Trion Bulldogs

Pedal to the metal

Trion coach Justin Brown understands there is a window of opportunity in front of his team this season. For the Bulldogs to capitalize, he also knows they must be willing to go beyond their comfort zone offensively.

Trion will remain a wing-T team, complete with strong fullback dives for Malik Martin and end sweeps for Gabe Howell, but if it is to get back into the playoffs, the forward pass has to make more than an occasional appearance.

"I still want to be a running football team, but any success we have in the passing game will help the running game," said Brown, whose team struggled when defenses stacked the line last season to stop the run.

"I don't mind people crowding us, and we got a lot that in the last half of the season, but we couldn't make them pay for it. As a wing-T team, when they creep up on you, you have to be able to throw it. There were spots on the field we just weren't able to attack."

The challenge will be making the tweak to the offense with a first-year starting quarterback. Sophomore Jarrett Gill has won the job after last year's starter, Jackson Bowers, decided to give up football to concentrate on baseball. Brown believes the strong-armed Gill is up for the challenge.

"He throws a great deep ball," Brown said of the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder. "We saw that last year running our scout team. When you see kids making plays against your starting defense, it opens your eyes. He's got a lot of competitor in him, and he's also got a lot of poise. We've not missed a beat since he got the job."

- Capsule by Lindsey Young; contact at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @YoungSports22