“He has enabled us to throw the ball. Along with his throwing ability, we have used his brain as much as anything else. He makes a lot of calls for us at the line of scrimmage, and we trust him to do that,” said Harlan coach J.B. Donahue. “He has really opened us up the past couple of years.”

Saragas has already rewritten nearly every passing record at Harlan. This season, he has completed 99-of-171 passes for 1,526 yards and 19 touchdowns. A large portion of Saragas’ success on the field can be attributed to the time he puts into the sport off of it.

“He studies the game well. He knows what defenses are doing. I think that helps him. During the week he really studies and goes into the game prepared,” Donahue said.

Saragas is aided in his preparation by father and Harlan offensive coordinator Tony Saragas.

“With a dad as a coach you get submersed into the game. Aside from just practice, it becomes a 24-hour thing,” Saragas said. “It is a one-of-a-kind experience that most kids probably don’t get to have. It definitely strengthens your relationship with your family.”

Playing one of the most important positions in any sport, Saragas had no other choice than to become a leader for the Green Dragons. But, that is a role that seems to suit the signal-caller.

“You accept a leadership role when you decide to be a quarterback. To be a good quarterback your teammates have to respond to you. As you get more experienced at the position you get more comfortable being a leader,” Saragas said. “It is definitely a lot of pressure, but in my opinion it is the most fun position you can play. Every play starts with you.”

“He is very quiet and unassuming. He doesn’t take a lot of the credit for himself, and I think the kids respond to that. He is just kind of a quiet leader,” Donahue added.

Saragas and the Green Dragons will close the regular season today at Corbin.