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Behind veteran O-line, Falcons may run the ball more
If Connor McCartin and Andrew Byrd struck fear through the shoulder pads of Cedar Run District players as linebackers last season, wait until opponents get a look at that duo in the backfield.
McCartin and Byrd, both seniors, are part of the fresh-faced running back corps that Fauquier High debuted in its first scrimmage of 2008. Running behind a senior-laden offensive line, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound McCartin and 6-1, 238 Byrd helped Fauquier score on its first two possessions against Essex last Thursday.
The running game could play a more prominent role in Fauquier’s two-back, shotgun spread offense this season, with bruisers like McCartin, who is verbally committed to the University of Virginia, and Byrd, plus quicker running backs such as Shawn Blount (junior) and Stewart McNaughton (senior), as well as junior Jon Billings and sophomore Travis Gaines.
“We’ve got guys back there that we feel can carry the ball and guys up front we feel can block,” first-year coach Mark Scott said. “We’ve always wanted to run the ball; we just haven’t been able to as much in the past. Two years ago…when you have sophomores on the line you don’t tend to run as much, and then last year we had such great receivers.”
The Falcons actually ran with success in 2007 as much attention was paid to their phenomenal receiver foursome of David Lewis (Southern Illinois University), Pete Kidwell (Davidson College), Walter Davis (Shepherd University) and Aubrey McLean. Featured back Brock Womack ran for 703 yards and six touchdowns and graduated with those receivers, but most of the offensive linemen that blocked for him have returned.
“The O-line is our most experienced group and we’ll rely on them heavily,” Scott said.
Senior linemen Kevin Friend, Mike Henson, Houston Lamper and Tyler Lloyd all started last season after playing significant time as sophomores and they will be the line’s foundation. Fellow seniors John McGuinn, Mike Sherbin, Trevor Bissler and junior Kyle Fortney should also rotate in.
“We have a lot of seniors...That’s something we really haven’t had in the past,” Friend said of his linemen. “It should help us out a lot...”See the Wednesday print edition of the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story.
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