Two QBs work for Morrilton
Morrilton lost 16 starters from its 2016 Class 5A playoff team.
But the Devil Dogs, behind their two-quarterback system, have started 2-0 with victories over defending Class 6A state champion Russellville and Little Rock Fair.
“We’re a pretty young team breaking in a lot of new starters, especially skillposition wise,” Morrilton Coach Cody McNabb said. “But we’ve played two quarterbacks who are very solid.”
Sophomore Jacolby Criswell and junior Dylan White have stepped in at quarterback for Caleb Canady, who exhausted his eligibility after last season.
Criswell has completed 14 of 21 passes for 180 yards with 3 touchdowns and zero interceptions, and he’s scored 1 rushing touchdown. White has 3 touchdown passes and zero interceptions and is 9-of-15 passing for 105 yards.
McNabb said Criswell is more of a dual-threat quarterback, but White is a pocket passer.
“We knew we had two really, really talented kids at that position,” McNabb said. “We’ve needed them both so far. I’m pleased with the way they’re both playing and handling the situation.”
The Devil Dogs will continue using Criswell and White at the position.
“As long as they’re both playing well, they’ll keep playing,” McNabb said. “If one of them gives us a better chance to win, that guy will play more. That’s kind of the way we’re looking at it right now.
“We’ve had years when there’s a senior playing, where a sophomore is being groomed to be the starter. But they’re both talented. We’d be stupid not to use both of them.”
Morrilton travels to Searcy (2-0) on Friday. Searcy, in Class 6A, is led by senior quarterback Mason Schucker, who has completed 35 of 54 passes for 651 yards with 13 touchdowns and 1 interception.
“They’re loaded,” McNabb said. “Schucker is very accurate. This is as good of a Searcy team as we’ve played.
“We know the competition we’ll be going up against,” said McNabb, whose No. 4 team in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Class 5A rankings faces No. 3 in Class 6A. “They’re a really good 6A team. I want to see us play with intensity.”