MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — As a sign of just how unconventional Clay-Battelle’s offense can be, one only needs to look at how many quarterbacks the Cee-Bees play.
They played four — on the team’s first possession alone — in a 27-20 overtime victory against Valley Wetzel on Friday.
One of them was freshman Carson Shriver, who at first glance, looks like he’s better suited to play soccer or run cross-country more than running a football.
“He’s 155 pounds,” C-B coach Ryan Wilson said.
Including his pads?
“Yeah, that may be with his pads on,” Wilson said with a smile.
In the open field, Shriver proved against the Lumberjacks that he may just be ready for football.
Before exiting the game in the fourth quarter with a thigh injury, the freshman rushed 10 times for 155 yards and caught two passes for 41 yards.
His 64-yard touchdown run — on a direct-snap sweep — in the third quarter tied the game at 20.
“He made a few people miss on that play, which was good to see,” said Clay-Battelle’s Sean Hays, who was another of the four quarterbacks used by the Cee-Bees.
Shriver wasn’t exactly an unknown. He was a standout on the middle school team last season.
“We always thought he would be able to come in and help out,” Wilson said. “The biggest thing is the adjustment in speed at this level. He’s no longer the fastest guy on the field anymore like he was in middle school.”
It wasn’t until middle school that Shriver took up the game. His older brother Colby was a linebacker on the Cee-Bees’ 2014 Class A state semifinal team.
“I went to all of his games and that’s kind of where it started for me,” Carson Shriver said. “We’re a little different. He ran over guys.”
Shriver first started making plays this summer during 7-on-7 passing drills.
“I didn’t expect to come in my first year and play as much as I have,” he said. “This summer was big for me. The coaches started giving me some good looks, which felt pretty good.”
Seth Casino and Levi Carrico also played quarterback. Casino threw for 54 yards and also caught a pass for five yards from Carrico.
Shriver’s development may keep Clay-Battelle’s offense looking unconventional in the future.
“He’s really fast,” Hays said. “He can also throw the ball and he’s a really good receiver for us. He can do a lot.”
Rice no moper
Rather than mope that he’s no longer the starting quarterback for Morgantown, Cam Rice decided to embrace a new journey, but on the other side of the ball.
But many believe this journey may lead to an even brighter destination for the Mohigans’ junior.
During last week’s loss to Fort Hill, MHS decided to put Gunner Latimore at quarterback in the second quarter to replace Rice. On Friday against Hedgesville, it was Latimore who got the starting nod.
That doesn’t mean Rice is no longer a valuable member of the team – he could be the next star linebacker if he continues to work at it, according to coach Matt Lacy.
“We talked to Cam and we felt that he can help this team in other ways, more than just being a quarterback,” Lacy said. “It’s like he’s shot out of a cannon on defense. He has such great closing speed and I can’t speak enough about how proud I am of Cam this week with the way he handled everything. It is tough not being the starting quarterback anymore, but he had such a positive attitude.
“He told me, ‘Coach, I’m going to do anything to help this football team win games.’ ”
It showed in a big way early against the Eagles – Rice picked up a sack on the first drive of the game and followed that up with a 40-yard pick-6.
Preston Fox, who’s caught a lot of touchdowns from Rice over the last two seasons, said he may honestly prefer the defensive minded Rice a little better.
“I personally like Cam on defense better,” Fox said with a smile. “He’s a hyper dude and he loves tackling people, so I think he’s better there and can pursue something with colleges playing at linebacker.”
That doesn’t mean Lacy won’t still try to get Rice touches offensively. He had two carries from the running back spot, including a 38-yard scamper.
“He runs the ball extremely hard and he just needs some more reps in practice, but I think he immediately helps this team get better because he’s one of our better 11,” Lacy said. “It helps Gunner get on the field, it helps him get on the field, and then we can really start to open up the offense with both of those guys back there.”
