Aug 16, 2015 5 min read

George Martin watched from the sideline Friday nights last fall as Ringgold’s prolific spread offense produced video game-like numbers. When he wasn’t talking to Nico Law about leading, the 6-4 quarterback studied an intricate playbook that requires as much football acumen as it does skill.

Martin took what he learned from Law, who finished his senior season with 2,029 yards and 25 total touchdowns to lead the Rams to the Class AAA semifinals, and put it to the test – leading the Rams’ junior varsity squad to an 8-1 record while displaying an ability to connect with receivers deep downfield and read opposing defenses.

Martin did relieve Law late in varsity games, throwing two touchdowns, but he knew he needed a lot of work to be able to command Ringgold’s spread attack. After spending the off-season studying and throwing to his receivers every weekend at Joe Montana Stadium, Martin is ready to step into the spotlight.

When preseason football camps open around the WPIAL today, Martin, a junior, will get his first repetitions as Ringgold’s starting quarterback in an 11-on-11 situation.

“I’m just trying to study the playbook, go over my reads and I need to get faster,” Martin said. “I need to get the ball out quicker and work with my team. Camp will be big for that. I love this offense. It puts a lot of pressure on me. (Offensive coordinator T.J. Plack) creates a more complex offense with different read-pass options.”

Breaking in a new starting quarterback is not the task it once was. Seven-on-seven passing camps in the summer give coaches an opportunity to slowly feed a quarterback the playbook.

Though Martin was developing timing with his receivers and growing accustomed to the system, he didn’t look like a rookie quarterback. He led Ringgold to a championship at Pitt’s 7-on-7 camp, including a come-from-behind victory over Pine-Richland – the defending Class AAAA champions.

“George is more of your prototypical drop back passer, so we’ll have that look to our game,” Ringgold second-year head coach Nick Milchovich said. “He is a prime example of what you show kids because if I had to give a most improved award out last year, I would have given it to George even though he didn’t play much varsity.

From the beginning of April to the last playoff game, where he was and where he is now has been really pleasant to watch.”

His transition to starting will be helped by a running game that is among the best in the WPIAL. Senior tailback Chacar Berry rushed for 1,330 yards and 19 touchdowns, while sophomore Brenden Small added almost 700 yards and four touchdowns.

Add their ability with a strong offensive line and Martin is excited for what is possible for Ringgold, which reached the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals before losing to eventual champion Central Valley.

“If anything takes the pressure off a quarterback, it’s having a great line,” Martin said. “When you have a running game like ours, it opens up the passing game and makes my job easier.”

Ringgold is not the only program that will break in a new starting quarterback this week. Washington, which reached the WPIAL Class AA semifinals, will turn to senior Markel Pulliam or junior Connor Bedillion to replace Jonathan Spina. Though the Prexies’ offense revolves around running the football – producing more than 3,000 rushing yards in 2014 – Spina threw 20 touchdowns and rarely turned the ball over.

Now, head coach Mike Bosnic must decide who will compliment a rushing attack led by seniors Jordan West and Kurt Adkins.

Pulliam is a scrambling quarterback who is developing as a passer, while Bedillion is a traditional, pro-style thrower.

“They have completely different playing styles,” Adkins said of the two quarterbacks. “Markel is more of a scramble quarterback and Connor is more going to pick you apart in the pocket. I’d honestly be all right with either one. We’re shooting for the stars, obviously. Sixteen wins is the ultimate goal and we just want to be the best team we can be in Week One.”

South Fayette’s task is a taller one. The Lions must replace Brett Brumbaugh, who led them to 32 consecutive wins, back-to-back PIAA and WPIAL titles, while becoming the state’s all-time leading passer with 11,084 yards.

Like the Prexies, South Fayette has two players with different styles competing to lead its spread offense. Sophomore Drew Saxton and junior Mikey Speca split reps with the first-team offense during heat acclimation and the trend will likely continue as camp opens today.

Speca started his high school career as a quarterback, but shifted to defensive back and wide receiver last season – starting three games at cornerback when Roman Denson was injured. Saxton gained a wealth of experience during the state playoffs, relieving Brumbaugh during practice as the scout team quarterback.

“When you lose Brett, you go into camp not knowing what you are going to get, but we are excited to see these two kids work,” South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi said. “Those scrimmages will be huge for us. Last year it was fine-tuning some things, but now we feel good about the receivers, running backs and linemen, but we have to get these quarterbacks ready.”

The three programs are among the best in the WPIAL, but even they have questions heading into camp. The one certainty is a sense of excitement. After eight months, football is finally back.

“I’m just excited to get to work,” Martin said. “Everyone is extremely confident about this team. Everyone thinks we’ll do well and I do too. Hopefully we can live up to it.”