PINETOWN — As a sophomore on jayvee, Jackson Midgette had to prove himself. A raw talent that possessed mobility in the pocket and the arm strength to throw down field, the 2015 quarterback position was his job to lose after the graduation of Noel Howson last May.

But while his athletic ability was impressive, head coach Keith Boyd was hesitant to bring him up to varsity as a sophomore. He still had much to learn about the game, the position and the Panthers’ power-I and double-wing offensive schemes, specially read concepts.

That all changed this offseason. Midgette entered summer camp fit, dedicated and ready to lead. With just one returning senior starter on the roster, he’s quickly become one of Boyd’s leaders on offense.

“He rolls out well, keeps his eyes down the field,” Boyd said after last week’s loss to Southside. “When you’re talking about starting two sophomores and a freshman on the offensive line in a varsity ballgame, (the offense) is doing what they can. I have to understand that.”

Through three games this season, Midgette has looked poised inside the pocket, completing 16-of-30 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns for a quarterback rating of 100.4. In a normally run-heavy offense, he’s offered a great dynamic and given Boyd a dual threat at the position.

Midgette’s favorite target has been scat back and slot receiver Chris Slade, who has reeled in nine of his quarterback’s 16 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Despite their size — Slade is listed at 5-foot-9, 140 pounds, while Midgette comes in at 5-8, 150 pounds — both have been the focal points of the offense, thus far.

“We have guys that if you give them a little hole they have some juke ability to them,” Boyd said. “We’re not slow, we’re just not big and fast as a lot of people are.”

On top of his passing performance, Midgette is also Northside’s fourth-best option on the ground, avoiding sacks and rushing for 58 yards. On paper, with Midgette under center, the once run-heavy structure is transitioning to a more balanced approach, one that has the Panthers off to a 2-1 start.

Northside’s field general will be faced with his toughest task yet in the coming weeks, as the Panthers prepare to face a pair of quality 1-A opponents. Northside travels to Robersonville on Friday to take on South Creek (2-1) before playing host to Riverside (2-1) on Sept. 18.