Sophomore Quarterback Given Keys To The Car

Offensive line is the most important unit on the football field but when running the option, it's the quarterback who needs to be the engine that makes the car run smoothly. So, when head coach Joe Goerge tabbed a sophomore to run his offense – who, by the way is also in his first year as a full-time signal caller -- it meant the longtime coach had a lot of faith in his guy.   

Thankfully, Anthony Cioffi is someone whom Goerge feels very comfortable in handing over the keys.    

"Anthony has had a nice off-season and gotten bigger and stronger," said Goerge, who noted that Cioffi split time at running back last season. "But it is an adjustment to come from a position [running back] where you only have to worry about [yourself] to now he has to read, check, and call everything at the line…even for veteran quarterbacks in this system your head could be spinning a little bit, so that's what happening to Anthony some. But that [comfort] will come with reps."      

Those reps are temporarily on hold right now, as Cioffi is working his way back from a concussion he suffered during Tuesday's scrimmage against South River. Goerge said his offense requires a quarterback to get as many reps as possible because the triple-option is a read and react scheme. And if your signal caller isn't getting those reps, things can get pretty ugly on the field.      

Dayton's numerous dropped passes and fumbles during Thursday's morning session, sans Cioffi, can attest to that.     

"Can't have that," said Goerge about the mishandled balls. "Without some consequences it'll keep happening, so starting now guys will give me pushups if they put that ball on the turf."     

Cioffi can't wait to get back on the field and get back to hoarding the reps. He knows this is an offense that relies on timing and cohesion as much as – if not more than – physical ability.    

"I've been working hard all summer, getting my steps down with this offense," said Cioffi, who added he's looking forward to throwing long passes to his pair of 6'3 receivers, Aaron Williams and Andre Battle. "I felt going into the South River game I had my reads down and my steps down. I'm getting used to everything now as a quarterback…when I get healthy I plan on being the starter opening day."     

Goerge, who has a wealth of talent in the backfield, agreed.     

"Anthony is an excellent athlete and if healthy, he'll be the starter," Goerge said, adding attrition may have a say in who is on he field. "And if not, Skyler [Apicella] is there waiting if needed because who knows what's going to happen, Saturday [scrimmage]. We can just try to take this day by day and stay healthy during the week because we have quality but not a whole lot of quantity right now."       

What they lack in quantity, JDHS will combat that with quality. Their backfield includes Mid-State 39 Union Division Honorable Mention players like Cioffi, Williams, Jesse Bell, and Mike Hess. And according to Cioffi, once he returns everything should click again because he's put in the hard work.         

"Coach worked me in last year some at quarterback but not as much as I played the A-back [running back in the Wing-T offense]," said Cioffi. "But this year he said he wants the ball in my hands more and to control the offense and be a leader at quarterback."      

Being a leader of a squad is not something that's just handed down to a player. Cioffi knows that and realizes the rarity of an underclassman having that role.      

"I just have to prove myself," said Cioffi, who said respect will mostly be earned on the field. "I think during the summer I've proven myself [but] I want to show that I can lead this team on the field and take them wherever they want to be – meaning a state championship. Sky's the limit."