Pearland thriving with two-QB system
Pearland has one of the richest football traditions in Texas, but this year it is bucking one traditional trend shared by most teams that compete at an elite level.
The Oilers have used two quarterbacks in their first two games. Sometimes teams will use more than one signal-caller in non-district games while trying to determine which one will start when district play begins.
That might not be the case with Pearland. So far Connor Blumrick and Jacob Whitehead have been alternating series and playing more when they have flashed a hot hand. Coach Tony Heath said the Oilers may keep it up all season.
“If one of them emerges and takes hold of the thing then he would get more playing time,” Heath said. “As with any position, I’m not going to sit there and make a projection that one kid will be the guy. They’ll have to earn their way to be the top guy.”
The approach has not hurt the offense. The Oilers scored 41 points in the opener and 29 points last week against Houston Memorial. Blumrick and Whitehead each threw a touchdown pass in the second half last week.
That was Blumrick’s first touchdown pass this season, though he has thrown twice as many passes as Whitehead. Whitehead threw two touchdowns in the opener.
Whitehead has the ability to move around in the pocket and is better suited to scramble. Blumrick is more of a prototypical drop back passer with a stronger arm. Heath said both players have made their share of good plays.
“They have their moments,” Heath said. “Then they have a hiccup along the way. Each day we’re trying to work through that. It’s a long season, a long process. We’re early in the year.”
While Pearland almost always uses one quarterback, this is not the first time it has used two. In 2013 Kalen Johnson and Connor Heath - Tony’s son - both got plenty of playing time. It stayed that way into the postseason until Johnson suffered a season ending injury. Heath took over full time and led the Oilers to the state championship game.
Tony Heath said he would have been happy to use both quarterbacks throughout the 2013 playoffs.
The mindset of most coaches is that one quarterback is the best way to go, but Heath does not buy it. He said Monday afternoon he was excited to watch reigning national champion Ohio State play to see how it would utilize all three star quarterbacks on its roster.
The Buckeyes did not use two at a time during their run to last year’s title, but they proved it can be valuable to have more than one ready to go if needed. Even if Blumrick or Whitehead emerge as the obvious full-time starter this season, the other will have enough experience to fill in if he is needed.
“The mindset of society is you have one quarteback, but in so many positions we play mulitple kids,” Heath said. “If I have two guys who can go they’re going to go. They both bring strong points to the game. They’re both good leaders and deserve an opportunity to be out there. Having two quarterbacks is not a problem for me. If they’re both doing what they’re supposed to then they’re going to both end up playing.”