Monroe’s Greatest Quarterbacks: Jaedyn Prewitt

Published on November 10, 2023

After falling to Sumner in the State Playoffs, Monroe would lose two players who had been the heart and soul of the Bearcat offense. J.J. Jerome and Zach Zimmerman had both broken rushing and passing records at Monroe, and there departures would leave a void that needed to be filled. For quarterback, the Bearcats needed a new signal caller replace Zimmerman, one of the school’s most accomplished and longest serving players. This weighty responsibility was given Jaedyn Prewitt, a quarterback who played sparingly in 2016 and would be going into his Senior year. With only one year to prove himself, Prewitt generated one of the greatest single seasons in Monroe history.

Preparing For the Future

Though Zach Zimmerman held the starting quarterback position for almost three seasons, Prewitt still found opportunities to grow as a player while serving as a backup. Under the coaching of Brett Jay and Michael Bumpus, Jaedyn was able to learn valuable lessons about the position long before stepping onto the gridiron. He took the time to study the offense and eventually found some playing time in 2016.[1] The 2016 Bearcats were one of Monroe’s greatest teams and regularly dominated their opponents. Prewitt’s first game was against Meadowdale during the season opener and he saw significant playing time a few weeks later against Cascade. He threw his first touchdown pass against the Bruins and added another touchdown the following week during a rout of Glacier Peak.[2] Monroe finished the regular season with an 8-1 record before falling in the First Round of the State Playoffs. With Zimmerman graduating, the continued success of the program would rest on the shoulders of an untested quarterback.

Despite losing key players to graduation, Monroe retained a great deal of talent heading into 2017. At wide receiver, Isaiah Cole entered into his Senior season as a young Efton Chism III emerged. To replace J.J. Jerome’s production, the team turned to Isaiah Lewis, a capable running back who was ready to leave his mark. On defense, Josh Jerome and Ricky Baker were primed to have highly successful Senior seasons. While some players might have felt pressure at taking over the quarterback position, Jaedyn felt confident in his ability to perform. “At that point before the 2017 season, it was just on my body to catch up with my mind,” recalled Prewitt. “So I would say I was more excited to finally showcase what I was capable of.”[3] 

Seizing the Opportunity

Jaedyn did not have to wait long to prove himself as the first game of the season served as an indication of things to come. Against Meadowdale, Prewitt threw for 225 passing yards and three touchdown passes as Monroe cruised to a 62-21 victory. Jaedyn’s debut was impressive but marred by two interceptions. Nevertheless, Jaedyn quickly adjusted and played with remarkable efficiency, only throwing two interceptions during the next seven games. With Prewitt breaking out with a strong performance, the rest of the Bearcats followed suit. As they had in 2016, Monroe started the season with a dominant eight game winning streak, with Jaedyn playing a key role in the team’s success. 

In the first eight games, Prewitt threw for two or more touchdowns in each contest while displaying a remarkable completion rate. Though Prewitt was not as mobile as Zach Zimmerman, his accuracy was unmatched. In week four against Cascade, Jaedyn recorded his highest completion percentage of the season after completing 17 of 19 passes, leading to 253 passing yards and three touchdown passes, leading to a 52-22 Monroe victory. A week later, Prewitt threw four touchdown passes during a 57-0 rout of Glacier Peak. Monroe continued to roll through its opponents with ease as Prewitt improved after each game. Against Mount Vernon in week seven, Jaedyn had his most complete game of the season. He completed 13 of 15 passes and scored four touchdown passes while racking up a career high 298 passing yards. After Monroe torched Jackson the following week, they hosted Lake Stevens at home in another highly anticipated matchup. Despite their talent, the Bearcats could not overcome the Vikings, falling 38-12 in another devastating defeat.[4] Once again, Monroe could not dwell on its loss for long as the Qualifying Round of the State Playoffs soon followed. 

Monroe’s Greatest Game

To reach the State Playoffs, Monroe would have to defeat a talented Mount Si team that also featured a potent offense. Though the Bearcats had home field advantage, beating Mount Si would require all the effort Monroe could muster. The first half of the contest was littered with points as Monroe took a 29-22 lead into halftime. Monroe added onto its lead late in the third quarter and held a 37-25 advantage. Prewitt had been playing well as he already had two touchdown passes in the game. Mount Si soon rallied back and led 40-37 going into the final minutes of the game.[5] During one of Monroe’s last drives of the game, Prewitt made an errant pass that was intercepted by a Mount Si defender. The turnover appeared to be a season-ending mistake as Mount Si attempted to run out the clock.

With less than two minutes left the Monroe defense miraculously forced a fumble and recovered the football, giving themselves one last attempt to win the game. Jaedyn put his turnover behind him and helped lead a drive down the field in the waning moments of the game. Two crucial passes to Efton Chism and Isaiah Cole brought the Bearcats within striking distance before Isaiah Lewis ran in the final touchdown. Monroe held Mount Si scoreless and won one of the greatest games in program history. “The Mount Si game is something I still talk about to this day,” said Prewitt. Monroe celebrated its victory briefly as the First Round of the State Playoffs was fast approaching. 

Battle in the FOg

Monroe football was no stranger to the State Playoffs but had little to show for it. In the six appearances the Bearcats had in the State Playoffs, no Monroe team had ever made it past the First Round. Buoyed by their incredible win over Mount Si, Monroe felt confident in its ability to make a significant playoff run. In the First Round, the Bearcats traveled south to take on Puyallup, a team also boasted a strong defense and offense. A factor in the contest was the weather as thick fog shrouded the field. To Prewitt, the fog seemed like “something out of a movie.” Despite the ominous environment, the Monroe players were unphased. “The guys really responded well to it.”[6] 

The game was a defensive struggle as both teams went into halftime tied 7-7. In the second half, Monroe took a 14-7 lead briefly before Puyallup evened the score. With time running out in the fourth quarter and both offenses scuffling, the next score would prove decisive. Halfway through the quarter, Monroe began a drive and moved down the field thanks to long passes by Prewitt. After an Isaiah Lewis run put the Bearcat’s on the Puyallup 14, Jaedyn threw a pass into the endzone that was caught by Isaiah Cole, putting Monroe ahead late in the contest. Monroe held onto its 21-14 advantage the rest of the game, capturing its first ever playoff win.[7] 

Uncharted Territory

As Monroe advanced to the Second Round in the State Playoffs, they faced a familiar foe. The Bearcats traveled to Sumner, looking to avenge their playoff loss from the previous season. Unfortunately for Monroe, the contest quickly spiraled out of control. After an opening score by Sumner, Monroe scored to narrow the deficit to 7-6. This was the closest the Bearcats came to victory as Sumner piled on points. Monroe could only produce one more touchdown for the remainder of the game as Sumner cruised to a 56-14 victory, ending their whirlwind season on a disappointing note.[8]

Despite the loss, Monroe had reached a new high in its program on the strength of a remarkable group of Seniors. Jaedyn Prewitt was one of a few Bearcats who had broken school records during 2017, etching his name in Monroe football history after only one full season. His 2,643 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns were single-season records, breaking marks set by Zach Zimmerman the year prior.[9] Despite starting for one season, Jaedyn Prewitt’s Senior year stands as one of the greatest by any Monroe quarterback. 

opportunity in Spokane

Jaedyn Prewitt’s time at Monroe was remarkable but seemed to be the end of his playing career. As late as the Mount Si game, Prewitt had no offers to play at any university.[10] Luckily, Whitworth University, a Division III school located in Spokane, Washington, gave Jaedyn the opportunity to continue playing football. He enrolled at Whitworth in 2018 and served as the backup quarterback during his first two seasons. 2020 looked to be the first season with Prewitt as the Pirate’s starting quarterback but the campaign was soon derailed. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed Whitworth’s football season until Spring 2021. Though the season was limited to only four games against Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran, Jaedyn rose to the occasion. The Pirates won all four games as Prewitt threw for 1,074 passing yards, 11 touchdown passes, and one rushing touchdown. In the final game against Pacific Lutheran, Prewitt had his finest game as he threw for 458 passing yards and completed four touchdown passes.

After the short Spring 2021 football campaign, Jaedyn would play in his first full football season in the fall of 2021. The Pirates continued to play well as Prewitt excelled at quarterback. He racked up 1,758 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns, adding 85 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns on the ground.[11] Though the Pirates finished with a 7-3 season, Jaedyn was establishing himself as one of Whitworth’s finest quarterbacks.[12] Jaedyn’s fifth and final season was limited to five games, he remained a capable quarterback. In the opening contest, Prewitt threw for 404 yards in a road game against Carnegie Melon. His playing time was intermittent for the next few games but Jaedyn started in the final three games. In his return game against Puget Sound, he passed for 286 yards and four touchdown passes, tying a career best.[13] Though the Pirates finished 6-4 and Jaedyn did not play a full season, he performed well when he was on the field.[14] He recorded statistics in five games, totaling 1,317 passing yards and seven touchdown passes.[15] 

Though his remarkable playing career came to an end after the 2022 season, Jaedyn Prewitt is still involved with football. He is currently coaching for a high school football team and remembers his time as a Bearcat fondly. “I always tell [my players] my favorite times were playing in high school,” said Prewitt. To Jaedyn, high school football is the sport at its purest, as he stated, “The game of football becomes much more complicated the older you get, and the farther you get away from high school.”[16] While following up one of Monroe’s most accomplished quarterbacks was a difficult task, Prewitt more than answered the call. He not only broke some of Zach Zimmerman’s single season records, he helped Monroe go on the deepest playoff run in program history. With only one season to leave his mark, Jaedyn Prewitt’s story highlights the importance of savoring every moment on the gridiron.

Sources

[1] Prewitt, Jaedyn. Interview with Author, September 27, 2023.

[2] https://www.maxpreps.com/wa/monroe/monroe-bearcats/athletes/jaedyn-prewitt/football/stats/?careerid=7tq77o4cr7800&sportSeasonId=c81b47ee-f434-456f-8f6e-fee79c115904

[3] Prewitt, Interview with Author.

[4] https://www.maxpreps.com/wa/monroe/monroe-bearcats/athletes/jaedyn-prewitt/football/stats/?careerid=7tq77o4cr7800&sportSeasonId=d7de9baf-87f8-4a16-bf62-ff51dcb7b9d5

[5] https://www.maxpreps.com/games/11-3-2017/football-17/monroe-vs-mount-si.htm?c=lHsEWmxsqE-a_f8Fgtkx1Q

[6] Prewitt, Interview with Author.

[7] https://www.maxpreps.com/games/11-10-2017/football-17/monroe-vs-puyallup.htm?c=WHJ6LPdrn0CNK5qcneSXdw

[8] https://www.maxpreps.com/games/11-18-2017/football-17/monroe-vs-sumner.htm?c=UOgbu8z26EWgGQj-ZpMmQw#tab=box-score&schoolid=

[9] https://www.maxpreps.com/wa/monroe/monroe-bearcats/athletes/jaedyn-prewitt/football/stats/?careerid=7tq77o4cr7800&sportSeasonId=d7de9baf-87f8-4a16-bf62-ff51dcb7b9d5

[10] Prewitt, Interview with Author.

[11] https://whitworthpirates.com/sports/football/roster/jaedyn-prewitt/5052#sidearm-roster-player-bio

[12] https://whitworthpirates.com/sports/football/schedule/2021

[13] https://whitworthpirates.com/sports/football/roster/jaedyn-prewitt/5052#sidearm-roster-player-bio

[14] https://whitworthpirates.com/sports/football/schedule/2022

[15] https://whitworthpirates.com/sports/football/roster/jaedyn-prewitt/5052#sidearm-roster-player-bio

[16] Prewitt, Interview with Author.