Page 7 - 2016 Football

El Dorado
Quarterbacks competing for playing time
By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
EL DORADO – In football math, two quarterbacks equals none.
El Dorado coach Scott Reed doesn’t add that way.
The Wildcats used two quar- terbacks last season and might do something similar this year. Junior Darius Holly, senior Jackson Waldrum and sopho- more Wanya Frazier have all enjoyed their moments at the position during the preseason practices.
Holly and Waldrum have taken turns working with the first unit and appear to be neck-and-neck in the race for the starting job.
I think it’s good having the competition,” said Reed. “It’s also good in today’s football that you have at least two because they’re going to run some. Defenses make you. They bring more pressure. They don’t let you sit there and hand it to the tailback all night. There are times when you have to go make a first down with your feet. With the read stuff, the run-pass option stuff, that makes you a whole lot harder to defend.”
Holly was first on the field throughout fall camp but Waldrum moved the ball well in the benefit scrimmage at Nashville. Reed said he feels no pressure to name a starting quarterback. As for the two quarterbacks equals none the- ory, he said that doesn’t add up.
“For awhile people were hung up on that but the way offenses play now and the league we’re in, I’m very fortunate to have
Terrance Armstard/News-Times
Signal callers: El Dorado’s quarterbacks include, from left, Brennan Claypoole,Darius Holly, Coach Scott Reed, Jackson Waldrum and Wanya Frazier.
and we’re up 20 and I give you the ball, I don’t want you forc- ing something.
“It’s game-management, too. The quarterback has to manage the game, too.”
Reed is confident, regardless of which signal caller is in the game, he has the tools to get the job done.
“Darius has a nice, quick, nat- ural throwing motion and he’s powerful with the ball. Jackson has a really good understand- ing right now of when to get it out of his hand on some things. As far as throwing the ball, both of those can throw it well. And, Darius has thrown it really well,” he said. “We went out one day in the rain. It was pouring and muddy out here and we didn’t even take a towel. At first, the ball was coming off funny and all that. After he adjusted a little bit, Darius looked like it was a dry day. I mean, he can handle it fine.”
And, of course, there’s the extra mention of using their legs as well as their arm.
“That’s one thing those two guys bring. They both run pret- ty well. I was surprised when we timed this summer. Darius was a low 4.6. He’s one of the faster kids we have. That’s a weapon. We’ve got to use it,” said Reed.
“And, Wanya Frazier, a sopho- more, I’ve been real impressed by how hard he works and how hard he studies and how much he wants to be good. His throwing, seems like it improves every day.”
two,” said Reed. “Our quarter- back is going to have to be a big part of our offense. So, it’s important that both of them are ready to go. Am I going to just rotate? No, I’m not. I’m not going to do that.”
The Wildcats have preached ball security and the quarter- backs have listened. Holly, in particular, has been quite care- ful with the ball while Waldrum is a bit more of a risk taker.
“I think as far as practice and what we’ve asked them to do so far, I think they’ve been solid. I want to see them be a little more vocal. I’d like for them to have more of a pres- ence on the field,” said Reed. “But, throughout camp, they’ve been good as far as with the
ball. They’ve been on the right spots. They don’t force it. And, I know we’re going to turn the ball over some. It’s going to happen. But, I’m not going into the season worried about put- ting the ball in this guy’s hands because he’s a turnover waiting to happen. I think they’ve been excellent with the ball. That’s the first thing.
“They’re athletically capa- ble of being good. We throw it well enough. We’re getting more and more accurate. And, accuracy comes when you’re comfortable, too, with what we’re asking you to do.”
Being careful with the ball means very few turnovers. It has also meant a limited num- ber of big plays down the field.
“Darius doesn’t want to mess up. The good thing about him, if he’s not comfortable with it, he doesn’t just throw it up for grabs. He doesn’t,” said Reed. “Both of them have been good with the ball. All three are sharp and they’re doing every- thing I’ve asked them to do.”
Where’s the line between careful and hesitant?
“Here’s what I want. I want a guy who knows when you’re supposed to and when you have to. If I give you the ball on fourth down, I want an aggres- sive throw. I don’t care if they get it. If you find one-on-one or the soft spot and you rip it and you’re confident, whatever happens, I’ll live with that,” said Reed. “If it’s first and 10
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