Another year
ends with only more disappointment from the Appalachian State University
football team.
After a 14-13 loss to the University of Maine last Saturday, a year
that started out so promising is over.
The Mountaineers started the season ranked number two in the country,
but repeatedly they failed to make the necessary changes and adjustments
in order to win games.
While the end result was great, the Furman University game was very
indicative of the entire year. The Paladins consistently ran 5-10
yard out patterns to wide receiver Bear Rhinehart, which the Mountaineer
defense never caught on to.
However, the defense consistently bailed our struggling offense
out of deep holes. With Josh Jeffries and K.T. Stovall roaming the
line of scrimmage, opposing offenses struggled to put the ball in
the end zone.
The problems on offense started with the inability to put drives
together. Penalties and turnovers will always kill a team; something
the offense learned the hard way.
Perhaps though, something can change with next year’s squad.
Nine seniors started this year, but capable backups exist for all.
The most interesting position change will be Joe Burchette finally
graduating and turning the job over to Richie Williams.
Williams, a red-shirt freshman, has that rare ability to both throw
and run the ball. He kept the team in the game for a half against
Marshall University, a top I-A team.
The best chance for the team to survive next season and improve
is to switch offensive systems, to a version of the option offense.
The Wing-T system is a perfect fit for the personnel on this team.
In the Wing-T, one wingback lines up on the outside hip of the tight
end, while the other wingback lines up on the outside hip of the
opposite side tackle. A fullback stands behind the quarterback,
and the one wide receiver lines up on either end of the field.
What the system does is uses speed and explosiveness as a huge advantage.
With a guy like Williams, able to carry the ball for a 60-yard gain
at any time, running the show, opposing defenses will have no idea
who to cover.
Sean Jackson is a huge key to the success of this type of offensive
system. He can make plays out of nothing, and, like Williams, can
take the house at any moment.
Sterling Hayward and Jermane Little rotating at the wide receiver
slot will confuse defenses, which may attempt to blitz seven or
eight men to stop the run. With the threat of Williams dropping
back and throwing to either of these receivers, defenses will have
to adjust on the fly, often a difficult thing for teams in I-AA.
The biggest question with the offense is who will occupy the remaining
wingback position. I think DaVon Fowlkes in the man for the job.
Fowlkes is a tremendous special teams player and slot receiver whose
ability to come in for one play and make a difference is outstanding.
At 5-foot-8-inches, 155 pounds, he has enough speed to get to the
outside and spring a possible 4-yard loss into a 15-yard gain.
A platoon of Chase Pritchett and Shane Manire at tight end will
add not only an extra blocker but also an extra set of hands on
pass routes.
The offensive line must become more mobile for this offense to work.
I have no doubts that the collection of players the team has at
the tackle, guard and center positions can make a great group of
blockers.
Our current offense, which is essentially a standard for all college
teams, is no longer doing the job. In order to adjust to next year’s
personnel and achieve far more in the upcoming years, a change to
the Wing-T offense is not only recommended but also necessary for
survival. |
