With NSU's move to a new conference, Johnny Deaton's numbers dropped in 2012. This year, he and the RiverHawks look to rebound and make the postseason for the first time in more than a decade. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file
Johnny Deaton already has his name written throughout the Northeastern State University record books. Now the senior quarterback is hoping to lead the RiverHawks to their first NCAA postseason appearance since 2000.
The road to the postseason won't be easy for the former Sand Springs and Oklahoma State University signal-caller, but Deaton and the RiverHawks are hoping to build off a four-game winning streak that finished off a 4-6 campaign last year. Included in the streak was a season-ending 22-20 victory at rival Central Oklahoma.
"Finishing the way that we did definitely boosted our morale and showed us that we can compete with anyone," Deaton said. "This season, we're going to go into every game thinking we are capable of winning that game."
In their first season in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Deaton and the RiverHawks had a rough introduction.
After an eye-popping campaign in 2011 in which he set 11 records, Deaton passed for 1,861 yards and 10 touchdowns last year as the NSU offense struggled at times against tougher competition.
"His numbers were down last year, but they will bounce back," NSU coach Kenny Evans said. "We averaged seven dropped passes per game last season. We were a young team and it showed at times."
NSU returns six starters on offense, led by Deaton.
"It's my senior year and with age, you learn things. I've been around a lot and seen a lot of things," Deaton said. "When we've lost, I've always tried to gain respect for what the opponent did to beat you and then learn from that."
One thing that has not changed from Deaton's days at Sand Springs, where he was ranked as the nation's sixth-best dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.com, is his ability to improvise and keep the play alive. It's one of his strongest traits, Evans says.
"He has amazing athletic ability and has the unique ability to extend the play," Evans said. "It's also been a weakness of his in the past because he wants the big play and sometimes won't take what the defense gives him."
"He really matured a lot this spring," Evans added. "Between that and the momentum we have coming off the four-game winning streak to end last season, there's a lot of excitement here."
Original Print Headline: Flying HIGH
