For years, Statesboro has been synonymous with running the football.
The Blue Devils year after year pound opponents with a punishing Wishbone attack that is machine-like in its operation.
Unfortunately for SHS and their fans, those once weary opponents have now begun to catch on to Statesboro’s gameplan.
They’re putting eight and nine men “in the box”, which means stopping the run at all costs.
They’re daring SHS to throw the ball, ready to tip their hat if the Devils dare beat them airborne.
They’ve raised there bar to Statesboro’s level — and coach Steve Pennington has recognized the time for change is on the horizon.
“The truth of the matter is — we’re gonna throw it,” he said. “We’re going to throw it out of necessity, and we’re also going to throw it because we want to be in control.”
Statesboro began to feel the backlash of a one-dimensional offense in 2007 in a Twilight Zone scenario of offensive absence.
After a 5-0 start, SHS was upset by Evans 10-7. The only touchdown came on a kickoff return.
Two weeks later, rival Effingham County won 7-3, recovering a Statebsoro fumble in the endzone.
In the final game of the regular season, state runner-up Ware County jumped out to a 10-0 lead then virtually played keep away the rest of the evening.
In three regular season losses, SHS failed to score an offensive touchdown.
“As time has evolved, people are going to play us better,” Pennington explained. “In time — people are going to play the spread offense better. We like to think of us — not being egotistical about it — as being as being a measuring stick. For people to get better, they have raise their level of play to us. It’s going to force us to start doing some things.”
Statesboro threw the ball 83 times last year — 17 percent of its total play calling — compared to 383 rush attempts. Luke Connell’s 30 completions accounted four about 1⁄4 of the total offense.
“With the defense doing a much better job in containing our run, or controlling us — it’s that much more imperative that we are able to throw the football,” Pennington continued. “We certainly went through some growing pains last year. The talent level is there. We have to prepare our players to make good decisions.
“(Connell) has got to make real good choices. We anticipate him, putting our offense — every single play — after starting for two years, in a position to where we have a chance to be successful.”
Connell spent his summer across town working at Georgia Southern, further north at Furman and then a little bit west at Vanderbilt looking to improve his passing game. He’s well aware of the pressure that falls on his shoulders.
I just have to believe in everybody,” said the senior. “I have to believe in my line — I have to believe in my receivers’ ability to catch the ball. So that takes some pressure off.
“But in pressure situations, I want that pressure on me. That’s why I’m here at quarterback. Hopefully I can make those plays and get the job done.”
Helping Connell’s situation is two “new” wide receivers in the SHS system. Izaiah Jones moved to town from Texas two years ago — his teammates affectionately call him by that state’s name. Graden Bozeman is a senior whose main squeeze is soccer. Both are expected to be big playmakers in ‘08.
“I feel like with (Connell) we have a chance to throw the football,” said offensive coordinator Kenny Tucker. “We didn’t spend a ton of time this summer like most people do working on (the passing game). But we did go over to Georgia Southern during their 7-on-7 (tournament) and go 7 (wins)-1 (loss).
“We feel like (Connell) gives us an opportunity to give us an effective throwing game, as long as the guys up front can protect him.”
Tucker went on to explain a lot of the SHS aerial attack will depend on consistency — not just from Connell, but also from the offensive line and wide receivers.
“The little things can really screw up the passing game,” Tucker added. “We got some guys we can throw do, we just gotta be consistent in what we’re doing. It’s really key for that offensive line and that fullback to give (Connell) time to throw.”
Whatever the Devils do with the passing game, Pennington does feel the offense will be more balanced. But don’t expect that traditionally powerful running game to go by the wayside.
“It’s imperative that we stay patient with our ground game,” Pennington said. “When it gets down to the nitty-gritty — if you’re going to contend for a championship — you better be able to run the football. And you have to run it effectively.”
The Blue Devils year after year pound opponents with a punishing Wishbone attack that is machine-like in its operation.
Unfortunately for SHS and their fans, those once weary opponents have now begun to catch on to Statesboro’s gameplan.
They’re putting eight and nine men “in the box”, which means stopping the run at all costs.
They’re daring SHS to throw the ball, ready to tip their hat if the Devils dare beat them airborne.
They’ve raised there bar to Statesboro’s level — and coach Steve Pennington has recognized the time for change is on the horizon.
“The truth of the matter is — we’re gonna throw it,” he said. “We’re going to throw it out of necessity, and we’re also going to throw it because we want to be in control.”
Statesboro began to feel the backlash of a one-dimensional offense in 2007 in a Twilight Zone scenario of offensive absence.
After a 5-0 start, SHS was upset by Evans 10-7. The only touchdown came on a kickoff return.
Two weeks later, rival Effingham County won 7-3, recovering a Statebsoro fumble in the endzone.
In the final game of the regular season, state runner-up Ware County jumped out to a 10-0 lead then virtually played keep away the rest of the evening.
In three regular season losses, SHS failed to score an offensive touchdown.
“As time has evolved, people are going to play us better,” Pennington explained. “In time — people are going to play the spread offense better. We like to think of us — not being egotistical about it — as being as being a measuring stick. For people to get better, they have raise their level of play to us. It’s going to force us to start doing some things.”
Statesboro threw the ball 83 times last year — 17 percent of its total play calling — compared to 383 rush attempts. Luke Connell’s 30 completions accounted four about 1⁄4 of the total offense.
“With the defense doing a much better job in containing our run, or controlling us — it’s that much more imperative that we are able to throw the football,” Pennington continued. “We certainly went through some growing pains last year. The talent level is there. We have to prepare our players to make good decisions.
“(Connell) has got to make real good choices. We anticipate him, putting our offense — every single play — after starting for two years, in a position to where we have a chance to be successful.”
Connell spent his summer across town working at Georgia Southern, further north at Furman and then a little bit west at Vanderbilt looking to improve his passing game. He’s well aware of the pressure that falls on his shoulders.
I just have to believe in everybody,” said the senior. “I have to believe in my line — I have to believe in my receivers’ ability to catch the ball. So that takes some pressure off.
“But in pressure situations, I want that pressure on me. That’s why I’m here at quarterback. Hopefully I can make those plays and get the job done.”
Helping Connell’s situation is two “new” wide receivers in the SHS system. Izaiah Jones moved to town from Texas two years ago — his teammates affectionately call him by that state’s name. Graden Bozeman is a senior whose main squeeze is soccer. Both are expected to be big playmakers in ‘08.
“I feel like with (Connell) we have a chance to throw the football,” said offensive coordinator Kenny Tucker. “We didn’t spend a ton of time this summer like most people do working on (the passing game). But we did go over to Georgia Southern during their 7-on-7 (tournament) and go 7 (wins)-1 (loss).
“We feel like (Connell) gives us an opportunity to give us an effective throwing game, as long as the guys up front can protect him.”
Tucker went on to explain a lot of the SHS aerial attack will depend on consistency — not just from Connell, but also from the offensive line and wide receivers.
“The little things can really screw up the passing game,” Tucker added. “We got some guys we can throw do, we just gotta be consistent in what we’re doing. It’s really key for that offensive line and that fullback to give (Connell) time to throw.”
Whatever the Devils do with the passing game, Pennington does feel the offense will be more balanced. But don’t expect that traditionally powerful running game to go by the wayside.
“It’s imperative that we stay patient with our ground game,” Pennington said. “When it gets down to the nitty-gritty — if you’re going to contend for a championship — you better be able to run the football. And you have to run it effectively.”
