force for us is that everyone on the team is focused on one thing this year,” Markham said. “That’s our job to do and win.”
He established himself as a big-time player in a 52-16 win at Gary West on Aug. 26.
“Andrew is a quiet leader by example,” second-year Calumet coach Cody French said. He does everything we ask and doesn’t complain too much or get his own way. He’s a great example for our young players to look at and show up every day when you’re successful and how you can carry yourself. The purpose and focus of improvement.”
Competing on the gridiron since the age of nine, Marcum has a tight-knit group of people who push him to keep going even when things aren’t going well.
“My inspiration on the field is my mom and dad, my brothers on the field and the brothers I’ve lost to get this far,” Markum said. “The guys I look up to on this team are (defensive back) Jordan Bradley, (senior linebacker) Demetrius Maynard, David Flores and (senior defensive lineman) Marcos Garcia because I’ve been playing with them since sixth grade.”
His primary target was tight end TJ Caldwell, who hauled in 10 passes for 307 yards and four scores against Gary West.
“TJ is quick and flexible,” Marcum said. “He has a special talent and if he continues to use it, it will be a big thing.”
For the season, the 5-foot-9, 145-pound Caldwell rushed 34 times for 928 yards with 16 total touchdowns.
“Andrew is great to be around,” Caldwell said. “He’s funny, he’s competitive, and he’s an all-around great guy. We’ve been working out together over the summer, I’ve been running routes and he’s been throwing the ball, so that’s where we had that chemistry over the summer. Cheats.”
Like Marc, French believes the talented receiver has a big change.
“TJ is a vocal leader who never stops talking,” French said. “He encourages his teammates and challenges them in every practice, which makes everyone work harder to be better. He is active in the community and school and was the state champion in the long jump at home last summer. TJ has great leadership qualities to carry on. He dominated on the field as a junior. Grow and grow.”
Active on the gridiron since the age of eight, Caldwell credits his family for his passion for the game.
“The person I look up to the most is my receivers coach Tracy Caldwell, who is also my dad,” Caldwell explained. “But what inspired me to play was when my grandmother died, she was always a big spark in my heart, and when I was in doubt, she made me go to sports.
“My dad is a big inspiration for why I play this sport. He was an (NCAA) D-1 football player for the University of Arkansas and I want to play D-1 like he did. I want to have. The life he had, so he’s motivated me to continue in this sport because he’s a supporter that helps me along the way. Because I have a father.
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