Tyson Cooper knows how to give the signs.
He’s done it as a catcher for years – one finger is fastball, two fingers for a changeup and three fingers for a curveball.
Christian Heritage coach Preston Poag called for a changeup under center for his football team.
Cooper, who had never played quarterback before the summer, is expected to be the Lions’ next quarterback even though he arrives at the position with only the experience from summer passing camps.
“He’s like Johnny Manziel for our level,” Poag said. “I think he’s going to be special.”
The move already has resulted in one trophy.
“We get beat in the first round of a 7-on-7 and we get put in the consolation bracket, but we beat Baylor in the championship,” Poag said.
Cooper, a junior, is comfortable behind home plate no matter the situation. He called out defensive plays on the diamond last spring. He’ll be calling offensive plays this fall.
“He started as a freshman at free safety, and he’s played a little running back and receiver because he’s a slippery type of player,” Poag said. “We’ve been mostly a passing team with [graduate] Trevor Brown. But we’re going to be balanced because he can run the ball.”
Running the ball from the quarterback position is a little different than catching somebody in a rundown between third base and home plate.
“He’ll make some mistakes, but he’s going to make a lot more big plays,” Poag said. “I’ll still have to keep it simple with him.”
– David Uchiyama
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE LIONS
Head coach: Preston Poag (22-11 here and overall)
Last year: 8-3; lost to Darlington in first round of playoffs
Returning starters (O/D/K): 5/8/0
Control panel: RB Ahmaad Tanner (5-10, 190, So.) has gained about 20 pounds while still getting faster to enhance his great vision and soft hands. LB Evan Townsend (6-1, 235, Sr.) is a college prospect on some level and made more than 120 tackles last year. FB/LB Matt Cook (6-1, 215, Jr.) could play in the FCS – or somewhere – with a 40-yard dash speed around 4.65 seconds.
New producers: QB Tyson Cooper (6-0, 170, Jr.) should give the Lions a dimension they haven’t had – a running quarterback. WR/CB Nasir Porter (5-10, 170, Fr.) is one of the fastest guys on the team and should play several positions including special teams. DT John Wesley Whiteside (5-10, 315, So.) played a few games last year before injury sidelined a player who can demand a double-team.
Item of interest: Only the juniors, sophomore and freshmen on this team have competed their entire career in the GHSA. The seniors were part of the first team that paved the way for Christian Heritage to join the state athletic association.
2014 Schedule
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 23 – Landmark Christian
Sept. 5 – at Model
Sept. 12 – Gordon Lee
Sept. 19 – at Fellowship Christian*
Sept. 26 – Mt. Pisgah*
Oct. 3 – Trion*
Oct. 10 – at Mt. Zion, Carroll*
Oct. 17 – Mt. Paran*
Oct. 24 – at Walker*
Nov. 7 – Region 6-A play-in
- Region 6A-A game