IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers MAY THE BEST MAN WIN—Three of four prospective Newbury Park High varsity quarterbacks, from left, sophomore Jake Geringer, senior Jeff Meinecke and junior Jordan Brower, take a break from training on Tuesday. Matt Juels, a transfer from Villa Park, isn't pictured but is also in the mix. Multiple quarterbacks. One job.

Before the Newbury Park High football team can begin defending its co-Marmonte League championship, the team's coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Gary Fabricius, must decide on a starting signal-caller.

In the mix is a pair of seniors, Jeff Meinecke and Matt Juels, junior Jordan Brower and sophomore Jake Geringer.

Meinecke is the only returning varsity quarterback, but he didn't attempt a pass while serving as Colby Cameron's backup last season.

Brower, a standout on the Conejo Valley Little League team that won a United States championship in '04, started for the Panthers' junior varsity squad a year ago, leading NPHS to an 8-2 record. Juels and Geringer are both transfers, with Geringer coming over from Oaks Christian and Juels from Villa Park.

Unlike programs where seniors sometimes receive a right of passage into the starting lineup, Fabricius, who spent more than two decades as the Panthers' offensive coordinator under former head coach George Hurley, has made it clear to his players that if things are all even on the practice field, he'll go with the younger guy.

It's a constant prepourquarterback-for-the-future philosophy the Newbury Park coaches have effectively implemented for years.

"If Jake (Geringer) can be even with those other guys, then the job is his," Fabricius said.

"Now, Jeff (Meinecke) has to beat those guys out, and we thought at the end of the summer he kind of took a step toward getting a leg up and being the guy. But it hasn't been enough to say anything is guaranteed yet. We still want to see what's going to happen in pads."

Meinecke said he completely understands and accepts the Panthers' system for choosing a starter.

"It's a smart philosophy because it means the younger kid has another year to grow and he can turn into a better quarterback," Meinecke said.

"I have one year. If I'm not up to par, then I'm just going to get thrown under. Right now I'm just doing my best to become better than everyone else."

According to Fabricius, of the four, Meinecke displayed the best timing and decision-making skills during summer passing camps. Because of his years in the team's offensive system, Meinecke has a solid understanding of the playbook, the coach added.

"That seems to be where (Meinecke) has an advantage—he knows where he wants to go with the ball, and he's been getting it off on time almost all summer," Fabricius said.

Meinecke, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 160 pounds, has been working on his game on a daily basis since the team's semifinal playoff exit in November. He says he's made a lot of progress throwing the ball and is prepared to step into the starting role.

"I feel like my arm is ready for our system," Meinecke said. "I can make all the throws, so I'm pretty content with that."

Brower, the junior, may have the strongest arm of the bunch.

In addition to football, Brower is a pitcher for the NPHS baseball team and has played basketball at the school, although he doesn't expect to return to the hardwood during the winter.

Brower's advantage is that he's already spent a season working with new Panther offensive coordinator Keith Smith, a recordsetting signalcaller during his playing days at Newbury Park from 1991-93.

Smith was the JV offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before being promoted to the varsity team during the offseason.

"If I am the starter, Coach Smith knows my strengths and what plays I like to run," Brower said. "He knows what it's like to play the game as a younger guy, and he's had a lot of success."

Fabricius said he'd like to see the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Brower improve his timing when delivering throws.

"There are times when I think he waits for a guy to get open, as opposed to anticipating him getting open," Fabricius said.

While he admits to having his "ups and downs" during the offseason, Brower said the competition between the four players has made each of them better.

"We've all improved since the beginning," Brower said. "Having more quarterbacks motivates me even more to try and get the starting position."

Geringer has to be the wild card.

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, the sophomore already possesses the physical tools needed to play at the varsity level. As a freshman, he started behind center for the Oaks Christian JV team.

Geringer also has the most to lose in this competition. He can either play lights-out and start for the varsity or, if he isn't named the No. 1 guy, will likely be headed back to the JV team where he can gain more experience.

"I'm just going to try my best every day," Geringer said. "If they give me a chance, I'll be ready to play.

"The thing the other guys have on me is definitely experience. They are all older than me and more mature than me, but I still feel like I'm good enough."

As a senior transfer, Fabricius said Juels still has a long way to go before he can catch up with the other quarterbacks. At this point he projects as a long shot to start.

Whoever gets the starting gig is going to be handed the keys to a high-powered offensive attack. With Chris Brown and Cameron Roberson in the backfield— Brown will also be featured as a wide receiver—the Panthers may possess the best running back tandem in the county.

"Teams are probably going to scheme to stop Brown and Roberson this year," Fabricius said.

"We have to keep in mind that our quarterback probably won't be the main focus of our offense, which, for an inexperienced quarterback, is perfect."