PORT TOWNSEND — It’s always good to have fallback options in life … and in football. The playcalling by Port Townsend’s first-year head coach Alex Heilig and the decision making of his senior quarterback Berkley Hill are following that piece of advice closely through the first two games of the 2016 prep football season.
Heilig has given Hill the keys to the Redhawks’ offense, and the first-year starter is making smart decisions at the wheel of Port Townsend’s shotgun-formation based, run-pass option heavy offense.
Football is a bit of a copycat’s game at every level.
Teams employ something successful and naturally, others attempt to copy that play, that formation, or in the case of the Seattle Seahawks, the size and skill sets of particular athletes (note the number of taller cornerbacks entering the league since Seattle’s defense became the league’s best).
Much of the inventiveness that has been adopted by pro teams actually comes from the college game such as zone-read plays out of the shotgun, and in recent years, run-pass options or packaged plays. Eventually, those plays or bits of strategy trickle down to the high school-level.
Packaged plays bring together multiple types of plays into one while giving the quarterback the option to choose.
These type of plays are what Port Townsend has feasted on so far this season.
In many cases, Hill has taken the shotgun snap from center, read the defensive line with the option of handing off up the middle to running back Detrius Kelsall or pitching to him out wide, or keeping the ball and rolling out where he entertains another choice — to run on a QB keeper or throw to a wide receiver.
The Redhawks’ offensive line is blocking for the run on these plays — with downfield passing routes designed to be open if the defense comes up to stop Hill’s progress.
This serves a dual purpose by keeping defenders honest and opening up the run.
It lets Hill make a read and make a decision. And those decisions have been good thus far for Port Townsend.
Hill rushed 13 times for 82 yards in the Redhawks’ narrow 27-26 season-opening loss to Sequim and followed that up with an 18-carry, 129-yard four TD rushing performance in a 35-0 shutout of Port Angeles last Thursday.
Generously listed at 6’1, 150-pounds, Hill leads the team in rushing.
Hill also is 19 of 33 for 195 yards passing, three TDs and two interceptions on the season.
Despite his smaller stature, Hill is a tough runner who doesn’t shy away from contact on runs downfield. And that’s OK with Heilig.
“Any coach is always a little scared when your QB is running with the ball and taking shots,” he said.
“Even if you are Pete Carroll you don’t like it when Russell Wilson is doing it. But we trust him. When Berkely’s got the ball we have the compelete faith of the team behind him, and that can be said of all of our athletes.”
Heilig will need another intelligent performance out of his senior QB against a burly bunch of Mountaineers when Port Townsend visits Class 1A No. 3 Mount Baker (2-0) in Deming at 7 p.m. Friday.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
