Ready for battle

After months of uncertainty, Pinellas County coaches now know which quarterbacks will be attending their school. What still is uncertain, at least with a few programs, is who will emerge as the starter. Here are six quarterback competitions that are heating up at fall practices.

CC Catholic -- Ian Coia vs. Eric Miller vs. Nick Newton: Coila and Miller are the more polished quarterbacks and will most likely split time during the season, according to Marauders coach Mike Jalazo. But Newton is getting a strong look and Jalazo said he is designing some packages in which he will be behind center.

Countryside -- Jimbo Chmelik vs. Ryan Dailey: Chmelik, who split time with Ryan Eppes as a starter last season,  has a firm grasp of coach John Davis' newly installed no huddle attack. That makes him the frontrunner for the job. But he is being pushed by Ryan Dailey, who played on junior varsity last year.

Dunedin -- Blair Jordan vs. Ryan Singer: The two quarterbacks represent a contrast in styles. Jordan is the better runner. Singer, a transfer from Countryside, is the better passer. Falcons coach Mark Everett said he doesn't envision splitting time among the two during the season and would like to name a starter before the season opener. "I've got an idea who it will be," Everett said. "But I'm not about to disclose that yet."

East Lake: Bobby Lyons vs. Matt McKenna vs. Blake Robles vs. Sam Shaffer: Eagles coach Bob Hudson was set to go with Shaffer and McKenna at quarterback. But that was before Lyons transferred from Clearwater Central Catholic and Robles transferred back to East Lake via Countryside. Now there's a logjam at the position. Hudson said if he had to start a game today, Shaffer would be the guy considering he took 85 percent of the reps in the offseason. Lyons and McKenna also will see time on the other side of the ball as linebackers.

Lakewood: Jacquez Jenkins vs. Victor Perkins vs. Bernard Reedy: Former coach Otis Dixon used all three players in games last season and planned on doing the same thing this year. But was before Dixon resigned in June. New coach Cory Moore would prefer to go with one quarterback. It's not clear who that will be.

Northeast: Kyle Craver vs. Ryan Moore: Last year, Moore was the erstwhile understudy to starter Armando Sanchez, who has since graduated. This season Vikings quarterbacks will do more than handoff the football. Coach Jay Austin is stressing more balance and is using some pro set and spread formations. Moore was impressive in the offseason and has a bit of an edge, according to Austin. But Craver has a lot of upside and could see some playing time, as well.   

-- BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer

Comments

Carver will win the NE qb spot because he is bigger ans everyone knows NE blocks with their QB.

[falcon]

blair is a great QB but he is just to short if it werent for his hieght hed probably start over ryan.

DO-NUT is a turd rolling down 19

moore is a midget, but that dont matter when all you do is hand the ball off.

[dundun]

Singer is taking way more snaps at practice, also Jordan is running and receiving on many plays.

[amazed]

I would put daily over Jimbo too

By the 3rd game the QB's will be:
Dunedin= Singer
Cside= Daily
EL= Robbles
CCC= Miller
Lakewood= Jenkins
Northeast= Moore

DunDun v CSide, CSide v ELake will be fun games.

countryside's biggest mistake was letting singer go. 6'4 190 and has a D1 arm. cside cant put 8 in the box this year....that 3-3-5 is gonna get owned. haha should be funny

Why are so many of the QBs named Ryan?

Yeah you all know more than the coaches.

Dunedin= singer
cside= jimbo
EL= shaffer
ccc= coila
lakewood= jenkins
northeast= moore

moore is starter for northeast

all countryside qbs....what the heck???

dunedin = singer
cside = jimbo
EL = robles
and thats all i know.