WARNER – Whether running the ball, returning kicks, or playing defense, Jesiah Baum is a playmaker in every sense of the word.

The Warner senior is a threat to score from anywhere on the football field and is a big reason why the Monarchs have only lost two games throughout his four years on the varsity.

“This year I’ve really been focused on not really all the stats I can put up there,” Baum said, “but making plays when my number’s called.”

While opposing defenses have been keying on number 4 all season, Baum said he doesn’t feel any pressure to go out and produce.

“I know what I gotta do, I’m know what I’m capable of, and when I go out there, I know it’s game time and there’s a switch that’s turned on,” Baum said.

And when Baum flips the switch, there are few players around that can keep up with him.

So far this season, Baum leads the Monarchs in rushing with 920 yards (7.4 per carry), receiving with 369 yards (21.7 per catch), punt returns with 454 yards (30.2 per return), kick returns with 146 yards (24.3 per return), interceptions with four, and scoring with 31 touchdowns.

“I have had the privilege of coaching some pretty special football players and Jesiah is one of those kids,” said Warner coach Derek Hoellein. “He sees the game different than most. He has the ability to take it the distance very time he touches the ball.”

All it takes is the slightest opening and the speedster is off to the races, often finishing up in the end zone with a touchdown.

“Once you get to the edge, you just see open field,” Baum said. “It’s a great feeling to be honest. You have like another level you didn’t know you have and you turn it on, and it’s always fun.”

Baum understands that not everybody has been given sprinter-type speed, and he tries to take advantage of it.

“I thank God every day for the talents he’s given me,” Baum said, “just to be able to bring them to the field or any sport I’m playing. It’s always a blessing.”

Opponents still often make the mistake of kicking or punting directly to Baum. Last week he returned a punt 83 yards for a score.

“If they’re going to do it, I appreciate it,” said Baum, who said he has never made a fair catch during his years with the Monarchs. “I try to go the distance every time.”

Baum hit the field late in his freshman season when a teammate suffered an injury.

“One of our wide receivers got hurt,” Baum said. “I was kind of the next man up.”

He also ended up playing on the defensive side of the ball and soon became a mainstay for the Monarchs.

“That’s when I started falling in love with the game,” Baum said.

Still, Baum knew nothing was guaranteed heading into his sophomore season.

“I had to work hard,” Baum said. “I knew that there was going to be competition for the spot, but I wanted to help the varsity out in any way that I could.”

Soon Baum started working with standout player Hunter Cramer, a top playmaker for the Monarchs in his own right.

“He was as great leader, a great athlete, and knowing that once he’s going to leave, we need another guy to step up,” Baum said. “I wanted to be that guy.”

Baum has been that guy for quite a while and this year finds himself as one of just three seniors on the Warner squad. He tries to provide guidance and encouragement to the younger players on the team.

“I try to tell them you guys are the big dogs and you’ve got to believe it,” Baum said. “The next few years they’re really going to become the big dogs. They play a main part on our team this year.”

Baum is a multi-sport athlete for Warner, also competing in basketball, as well as track and field. He said each sport helps the other.

“I’ll work mostly in the off season for football, but I feel like all that stuff, that training I’m doing, the lifting, the speed work, it’s going to take into basketball, just doing what I can on the court, and especially on the track, just being able to run,” Baum said. “And when I put all those sports together, and all the work I put in, it correlates to each sport, and what I’m able to contribute to the team.”

And when you play for the Monarchs, the bar is set pretty high, no matter what the sport.

“We all know the name on our chest: Warner. We gotta come in every day and play for it, no matter what sport it is, to be honest,” Baum said. “It’s great culture. The coaches are always great. They want what’s best for you. They want to win and they make us want to win.”

While Baum is not the biggest player on the gridiron, he can hit or get hit with little consequences, bouncing right back to his feet and getting ready for the next play.

“It kind of comes from my dad a lot,” said Baum, whose father played collegiately for Dakota Wesleyan University, “just telling me the mindset you gotta have coming into it. … Even you when get hit pretty hard you bounce up showing that it really hasn’t affected you, and that’s kind of what I brought to the game.”

Baum, who is undecided about his future plans, knows that his football days with Warner are fast coming to an end. The Monarchs, who host Howard in the quarterfinals of the playoffs on Thursday, will have from one to three games remaining this season.

“I think about that a lot,” Baum said. “Obviously, I don’t want it to be my last game. I’m going to go out there and give it everything I’ve got.”

He said once his prep career does come to a close, he’s going to remember all the bonds and memories he’s had with his teammates during his time with the Monarchs.

“I thank God for everything he’s done for me,” Baum said. “I’m so thankful for my teammates and coaches, and what we’ve been able to accomplish over the years.”