MOUNT ORAB, Ohio — Western Brown High School senior quarterback Drew Novak surpassed Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on the Ohio High School Athletic Association's career passing yards listFriday night.
Novak helped to lead the Broncos past host Miami Trace 51-14. Novak was 11 of 17 passing for 192 yards and three touchdowns. He just played the first half Friday night.
Novak was proud of team and how it responded after a loss to Jackson last week.
"It was a special night," Novak said. "I'm mainly glad to be back on track and winning again."
Novak is No. 5 on the Ohio High School Athletic Association's career passing yards listwith 11,559 yards.
Novak needed just 62 yards to pass Burrow, a former Athens High School standout, on the state's career list for most passing yards. Burrow, a Heisman Trophy winner at LSU, won Ohio Mr. Football honors in 2014 at Athens.
"What an honor to be named with players like Joe Burrow," Novak said. "Honestly, I'm a Steelers fan, but Burrow is definitely someone I'm proud to be named with."
Novak is just 100 yards passing away from being No. 4 on the career list.
Novak has thrown for 1,635 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He entered Friday night ranked No. 14 nationally in passing yards this season, according to MaxPreps.
Novak's 111 career touchdown passes also ranks among the state's best.
While Novak doesn't seek the attention, Western Brown coach Nick Osborne said he will look back years from now with great fondness about the career milestone.
"It's definitely a cool experience for him," Osborne said of Novak's ascension on the state list.
Western Brown (3-1), rated No. 3 in the Division III, Region 12 computer points standings, plays host to No. 4-ranked New Richmond (5-0) in a Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference American division game Sept. 23.
