Honorable Mention
Kolten Gibson, Walker Valley: The youngster completed 17 of 24 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns in the Mustangs’ victory at Hixson.Andre Tarver, Ringgold: The freshman proved to be one of Lancaster’s favorite targets, hauling in five passes for 193 yards and two scores.E.J. Matthews, Boyd-Buchanan: Playing just a half in the Buccaneers’ victory over King’s Academy, the running back/linebacker had 34 rushing yards and three touchdowns on offense to go with nine tackles, including two sacks and three tackles for loss.Coaches are invited to nominate players by emailing Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com by 2 p.m. each Saturday.
After a season with a more traditional offense - run first and pass when wanted or absolutely needed - Ringgold coach Robert Akins decided it was time for a change.
"I stepped out of character. That's how we've stayed in it so long," the veteran coach said. "You have to adapt to what will help the team be successful, and this is where we are."
That change in basic offensive philosophy revolved around senior quarterback Devin Lancaster, who threw for a career-high 376 yards with three touchdowns in the Tigers' 36-34 victory at Heritage on Friday.
Lancaster has been chosen by the Times Free Press sports staff as the Waffle House All-Star player of the week.
"Last year, we tried to put a square peg in a round hole by making him run the option. We decided this year we'd throw it 25 to 30 times per game," Akins said. "We feel we have enough kids around him to do that. You know me, and I don't particularly like it. That's not me."
Yet he had the rocket-armed Lancaster and a cast of receivers that includes freshman Andre Tarver and sophomore Drake Starks.
"Tarver didn't play last week (in a season-opening loss to Northwest Whitfield). He hadn't learned enough reads, but even when he makes a mistake he's still pretty coachable," Akins said of the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder. "He had some nice catches, but the most amazing was in double coverage. He went up over the defenders, made the catch and got a foot down before he went out of bounds."
Tarver had a great initiation to high school football, making five catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
Starks, a tight end, made a one-handed goal-line catch between three defenders.
While coaches wanted the 6-2, 175-pound Lancaster to run in the past, they're now encouraging him to hit the sideline or the deck in scramble situations.
"He's not going to run unless he has to. We don't want him to run," Akins said. "He's very good at sliding, and we've made sure he knows if he has to run that he's to get to the sideline or on the ground."
Sliding is almost second nature to Lancaster, a pitcher who has committed to Tennessee Tech.
"He's a baseball guy, and he has that offer from Tennessee Tech," Akins said, "but I wouldn't be surprised if he got some football offers."
Wherever Lancaster lands, somebody is getting a jewel, the coach said.
"He's an excellent student and a great kid. I've never heard him say a foul word. He's the kind of kid you'd be proud to call your son," Akins said. "He leads by his actions, but he has gotten more vocal and he has taken control in the huddle."
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.