The West Marion Trojans finally got to compete on the football field after having several 7-on-7 scrimmages rained out, welcoming both East Marion and Tylertown to Foxworth June 21.
The biggest development for the Trojans may be that they are considering giving two quarterbacks regular playing time this season. Jeremiah Holmes was the regular starter last season, while Jayden Duncan saw some action in blowouts or on occasion when West Marion needed a spark. However, Holmes has not only become the most experienced linebacker left on the roster but the most talented as well, which should allow Duncan to see the field more often with Holmes needing a breather from time to time.
“There’s certain can do with Jeremiah that Jayden can’t do, and I think there’s some things Jayden can do that Jeremiah can’t. I think we’re going to do something with both of them,” head coach Brad Duncan said. “We might even put in some packages and get both of them on the field at the same time. We’re excited about it.”
Having two quarterbacks on the field at the same time typically doesn’t work out nearly as well on the field as it does on paper, but West Marion may be onto something with this pairing. Holmes has a unique power running style for a quarterback and could easily take handoffs from Jayden Duncan or direct snaps up the middle, while both keep the passing game open.
On the field both performed well during the Trojans first matchup with Tylertown that ended in a 14-14 tie. Holmes was picked off on his second pass on an out route that was a little slow developing but rebounded with a nice drive on the next possession that was capped off by a touchdown to Dontavius McGowan. The senior receiver left his man behind on a well-run corner route, and Holmes placed the ball right on the spot.
Jayden Duncan took the reins for the last two possessions and threw back-to-back deep balls on the first drive that should have went for touchdowns but were dropped. On the second drive he led the offense down the field and connected with Noland Miller on a jump ball for a touchdown.
“Someone who I was really impressed with was Noland,” coach Duncan said. “I thought Noland was great, especially defensively. The big kid from Tylertown (Stephen Tisdale) who had catch after catch against East Marion, when Noland got on him (in coverage) he wasn’t near as effective. I’m really looking for Noland to have a big senior year.”
Against Tylertown, Holmes went 3-for-6 with a touchdown and an interception, and Jayden Duncan was 4-for-10 with a touchdown. Coach Duncan said both threw the deep ball “really, really well.”
“Our game is the quick game with slip screens and bubble screens, but we only did it one time,” he said. “We really wanted to work on throwing the ball downfield, and we got some work at it and got better at it.”
Defensively, the Trojans made more plays than they gave up but allowed two touchdowns. Tylertown scored on a quick slant on its opening possession and another on a post route when West Marion’s cornerback slipped. On Tylertown’s last drive with a chance to win the scrimmage, sophomore safety and receiver Qavonte Swanigan came up with an interception to seal a tie.
“Q (Swanigan) was just being Q, man. He’s a really good player and was very good defensively and caught some passes offensively,” coach Duncan said.
West Marion and East Marion played to a tie as well with both teams finding the end zone three times. Holmes connected with DaQuan Jones on a slant route for a touchdown to open the scoring after an early interception, and coach Duncan said he believes Jones could play a big role this season.
“DaQuan hadn’t got a lot of reps on offense, and I was really pleased with him (at receiver) making a couple of big catches. He has a chance to be really, really good as a linebacker for us and as a receiver,” he said.
The Trojans first-team defense allowed a touchdown on a deep post before the offense answered with two consecutive touchdowns to take the lead. However, the Eagles put up a fight late to even the score.
“East Marion made a run at us at the end. We had some new kids in there getting some reps, so they have to learn,” coach Duncan said. “It ended up being really competitive, but that’s OK.”
West Marion played against Lumberton and Magee Wednesday morning at Lumberton in further 7-on-7 action, but results were unavailable at press time.
Pictured Above: Noland Miller prepares to rise to make a touchdown catch against Tylertown. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
