Pioneers use rotation at QB
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Friday night at Chattanooga Central, the Pioneer coaching staff devised a plan in order to give their quarterbacks some much needed rest — alternate QBs with each offensive series.
Pioneer quarterbacks Nick Cantrell and Josh Paz rotated during the Pioneer’s game against the Purple Pounders, in a plan the coaching staff put in place during last week’s practice.
“We have two quarterbacks that have their own strengths on the field,” said coach Chris Madewell. “Josh runs the option very well. and is a hard runner when he’s carrying the ball. When Nick is in there, he seems to feel more comfortable throwing the ball and he sees the field very well.
“We need both of these guys on defense very badly, and rotating them on offense gives them a little time to get some rest in between series.”
When it comes to how the rotation worked out Friday for the two players, Madewell seemed to be very pleased with their efforts.
“Both guys did a great job,” he said. “Nick showed a lot of poise back there in the pocket on our passing plays, and Josh came in and ran the option hard like he always does.
“Right now we have one strong running quarterback and a strong passing quarterback. It’s not like one is better than the other at running or passing. Nick can run the ball and Josh can throw it. We just felt like this would give them both some rest and hopefully one would step up and take charge of the game.”
The starting quarterback job may still be up for grabs, but Madewell and his staff plan to evaluate the position after every game and will do what it takes to put the best team out on the field on a weekly bases.
“Last week Josh made a few mistakes and really didn’t step up and take control like we would like to see,” Madewell said. “We looked at the film from last week’s game against Livingston, and found we needed to make some adjustments and open the position up.
“The one thing about this coaching staff is we’re going to watch the film and grade each position to put the best team out there. If that means moving a few people around, then that’s what were going to do.”
When asked if rotating quarterbacks would be something Warren County would be doing for the rest of the year, Madewell replied, “Right now I think it’s going to help both players. But if we look at film and see one taking charge over the other, then we will go with that player.”
Paz ran the ball six times for 18 yards and Cantrell had one carry for no gain. Paz was 1-for-7 through the air with one interception, and Cantrell hit 3-of-14 passes for 59 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.