NOT ONLY did East Jackson employ a run-first offense last year, it was basically a run-exclusively offense.
But second-year coach Brian Smith hopes those one-dimensional days are a thing of the past.
“Heck, we threw for more yards in the scrimmage than we did probably all of last year,” Smith said. “It’s a work in progress and we’re ahead of the game, we’re much-improved over what we were last year.”
The East Jackson football team gets the chance to test out its expanded offense for real when it opens the season against Banks County on the road Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last fall, opponents could crowd the box to stop the run and dare the Eagles to throw. This year, East Jackson looks to keep opposing defenses honest.
“It’s a big positive for us and I think it’s going to help us run the ball to be able to open it up and throw,” said Smith, who seeks his 100th career win. “Last year, there were a lot of times when we were scared to death to call a pass. I’m not feeling that at all right now.”
The Eagles have added drop-backs and other wrinkles to their passing game as the playbook has expanded this year. Smith doesn’t have a specific pass-to-run ratio in mind, but he wants his offense to be balanced. He explains his definition of balance.
“If we need to run it, we can run it,” he said. “If we need to throw it, we can throw it.”
Austin Beauchamp has been named the starter at quarterback after winning a preseason battle with Caleb Hill and Brodhi Strong, both of which have dealt with injuries.
“He (Austin) is the healthiest of the three and hasn’t missed a day yet, so I feel comfortable with all three of them but he’s earned the job right now,” Smith said.
By that, Smith means he’s earned the starting nod for game one. The competition will continue throughout the year.
“Competition, I think, always helps,” Smith said.
Still, Beauchamp brings his own attributes to the table. The 6’0,” 215-lb. junior possesses good arm strength, which means he can stretch a defense vertically.
“Great arm strength – we’re going to throw the ball deep,” Smith said. “That’s something that we’ve missed.”
With his size, he’s also a running threat. East Jackson will even run some triple option out of the shotgun.
“He gives us some advantages in the run game,” Smith said.
Beauchamp is part of a new-look offensive backfield for East Jackson, which includes T.J. Clay at starting tailback. Back-up tailback Davante Gresham is a stalwart on defense at linebacker but has had limited snaps at running back. The Eagles’ third-string tailback, Tyree Rakestraw, is also new.
East Jackson isn’t just inexperienced at spots on offense. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles are very green along the defensive front.
“They’re young,” Smith said. “There are going to be a lot of 10th graders up front and they’re a little beat up right now but I kind of like our defensive front. I think they’re going to get better.”
East Jackson will put its youngsters to the test against a Banks County team coming off a 7-4 season and trip to the state playoffs a year ago. The Eagles, however, blasted the Leopards 35-7 in 2011.
Smith offered his view of Banks County.
“The quarterback runs the ball really well,” he said. “They bring a little pressure from the outside from time to time. They’re running the ball better than they were at this time last year. (They’re a) pretty physical team up front. I think the two programs are pretty similar right now to be honest with you.”
And Friday will allow each program a glimpse of where they stand. After months of offseason strides, East Jackson wants to make it count for something.
That starts with putting points on the board.
“I think our kids have bought into what we want to do,” Smith said. “I think our kids work hard. I think they’re doing the little things right to make us improve. But we’ve got to score points.”
