I was out at Chandler-Pinnacle tonight, my third time watching Chandler soph. QB Jacob Conover and first time watching Pinnacle soph. QB Spencer Rattler. Chandler won, 31-16.
My impressions:
- Conover played a much more reduced role than he did last week against Corona Centennial (CA), as head coach Shaun Aguano admittedly wanted him to be more of a game manager. The offense was sluggish in the first half, and perhaps it's part of Conover still learning when it's time to grab the reigns. His arm is still great, and he's shown a lot of athleticism to evade defenders and extend plays, but when he does he often keeps his head down and holds the ball too long. He's hesitant, but that will change with time.
- Rattler blew me away in the first half. His poise, athleticism and throwing arm were beyond his years when compared to other high school quarterbacks, and he frequently broke Chandler contain for some big plays. He made the play of the night to end the first half, rolling to his right and firing a 49-yard pass in the air for a touchdown. The problem was, he took way too many hits early. He was noticeably sluggish and beat down as the game went on, as Pinnacle (who led 16-10 at the half) was shut out in the second half. He committed just one turnover, a jump ball in the final two minutes that required a freak play to pick off.
My impressions:
- Conover played a much more reduced role than he did last week against Corona Centennial (CA), as head coach Shaun Aguano admittedly wanted him to be more of a game manager. The offense was sluggish in the first half, and perhaps it's part of Conover still learning when it's time to grab the reigns. His arm is still great, and he's shown a lot of athleticism to evade defenders and extend plays, but when he does he often keeps his head down and holds the ball too long. He's hesitant, but that will change with time.
- Rattler blew me away in the first half. His poise, athleticism and throwing arm were beyond his years when compared to other high school quarterbacks, and he frequently broke Chandler contain for some big plays. He made the play of the night to end the first half, rolling to his right and firing a 49-yard pass in the air for a touchdown. The problem was, he took way too many hits early. He was noticeably sluggish and beat down as the game went on, as Pinnacle (who led 16-10 at the half) was shut out in the second half. He committed just one turnover, a jump ball in the final two minutes that required a freak play to pick off.
