After leading basketball team to Final 4, McDonald now starring at QB for SBR football

SOMERSET — The similarities of playing quarterback in football and point guard in basketball go hand-in-hand.

There is the leadership aspect of both sports, the vision and controlling the flow of the game while setting the pace.

Senior Brendan McDonald is that guy for the Somerset Berkley football team.

"I played quarterback freshman year before taking a two-year break," McDonald said. "This year, I play quarterback and just trying to be a good teammate."

So far, the Raiders QB is off to a hot start. He leads the team in rushing, points (44) and touchdowns (7). He has also thrown for two touchdowns. McDonald rushed for 204 yards on 20 carries in a road win against Dennis-Yarmouth. Last season, he recorded a team-leading six interceptions, including returning a pair for touchdowns.

McDonald helped lead SBR to an area-best 8-3 mark in 2023 and a share of the South Coast Conference Blue League title. He was a SCC all-star and secured his first Herald News All-Scholastics football honor.

"I mean (this year), it has been good," McDonald said. "The first game was a little rough just losing. Then we had a big win at D-Y and obviously a big win (on Friday) against Stoughton. Just building on that momentum for our next game."

Head coach Nick Freitas said McDonald is important when it comes to the offense.

"We have a few different options," he said.

Last winter, McDonald helped an underdog Raiders basketball squad to a berth in the Division 2 Final Four and nearly a stunning upset win over Malden Catholic. He averaged 15.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 94 assists and 48 3-pointers. He was named a SCC all star.

"It kind of comes natural, reading the field and the coverages," said McDonald when asked about the similarities in both sports. "Just like from basketball since I've played most of my life. Just trying to be a good teammate and getting people in the right spots to score and put up points."

With a key road game on the horizon against Durfee for the Raiders, McDonald said he wants to take it one game at a time. and prepare for the next opponent.

"I have to keep the guys in check and to win games," he said.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @Chezsports

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: After leading basketball team to Final 4, McDonald now starring at QB for SBR football