This one’s for my boy tcchamps …
As promised, I headed over to Temple City High School where the Rams opened camp. Gotta love the green T-shirts the Rams wore during practice: “Why not us?” in reference to Temple City shy of reaching the Mid-Valley Division final. Practice started winding down around 10:30 a.m. with three groups running sprints. As some players trailed the rest TC coach Anthony White wasn’t having it; “Your vacation is over!!!” he yelled. Anyway, there’s not much mystery surrounding the Rams this year, but the one question that remains is: Who will replace QB Morgan Hatch? Temple City returns four of its five offensive linemen from last season, including senior Matt O’Malley. Also returning is the bruising Max Ruckle at running back. That much you already knew. The QB situation is still being sorted out. After all, today was only the first day of practice. White will know more when the team throws on pads Thursday. For now, here’s what I saw … There’s a three-player rotation at quarterback, led by senior Justin Smith. The others are sophomore Calvin Copping and freshman sensation Brandon Cox. Smith appeared to get most of the snaps Monday with Cox and Copping looking on. If the season started today, I would guess Smith would start, Cox is the back-up and Copping the third string, respectively. Cox, however, is more athletic than the two, in my opinion. He’s fast, has height (he’s 6-foot-1) and has played quarterback since pop warner, though he did play running back, too. He was limited to action because of a strain ligament in his left elbow. Still, you can tell the kid’s got some serious raw talent. “I bring a lot of good assets to the team,” said Cox after Monday’s practice. “But I i’m just trying to do what i can to help the team win. I’m really a quarterback but I’ve been wanting to be a quarterback since i was 2. If they need me at receiver i’ll do it. I just want to help the team win. Speed’s one of my advantages; I’m tall and I can leap.” Rams fans will love to read this: Cox said doctors have told him he has a chance to grow to be 6-foot-4.
How you like them apples?
