In just two games, Brighton Quarterback Colby Newburg has done very well for the Bulldogs with wins against Livonia Churchill and Novi. He is pleased with how the season is going so far. “I think it’s going well. I had first-game jitters the first half of the first game but picked it up since then; I had four touchdowns against Novi. I was more focused on the second game and was a lot calmer, and that allowed me to have a much better performance,” Newburg said.
Newburg took the Brighton QB job this season replacing the graduated Will Jontz. “I think I’m doing a good job. I am still a running quarterback like Brighton is used to, but I can also throw which Brighton didn’t see the last couple of years,” Newburg added.
Newburg says being both a running quarterback while also a throwing quarterback does have its benefits. “I think it’s good to be both,” Newburg mentioned. “If teams load the box for the run, we can torch them through the air, and if they play the pass too much, then we will run,” Newburg commented.
Newburg will be starting his first home game this week against Livingston County rival Hartland on Friday. Newburg is ready for his first game under the lights at Brighton after spending the first two weeks of the season on the road. “It was different. I want to get in front of our fans, but I had to wait a couple of weeks. It’s different playing in a different environment. I haven’t started a home game since JV so it should be fun,” Newburg stated.
During the offseason, Newburg worked a ton to get ready for his senior year and was very prepared once camp started. “I put in a ton of work this offseason. I was at the Michigan Elite Conditioning for Athletes in Novi 4 times a week and threw twice a week. I seldom had more than a day of rest. I lifted with MECA 4 times a week. The workouts there are tough, and I also threw with a family friend who coaches at a lot of these camps,” Newburg said.
Newburg was the backup last year to Will Jontz and got some playing time in the playoff game against East Kentwood when Jontz was injured. Newburg has been waiting for this year for a very long time and is ready to show what he can do as a quarterback. “Being on the sideline was very hard because I love to play the game of football, but I didn’t really get to play last year. Now I’m excited to show everyone what I do,” Newburg mentioned.
Newburg’s first home game will be against Hartland, and there is nothing he would want more than to get a win against a rival in front of the home crowd. “I know that this week there is going to be much hype during practice. We all want this win so bad. We all want to beat Hartland, and everyone is going to be very excited during practices this week,” Newburg said.