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’Blazers double their fun at quarterback

By Doug Fritz
Press Sports Writer
dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com

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What has four arms, four legs, two brains, and the ability to cut a defense to shreds with running or passing ability?

The answer: Daniel Boone’s quarterback(s).

While nearly all successful football teams rely on one guy under center — for leadership and rhythm purposes — the Trailblazers turned the fortunes of their offense over to Austin Reppart and Kevin Connell.

And after an eight-win regular season that tied the school record and was good enough to earn a home playoff game, it appears head coach Jeremy Jenkins hit the bull’s-eye when he decided to use the junior duo as a two-headed quarterback.

“I thought going in to the season we would use both of them,” said Jenkins, whose team will play host to Morristown East in Friday’s Class 5A playoff game at Hale Stadium. “I kind of studied some people, and a lot of people said you’ve got to have a clear-cut No. 1. But we just rolled with the punches.

“I felt like it was better to go with two. We told them they would both play, and that’s it. They’ve gotten the job done.”

And they’ve done it without in-fighting. Connell and Reppart worked as one really efficient quarterback all season.

“There are no big egos,” said Jenkins. “They know they both will play, and they know what is expected of them.”

Stressing the truth of the “no ego” comment is the way these players go about trying to win a game.

“We rotate every series unless one of them comes to me and says something,” said Jenkins. “Sometimes Austin will say, ‘Kevin’s got the hot hand.’ And sometimes Kevin will say, ‘Austin has the hot hand.’ ”

But that doesn’t stop Reppart and Connell from getting after each other in practice or games.

“They feed off of each other, but they are always riding each other,” said Jenkins.

Connell, a top prospect in baseball, came out of that sport in the summer with Reppart leading him in repetitions. Also, Reppart had a good spring practice.

“Austin was on fire in the spring,” said Connell.

But both players said they saw the team-oriented plusses of taking advantage of Connell’s running ability and Reppart’s drop-back passing skills.

“It makes things tougher on the defense,” said Reppart. “I think it has worked out smoothly. It makes things competitive for us, and it keeps the pace up for the team.”

Connell, who plays a key role for Boone from his defensive end position, said he doesn’t just stand on the sideline when Reppart is at quarterback.

No matter what play is called, Connell said he can pick things up that will help him succeed when he takes snaps.

“I look at the line, not necessarily the secondary,” said Connell. “I look at the defense and see what will work for my plays.”

Said Reppart, “We communicate with each other. If I see something I think can help him, I tell him what I’m seeing.”

Both quarterbacks said they are more than just willing to do what is asked of them. In other words, Connell is willing to throw and Reppart is willing to take off on a quarterback draw.

“We both got a little taste of running against Sullivan North, and we got the job done,” said Reppart.

Connell is a pitcher in baseball, so throwing is natural to him.

“I can throw it,” he said. “If I have to throw deep, I just make the receiver go get it.”

Boone got off to a quick start this season, but an overtime loss to Sullivan South and an upcoming game against Dobyns-Bennett put things on unsteady ground. However, Boone beat the Indians and didn’t lose again until a Week 9 setback to undefeated Tennessee High.

“Coming in we were young, but I thought we would have a good season,” said Connell. “The Seymour game was close, but after that we just kept on rolling.”

Reppart said togetherness has made a difference.

“It has been different from years in the past,” said Reppart. “We’re a closer team, and we give more team effort. We don’t have a superstar. Everybody pitches in and does their part.”

As for playoffs, that’s just going to be a learning experience.

“Nobody on the team has been to the playoffs, so we don’t know what it feels like,” said Reppart. “But we’re going to treat it as our next game.”

Connell said nerves are certainly part of the equation for Friday night.

“It’s win or go home,” he said. “But you’ve just got to tell yourself to play until the whistle blows.”

Regardless of the outcome, Jenkins said he knows he has something special with his two-man quarterback system.

“They both bring a little something different,” said Jenkins. “They both have leadership qualities, and the team respects both of them.

“Some teams are fortunate to have one quarterback. We’re fortunate to have two.”