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Passing leagues keep players sharp
BI Tigers to play in 20-team tourney
LaBaron Anthony
Bradwell Institute senior quarterback LaBaron Anthony gets ready to throw the ball in a passing-league game against McIntosh County Academy. The Tigers are planning to attend a passing-league tournament featuring 20 teams in Brunswick. - photo by Photo by John Wood

Most football coaches agree that a good running game is key to having a successful offense.
“Offensive schemes can depend a lot on the type of kids you have. If you have a big lineman, it can give you an advantage running the ball between the tackles. More skilled players is a requirement in a spread-type offense, which allows you to be able to run a variety plays — both running and passing — attacking key points,” Liberty County Panthers head football coach Kirk Warner said.
His team has transitioned from the true-ground game of the triple option to a spread attack the past few seasons.
Though he said he believes that passing leagues do help players hone their skills, Liberty athletes will participate in only a couple of events focused on agility and speed training during summer workouts.
“Passing league is something new for most of our kids this year. A lot of these kids currently have not been to a lot of passing leagues in the past. Our first time throwing against McIntosh County Academy and Pierce County was a great learning experience,” Bradwell Institute Tigers head football coach Adam Carter said.
Passing leagues help to develop the relationship between the quarterback and receivers while letting the defensive players learn to defend the pass, which is a valuable asset for Carter, who also runs the Tigers’ defense.
“This gives our players the chance to really see how the defense fits into certain coverage packages and the way we attack a team’s passing game. We do the same thing in team practice, but what really helps us at a passing league is the other team is wearing a different uniform. We did a decent job defending the pass against McIntosh. Throwing against Pierce was more of a challenge, but it gave us a lot of experience covering the deep ball and also seeing a strong throwing quarterback,” Carter said.
Pierce County quarterback Tyler Harris is a strong SEC recruit who has received attention from Alabama, Georgia and LSU.
The Tigers plan to attend a passing-league tournament in Brunswick that will feature 20 teams, including some of the better teams in the state.
“Passing league is a way to get our timing down and get our defensive guys an opportunity to see a different speed than we can show them at practice. Our offensive skill players are coming along very well so far. The relationship between the quarterbacks and wide receivers is very important. The more reps we get this summer, the better off we will be in August,” Carter said.

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