Menu
Against all odds Hammontree achieves goal of playing quarterback
Nevada Daily Mail
During his youth football days and through middle school Jacob Hammontree was often told he wasn't quarterback material. The main reasons usually included his size and strength. Hammontree, a 17-year old Nevada High School junior, has officially proven the doubters wrong as he opened the 2015 season as the Nevada Tigers starting quarterback.
"It feels good, it really does," Hammontree said. "I feel like I have overcome things in life to be able to get out there and compete at this level -- and become the Tigers starting quarterback. A lot of people didn't think I was good enough to play quarterback, and I've just fought to get here. I've never been the fastest, but I've just worked and worked."
While his size and strength may have once come into question, his heart and passion for the game never did. Hammontree never quit on his goal of becoming quarterback, even when he could have. On May 19, 2014, tragedy struck for Hammontree, as his mother, Leonette, was killed in a motorcycle accident on U.S. Highway 54 just west of Nevada. A few weeks prior to losing his mother, Hammontree's father, Joe, was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Nevada and had to be airlifted to Joplin for medical attention.
"It was terrible," Hammontree said. "I didn't think I could get through it, but with the help of friends and family always being there by my side I was able to overcome it."
Hammontree, also an NHS golf standout, said he considered walking away from football prior to the start of the season, as he wanted to focus on golf. In the end, it was Hammontree's teammates who tugged at his heartstrings.
"I thought about it but I didn't want to let down the team, I want to be able to help them," he said.
Nevada High School golf coach Brian Leonard said he was with Hammontree when he learned of the news of Leonette's death. Leonard and the golf team were in Springfield at the time, as Hammontree had qualified for the state golf tournament his freshman year.
"No teenage boy should have to go through that," an emotional Leonard said.
Leonard said that May 19, 2014, in Springfield, was one of the toughest days of his life.
"After we found out, the boys (golf team) were hugging each other and crying with Jake," Leonard said.
Leonard said Neil and Nora Quitno were instrumental in helping guide Jacob and his sister Kelsey through the tragedy.
"Jacob has stayed very positive and upbeat through all of this," Leonard said. "I think a lot of that has to do with his supporting cast. They rallied around him and tried to keep him busy and thinking about other things."
Nevada head football coach Erik Yoakam said hard work and perseverance has been the key to Hammontree's success.
"On the field he's really starting to become a leader and take control of the team," Yoakam said.
Yoakam added that off the field Hammontree is always willing to go the extra mile for people, as well as always volunteering to help with various activities. For example, during a recent Nevada Middle School football game, Hammontree volunteered to help with the yardsticks, a task you wouldn't expect the starting varsity quarterback to volunteer his time for.
"He's a young man with some good qualities that we're trying to instill in all of our players," Yoakam said. "He's done a good job with overcoming adversity. I'm definitely glad he decided to come back."
Another person Hammontree credits with providing support to him, is Nevada High School girls' basketball coach and science teacher Jenny Allard.
"He's such a good kid," Allard said. "I hate the circumstances and things that have happened to him. He has handled it so well. If you didn't live in Nevada or know that those tragic circumstances that happened to him, you wouldn't be able to tell -- because of the way he conducts himself in school and in practice."
Hammontree said his dream is to play golf at the college level and then move on to play professionally.
"I'm really looking forward to the golf season," Hammontree, a two-time state golf tournament qualifier said. "Our team this year and next year should be state champions."
Hammontree said as far as football, he loves to run the speed option.
Hammontree, who has scored a touchdown this season on a quarterback keeper, also serves as the team's place-kicker.
Hammontree said his favorite team is the Kansas City Chiefs, while his favorite football player is Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. Hammontree's favorite college team is the Oregon Ducks. And his favorite professional golfer -- Bubba Watson.