FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Spring Creek offense presents challenge

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 21, 2016 9:57 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Opposing defensive coordinators have discovered they can't develop a scheme to render Spring Creek a one-dimensional football team this season.

It's more like pick your poison.

Do they concentrate on a sophomore quarterback, who doesn't shudder and back pedal when an opposing linebacker charges toward him?

Do they attempt to shut down one of the Gators' two rangy receivers who can easily leap over a defender?

Or do they stack the box to hem in two lightning-quick backs?

It's enough to make anyone phone the local apothecary and ask for a prescription of extra-strength aspirin.

"We'll scheme up a little bit based on what the other team does, but we don't want our guys to play a new technique that they're not used to (playing)," Rosewood head coach Robert Britt said. "We might line them up differently. The biggest thing we have do when you play a team that's balanced is each guy has to do their job and when it's time to make a play, you've got to get it done."

SC quarterback Landon Smothers has thrown for 1,158 yards and 16 touchdowns on 83 completions this season. More than 50 of those passes have dropped into four receivers' hands -- Jamerion Dawson (24 catches, 309 yards), Jessie Casper (10-101), Najee Young (24-367) and Dominique Morse (7-181).

Dawson is out with a hand injury.

Should the passing game sputter, look for Young, Casper and JaVon Newsome to tote the rock. The trio has combined for 641 yards on 96 touches.

Tackling has been an Achilles' heel for Rosewood.

"We've got to take away space, try to keep the ball out of their hands, but when it does happen, we have to make some good open-field tackles," Britt said.

Oh, don't feel sorry for the Eagles.

They've got a dual-threat quarterback who is capable of leaving a defender in his dust. Senior Cam Helt has accounted for 1,553 yards of total offense and 23 touchdowns this season.

Tron Blue has provided 836 yards.

Britt would like to see a better pitch-and-catch game from his QB and receivers. Helt tossed a pair of TD strikes in an overtime loss to Lakewood.

"We have to make sure we take care of our responsibilities and know where Helt is because of his ability," SC head coach Aaron Sanders said. "If he gets a step, he's got some speed and can walk away from you. We need to make tackles...bring guys down on first contact."

Rosewood leads the all-time series 13-2.