Trio vying to become Colonials’ starting quarterback
On the not-so-good news side, with the graduation of quarterback Grayling Sanders, who has taken his talents to Robert Morris University, Albert Gallatin football coach Jeff Rush is facing a quarterback controversy as his Colonials prepare for their rapidly-approaching Class AAA Keystone Conference season.
On the good news side, while some coaches struggle to find even a starting quarterback, Rush is looking at a three-player tussle as the fun of preseason camp nears its conclusion.
“We have three players vying for the starting job,” Rush said. “Not one is on any college scouting radar yet and not one has an exceptional throw-it-the-length-of-the-field arm, but all three are dedicated, they show up at our workouts all the time, and each is striving to improve. They all have basically the same arm qualities and are as even as any three players can be at any position.”
When Rush begins quarterback drills, senior Cameron Angel (5-11, 180), junior Marty Dodson (5-10, 150), and sophomore Richie Ohler (6-feet, 175) sidestep each other to make it to the front of the line. During summer workouts on the field and in the weight room, their faces were fixtures, and each has thrown on his own at the school.
“All are even and it’s far too early to name a starter,” Rush continued. “What it will take is an evaluation of each player’s overall performance, not necessarily the most completed passes, which, in a scrimmage, may not always come against top defensive players or units. Which player is able to take control of the offense and move the ball are obviously important in making that decision.”
But Rush was also quick to point out an intangible that’s a part of the mix, noting, “How comfortable the other 10 players on the field will be with any one of the three and how they react to the eventual starter will be important.”
If any of the three has an edge, it’s Ohler, based on the fact that he took the snaps during the second half of the season last year when the Colonials struggled through a 1-8 season. Ohler started Albert Gallatin’s final four games.
“As a freshman last year, Richie was cool and calm in directing our offense, especially for a young player,” Rush recalled. “He has strong leadership skills and has the ability to control the huddle and the game.”
During the Colonials’ final game last year, their lone win of the season (against Uniontown), Dodson took control of the offense for several series, thus getting a glimpse of the position and pressures under Friday night lights.
“Marty is a hard worker and he is dedicated,” Rush observed, “and he has shown an accurate arm in camp.”
As the only senior among the three, Angel’s age and leadership qualities have kept him in the running, Rush added. Last year Angel was a fixture in the Colonials secondary and saw some time at running back.
“Each player brings certain qualities and strengths to the position,” continued Rush, “and it’s a wide-open race. By the time we get to the end of camp we’ll have seen all three in scrimmages and we’ll be able to assess their overall performances. By opening night, our offense will be ready to go.”