Your eyes can be tricked watching Andrew Duckett play football.

Playing quarterback, the Brandywine junior throws lefty. As the team’s punter, he kicks with his right foot.

“He’s the first left-handed quarterback that I’ve had in my 30 years of coaching,” said Brandywine coach Mike Nate.

Duckett has never thrown a pass with his right hand, but he’s open to that possibility in the future.

“I do practice throwing right-handed with my dad (Michael) if I need it in a game,” said Duckett.

The 6-foot-2, 180 pounder is doing just fine now hurting opponents with his arm and leg and with his play-action ability. He’s completed 39-of-70 passes for 674 yards with 14 touchdowns and he rushed for 364 yards on 58 carries with five touchdowns. He also averages 40 yards on his punts.

“He’s a good play-action quarterback,” Nate said. “He’s developed that with experience. He can run or pass. He runs better going to his right. People expect him to go to his right.”

“Running play-action is pretty easy for me,” Duckett said. “I started doing it as a freshman and since we’ve got great running backs other teams have to focus on them.”

Brandywine has compiled a 19-7 record since Duckett became the team’s starting quarterback his freshman year. This season, the Bobcats are 7-0 for the first time since 1995. Brandywine, which is 2-0 in the Lakeland Conference, can capture the outright conference title with a win this Friday at Cassopolis.

“We’re undefeated and it’s been pretty awesome,” Duckett said. “We have talent on both sides of the ball. I credit my passing success to my receivers.”

Nate saw talent in Duckett as a freshman and made him the team’s starting varsity quarterback.

“In the ninth grade I told people, ‘there’s my starting quarterback’,” Nate said. “I knew we’d have stability at quarterback. He’s a good athlete, who’s dedicated and smart. He showed up in the weight room and he has friends like Marty Ward and Charlie Rodriguez who showed up in the weight room too. Kids look up to Duckett. He’s been a captain since his sophomore year. It’s a rare kid that can start as a freshman and be able to handle it. (Duckett) has been the key to the turnaround in Brandywine football.”

Brandywine’s football program has made the playoffs only three times. Two of those times have come with Duckett behind center.

“Over the summer I worked on my footwork and passing,” Duckett said. “I’ve gotten better passing and with my field vision. I still can improve on reading defenses.”

Duckett’s unselfishness is also seen on a daily basis by the coaching staff and players.

“He’s not a selfish kid,” Nate said. “He could come to me and ask to throw more than 10 passes a game. He doesn’t do that. He knows that the most important statistic is wins and losses.”