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Eagles prep for Lutheran includes plan with and without Arnold
With a sectional championship in its sights, the South Putnam football team is preparing for Indianapolis Lutheran by coming off a win last week that included senior quarterback Sawyer Arnold on the field for just one offensive play.
Arnold, also a four-year starter for the Eagles at corner, injured his knee when he got hit near the sideline on a read-option run. His backup, sophomore Grady McHugh, stepped in and guided the offense the rest of the way but the offense changed.
"Whichever one is in there, I feel very confident and very comfortable," SPHS coach Troy Burgess said. "We run the same offense. Everything we do is the same with both of them and the (teammates) have responded real well."
McHugh has a powerful arm and his knowledge of the playbook is unlimited, but he lacks some of the quickness of the incumbent starter.
"They're two totally different kids," Burgess said. "Sawyer has the ability to make plays with his legs. That's what makes him so dangerous as a quarterback. ... Grady is going to think the game. He understands the game and he can throw the football."
The playbook may be the same, but some of the calls and packages are different. With Arnold, the rare pass attempts are generally to the outside, either swing passes to senior Wes Riner or down the field to wide receivers Klayton Vittetow, a senior, or Jimmy Rutter, a sophomore.
McHugh, 5-for-7 passing last week, has a slightly stronger arm than Arnold and is willing to squeeze passes in down the middle of the field to tight end Zane Yon and fullback Joe Waters leaking out of the backfield.
"He's going to get the ball where it needs to be," Burgess said. "I have all the confidence in the world in Grady, we just have to understand that there are going to be breakdowns and when those breakdowns happen, he's not the type of kid that's going to make something happen with his legs, but he's also not going to turn the football over."
Arnold's offensive skill set includes an ability to run read-option plays and designed quarterback draws, but he can also make things happen when a play breaks down and pressure gets into the backfield.
"He can take nothing and turn it into something, and we've seen that all year long," Burgess said. "When he's in there, we have that opportunity."
Arnold's ability to run from the quarterback position was proxied last week with Riner taking direct snaps from shotgun and McHugh on the sideline. The strategy, implemented prior to the game even before Arnold's injury, had limited success against the West Washington team.
If Arnold can't go Friday, the additional week of practice in the Wildcat formation should help the Eagles replace some of what the veteran play caller gives them.
"Our guys have a lot of confidence in (Grady)," Burgess said. "They know he's very capable of doing what we need him to do and he's very capable of running our offense."
Defensively, the potential impact of an absent Arnold could be even more prominent. With Arnold, the Eagles are comfortable stationing the corners in man-to-man coverage and leaving safeties closer the ball at the snap, even against passing teams.
Arnold's backup at corner, senior Derrick Mitchell, is experienced and has done well this season when spelling the starters. Mitchell has several pass-breakups this year but zero interceptions.
"Derrick has been that utility guy," Burgess said. "We've got a lot of confidence in Derrick, but we're losing a four-year guy there if (Arnold) doesn't play."
The need for an experienced corner should be reduced this week as the Saints are primarily a power run team, but Arnold or Mitchell will likely be tested in coverage when Lutheran does try to pass.
The Eagles would be helped if Arnold can go, but his absence wouldn't change the teams plans or its goals.
Arnold was on the 2011 sectional champion team, playing cornerback, and South Putnam is hoping its experienced leader will be on the field Friday. Without him, McHugh will early in the game become the quarterback on the team with the most sectional championship experience.