Ahead of season opener, Vikings still have questions to answer | Local Sports

VALDOSTA — Head coach Zach Grage and the 2022 version of the Lowndes Vikings make their common season debut towards American Heritage this Saturday night time. Nonetheless, many questions nonetheless stay for this Lowndes squad.

Essentially the most daunting one doubtless the continuing battle for the beginning QB spot.

For the reason that spring, there’s been three candidates to take the mantle from now College of Miami QB Jacurri Brown: Juniors Tate Sirmans and Brooks Finest and sophomore Marvis Parrish.

“I’ve had a number of questions on that and I mentioned, ‘Hey come to the sport and discover out.’” Grage mentioned, “We’re trying proper now with the battle persevering with.” 

Sirmans, described as a jack of all trades, has seemingly been the entrance runner for the job.

Brooks has a gentle pocket presence in addition to the flexibility to get out and run at instances.

Parrish is the very best athlete out of the bunch. If he’s not beneath middle, Grage has mentioned he’ll be lined up out extensive, the place he’s gotten loads of reps this summer time.

The beginning QB isn’t the one query for Lowndes, as that they had a number of key contributors on offense graduate this previous yr in Khris Thomas, Justin Barron and Tate McGee.

“We’re gonna have to seek out out.” Grage mentioned with reference to who he’s seeking to step up in a management function this yr. “All of it begins up entrance, folks don’t speak about these guys very a lot however I do like our offensive line quite a bit…we’ve bought seven to eight guys who ought to get rotation time Saturday night time.

“Out extensive we’ve bought a number of guys who’re gonna vie for some touches on the receiver place…a number of these guys are youthful by classification. A bunch of sophomores, a number of juniors. However then you’ve gotten a pair seniors in there however they’re additionally inexperienced…The inexperienced guys are gonna be vying for a while and it’s gonna need to be one thing the place we do an amazing job rotating these guys in and giving them recreation reps and evaluating when it’s all mentioned in performed.”

One of many solely constants on this offense is junior working again Jacarre Fleming, who’s poised for a breakout yr after dashing for 726 yards and 9 touchdowns in his sophomore season.

“I feel, proper now, Jacarre is gonna be the chief of this workforce, particularly on the offensive facet of the ball.” Grage mentioned, “I feel his expertise speaks for itself and continues to develop on daily basis so far as the in-between whistles management. Between him, Aalim Brown, and Okay’Len Flanigan, I feel all three will see reps this Saturday night time.” 

Fleming is a cornerstone of this Lowndes offense, however there’s nonetheless a number of inexperience round him.

A few of that inexperience confirmed in final week’s 8-7 scrimmage loss to Tift County, the place Lowndes was flagged 11 instances – six of which had been for offsides penalties.

“We’ve bought quite a bit to wash up from final Friday, that was not an excellent efficiency to let you know the reality so far as the pre-snap penalties.” Grage mentioned. “As excited as we had been popping out of spring ball with the self-discipline and the taking part in onerous, I assumed after the sport Friday I wrote down and talked to the youngsters about being uninspired. In order that’s the place we’ve bought to look again as a training workers. That’s the most important factor we’re taking a look at is return and play Lowndes soccer…perceive we’re going to rotate a bunch of men in order that we are able to discover these guys as a result of we do have a number of inexperience on each side of the ball.

“That’s gonna be our largest factor to judge on Saturday night time. Who’s that game-time man? Who’s capable of carry out beneath the lights of Martin Stadium? Who’s gonna be these guys that we are able to begin to depend on? And we’ve bought the primary 5 video games to determine that out earlier than we open up our area schedule so hopefully we are able to get a number of issues answered and go on from there.”

Lowndes kicks off towards American Heritage Saturday at 8 p.m. from Martin Stadium.