Rock Port’s Corbyn Jakub was named the KMAland Missouri Football Player of the Year for 2024. (KMAland graphic)
By Trevor Maeder
The wizardry of senior quarterback Corbyn Jakub produced many highlight reel moments and a memorable year for Rock Port High School football. Today, Jakub’s stellar season is rewarded with the 2024 KMAland Missouri Football Player of the Year honor. Jakub is the first Blue Jay to win this award.
Jakub wowed the Blue Jay faithful throughout the year, while leading Rock Port to a 10-2 season and a state quarterfinal appearance – the deepest postseason run the Blue Jays have made since 2012.
“We knew we had some athletes,” Jakub said. “We knew if we just worked hard and together, it would be fun.”
Jakub engineered a Rock Port offense that averaged 321 yards and 52 points per game. The senior completed 61% of his passes for 1,615 yards while also rushing for 727 yards and 15 scores. The lefty quarterback leaned heavily on his talented array of skill players, such as Brock Holmes, Jack Meyerkorth, Tayden Cook and Kendan Melton-Davis.
“I think we worked really well together everywhere,” Jakub said. “Our offensive line did a good job blocking, our receivers caught the ball and Brock ran the ball hard.”
Jakub had a knack for a highlight reel play, thanks to his gunslinger mentality. That included improvised throws, laterals and runs that entertained, succeeded and stressed out Rock Port head coach Dalton Jones.
“I’m just out there having fun,” Jakub said. “I had all the belief in the world my guys would catch the ball if I threw it to them, so I did that. I’m just trying to make plays. If there’s a hole, I’m going to go for that. If there’s a guy behind me, I might pitch it to him.”
“Sometimes he makes off-schedule throws that make me want to pull my hair out,” Jones told KMA Sports in an in-season interview. “But he can connect on them and he’s good about knowing when to run and who to get the ball to.”
Jakub was one of only a few seniors on Rock Port’s squad this year. He inherited the quarterback position after winning a tight battle in the preseason and undoubtedly left the program in a better spot than where it was when he entered the program four years ago.
“It means a lot,” Jakub said of his time in Rock Port. “I think these guys will be really good this next year. I’m excited to come and watch them.”
“Corbyn had an amazing year. He was the guy who made our offense click. But more importantly he grew into a great leader who kept everyone and himself accountable,” Jones added. “He’s a great example to our younger kids. I’m so incredibly proud of him for the things he did this year. But I’m prouder of the young man he’s become. He’s made our program better than it was when he found it and I can’t thank him enough for that.”