Hoover plans to rotate QBs

Friday, August 27, 2004

Todd Porter, Canton Repository

During the course of a high school football game, emotions run high. Teenage players can become both physically and mentally exhausted.

At times, a player doubles as a messenger, relaying a play from the head coach to the quarterback.

The message can sometimes get mixed. The wrong play is called, or even forgotten, in the seconds it takes to get from the sideline to the huddle.

At Hoover, that won’t be a problem.

Head coach Don Hertler Jr. is taking the unconventional approach and using quarterbacks Sean Kostelnik and Jason Foote to rotate snaps and relay plays.

“We’ll play it by ear and see how it goes,” Hertler said.

Kostelnik runs a little better than Foote, who is more of a pure passer. The seniors haven’t separated themselves throughout summer practice, and Hertler likes both.

“The biggest thing is they are both very important to us defensively,” Hertler said. “Offensively, they are similar, and we won’t have to change anything with them.

“I feel good about our quarterback position. In fact, it’s one of the areas I feel we’re ahead compared to some other positions.”

Kostelnik will start tonight against Green. Foote will be in on the second play with a new call.

Playing both ways and running plays in could take its toll. Hertler said if one needs a break, he’ll adapt.

The idea could be a great teaching device. Neither kid has seen much varsity action at quarterback. Hertler can coach one on the sideline and show him what a defense is doing and why a certain play may open up.

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