Page 4 - Football.2017

4 – Wednesday, August 30, 2017 – El Dorado NEWS-TIMES
By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
When Coach Scott Reed arrived in El Dorado 11 years ago, he brought a wide- open, passing offense that proceeded to set school records in every major passing category. But, the Wildcats found out last year, a lack of speed on the outside can make the pass- ing game sputter.
That might not be the case this season as new receiv- ers coach Hal Qualls has worked with a deep unit that includes a couple play- makers that were absent a year ago.
“Overall as a group, we’ve caught the ball real well in camp. I didn’t get to go through summer with them. But, I’ve been very excited about the way they catch the ball,” said Qualls. “I think one of the biggest things to me is they’re so coachable. They’re really coachable guys. If you explain to them, why you want them to do something, they’ve bought into everything we’ve asked them to do.
“For the most part, we’re running pretty good routes. We’re not the fastest bunch in the world but, overall, they’re pretty fast. It’s not like we have two 4.4 guys
Terrance Armstard/News-Times
Wide receivers: El Dorado’s receivers include, front from left, Steven Tollette, Devunte Kidd, Deontre Norman, Shun Levingston, Emon Ingram, Devarious Bell and Coach Hal Qualls. Back row, Evan McGoogan, L.J. Yarbrough, Derek Jobe, Reed Stone, Taliq Ellis, Keshun Greene and Camerious Rucks.
the flow of the game, maybe how hot it is early in the year., you might anticipate needing seven or eight of those guys.”
Ellis, a move-in from Lincoln, Nebraska, adds a big-play threat to the offense with his ability to turn a 5-yard hitch or bubble screen into a 70-yard touch- down. That is, when the offense can pull him away from the defensive huddle.
“Now, Taliq is a good one. I’m not going to say I’m willingly giving him up. But, we’ve got to share ath- letes. We’ve got to have our best players on the field. There may be some nights he plays more defense and some nights he plays more offense.”
That could leave Greene as El Dorado’s top target. His size and basketball background could give him an advantage against man coverage. As a junior, he caught three passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Qualls expects him to really step up his production this season.
“I think it’s very important for him to do that. But, I also want to say I believe he’s doing it,” said Qualls. “The See RECEIVERS, Page 12
El Dorado
and two 4.8 guys. We’ve got a bunch of guys that are running 4.6. There are some that are a little faster than others but we don’t have that one guy that can fly. But, they’re going to have to respect them all.”
Qualls said he expected to rotate six or seven receiv- ers on a Friday night. That includes seniors Keshun Greene (6-4 198), Taliq Ellis
(5-11, 170) and junior Shun Levingston (5-6, 175).
“Keshun and Taliq will play our wideout positions - our X and Z,” said Qualls. “Our inside receiver, proba- bly, will be Shun Levingston. He’s doing real well for us, got a real high motor. Wanya Frazier, I think will rotate in there and then we have a sophomore, Devunte Kidd, who will be rotating in at
those slot, inside receiv- ers. Derek Jobe and Evan Chandler could play either of the outside spots as well.
“And, we have some soph- omores who are very ath- letic,” Qualls added. “As the year progresses, they could get in the rotation, maybe some nights when Taliq Ellis plays more defense. He’s an excellent defensive back, also. It’ll depend on
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