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Flannigan providing spark as Amesbury's quarterback

Friday, October, 19 By Jimmy Carroll
Staff writer

After his team's disappointing 0-3 start, Amesbury football coach Thom Connors decided it was time to shake things up a bit and use two quarterbacks with different styles.

The results, thus far, have been encouraging.

Juniors David Smith and Jared Flannigan have been splitting time taking snaps with the first team. Smith, the starter at the beginning of the season, is more of a drop-back passer whereas Flannigan is considered a scrambler and a big-play threat.

"When defenses line up and try to take away our running game, we can put in Jared, who also plays some two-back for us," said Coach Connors. "He (Flannigan) really changes the way you have to defend us."

Although David Smith is no longer the lone starter of the team, he is still taking significant snaps, helping the team as they push forward into division play.

"Both QBs will continue to play," said Connors. "Who is in there depends on the tempo and the play calling."

Although it would seem as if the QB switch is the main reason for the team's recent success, it was also the team's 0-3 start that fueled the Indians to break the streak.

"I'm not sure if it's so much (the QB switch) than it was losing our first three games. It was a slap in the face," said junior tight end Steve Serwon. "But with that said, Jared brings a lot to the team because he can pass, scramble and if he hits the corner, he's out. He's one of the faster players in the league."

The Indians' situation at quarterback is more of a committee than a competition, but on the gridiron, nothing is ever set in stone.

"To determine who starts a particular game, its basically a coin-flip situation," Connors said. "But could one guy emerge over the other as the lone starter? Of course. Could Jared end up taking all the snaps? Yes. Could we split it 50/50, absolutely. Also, in the event that one of our halfbacks gets banged up, we can put Jared in at (half back) and then put David at QB. It really gives us more options." As it turns out, the two players who share time as the conductor of the offense are also best friends off the field.

"They're both great athletes and great kids," said Connors. "They've really done a great job at handling the situation like men."

For Jared Flannigan, Smith has been both friend, teammate and mentor.

"David really helped me a lot when I first stepped in," said Flannigan. "And now with us splitting time, we make the offense more dynamic."

Riding their recent momentum with their new style of offense play, the team looks to better it's 1-0 record in the CAL Small play by defeating division powerhouse Hamilton-Wenham tomorrow (2:30 p.m.).

"This weekend is a must win for us," said Flannigan. "Ideally, we'd like to win every division game from here on out and make the playoffs."

Winning each division game from here on out would guarantee a playoff spot, and despite losing the first three games, none of them were against a division rival the team is still very much optimistic.

"You want to win every game when you go out there to play, I mean that's obvious," said Connors. "However, there's something more about a game that counts for the playoffs. This weekend against Hamilton-Wenham is a really big game for both teams."