Single-Wing stumps Tigers

Charleston Coach Greg Kendrick has been working the phones in recent days in preparation for Friday night’s Class 3A semifinal playoff game at home against Earle.

Kendrick has been seeking information on the Single-Wing, the ancient offensive scheme that Earle (6-7) runs.

“It’s very difficult to prepare for because you just don’t see it,” Kendrick said. “I’ve been talking to the old heads.”

Kendrick said he heard New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton joke about the difficulty of defending the Single-Wing during Alabama’s coaching clinic last spring.

Payton coached his son’s sixth- grade team last year after missing the 2012 NFL season because of his alleged involvement in the Saints’ bounty scandal. Payton’s peewee team was beaten for the league championship by an opponent that ran the Single-Wing.

“He called Jon Gruden and Bill Parcells about how to stop it,” Kendrick said, referring to two former NFL coaches. “They didn’t know.”

Charleston (13-0) gets its chance this week.

Invented in 1907 by legendary coach Pop Warner, the Single-Wing features direct snaps to the quarterback and tons of deception because the scheme is based heavily on misdirection plays and fakes by the running backs.

“They’ve also got speed and size up front,” Kendrick said. “It presents a real challenge for us.”

Charleston’s high-octane Spread attack figures to give Earle problems, too.

The Tigers average 386.4 total yards and 39.1 points per game. Junior quarterback Ty Storey has completed 229 of 342 passes for 3,523 yards and 42 touchdowns.

Storey, who needs 17 yards to reach 8,000 for his career, threw for 519 yards and 7 touchdowns in a 48-21 quarterfinal victory at defending Class 3A state champion Harding Academy on Nov. 29. The Wildcats had won 25 consecutive games.

“It may have been the best game Ty has played,” Kendrick said. “He made some unbelievable throws.”

Storey’s favorite target is senior wide receiver Chance Shelby, who has 61 receptions for 1,035 yards and 18 touchdowns.

A victory would push the Tigers into their fifth final in the past decade. They won state championships in 2005, 2008 and 2011, the latter two under Doug Loughridge, who just completed his first season at Alma.

Earle reached the Class 2A semifinals in 2007 under Maurice Moody, who just completed his first season at Little Rock McClellan.

NWA Media/DAVID GOTTSCHALK Charleston Coach Greg Kendrick isn’t the only one befuddled by the Single-Wing, the offensive scheme the Tigers will face Friday night when they play Earle.