Hicks provides new look for OL
El Dorado averaged 221.7 yards per game through the air last season with Darius Holly at quarterback. Last year's leading rusher, Alex Hicks, moves from running back to full-time quarterback, which will give the Wildcats a different dimension on offense.
Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Nick Vaughn, said the blocking changes with a quarterback who plays such a large factor in the run game.
“In some cases, obviously, running game makes it easy,” said Vaughn. “But, in the passing game, you really have to be smart with your technique and understanding where we're moving in the pocket and things of that nature. With a guy who is mobile as Alex is, he's going to move. The last thing we want to have happen is he moves right into something and we're turning a guy loose. We have to stay on probably a little longer than what you may want in some cases. To be honest with you, it really forces us to be fundamentally sound and
play with good technique. That's probably more important than anything else.”
The Wildcats have a young offensive front. Jeremy Boone, a three-year starter at right tackle, has a wealth of experience. Center Thomas Crawford and left tackle Dalton Perdue also saw action last season. Guards Cameron Deal and Connor Rambo round out the projected starters in El Dorado's eight-man rotation up front.
Vaughn stressed fundamentals and steady improvement out of his troops. They got off to a solid start in the benefit game against Nashville, in a game where Hicks showed off his running ability.
“We had one holding call against Nashville. But, it was not because of Alex being out of the pocket. It was because of a fundament technique issue,” Vaughn said. “For the most part, even through Fall camp, we haven't had those issues. A lot of that is because our guys have learned how he plays. He's getting accustomed to how we're going to set the pocket for him. I think we're all going to mature in that whole process.
“Again, we've got one guy on the offensive line that's logged significant minutes. We'll continue to get better there.”
The offensive line works best with five pieces meshing together to form one. The offense, as a whole, works best when the backs and the line are on the same page. Vaughn believes the line will help the backs and Hicks, in particular, will benefit the line.
“Anytime you've got a special player back there like Alex, he just kind of makes stuff happen, which makes you better up front.”
El Dorado opens the 2018 season on Friday at Conway.