Jackson Christian, TCA, USJ learning to play with backup QBs

Heading into any season, one quarterback gets the majority of the reps through the preseason and is tabbed as the starter going into Week 1.

But what happens when that player gets injured?

All three football-playing private schools in Jackson – Jackson Christian, Trinity Christian Academy and University School of Jackson – have been put in that situation this season.

All three have lost their starting quarterbacks and have had to use a backup.

TCA was first to lose its quarterback as senior Matt Spurgeon broke his jaw in a tubing accident in early August.

Jackson Christian junior Caedan Clark tore his ACL in the SportsPlus Jamboree in a scrimmage against Liberty.

"It is tough losing your starting quarterback and your emotional leader in the huddle," Jackson Christian coach Darby Palmer said. "We had two extra quarterbacks. Our backup quarterback got hurt in baseball (Aaron Smith), and so we are down to a freshman and a senior who hasn't played since the eighth grade."

In Week 2, USJ lost junior Cody Smith to a torn ACL in a non-contact incident against Crockett County.

"When you got a guy that has been taking the reps, and he is growing and learning, he has an understanding of what you are doing, and then he gets hurt, it is hard," USJ coach Michael Stroup said. "And then you have another kid back there that hasn't had any reps, even though he knows the offense and plays, it is a little different when you are receiving the snap every play. The game speeds up."

TCA has looked to senior Lane Lamberth to take over for Spurgeon, and with Spurgeon's injury happening before the season started, Lamberth had time to settle in before the season started.

"It helped that the injury happened the week before the jamboree because he got to practice before playing in a game that mattered," TCA coach Blake Butler said. "It is hard to simulate game-type situations, especially for a kid that hasn't played quarterback a day in his life."

And Butler has seen Lamberth improve each week as the season has progressed.

"We have seen his completion percentage increase and seen him make quicker decisions," Lamberth said. "He is starting to get that feel so that on the first sign of pressure, he is not trying to run out."

Jackson Christian has played freshman Walker Rhea and senior Seth Snider at different times in the first three weeks. Snider, who is also a basketball and tennis player, came out for football this season and was a starting wide receiver.

"We have had to shrink the playbook some and make the reads easier for Seth," Palmer said. "Any team that loses their starting quarterback has to tweak the playbook to suit the new quarterback."

USJ senior Garrett Reynolds got his first start in Week 3 against the top team in West Tennessee – Haywood.

"Garrett is going to put in the work," Stroup said. "We will be patient, but we want him to do the right thing. I think this Friday night won't be as fast as last Friday night. That is not downing TCA, but Haywood is good. If I was starting quarterback, I wouldn't want Haywood as my first start."

But the adjustment isn't just on the quarterback. Wide receivers have to adjust to the way one quarterback throws to another.

"When you look at Matt (Spurgeon) and Lane (Lamberth), Lane actually has a stronger arm," Butler said. "Matt had a good feel for the pocket, a good touch. If we were to line up and see who could throw it the furthest, it would be Lane. So where he places it, speed and angle are things that they have to adjust to."

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Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.