The year of the quarterback: As these dual threats go, so will their teams go

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

Brevin Glaze (Seabreeze): Fully recovered from his past injuries, a confident Glaze goes into his junior season optimistic he can lead Seabreeze back to its once winning ways.

Glaze saw a lot of playing time last season as the backup quarterback, and he gained a lot of insight about how the position is played. He led the team to its only win – on the field – last season, in his first start, but he hopes to lead the Sandcrabs to many more wins this year.

“We want to show teams that we’re different from last year,” Glaze said. “We want to have that big name Seabreeze used to have, so our town will come out to every home game. I want to bring Seabreeze football back, but I can't do this alone. I won't be able to make anything happen without the other 10 guys.”

Denzel Houston (Mainland): Houston begins his third and final season, reloaded with enough offensive weapons to easily exceed 100 total touchdowns in his three-year high school career (he currently has 80).

Houston showed no signs of slowing down during the Bucs’ scrimmage practices with Matanzas and Spruce Creek. He played his normal game, finding open receivers and scrambling for touchdowns.

While his junior season was not as impressive as his sophomore year, Houston will need an even better senior campaign, if he wants to reach his desired destination, a December trip to the Citrus Bowl.

“We just have to play together as a team and finish this year,” he said.

Josh Spencer (Lopez): Spencer continues to get better every year. Throwing multiple touchdowns while running for others has become custom for the senior. Nevertheless, he and the Green Wave have struggled to put together a winning season, but Spencer hopes to change that this year.

“This season is going to be tough but a lot more exciting,” he said. “Like all teams, the goal is to go to the playoffs and hopefully win a state title. But our main key right now is change the culture of Lopez football and teach the younger guys how to play tough.”

Mackenzy Wagner (Matanzas): At the start of last season, Mackenzy Wagner’s performance at Flagler Palm Coast earned him the starting job over Ryan Perry. He led the Pirates to their most successful season in program history.

Going into this season, knowing he’s the starter, Wagner spoke about elevating his game play, so that his teammates would follow. While he and the Pirates achieved a lot last year, they won’t be satisfied until they play in mid-November.

“It takes courage to start something but commitment to finish,” he said, “Last year we showed our courage and started something unbelievable. Now this year is when we all have to show our commitment. We have the team and the heart to go as far as we want, but it’s based on our commitment.”

Darrell Thomas (Flagler Palm Coast): Thomas has been groomed for this specific quarterback over the last four years. He’s watched every FPC game over that span, due to his older brother Dalton starting at quarterback. Throughout those years, Dalton has mentored him and shared with him the ins and outs of Flagler Palm Coast football.

“He’s taught me how to read the defense, give the guys’ confidence and how to be a better quarterback all-around,” Thomas said.

“I told him to know it might get hard and very frustrating at times,” the older Thomas said, “but all he could do is work hard and stay focused.”

Coach Tommy Moody has already deemed him the man for the job, and he hopes to lead the Bulldogs to the postseason.

“He started some games at safety last year,” Moody said. “And Darrell even has a different element from his brother, when it comes to running; he’s one of the track guys.”