There’s An Arms Race for Quarterback in South Georgia
Eric Tabor
Tuesday April 3, 2007
Wikipedia defines the term arms race as a competition between two or more parties for military supremacy. Even though the cold war has been over for more than a decade there is an arms race in Southwest Georgia. Its now time to decide who will be the starting quarterback for the South Georgia Wildcats, Both Julian Reese and D. Bryant made the final roster.
In what figures to be the first of many Q&A’s on the topic from now through the start of the season. Both will play in the opener Saturday against Arkansas. Head Coach Derick Stingley says this is the most talented team he's ever had, and the race for the starting quarterback position is very close.
Reese and newly-acquired competitor D. Bryant have individually spoke to the media, each passer reiterated his desire to be the team’s starting quarterback this season, both men affirmed that the competition wouldn’t become a controversy.
Last season Reese was traded to the Wildcats from the Everette Hawks and became an instant fan favorite for making plays when there were none, prior to that he was the AF2 player of the year in 2005 for the Amarillo Dusters.
Quarterback Julian Reese said "I am just going to keep doing what I am doing and he is going to keep doing what he has been doing. the decision is up to the coaches. We are not the coaches. However, they feel the team should go. That is how it is going to be ran."
Bryant signed with the Cats this off-season coming from the Manchester Wolves. He was simply dazzling last season throwing only seven interceptions.
Quarterback D. Bryant said "It has definitely been a good battle. It brought out the best in both of us. We will see what happens this week."
I watched the two titans in practice and both quarterbacks delivered precise passes in drills. Bryant zipped a pass to the tight end in traffic and used a pump-fake on a rollout to connect with Chavis McCollister on a deep go route. Reese threw a picturesque deep pass that dropped over Tavaris Caper’s shoulder on the left sideline.
"Both of them are kind of even at this point,” said Stingley. “One may have a little edge, but I need to see more to know the decision I make is the best for the team."
Who will be the winner in this arms race? Only time and a game or two will tell. According to Stingley both quarterbacks will play in the first half and the hot guy likely starts the second half. The coach says he is not any hurry to make a decision because he wants to make the right one. At the end of the day, the coaching staff is going to play the best player. That’s all there is to it. You’re going to have the 16 best players on the field.
The first salvo launch in this arms race will be Saturday, March 30 against a very good Arkansas Twisters team.