Juan Bullard dismantled defenses as a workhorse running back the past two seasons, scoring 50 touchdowns and compiling more than 3,000 yards, but he’s no stranger to taking snaps instead of handoffs.
He played quarterback in middle school and remained at that position as a freshman at Ooltewah, and now the East Hamilton senior has moved back behind center to try to help the Hurricanes beat his former team Friday night in a second straight season opener between the nonregion rivals. The switch came after senior quarterback Lake Clark sustained a leg injury in a preseason scrimmage at Cleveland.
“After Lake got hurt, we were all devastated,” East Hamilton coach Grant Reynolds said. “Juan came to the team and said I will do whatever I can to help my team. He said if that’s playing quarterback and that helps us, then I’ll do it.”
Clark threw for nearly 1,800 yards last season in an offense with receivers Jeremiah Flemmons and Kaunyae Burgans, who have moved on to play college football at Austin Peay and Cumberland University, respectively. Clark threw three touchdown passes in last year’s 33-13 home win against Ooltewah.
With Bullard at quarterback, the Hurricanes seem even more likely to run first, but the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has the potential to show off his passing ability with tall targets in David Cole (6-4) and Zachariah Laboo (6-7).
“Lake has been working with him before and after practice. They are really good friends,” Reynolds said. “Lake is encouraging him and trying to help him be the best he can. Juan has a good arm, and he is a very strong kid. He is a leader, and an unselfish one at that.”
East Hamilton ended a streak of eight straight losses in the series against the Owls with last season’s victory, but now the Hurricanes must hit the road. In four games at Ooltewah’s James N. Monroe Stadium, Class 4A East Hamilton has been outscored 171-46 by the 5A Owls.
Still, the hosts will need a stout showing from their linebackers to contain Bullard, who had 160 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s win, the start of an 8-3 season for East Hamilton that ended in the first round of the playoffs.
“We have been grinding every day, and our team looks a lot better than last season,” Ooltewah linebacker Gianni Ben-Moshe said. “We want to get revenge, and to do so we have to find ways to shut Juan and their offense down.”
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Ooltewah quarterback AJ Robinson passes during the Owls’ 2021 season opener at East Hamilton.Ooltewah, 2-8 last season, expects to show improvement this year — especially in the running game with four starting offensive linemen returning to block for college prospect Takoda Jones. He rushed for 84 yards against the Hurricanes last year and helped Ooltewah build a 13-6 lead in the second quarter.
A large turnout is expected for the matchup of two programs separated by eight miles.
“It’s going to be a great atmosphere,” said Owls coach Goose Manning, who is in his second year leading his alma mater. “There will be two to three thousand people here to see a really good football game. Last year they were stronger than us in the second half, but our guys really committed and built themselves up in the weight room this offseason. Our kids have bought in and really take pride in the culture we are building.”
Ooltewah senior quarterback AJ Robinson is excited about the talent around him, including Hudson Speares, Kobe Baldwin, Josh Davis, Caden McMahan and Reggie Knight. East Hamilton defensive backs Devon Harolson and Kireese Willis will play key roles in trying to limit Ooltewah’s passing attack, and Michael Hinton could contribute for the Hurricanes at linebacker and running back.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.