Eight Horry County prep teams hit the field in Conway

Conway- Hard to believe the chin straps are being snapped, the face masks are getting a tug, and the wide receivers are missing routes. Football on the Grand Strand is back, even if it’s only passing league. At Conway High School eight of the Horry County teams hit the practice field for the Tuesday night test.

Plenty of fresh starters are getting the opportunity to work on timing, as well as learn what kind of defenses they’ll be facing in the fall. For the hosting Tigers new starting quarterback Ryan Hardman the passing league is affording the senior the chance to get important snaps. Hardman had been a backup to Dakota Derrick over the past two seasons, but now his getting his first taste of running the number one offense for Coach Chuck Jordan.

“Ryan is going to be a different type of quarterback, we think he can be a very effective,” said Jordan.

Conway is taking a different approach with Hardman by taking plays out of the playbook. Jordan insists they’ll look to cut the field in half and try to implement more of the running attack to help his learning curve. The Tigers will also look to set more play action into their offensive scheme to utilize Hardman’s athleticism.

“We’re not going to ask him to see the whole field,” said Jordan. “We want to be a little more play action oriented.” 

One team that is already in the play action mode is North Myrtle Beach. Where second year senior starting quarterback Daniel Smith will attempt to guide the Chiefs past the second round of the playoffs for first time with him behind center. Smith took majority of the snaps over Josh Evans last season for Head Coach Denver Cromer’s team. This season he is being turned to not only develop with the running of the offense but with his overall leadership skills.
“Coach wants me to become more of a leader on and off the field,” said Smith. “I need to be a guy that shows character and lead by example.”

The passing league at Conway will continue to take place over the next two weeks on Tuesday night. Official practices for the 2008 season begins on August 1.