Almost exactly one year ago, Zander Offutt went from second-string quarterback to the man in charge of the Doherty offense.

What a difference a year can make.

The Spartan senior signal caller posted a monster game in a 57-12 rout of rival Palmer on Friday, throwing for 271 yards and four touchdowns, while also running for a score.

“The difference for me this year is having those extras practices and reps over the summer, and getting the timing right with my receivers,” Offutt said. “My offensive linemen all improved over the summer and got bigger and stronger. Last year, we had a lot of young guys, and this season we’re much more experienced.”

In 2015, Offutt helped guide Doherty to the 5A playoffs, but his numbers were still a bit shaky. There’s been day-and-night improvement for him during his senior year.

Offutt has already thrown for 589 yards and eight touchdowns in three games, compared to just 1,019 yards and four scores in 10 games last season.

“There’s nothing he doesn’t feel comfortable in trying to execute, and if we hit adversity, it’s all good for him,” Doherty coach Jeff Krumlauf said. “We’re all extremely proud of the young man he’s becoming. I see a much more relaxed quarterback right now, and he has a calmness that no matter what’s going on, he’s even keel and everything is going to be OK.”

Both Krumlauf and Offutt point to another factor when it comes to the quarterback – and offense in general – playing at a high level this season.

The Spartans brought in a new offensive coordinator, Kawika Kalawe, who also serves as the quarterbacks’ coach.

“Having coach Kawika come in has helped me with my reads, and also been a big help to my mental game,” Offutt said. “Last year, I wasn’t ready to make the right reads and know who to look for in the offense, but coach has changed that. I’m more confident in myself and my abilities this year because I’ve had the time to prepare.”

Krumlauf has been pleased to see Kalawe – who has a special nickname – taking the offense to another gear.

“We call him ‘Pretty Ricky,’ and it’s been a lot of fun to watch him coach the offense,” Krumlauf said of Kalawe. “Zander put in a lot of work in the offseason with him, and has really learned to keep his cool. We’re able to run and throw the ball with confidence.”

A firmer grasp of the up-tempo offense Doherty wants to run has led to Offutt trusting himself, and his teammates, more often. It’s resulted in an offense that leaves opposing defenses begging for a break.

“Our overall goal is to go fast and furious; we want 80 offensive plays each game and 500-plus yards of offense,” Offutt said. “We don’t like to huddle – we want everything to run quickly and smoothly.”

The blowout of Palmer improved the Spartans to 2-1, but Offutt and his teammates aren’t going to revel in it.

“It’s always fun going to school Monday after a big win because everybody is excited,” he said.

“But the football team doesn’t worry about last week, we’re always looking ahead to the next game.”