Friendly rivalry for NHS QB job

Jeff Johncox
The Norman Transcript

August 21, 2008 12:07 am

— Greg Nation knows how important the quarterback position is.
And that’s why the new Norman High coach isn’t going to rush making the decision for a starter at the position.
“If you’re in camp, and you have good competition going, people going out for the same job, one is going to be upset, but they’re both going to push each other,” Nation said.
The Tigers are gearing up for a trip to Lawton Friday for their first preseason scrimmage.
Senior Trenton Wright and junior Chad Anderson entered last week’s intrasquad scrimmage fighting for the starting quarterback job, and the battle has continued through the second week of practice.
“They’re both good athletes,” Nation said. “They both can play.”
Each player is talented, and each has strong points that differ from the other.
Wright may be a little quicker, and Anderson may pick up the offense a little faster. Wright has a strong arm, Anderson makes good decisions and has a size advantage.
But is the competition for the starting spot helping them become better at the position?
“It does, really,” an enthusiastic Anderson said. “It pushes me. (Wright) is a great athlete with a strong arm. It makes me have to work harder on and off the field and really push myself to be a better quarterback.
“We’re battling for a position here, so we both have to work hard at it.”
Nation likes having two quarterbacks ready to lead his team. What coach wouldn’t? But he’s not about to take a drastic measure like using them both as starters.
“I’m not really into a two-quarterback concept,” he said. “But they’re both such good athletes, they’ll get on the field somehow.”
Wright likes the competition, too.
He had some experience at quarterback last year, and has an extra season on Anderson.
“Basically, we’re just pushing each other to win,” Wright said. “I like having the competition from him. It makes me want to work harder.”
“Competition breeds improvement,” Nation said. “That lead guy, being pushed, he’ll work harder. That guy behind him will then work harder because he wants to pass the lead guy.”
If that’s true, both Wright and Anderson could be turning into big-time players. In practice, both have shown the ability to find open receivers and run the new Tiger offense.
“We both know the offense well,” Wright said. “Whichever one of us gets out there, we’ll run it well. Either one of us will get the job done.”
All this competition has got to be tough to put aside off the field, though, right?
“Nah, we’re cool,” Wright said. “No rivalry will hurt friendship. It’s just on the field.”
Both players will get plenty of playing time at Lawton Friday. Nation will be rotating them under center throughout the scrimmage, getting a look at how they play against a team not wearing the orange and black of NHS.
“We’re still evaluating on film and through the stuff in the field,” Nation said.
Sometimes, two quarterbacks are better than one.
Nation and the Tigers certainly hope this is one of those times.
Jeff Johncox
366-3535
jjohncox@normantranscript.com

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