How do you replace an all-state quarterback like Kyle Webster? You don't.
You do your best to pick the one you think can lead the team. That's the tough decision Mustang football coach Ty Prestidge and his staff are faced with.
“We've replaced an all-state quarterback before,” he said. “That's part of high school sports; replacing people.”
Only this time, there are three legitimate plugs to fill the socket with a trio of gentlemen vying for that spot: Jacinto Biorato, Tyler Webster and Brandon Taylor. Each one has some experience at the position. Biorato and Webster split duties for the junior varsity last season, while Taylor quarterbacked the freshman squad.
Sure, there is still a lot of time for Prestidge to make the decision.
“We're not going to make any decisions until the fall,” he said.
Offensive coach Andy Collier said all three are as good as, if not better, than what Kyle Webster was when he was a junior. Prestidge expanded on that, referencing the fact that Kyle was at Del City for his sophomore season and was a little behind on learning the offense.
However, all three suitors know the spread offense system Prestidge likes to run. Check. All three have strong enough arms to deliver passes. Check. So how do you decide who to start?
Let's break each one down a little more in-depth.
Tyler, who will be a junior next year, is 5-foot-11 and roughly 190 pounds. His best asset has to be the ability to run the ball. He showcased some of his running abilities in the spring scrimmage, looking almost like his older brother, Kyle, at times.
Tyler is a left-hander with speed and elusiveness that a quarterback might need this season with only one returning offensive lineman from last season. He can make plays with his feet to bail out the Broncos.
Taylor is only going to be a sophomore next year, but his arm would make you think otherwise. He has velocity to make the long throws. When he threw to his freshman receivers last season, the ball was homing at them so quick they often could not handle the passes. Freshman coach Chad Harper said he saw something special this season.
“I was coaching when we played against Sam Bradford, (as a freshman) and Taylor is way more advanced than he was at that age,” he said.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefty is young, but could turn things 180 degrees from last season. In 2008, MHS ran the ball two-thirds of the time. If Taylor takes the helm, that most likely won't happen.
Biorato, or more commonly known as Cito by players and coaches, will be a senior next year. He is more of a balanced quarterback. He is quick out of the backfield, giving Mustang a viable run/pass option every play when he drops back in the pocket. The 5-foot-11 165-pound player is an athlete. He is the lonesome right-hander out of the three. One of his best qualities is that he has been around the system the longest, so that also plays to his advantage.
The upcoming fall is going to be interesting with all kinds of roles and positions needed to be filled along with quarterback. The Broncos only return four starters from last year's senior-dominated team.
After becoming one of the most prolific scoring offenses in 2008, Mustang has to find the right fit at playcaller.
Prestidge's spread offensive system is tough to stop whether he has a running quarterback, a throwing quarterback or one that does both. He will fit the system to that players' strengths.
The upcoming fall will be a talent show. The winner gets the starting job for the Mustang Broncos.