What a difference a year makes.
Chance Schmidt started the season as Parklane’s quarterback last year. This season he’s shown he has the quarterback spot down, even if he had to learn a whole new offense in the offseason.
Schmidt ran for 147 yards and a touchdown against the East Rankin Rebels on Friday and is the Enterprise-Journal Player of the Week.
Schmidt has been part of the Parklane Pioneers jumping to a 3-0 start and scoring 30 points a game. Like the offense head coach Bo Milton has put in, Schmidt does a lot of different things.
“The base is a zone read,” Milton said. “It’s either a give, a pull or a pull and pitch, like the old veer. One of three people are going to end up with the ball.”
That’s the first read, then comes the second if Schmidt keeps the ball. When he’s throwing he looks downfield for the reads on his receiver’s routes.
“Pass plays are designed to where somebody has to mess up,” Schmidt said. “I watch a guy and whatever he does, I’ll do the opposite. I might have to look to other guys and go through my reads.”
When he runs, he’s a little more calm. The Pioneers’ offensive linemen have been in front of him since fifth and sixth grade, which helps with Schmidt’s confidence.
“We’ve really got a pretty good friendship,” Schmidt said. “There’s no doubt they’ll block for me. I just have to look ahead and find the cut.”
The holes he can get not only come from his line, but the defense keying on the other parts of the Parklane offense.
Running back Josh Armstreet and wide receiver Blake Brown, to name a few, require attention on them so Schmidt can pick his spots and take off.
He’s rattled off games of 115 and 146 yards before last week’s 147 yard effort.
“One person doing their part makes another person look good,” Milton said. “We’ve got a little life in our step and a swagger.
“The other thing that’s helped is the other running back beside him (Armstreet). It’s just not as tough carrying the load and that will be good for both of them.”
Schmidt doesn’t do everything right, Milton admits, but he has learned the system and hasn’t had too many hiccups running it.
“He’s picked up on the offense as well as can be expected in a few months,” Milton said. “Right now he’s a B+ or A-.”
Getting here from last season might seem a ways off. Schmidt had his struggles last season as a sophomore getting accustomed to varsity football, but that experience combined with his summer work have already shown through.
“I did a lot of work this summer,” Schmidt said. “Lifting weights and throwing everyday, really starting early. It helped a lot. I’m a lot more confident, just having that one year makes a big difference.”
Milton knows he’s accustomed to the speed of the game, it’s not lightning fast anymore.
“Watching tape from last year, his decisions were a little late, like sophomores usually are,” Milton said. “The game has slowed down for him so he’s able to play faster.”
That’s a good thing for the Pioneers and for their offense stocked with plenty of options that keep the heat off any one player.
