East Ridge running back Dominique Millener (2) looks for room against Soddy-Daisy. Five area high schools scrimmaged at Bradley Central High School Saturday, August 1, 2015.Pedal to the metal
Matt Yarbrough may not be the quarterbacking showstopper that predecessor JoJo Tillery was, but the senior fills the bill of what East Ridge needs most.
They’re not looking for a Tillery type who’s going to run for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 this year, because the coaching staff is comfortable with a stable of running backs and receivers and perhaps the best offensive line since Tracy Malone arrived as head coach three years ago.
“Matt isn’t going to wow you physically, but he is a very steady kid and he’s extremely dependable – the type quarterback that won’t lose ballgames,” Malone said.
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EAST RIDGE PIONEERSRegion 3-3ARaymond James Stadium, Earl Shanks Field, 4320 Bennett Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412Driver’s seat: Tracy Malone (11-20 in his fourth year here and 36-57 overall)Road tested: 6 offensive, 8 defensive starters return
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Pump the brakes: The biggest problem is to fill the void left by the graduation of Monquel Hughes, an outside LB/S type who was always in the right spot. The Pioneers staff has struggled to find a capable replacement.
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Route ’15: The Pioneers, who have reached the postseason in four of the past seven years, step into a new region with at least one new opponent in Signal Mountain. That will be their first game in the new region and their first home game after trips to Polk County and Brainerd.
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Taking the wheel: Matt Yarbrough steps in to replace graduated QB JoJo Tillery, a three-year starter who has moved on to Wofford. Malone has Pete Sexton penciled in to anchor what is the best offensive line he’s had at East Ridge, but Sexton will play both sides of the ball.
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Cruise control: There are 14 seniors on the roster, including RBs Dquantis Jones, Jeremiah McKibben and Dominique Millener. Millener and Sexton are fourth-year starters — Sexton along both lines and Millener in both backfields.
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Backseat driver: An opposing coach said, “They’ve probably got more linemen than they’ve had in all the time Malone has been there, and they’re deep in talent at wide receiver, running back and defensive back. I think they’ll be much more balanced offensively and it will be harder to key on one player.”
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Rearview2014 game resultsAug. 22;Walker Valley;lost, 28-35Aug. 29;Notre Dame;lost, 34-20Sep. 5;Central;won, 3-0Sep. 12;Polk County;won, 31-20Sep. 19;Brainerd;lost, 29-28Sep. 26;Loudon;lost, 23-22Oct. 3;Hixson;lost, 15-0Oct. 10;Red Bank;lost, 14-7Oct. 24;Tyner; lost, 37-3Oct. 30;Howard;won, 42-03-7 overall, 1-5 in District 6-AA
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On the horizon2015 schedule (all times 7:30 unless noted)Aug. 21;at Polk CountyAug. 28;at Brainerd, 7Sep. 4;Signal Mountain, 7Sep. 11;at CentralSep. 18;Red Bank, 7Sep. 25;Hixson, 7Oct. 2;at Notre Dame, 7Oct. 16;at Howard, 7Oct. 23;LoudonOct. 30;Chattanooga Christian (7)Region 3-3A games in bold
Yarbrough spent two seasons as one of Tillery’s understudies.
“I learned from JoJo,” he said. “If I messed up in practice, he’d come talk to me about what I did wrong. I don’t want to run as much as he did. I’d rather give opportunities to my teammates.”
In addition to handing off, Yarbrough is competent in the short passing game and reading defenses. He brings what the coaches desire, and it isn’t a one-man show opposing defensive coordinators could easily enough scheme, whether by a designated shadow or just simply having their team alert to Tillery’s movements.
“Where we are as a program right now, that’s what we need – a steady hand that can distribute the ball to the other guys,” Malone said. “Matt has bought into what we need from him. He’s been there three years. He knows what he’s replacing and he’s going to play within himself. We have set the offense around his skill set.”
Capsule by Ward Gossett; contact at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or follow on Twitter: @wardgossett.