Wanted: A Falcons Quarterback for Fall

Quarterback Anthony Diviney was going into his senior year — his third with the Dunedin High varsity football team.

He was going to be who everyone looked to for leadership this season.

“We love his leadership ability, he has the run option, he’s the best of both worlds,” said Smith back in spring.

When news broke that Diviney had applied to Clearwater Central Catholic it must have felt like a kick in the stomach for new head coach , who took over a 2-7 team that lost 12 players to graduation.

It's not an unheard-of scenario for players to transfer when a new head coach comes into a program, but problem for Dunedin is that Diviney was a potential fulcrum for this year's team.

The irony for Diviney is that CCC has a strict policy against accepting senior transfer students. So right now, he's not on anyone's roster.

In the meantime, the Falcons are preparing to face life without him. Smith is looking to re-invent the position with a couple of newer players.

The season opens with a legitimate competition for starting quarterback. Junior Mack Benson is coming from playing center for the Falcons last year and junior transfer student Briggs Noun has only played defense at the high school level.

Neither player has much experience at quarterback, but they are both eager for the opportunity to land the starting job.

“I’m really excited to have a chance to work hard and get that spot. I know it’s going to be a hard battle,” said Benson.

“I’m definitely surprised by the situation. I didn’t think I’d be competing for the starting job here,” said Noun. “I’m trying hard to get into it, learning the plays and the routes, everybody’s names, how fast the receivers are.”

Benson might have the edge based on his experience on the team. He holds the ball high, has pretty good mechanics and looked fine rolling out of the pocket in seven-on-sevens with Countryside — but there were also not four or five Cougars coming after him.

“He’s savvy. He’s a natural leader and a competitor,” Smith said.

Noun has a quick release. However, learning the new offense might be too tall of a task for him to start the year at quarterback, but there’s no telling.

“He’s got a good football IQ, he’s athletic and a hard worker,” Smith said.

Maybe Noun can absorb it all and get the nod for Sept. 2.

Whichever quarterback plays more and plays better in their preseason opener against Riverview on Aug. 26 will no doubt get the start to open the regular season, but there’s a lot to be determined between now and then.

This means a scaling back of the offense, a shift to more running and underneath routes, and added pressure on the running game.

The Falcons worked a lot on rollout passes in their seven-on-seven practice against Countryside and Cavalry Christian.

The Falcons should be OK in the running game. They return a strong, veteran offensive line led by senior , along with four options at running back, led by bruising junior Shaq Dixon and junior Tremaine Batten.

Teams will crowd the box and force the Falcons to pass this year, so the need to make timely, not even necessarily consistent completions will be tantamount to improving on their record from last year.

For Smith, it's another obstacle. He loses his top signal caller, but he would have lost him anyway after this season and have had to groom someone for the job next summer.

This might actually be serendipitous for the Falcons in the long run. If one of the two players they are trying out emerges, they will have him for the 2012 season. Both running backs will be seniors and much of their offensive line will remain intact. Several players on defense mature into upperclassmen.

The Falcons can still salvage this season and build for next year.

As for the Diviney camp, his future remains uncertain. According to FHSAA Bylaw 9.3 if he does not land somewhere before Aug. 9, he loses eligibility.

There’s always a chance he could end up back at Dunedin. He showed up, but did not participate in, last Thursday’s practice. If he stays at Dunedin, Smith will have a difficult decision on his hands. Does he put the prodigal son back in the lineup or does he sit him?

Only time will tell.