There have been two notable quarterback changes since the beginning of the high school season.
Two-time defending CIF-SS Central Division champ Colony inserted sophomore Kori Grant into the lineup after an 0-3 start. Coach Anthony Rice didn’t have to wait long for results. The Titans (2-3) have won their last two.
Claremont made a change for an entirely different reason. After their sophomore starter, 6-foot-4, rocket-armed Daniel Kessler, completed 20 of 22 passes in his debut – Claremont’s first win in 12 games – he broke his arm in the first quarter of the second game of the season.
“We obviously took a big hit there and we’re trying to regroup and move on,” Claremont coach Terrance Lynch said. “Three of the last four years we’ve lost quarterbacks to injuries.”
Alta Loma and Norco have both been using two-quarterback systems.
Norco head coach Todd Gerhart hopes to elect either sophomore Cody Stevens or junior Taylor Viloria a full-time starter this week. Although, both threw more lead blocks than passes in a 16-0 loss to Riverside Poly last week. The two QB’s threw a combined five passes in the game, two of which came on Norco’s final possession. So, take that “quarterback controversy” for what its worth.
Granted, I haven’t seen Colony’s Grant play yet, but junior Travis Nelson, who started the season, looked like a promising player. Of course, the one time I saw him play, his team was overwhelmed 42-7 in its season opener by an Upland favored to win the CIF-SS Central Division title.
Here is what Colony head coach Anthony Rice had to say about his dilemma:
“Yeah it was hard but sometimes you just have to make that change. I really bonded with Travis (Nelson) having him all last year and in passing league. But as a quarterback, you’re looking for leadership and those first three games we just weren’t getting it.
“(Grant) always wants the ball. He’s got that fire. You can look in his eyes and see it. He’s a born winner.”
