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CBA offense returning to option

By Sarah A. Wise

NL Staff Writer

23 August 2007 — New starting quarterback Steven Strouse may well  be the hidden strength of the Aycock offense this season, according to Head Coach Randy Pinkowski.

Strouse, who filled in some last season for quarterback Thomas Pilkington, has quietly gotten bigger, stronger, and better throughout last year, and Coach Pink said he’s ready to fill in some big shoes and lead the Falcon offense.

“Nobody’s really seen him over the past few years because he’s been a back-up for Thomas, and they don’t realize how big and strong he’s gotten and how well he throws the ball,” Coach Pink said. “I think a lot of people – some are going to be pleasantly surprised, and I think some opponents are going to be unpleasantly surprised as how well he’s developed.”

Because the team has Strouse as their quarterback, Coach Pink said the offense will return to relying heavily on the option, rather than focusing on their passing game. He said the team used a lot of passing last season because Pilkington had an especially good throw, which allowed the team to do what they wanted through passing.

He said that while Steven also throws well, he is also very strong with running the option, and anytime Coach Pink has the chance to run the option in his game, he said he jumps at it.

Overall, he said his team’s offensive play is a little more spread out this season. He said the team is doing a little more of a shotgun offense this season, rather than running an offense under the center as they have in the past.

“Overall, it’s going to be a little more wide-open game plan,” he said.

Offensive lineman Kris Millard is another key starter that Coach Pink has high hopes for this season, along with two-way starters Michael King and Jarret Covar.

This season, King made the transition from tight end to a wide-out position, and Coach Pink said he’s been impressed by his performance so far. He anticipates that his senior starters will provide key leadership for the younger players this season.

Jacob Pendleton will be another key to the Aycock offense this year. Coach Pink said that Pendleton is a strong player, someone the defense always has to keep a close watch on.

“He’s gotten to be a guy that everybody’s got to defend and maybe even put two defenders on,” said Coach Pink.

Another key strength for the offense, Coach Pink said, is his offensive coordinator Jay Westbrook. He said Westbrook’s combination of creative tactics combined with a logical flow of play make him an ideal coach.

“Usually you get that guy that’s an offensive genius, and he’s just spouting off plays,” he said. “It’s hard to get him to package it, to put it into a teaching progression, but that’s where Jay really excels. If I told him he could only have one wide receiver, he’d come up with a whole offense that was very logical and creative.”

He said that Coach Westbrook has a real knack for offensive football, and he feels fortunate to have a coach like that leading his team.

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