Preps

Football: It's cool to be conservative

Many programs have decided to use a more simple approach on offense, relying less on wide-open attacks. That means a lot fewer passing attempts.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published October 12, 2007

For years, there were plenty of high-profile quarterbacks in the county who went on to big-time college programs.

Harrison Beck Countryside/Nebraska/N.C. State, Terrell Skinner (Boca Ciega/Maryland), Billy Tapp (SP Catholic/Ole Miss), L.D. Crow (Countryside/Stanford). The list goes on.

But just when it looked as if high-octane systems would take offensive football in the county to a new level, most teams have dug in their heels.

Conservative is cool again. Simplicity is the strategy of the day.

More and more teams have adopted the philosophy that the best offense is one that minimizes mistakes, and that means taking fewer chances with the ball.

The proof is in the numbers. Only four times in the first six weeks of the season has a county quarterback thrown for more than 200 yards in a game. Seven times a team has not completed a pass.

Most programs have few options given the influx of defensive players with scary ability and the inability to accumulate enough veterans needed to run a wide-open spread attack.

Coaches are trying to dominate games with defense and special teams. The popular offensive mind-set: just don't screw things up.

The chief beneficiaries of this keep-it-simple approach are running backs, and never have so many been so productive or prominent.

Northeast's Jeff Brinson and Largo's Brynn Harvey are on pace to rush for more than 2,000 yards each this season. Dunedin's Adaris Bellamy is not far behind.

Although the low-risk offense may be boring to watch, it's hard to argue with its success. The Vikings, Packers and Falcons are a combined 14-2.

"You have to develop your offense around what you have, and right now there seems to be a lot of good running backs in the county," Countryside coach John Davis said.

Davis is known for building multiple-receiver attacks that create advantageous matchups for his speedy wideouts and running backs. It has helped him send three quarterbacks - Jay Davis, Beck and Crow - to Division I programs.

But this season, Davis is breaking in two quarterbacks - Ryan Eppes and Jimbo Chmelik. And he is doing it with an inexperienced line.

So Davis relies on his stable of running backs, which includes Dawrence Roberts, Maurice Threatts and Richard Shockley, to handle the workload.

Other factors for the decline: injuries and ineffectiveness.

Clearwater Central Catholic's Brent Henderson was one of the top returning quarterbacks in the county. But he sprained his shoulder in Week 2 against Tampa Catholic and was out for nearly a month.

Clearwater's Luke Loucks was widely considered the top returning quarterback.He has put up big numbers, including throwing for a school-record 423 yards against Osceola. But in two district games against East Lake and Dunedin, he has thrown nine interceptions.

Bob Putnam can be reached atputnam@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4169.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 22:53:59]