The Columbus High Blue Devils will have a new look on offense when they hit the gridiron this fall. Head Coach Phil Marino and his staff have ditched the traditional I-formation and installed a spread offensive attack with four wide receivers and one running back. Coach Marino hopes the change will enable the Blue Devils to score more points and improve on its 2-8 season from 2010 when they beat only Kendrick and Central-Carrollton.
“I’ve been running the I-formation forever but don’t have the lineman or backs to run that particular offense,” said Marino. “We are adjusting to our personnel and lack of size. We are a lot more athletic. We are going to run the spread, throw the ball around a little bit more, make it a little more exciting and create more opportunities to score. We will be in the shotgun about 80 percent of the time.”
Columbus has been working on its new offense since after Christmas, when the staff and key players first began to talk about the change and plan for it. The spread offense was officially installed at spring practice. “It went pretty well,” said Marino. “They are adapting pretty quickly.”
Leading the charge at quarterback will be sophomore Wyatt Peterson (5’11/170). “He has a very strong arm and a good pocket presence,” said Marino. “He throws the ball as well as anybody I’ve seen in a while. He’s very smart in the pocket.”
Last year’s quarterback, senior Ryan Lang (5’11/185), is moving to defense where he will play cornerback. “He was willing to make that move. We feel like he will be a good defensive player for us,” Marino said. “He is a hard worker and a dedicated young man. He has good speed and he is strong.”
Pass blocking is the focus for the Blue Devils’ offensive line in the new scheme. The O-line will be anchored by senior Trey Robertson (5’10/230), junior Tedric Palmer (6’2/260), junior Gabriel Pudichery (5’11/190), sophomore Adams Clark (6’2/230), and junior center Gavin Bonner (6’0/227).
The primary target in the passing game is senior wide receiver Anthony Padron (6’3/185). Padron caught 37 passes last season and scored two touchdowns. He will also see playing time at safety and serve as the back-up quarterback. “He is an outstanding athlete,” said Marino. “He will get a lot more balls thrown his way this year. He runs great routes and if the ball gets near his hands he is going to catch it.”
Another target in the air will be junior wide receiver Tony Alexander (5’10/170). “He is a talented young man and will be a big part of our offense,” said the third-year coach.
The running back position is still up in the air. Marino said they would use two or three different players in the offensive backfield.
The Blue Devils are changing their defensive scheme, too, abandoning the 4-4 from last season and switching to a more athletic and agile 3-3-5. “The reason is because of our personnel,” said Marino. “We have more linebackers and defensive backs than we do defensive lineman.”
Expected starters on defense include senior linebacker Patrick Stallings (5’11/215), senior linebacker/defensive back Ben Bice (5’11/180), senior linebacker/defensive back Carden Doolittle (5’11/192), junior inside linebacker Trey Taff (5’11/205), junior cornerback Luke Thompson (5’11/175), and senior defensive end Terrance West (6’1/215).
Marino said Columbus has 67 players on the roster, which includes 18 freshmen. “We have some pretty good athletes out of that group,” he said.
After back-to-back 2-8 seasons, Coach Marino took caution when talking about expectations for the upcoming season. “Our goal is to take one day at a time, take one practice at a time, and take one game at a time,” he said.
Columbus High Blue Devils
GHSA, Class AAA, Region 6
Colors: Orange and Blue
Head Coach: Phil Marino
2010 Results:
Record: 2-8, Region: 1-5
Points Scored: 110
Points Allowed: 297
Players to Watch 2011
Wyatt Peterson, QB, 5’11/170, SO
Ryan Lang, CB, 5’11/185, SR
Tedric Palmer, OL, 6’2/260, JR
Trey Robertson, OL, 5’10/230, SR
Gavin Bonner, C, 6’0/227, JR
Gabriel Pudichery, OL, 5’11/190, JR
Adams Clark, OL, 6’2/230, SO
Anthony Padron, WR/QB/S, 6’3/185, SR
Tony Alexander, WR, 5’10/170, JR
Patrick Stallings, LB, 5’11/215, SR
Ben Bice, LB/DB, 5’11/180, SR
Carden Doolittle, LB/DB, 5’11/192, SR
Trey Taff, LB, 5’11/205, JR
Luke Thompson, CB, 5’11/175, JR
Terrance West, DE, 6’1/215, SR
Sam Dunton, K, 6’0/185, JR
BY JOHN CARROLL
IN THE GAME HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE
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