Page 4 - 2016TVTimesMay29

4D El Dorado News-Times Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Wildcats have two quarterbacks ready to play
By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
As of August 14, two days before the Purple-White scrimmage, El Do- rado coach Steven Jones was still un- decided about the Wildcats’ starting quarterback. Junior Eli Shepherd and sophomore Sharmon Rester competed at the position throughout the spring and summer.
Jones hinted that both could see plenty of action once the season be- gins. But, not naming a starter would be a bit unconventional, especially since El Dorado returned an All-State quarterback from last year.
The fact that Jones moved Hicks to tailback could only mean one thing. He’s comfortable with the idea of play- ing either Shepherd or Rester at quar- terback.
“Both of those guys are all-in. They’ve done a good job of learning the new stuff we have and communicating with the rest of the offense. I’m excited to see both of them play,” Jones said. “It’s an open competition between those two guys. The good news about a quarterback competition, we’re going to get the best out of both of them. It’s forcing them to work hard. At practice, if we have a mistake, the other one comes in and takes over. We’re going back-and-forth, letting those two guys decide who’s going to be the guy. Both are very talented. Both bring different
Offense Continued from Page 3D
We have a couple guys on defense that would be tough to lose but all of our team has worked really hard. I feel confident if we stay healthy, we’ll have a great year.”
As for Jones’ debut season at El Dora- do, he said the transition was smooth. Holdover coaches Jimmy Johnson and Hal Qualls returned on the defensive line and receivers, respectively. Kris Borosvskis, another returning coach, took over the offensive line and De- Anthony Curtis is back, but coaching the running backs. Former Bearden coach Trey Outlaw was brought in to coordinate the defense.
“I’m really proud of the response of the coaches and the kids. Anytime you have transition and change, it’s
Sarah Primm/News-Times
Quarterbacks: El Dorado head coach Steven Jones is flanked by quarterbacks, from left, Sharmon Rester and Eli Shepherd. Jones announced last week that Shepherd would get the starting nod in the season opener against Conway.
plays with their feet and both have been adequate through the air. There are other factors to consider, such as leadership, timing, communication skills, etc.
And, their styles of play bring differ- ent dimensions to the offense.
“Sharmon Rester is an explosive athlete that can take one to the house and any point. He is a true dual threat quarterback,” said Jones. “He’s im- proving each week in the pass game. He’s starting to understand the reads and what he needs to do with the ball. With Sharmon, if the pocket collapses, he can really make something happen with his feet.”
Shepherd, as a sophomore, saw ju- nior varsity action and, due to injuries, was forced into some varsity snaps late in the season.
“Eli is more of the traditional, drop- back, pro-style quarterback,” said Jones. “He’s done a good job of get- ting the ball out on the edge to the playmakers at receiver and just under- standing where we’re at offensively.
“Both of them can run the football. Both of those guys have shown growth in the pass game. I’m just excited to see both of these guys improve each week.”
(Editor's Note: Jones announced after the Wildcats' benefit game that Shepherd would be the starting quar- terback against Conway.)
styles of play to the game. I can see both of them getting reps throughout the season.”
not easy, especially with this program being the exact same, day-in and day- out for the past 12 or 13 years, anytime anything new happens, it’s tough,” said Jones. “The guys have been great in adapting to what I feel is best for our program. On the field, I don’t feel like we’ll look a lot different. Off the field, there are some things that we may do a little bit differently as far as the sched- ule. I’m just excited that they jumped in there and went right to work. From day one, the first day I got on campus, they hopped in and did everything I asked them to do. The coaches go above and beyond to make sure we’re ready. I’ve been really proud to be a Wildcat because of the response of the people in our program.”
It's not so simple to say Rester is the runner and Shepherd in the passer. Both have shown the ability to make
El Dorado Junior Varsity Schedule
Sept. 16........................at Magnolia Sept. 23..............................Fairview Sept. 30......................at Texarkana Oct. 7.......................Ouachita High
Oct. 14...........................Monticello Oct. 21..................at West Monroe Oct. 28..........................at Fairview Game times at 7 p.m.
Good Luck
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