Kadeezy
Active member
As vital as Kevin Thomson is to this Hornet team, I think this team is in a position to accomplish even bigger things in November/December. Not knowing the full extent of his injury, I'm speculating here, but I would let the NAU and Idaho games play out before making a "play him or not" decision.
1. @ NAU - No matter what, I say we roll the dice with a backup here. This team is talented enough to beat NAU without Thomson at QB. NAU has the worst Rush Defense in the Sky. Rely on Perk and Dotson to win this game for you. We also saw a QB under center for the first time this season with Dunniway against Weber in the second half, maybe they can expand upon that with a week's worth of prep.
2. @Idaho - Idaho is so hard to nail down this season. I think they're better than their record indicates. If we can beat NAU, I say you have to sit Thomson again regardless (why rush it or risk further injury). If we are coming off a loss against NAU, you almost have to play Thomson with the 7 win threshold for playoffs at stake.
3. vs. UC Dungpile - If we go 2-0 without Thomson, keep the status quo. That would mean we're 8-3 with playoffs secured no matter what happens. Don't risk an pre-playoff injury, and keep the round 1 opponent guessing as to Thomson's status, and make them prepare for two different gameplans. If we lose to either NAU or Idaho, Thomson has to play in this game if he can freaking breathe...
MY BACKUPS IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE
18 Roman Ale QB 6-1 200 Jr. 1V Carson, Calif. / Narbonne HS
Will likely get a Medical RS for last season and eventually be reclassified. Played in 5 games as a Frosh, played outstanding, fits the RPO model that's been Taylor's hallmark. He won on the Road at UND in a dome. Throws a pretty ball and is mobile enough to keep D honest. NAU won't have tape on him from Weber, but expect they might prepare with 2017 tape just in case.
12 Jake Dunniway QB 6-1 210 So. JC Tracy, Calif. / San Diego Mesa JC
I've seen enough in mop up duty and backup action to know that Jake is not a viable long-term starter option. I do think we can win with him at QB over the next two weeks, but not beyond that. He has the game manager vibe, and I'm not sure he can make enough throws to keep defenses honest. I hope I'm wrong (like my epic Safron fail) - but he still has a lot to prove. Maybe Taylor and company can gameplan around his deficiencies. No RS option.
19 Tristan Meyer QB 6-0 190 So. 1V La Mirada, Calif. / La Mirada HS
I really like this kid, pretty much no game experience, but he is arguably just as mobile as Thomson or more, and throws a nice ball. He is an athlete, but pretty much a complete unknown. No RS option.
8 Frank Gamberdella QB 6-1 165 Fr. HS Santa Barbara, Calif. / Santa Barbara HS
I've never seen Frank play, but as a True Frosh he can play up to 4 games and still RS - I've seen him dressed on the sidelines for previous games, yet to participate.
1. @ NAU - No matter what, I say we roll the dice with a backup here. This team is talented enough to beat NAU without Thomson at QB. NAU has the worst Rush Defense in the Sky. Rely on Perk and Dotson to win this game for you. We also saw a QB under center for the first time this season with Dunniway against Weber in the second half, maybe they can expand upon that with a week's worth of prep.
2. @Idaho - Idaho is so hard to nail down this season. I think they're better than their record indicates. If we can beat NAU, I say you have to sit Thomson again regardless (why rush it or risk further injury). If we are coming off a loss against NAU, you almost have to play Thomson with the 7 win threshold for playoffs at stake.
3. vs. UC Dungpile - If we go 2-0 without Thomson, keep the status quo. That would mean we're 8-3 with playoffs secured no matter what happens. Don't risk an pre-playoff injury, and keep the round 1 opponent guessing as to Thomson's status, and make them prepare for two different gameplans. If we lose to either NAU or Idaho, Thomson has to play in this game if he can freaking breathe...
MY BACKUPS IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE
18 Roman Ale QB 6-1 200 Jr. 1V Carson, Calif. / Narbonne HS
Will likely get a Medical RS for last season and eventually be reclassified. Played in 5 games as a Frosh, played outstanding, fits the RPO model that's been Taylor's hallmark. He won on the Road at UND in a dome. Throws a pretty ball and is mobile enough to keep D honest. NAU won't have tape on him from Weber, but expect they might prepare with 2017 tape just in case.
12 Jake Dunniway QB 6-1 210 So. JC Tracy, Calif. / San Diego Mesa JC
I've seen enough in mop up duty and backup action to know that Jake is not a viable long-term starter option. I do think we can win with him at QB over the next two weeks, but not beyond that. He has the game manager vibe, and I'm not sure he can make enough throws to keep defenses honest. I hope I'm wrong (like my epic Safron fail) - but he still has a lot to prove. Maybe Taylor and company can gameplan around his deficiencies. No RS option.
19 Tristan Meyer QB 6-0 190 So. 1V La Mirada, Calif. / La Mirada HS
I really like this kid, pretty much no game experience, but he is arguably just as mobile as Thomson or more, and throws a nice ball. He is an athlete, but pretty much a complete unknown. No RS option.
8 Frank Gamberdella QB 6-1 165 Fr. HS Santa Barbara, Calif. / Santa Barbara HS
I've never seen Frank play, but as a True Frosh he can play up to 4 games and still RS - I've seen him dressed on the sidelines for previous games, yet to participate.
