FLOWERY BRANCH — There was NO quarterback controversy for Flowery Branch coming into this season.
After failing to find a consensus No. 1 last season in an up-and-down 5-5 season that saw the Falcons miss out on the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, sophomore Nick Lance won the job in the spring and fall and was penciled in as the opening-day starter for 2015.
Flowery Branch coach Chris Griffin and the offense seemed at peace during fall practice and Lance looked sharp in a scrimmage against North Hall. And he was having a solid beginning against Chestatee last week.
“Nick has done a nice job of learning the offense and we feel that allows us to put some other guys in position to give us more playmakers,” Griffin said after the scrimmage.
But disaster struck when Lance was tackled hard and injured his throwing shoulder in the first half against the War Eagles. He did not return.
Suddenly, the Falcons were staring down a familiar theme as they struggled in the second quarter and trailed the War Eagles 3-0 at halftime. Who would run the offense?
“We had a lot to address at halftime,” Griffin said. “It was a lot of little things that kind of accumulated in the first half. Finding a quarterback was just one of the issues.”
This time, not to worry. Junior Jasen Johnson, who shared time with Lance last season, came in and tossed a quick touchdown pass to get the Falcons going. Then, almost as if on cue, he went down with cramping in his legs.
Enter junior third-stringer Kory Graham, normally on the scout team, who then put his abilities on display in the second half with two touchdown passes that helped lead the Falcons to a 34-10 comeback victory.
Now, Griffin and his staff have a new set of encouraging problems as they prepare to open Region 8-AAAAA play on Friday at Loganville.
“I thought both Jasen and Kory did a good job when they were in there,” Griffin said. “Jasen is fine and Kory proved he deserves a chance to see what he can do. It’s an open battle again.”
The only concern is Lance, who was scheduled to have an MRI on his shoulder sometime this week.
“We’re hoping it’s not too bad. He was having a great fall and a good start to the season. You hate to see that in the first game,” Griffin said.
Griffin said Loganville is one of the darkhorse teams in a region that has improved from top-to-bottom and may be one of the most balanced in Class AAAAA. The Red Devils (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA) are similar to the Falcons (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA), running a spread attack with a speedy defense to match.
“There won’t be any easy games in the region this year,” Griffin said. “Loganville is much-improved. Their defense looks really good on film. It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
While finding the right guy under center is always important, Griffin said the battle in the trenches may well decide each team’s fate on Friday night. The Falcons offensive line is led by returning starters and seniors Sterling Sykes, Clay Hamilton, and Chewy Alvarado who opened some big holes last week for senior running back Trey Wilcoxson, who had 100 yards rushing.
“To me the key is our offensive line against their front six (on defense), which is really good, and our ability to block and us be able to run the ball,” Griffin said. “If we can do that, that will also help our quarterback be able to make some plays in the passing game. It all starts up front.”
The Falcons need a solid start to region play. They opened 0-2 and finished sixth in the region in 2014 and went just 1-4 against the top five teams last year.
“There is no doubt we need to get a win in the (region) opener,” Griffin said. “Its tough to make the playoffs if you lose the first region game. And this year the region is probably the most balanced it’s been since we’ve been in it.
“And this is one of those games that could go either way. We don’t want to look back and say this was the game that cost us a shot at the playoffs. We will need to do the little things a lot better this week.”
However, he did not seem as concerned about the quarterback position this week as he did most of last year.
“I think we’re in a much better place (at quarterback) right now than we were last season,” Griffin said. “We feel good no matter who it is. Jasen and Kory both did some good things out there.
“But we will give Jasen and Kory equal chance to win the job until Nick is able to come back. It has been an interesting start to the season for sure.”
FLOWERY BRANCH at LOGANVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Falcons defeated Chestatee 34-10 last week.
-- LOGANVILLE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Red Devils defeated Monroe Area 27-6 last week.
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 5-0. The Falcons won 29-14 in 2014. ... It is the first of three straight home region games for the Red Devils. However, they have struggled at home going just 2-8 at Red Devil Stadium over the past two seasons. The Falcons are 7-3 on the road over the past two seasons. ... Fellow region coaches say Loganville is a “strong” darkhorse contender for their first playoff appearance since 2010.
