Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Blair football: No free passes
by James Peters | Staff Writer
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When asked what his Blair football team was getting out of its participation in a seven-on-seven passing league at Wheaton High this summer, Blazers coach Jeff Seals quickly replied, "Exercise."
Seals was not being flippant. It is just that Blair's offense begins and ends with the run, with just a sprinkling of passes mixed in. Passing on every down, required in a seven-on-seven format, is not really what the Blazers are about.
Consider that they attempted just 68 passes last season, doled out among three quarterbacks. They completed 23 of those passes for 329 yards and six touchdowns, with five interceptions.
Compare that to 290 rushing attempts for 1,957 yards and 25 touchdowns, led by the departed Dayne Bolt's 809 yards and 13 scores.
It does not seem things will change much this coming fall, although Seals would like to throw a little more. The only problem is that he has no idea who will be the quarterback.
Rising senior Alex Egber will not return, deciding instead to concentrate on baseball. A pair of underclassmen took turns behind center during last Wednesday's summer league game that saw Blair struggle to move the ball.
Even worse, the Blazers lost 27 seniors from last year's 5-5 squad. The team's most explosive and veteran offensive returnee is Andrew Gondor, who rushed for 230 yards and hauled in five passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
-Head coach: Jeff Seals, sixth year
-Last year's record: 5-5
-Key losses: ATH Dayne Bolt, RB Jonathan Haughton, QB Victor Wang