HEBRON – When the offensive team hits the field for the East squad in tonight’s 17th annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford, it’ll be a comfortable setting for Tyler Angell.
The former Leavitt quarterback will find himself in a shotgun formation with basically the same offense he ran successfully in high school.
For Angell, it was option right and option left, call a few draw plays and keepers up the middle while slipping in an occasional pass play. Using his quickness and athletic ability, Angell was a master of running the offense that could spread out the defense and put the ball carrier in a one-on-one situation with a defender.
While there are many similarities, there was a whole lot of learning to do this week. The actual offense is taken from East head coach Daryle Weiss’ playbook at Rockland High School. While many of the plays and formations are the same, the terminology is different.
The other East quarterback is former Mt. Blue standout Mason Barker who happens to be Angell’s roommate this week at Hebron Academy. He has even more to learn.
“At Mt. Blue, the option is like a dirty, four-letter word,” says Barker. “After the first day, our offense (at Mt. Blue) seemed like a children’s book. This is a big change for me, but it’s been good.”
Leavitt head coach Mike Hathaway and Angell are both helping Barker make the transition into the new offense.
“They both have run some shotgun,” says Hathaway, who is serving as the offensive coordinator for the East squad. “They’re both good at reading defenses.”
At 6 feet, 2 inches, Barker is four inches taller than Angell, but they’re both great athletes with the ability to run and throw.
“People think that Tyler’s the better runner and Mason’s the better thrower,” says Hathaway, “but that’s not what we’ve seen this week. They both run and throw the ball well. You need a couple of guys to step up and command the huddle – and they’ve done that well.”
Besides the terminology, Angell is working on getting back into football shape. On Aug. 16, he’s headed to Maine Maritime Academy in hopes of playing quarterback.
“You’re always in football mode,” says Angell. “You’re always ready to go. I just wish I had thrown the football more. “(Early on) some of my throws were hitting the receivers on the back shoulder.”
The duo hadn’t met each other prior to a banquet in April. At that time, they found out they’d be bunking together this week. In the room across the hall is each quarterback’s favorite receiver from last season, as Mt. Blue’s John Moloney is rooming with Leavitt’s Corey Witham. Having them to throw to will only help the offense.
“At practice, the coaches called for a deep pattern to Moloney,” says Barker, who will attend Elon College this fall. “I was like, Hey, I know this one.'”
“There’s a connection there,” adds Angell. “You know what they’re going to do.”
The connection between Angell and Barker has been a good one.
“We’ve got a relationship,” says Angell. “I can give him a hard time, and he gives me a hard time.”
The field generals have some talented skill position players around them. Among the running backs the East will feature are Skowhegan’s Aaron Chambers and Oxford Hill’s Jim Bower. They were two of the top backs in the Pine Tree Conference last season.
“This year, we’re as good at the skill positions as we’ve ever been,” says Hathaway. “There are a lot of things we can do. I like our chances.”
Comments are no longer available on this story