By By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
There’s no quarterback controversy at Washington High School, according to head football coach Sport Sawyer. The job belongs to Trey Harris, and it’s his to lose.
The news came during the Pam Pack’s final 7-on-7 Passing League game of the summer at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium against South Johnston on Tuesday night.
Harris succeeds all-conference quarterback Austin Thompson, who was on the sidelines to cheer on his former teammates. Harris’ progression in the passing game from last season to this summer put him in the starting spot, Sawyer said.
“I think Trey’s done a good job of throwing this summer, and he’s played the quarterback position before,” the head coach said.
In particular, Coach Sawyer pointed at Harris’ improved arm strength. He said the starting quarterback in waiting has gotten better at throwing the ball downfield.
The head coach called Harris’ arm strength last year “decent,” but thanks to offseason conditioning, he said it has gotten a lot stronger.
Coach Sawyer also commended his quarterback’s ability to read the defense and throw on the run during the 7-on-7 summer Passing League.
Harris won’t be taking all the snaps on the season, as he’ll be sharing time with all-around athlete Dakuan Joyner.
“The object on offense is to put the ball in the playmaker’s hands,” Sawyer said referring to his strong, speedy star, Joyner.
During the 7-on-7 scrimmage against South Johnston, Joyner was lined up in the slot receiver position during the 10-play possessions and caught a couple of slant passes from Harris. On one particular pass, Harris rifled a throw to Joyner, who caught the ball in stride, did a spin move and made three Southern Nash defenders whiff.
After the play, a Southern Nash defensive coach said the play should have been whistled dead after the catch, as is accustomed in the passing league, because he didn’t want any of his defenders to break an ankle.
The Pam Pack will lean heavy on Harris and Joyner on offense after losing Thompson, among others.
“There’s a lot of people to replace,” Sawyer said.
The first practice of the season is Saturday. According to the head coach, Washington still has a lot to figure out before the first game of the year.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “And, we’ve got a new team.”