Photo by Matt Boltz Utica High sophomore quarterback Connor Hinebaugh looks to pitch the ball against Warren Mott Sept. 26 at Swinehart Field. Hinebaugh is one of several underclassmen expected back next season.

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

After years of running the wing-T offense, Utica High football coach Tony Smith probably never thought he’d feel that he didn’t run the ball enough.

But with the Chieftains, who wrapped up the season with a loss at Romeo Oct. 24, moving from the run-oriented wing–T to a spread offense, that’s exactly what happened.

“It’s been throw first, run second,” Smith said of his offense as his team prepared to meet Romeo. “We threw for more than 200 yards against (Warren) Cousino (Oct. 10), and we even threw the ball well against (Utica) Stevenson (Oct. 3). We’ve haven’t thrown this much since at least 2003.”

Having playmakers like seniors Andy Orr and Adam Luckow at wide receiver, the emphasis was on the pass. But as they look to the future in the spread, Smith hopes to even things out in 2009.

“We’re trying to marry in a running game, and next year we’ll be more balanced and better,” Smith said.

Smith said he would look to a pair of current sophomores, Glenn Doss and Adrian Harris, to help the running game next year.

Doss is with the varsity now, and Harris is on JV. But Smith envisions them sharing the backfield next year.

Another piece of the puzzle as Utica looks to fully utilize the spread is the further development of sophomore quarterback Connor Hinebaugh.

“He’s still growing,” Smith said of Hinebaugh. “He got dinged up in week two, so we didn’t have him run the ball as much. Hopefully, as he grows, we’ll be able to put him in position to run more.”

Playing an integral part in Hinebaugh’s growth were Orr and Luckow, whose play at receiver helped Hinebaugh develop familiarity with the passing game and confidence.

“You wish you had both kids back, because we’d be dominant,” Smith said. “This was Andy’s first year playing football since his freshman year, and Adam was banged up with an ankle injury, so they could have been even better.”

With Orr and Luckow set to graduate, Smith will look to a mix of veterans, including junior Blake Rucinski and new talent from JV, to help bolster the receiving corps.

“Every year, we want young guys to come out and win jobs,” Smith said. “Lots of kids think all the spots are going to seniors, but that’s not what we want. We want kids coming into the season competing for time.”

You can reach Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1029.