Wise growing into quarterback role

FORT SMITH – It has been a work in progress all season long for Fort Smith Northside quarterback Derrick Wise. Though he played quarterback at Kimmons Junior High, he was a running back during the 2015 season with the Grizzlies. Wise (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) has had his ups and downs in his first season as a full-time high school quarterback, but he is starting to look the part if last week’s game against Fort Smith Southside is any indication. With the Grizzlies facing a must-win situation to make the playoffs, Wise played his finest game to date. He rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown, while going a perfect 9 for 9 passing for 100 yards and two scores. Northside (3-7) whipped Southside 35-13, and will travel to Springdale Har-Ber at 7 p.m. today. “Against Southside, he made good decisions,” Northside coach Mike Falleur said. “We did not throw it much in the second half. When we threw it in the first half, he was on the money. It was good to see him make accurate throws on a consistent basis. He had more time because our offensive line kept them from pressuring him.” Another reason the passing game was successful early was because they ran the ball well also. The Grizzlies finished with 215 rushing yards. “He played his most complete game of the season – running, passing and decision making,” Falleur said. “He ran the option well. He was really focused on playing well.” The win was the second straight over the Mavericks, something the Grizzlies had not done since the 2004 and 2005 seasons. “He was really wanting to win this game because you play against these guys in junior high as well as the NorthsideSouthside game,” Falleur said. “He is a competitor and wants to win.” This big game for Wise was a year in the making. For almost a year, Wise has been working on becoming a full-time quarterback. That adjustment is hard and takes time, Falleur said. “All our quarterbacks worked with (quarterback coach Chad) Frazier 2 to 3 mornings a week all winter long,” Falleur said. “But you can do all of that you want, but that does not prepare you for making decisions when defenders are coming at you. Until you face a live defense, it is a learning process. I still don’t think he is totally comfortable even now.” With nonconference games like Greenwood and Pine Bluff and 7A-Central opponents North Little Rock, Bryant and Conway, Wise has faced some of the best teams (and defenses) in Arkansas. “He has been tested by some good defenses, and he has gotten better every week,” Falleur said. There have been times he has been hesitant to make a throw because he does not want to make a mistake. As a quarterback, you have to be willing to make a play. If it goes bad, you forget about it and focus on the next play.” Falleur added another reason for Wise’s success is Northside’s commitment to be a run-first offense. A strong running game, keyed by Wise running the option, sets up the Grizzlies’ passing game. “We are going to run the ball first, that is who we are,” Falleur said. “The idea that we can spread the defenses out and run the football helps him out. Some people think that getting 5-6 yards on first downs in not popular. To me, there is a lot of decision making in running the option also. His has to read the handoff and then, if he keeps the ball, decide whether to pitch the ball or not.”

AT A GLANCE

DERRICK WISE SCHOOL Fort Smith Northside CLASS Junior

HEIGHT 5-9

WEIGHT 175

POSITION Quarterback

NOTABLE Passed for 889 yards with 11 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions on 74-130 passing (56.9 percent) … Leads the Grizzlies in rushing with 781 yards on 183 carries (4.3 yards per carry) and 9 touchdowns. … Threw for 100 yards and 2 TDs as well as ran for 101 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win over Southside. … Played running back as a sophomore before moving to quarterback this season.