~ PVN staff report
LURAY, Sept. 4 — By moving senior Ryan Jenkins from running back to quarterback, Luray head football coach Skip Hamilton has given opposing defenses a lot to think about this season.
At first glance, it might seem ill-advised to change the position of a player who has earned all-district and all-region accolades (and who will likely earn all-state honors this season), but the idea is to create more diversity in the Bulldogs’ offensive attack.
“That allows us to get other guys the ball more. If they get so focused on Ryan, we can now run Mason on a sweep, or get Caleb [Cyphert] going on the inside…things like that. It allows us to get the ball spread out more instead of just focusing on or depending on Ryan,” Coach Hamilton told PVN after Friday’s 49-26 win over Stuarts Draft. “We lost Cason Bryant, who graduated, Chance Beahm graduated…so we kinda knew that we had to spread out to try to get more guys an opportunity to touch the ball, and if we get more guys touching the ball that’s means that’s more people that the other team has to worry about.”
Senior Ayden Haddock, who previously stepped in behind center, is now a receiver. The multi-sport athlete is naturally talented and can play multiple positions. His athletic ability and great hands have lead him to two touchdown receptions through two games, and he absolutely adds an element to the Bulldogs’ offense that opponents need to be aware of every snap.
So, Jenkins, who has been a prolific runner for the past two seasons, now can score with his legs or his arm.
In Friday night’s non-district win over the Cougars, Jenkins carried the ball 22 times for 220 yards (10 ypc) and three touchdowns. The senior captain also threw the ball seven times against the Cougars, completing three, for another 113 yards and two more touchdowns. Jenkins had a hand in all five offensive touchdowns on the night against Stuarts Draft.
The home team put up 470 yards of offense — 357 on the ground, and 113 through the air. Jenkins accounted for 333 total yards.
Up next, Luray (1-1) will travel to Greene County to take on Class 3 William Monroe for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday, Sept. 11.
For more information on Luray High School Athletics,
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~ Athlete of the Week is sponsored by local Realtor, Andew Horn, give him a call at 540-421-2440.
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