Ringgold's Devin Lancaster more than a capable QB replacement

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

RINGGOLD, Ga. -- When you're the one tabbed to replace the Chattanooga area's high school football player of the year, there's more than a bit of pressure involved.

Devin Lancaster surely felt that pressure, but the Ringgold junior quarterback never let his teammates see it. Now, as the Tigers prepare to start the postseason with a road trip to Callaway High School, Lancaster is more than just Slade Dale's replacement. He's a playmaker.

"Devin has made tremendous strides to make himself better and in turn our offense better," Ringgold coach Robert Akins said of the 6-foot-2, 170-pounder. "He's a different kind of quarterback than Slade, obviously, but with his arm he gives us a down-the-field threat. He made some mistakes earlier in the season, mainly with decisions, but he's eliminated those and he's shown great composure in the pocket."

Lancaster, a pitcher on the baseball team with a fastball clocked in the upper 80s, has passed for 1,574 yards and 17 touchdowns for the 8-2 Tigers. With veteran running backs Kile Sholl and D.L. Goins, Ringgold is seen as a run-first team and defenses emphasize keeping those two in check. However, averaging 17.5 yards per completion, Lancaster can foil that plan with one flick of the wrist.

"He throws a good deep ball and most teams will make us prove that we can do more than run," Akins said. "Devin's done that and he has a good crew to throw it to, including a couple of young guys that have really stepped up."

photo Ringgold quaterback Devin Lancaster (15) looks for a reciever.

Senior Garrett Yates is the home-run hitter, averaging 23.1 yards on his 24 receptions (554 yards) and hauling in six touchdown passes. Senior Sholl averages 20 yards per catch (16-326) and has five touchdowns, but it's the emergence of freshman Drake Starks and sophomore Mac Brower, along with junior tight end Tristen Pierce, that has made the Ringgold offense nearly unstoppable in recent weeks.

Lancaster has passed for more than 200 yards in six of the last seven games, missing only the bad weather week two weeks ago in a 43-0 win over Murray County. With defenses now having to respect the pass as much as the run, Sholl, Goins and crew have rushed for more than 250 yards in the last five games for an offense averaging more than 40 points.

"We've come a long way as an offense and I've progressed pretty well, I think," Lancaster said. "There's not an area I haven't improved in since the season started, but I would have to say my timing with the receivers is the biggest thing. It's great that we've become more of a balanced team, and I think that will help us in the playoffs."

The Tigers have a difficult first-round draw in Region 5-AAA runner-up Callaway, which has several elite athletes, including future Georgia Bulldog Terry Godwin, the quarterback who also plays in the secondary. The Cavaliers, however, have faced mostly run-oriented teams, something Lancaster hopes plays to his team's favor.

"They're fast and they're really good, but not many teams have tried to pass on them," said Lancaster, who watched Dale will the Tigers to a semifinal appearance last year. "I think we can take advantage of that. We go into the game with a lot of confidence, and I believe it will be a good game."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.

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