Prep Football: Pretzels, E-Rabs both want to throw better

Improving the passing game was Freeport?s No. 1 focus all offseason.

It hasn?t worked so far.

But at least the Pretzels (1-2) still run as well as ever, with Steve McShane, Trent Gaines and quarterback Quaveon Meeks all running for more than 100 yards last week against Jefferson.

?They definitely have that kid who any time he touches the ball, he can go the distance,? Rockford East coach Jeremy Warren said. ?I wish I had three to choose from.?

While Freeport spent the summer working on passing, Friday night?s opponent in the Pretzel Bowl focused on its running game in an effort to protect its defense. That didn?t work. Worse, even the one thing East had done well collapsed. Jacob Benson passed for 1,884 yards last year, fourth in NIC-10 history, and 18 touchdowns.

This year, the E-Rabs are averaging only 35 yards passing. And 60 yards rushing (1.9 yards per carry). And have been outscored 115-6.

?I was not expecting our passing to be a problem, but it has been thus far,? Warren said. ?It?s been incredibly frustrating. We spent most of our time this offseason trying to improve our defense. And we wanted to run the ball more to keep the defense off the field.

?Unfortunately, we?ve done a complete 360. We?ve not been able to generate any offense, and we?ve still put our defense in bad situations.

?I did not anticipate the decline in offensive production, even without (graduated record-setting receiver) Austin Young. We went back to basics this week to incorporate schemes that fit our personnel better. We?re not overly big up front, so we need to get rid of the ball quicker when we throw the football.?

Freeport has had good luck switching to a zone blocking scheme this year. That has helped the Pretzels run well despite modest size themselves. McShane (267 yards), Gaines (248) and Meeks (237) give the Pretzels the most balanced rushing attack in the league.

And perhaps this is the week they finally get their passing game going. Meeks looked strong this summer, but is 10-for-30 for 90 yards on the season with three interceptions and no touchdowns. Demetri Offard has six catches for 60 yards.

Matt Trowbridge: 815-987-1383; mtrowbridge@rrstar.com; @matttrowbridge

Source: http://www.journalstandard.com/features/x1843591807/Prep-Football-Pretzels-E-Rabs-both-want-to-throw-better?rssfeed=true

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