Football: Still a freshman, SU's Rhodes takes control of offense (9-15-06)
By Craig Juer (Daily Staff Writer)
WINCHESTER — Twaun Rhodes didn't follow the usual progression.
When high school quarterbacks who succeeded largely due to their running ability reach the college level, they often switch to running back or receiver. The demands of the college game usually force the quarterback to be a passer first and a runner second.
Rhodes is different. A receiver and a situational running quarterback in high school, the freshman last week became the starting quarterback for Shenandoah.
"We had a straight, drop-back passing quarterback," said Jesse Chavis, Rhodes' coach at Richmond's Henrico High School. "Whenever we tried to run any type of misdirection, we'd put [Rhodes] in there. He was more effective for us as a receiver."
After incumbent starter Blake Derby had a dreadful 4-of-16 outing for 32 yards and an interception in the Hornets' season opener, and with freshman Richard Glick sidelined with a broken leg, Rhodes was handed the keys to an underachieving offense.
"We saw that he was athletic, and we thought, 'Hey, he may have a shot to compete,'" coach Paul Barnes said. "We knew this could happen."
Rhodes' first taste of college football came at Bridgewater, the 13th-ranked team in Division III. It wasn't pleasant.
"I thought I was a pretty elusive guy," he said. "[The Bridgewater game] just showed me that I have to go harder. The speed is so much faster. You just have to go 110 percent harder."
Rhodes was sacked five times behind an unreliable offensive line, finishing with minus-26 yards rushing and two lost fumbles. He finished 3-of-8 for 61 yards and an interception and didn't lead the offense on any scoring drives.
Nevertheless, offensive coordinator Brian Wolf said he was impressed with Rhodes' performance.
"He did a good job for us," Wolf said. "He took some hard hits — some hits that he probably didn't take in high school — and he popped right back up. He's a fighter; he's a competitor. Those are the things you need in a quarterback. You need somebody who's going to stand up and say, 'Follow me.'"
Shenandoah's coaching staff altered its offense to Rhodes' benefit. Although Rhodes wasn't used to lining up under center, the Hornets' multiple-receiver packages gave him the opportunity to pass from outside the pocket.
The Hornets also ran the option in earnest for the first time this season; the spread-option was Henrico's preferred offensive style. Getting chased out of the pocket — the result of many of Saturday's offensive plays — was also familiar to Rhodes.
"When they'd send a lot of blitzers up the middle and we didn't have time to use our passing scheme," Chavis said, "Twaun would be the quarterback we'd put in just to scramble."
Rhodes' passing ability remains a question mark. Although he gets adequate power on his throws, his deliberate, left-handed wind-up makes him inconsistent when throwing on the run.
"He's a left-handed pusher," Chavis said. "You try to teach cats techniques on how to throw, but if it's working, you leave it alone."
"It's different, but he's effective," Wolf said. "It's hard to change in the middle of the season. That's something that we work on later on in the year, when we're not in competition."
Wolf said the attributes that made Rhodes a good receiver and safety can also make him a good quarterback.
"He's very athletic," Wolf said. "He comes from a background where they've run the ball before. He's able to make plays when he gets out of the pocket."
Rhodes considered Division I-AA programs James Madison and Liberty before coming to Winchester. Chavis said Rhodes received interest from I-AA Morgan State and Division II Virginia Union as a defensive back.
Rhodes said he chose Shenandoah because of the atmosphere surrounding the program.
"It's like a family here," he said. "I felt comfortable here. I felt like they would accept me."
He said the desire his teammates have to improve impressed him immediately.
"I've never been around a whole group that has that fire every day, every practice, every pregame," he said. "The group of guys that we have just has a passion for the game."
Besides having to adjust to the rigors of college football and the independence of living away from home, Rhodes is also faced with the prospect of being the undisputed leader of his team for the first time.
"It's all on me," he said. "The quarterback position is the leader of the team.
