Most fans who’ve been closely following Scotland’s football team during the Richard Bailey era were probably thrown for a loop when they found out the Fighting Scots plan to throw the football more often than usual this season.
There’s rarely been a need for the team to launch an aerial attack in recent years. Zamir White gave opponents enough problems on the ground for four years. Running backs Syheam McQueen and Joseph McKoy continued to pick up significant yardage as seniors during last year’s playoff run.
There’s still a handful of capable athletes in line to carry the ball for the Scots. But the team does have some of the necessary personnel they need in order to upgrade their passing scheme.
One of the biggest pieces of that puzzle is senior Bruce Wall, a receiver whose junior season came to an early end because of an ACL tear. Wall posted a team-high 267 receiving yards as a sophomore. He averaged about 30 yards per game, and that number probably could have been higher if not for the impressive performance of White and the rest of the running backs.
Wall is a dynamic athlete, one who understands the game and knows what it takes to be a state championship contender. He’ll certainly be circled on many scouting reports this season. But one of the biggest benefits of having Wall back in action is that he can take pull some defensive pressure away from Trey Chavis, who was Scotland’s most productive receiver last season. With 549 receiving yards, Chavis was one of two Scots to pass the 100-yard mark in that category — Jhamari Smith had 128. He also hauled in six touchdowns.
Chavis, who is entering his junior year, is starting to catch the eyes of coaches and media outlets around the region. He looked strong and sharp in a recent 7-on-7 matchups against West Bladen, Red Springs and Union Pines.
There are a slew of other receivers, both young and experienced, who have a chance to join Wall and Chavis on the field. But the biggest question still remains: Who is going to be throwing the ball?
As this newspaper recently reported, that question should be answered sooner rather than later. Rising juniors Tyler Barfield and Mandrell Johnson both have experience as varsity quarterbacks. Now one of them needs to prove that they can lead a team that is coming off of its second-straight appearance in the state championship game.
The Scots could have something special brewing if the revamped passing scheme works out. If it doesn’t, they can always resort to running the football.
We all know they’re comfortable with that.
