Bryan Wood has spent around a quarter of a century in his coaching career as an offensive playcaller.
He understands having a talented quarterback can be the key to thriving in this role. Wood believes he has that quarterback in sophomore Reed McClain.
“He’s a talented kid — really good mechanically, smart, very good feet,” Wood said. “But he’s a sophomore. I think if you give him too much, you’re going to set him up for failure. We’re going to spoon feed him the offense, but I expect he’ll have that down by midseason.”
McClain made his varsity debut late in his freshman year, completing 28 of 54 passes for 488 yards, seven TDs and two interceptions in five games. He injected energy into Iowa Park’s offense, leading the Hawks to a pair of district wins and postseason berth.
Now, McClain has been tasked with learning a new offense as the Hawks enter their first season under Wood, who was hired to replace Michael Swenson in the spring.
“It’s the little bitty things that we have to work on with him right now,” Wood said. “The offense is a bit different, but he’s been grasping it. He has to learn to not take a hit he doesn’t need to take and other things like not throwing the ball late across the middle of the field.
“I’ve learned that you don’t ask a sophomore to read the whole field, but a lot of this is on me as a playcaller to try and give him options that put him in situations to succeed. I have confidence in him. I do think he’s the right guy for the job.”
Offense
Wood believes McClain has four quality receivers to throw the ball to, including senior Gideon Towner (6-1, 180) who provides a big target. Senior Coyt Schmader and juniors Carson McCord and Riley Grace are also key members of the receiving corps.
Juniors Kota Johnson, Stockton Dabovich and senior Brayden Moreno will provide a running-back-by-committee approach in the backfield.
Senior Andrew McClain is the team’s top returning lineman, entrenched at left tackle. Sophomore Kane Hoover (6-3, 290) naturally draws attention with his big frame and will start at right tackle.
Senior Ethan Daub is a returner at center as is junior Jacob Rodriguez at guard. Braden Smith will fill a role up front.
Defense
Senior Kane Decker leads Iowa Park’s 3-4 scheme as an inside linebacker. Decker can play an H-back role on offense, but will be limited there because of how much he means to the Hawk defense.
Sophomore Cooper King will be the other inside backer, while Grace and Dabovich man the outside. Moreno will have a role in the rotation.
Up front, McClain will be a two-way starter, while Clay Gee plays nose guard and Weston Welborn takes the end spot opposite McClain.
McCord and Towner should be the starting safeties with Schmader and Andres Zambrano at corner. Kevin Saisuwan will be in the mix in the secondary.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: High school football preview: Iowa Park banking on QB Reed McClain in Wood’s first year
Reporting by Jonathan Hull, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
