Published: November 06, 2009 10:36 am      

Maximum Protection

Somerset — When Southwestern coach Dale Anderson had to make a choice in replacing his two-year quarterback T.T. Wooldridge after his graduation, he looked to the young sophomore Zack Turpin to go behind center for the 2009 gridiron Warriors.

Blessed with a large, experienced offensive line and three talented running backs — Taylor Mote, Dustin Powell and Jonathan Floyd — Anderson knew Turpin would be in good hands and, more importantly, would have ample time to grow as a quarterback.

“I think having faith in him as our quarterback and him having a little bit of success has been a huge part of his development as a quarterback,” Anderson said. “Also, it has really helped to have the running backs we have had around him. We have let the running backs and the offensive line carry the load and we have not forced him to have to win the games by himself.”

Anderson made his quarterback decision during spring practice and summer camp. And with Turpin under center for the Warriors, the QB decision has paid off with huge dividends for the Warriors going into the post-season football playoffs.

“This has been a good year for him to grow up with the strength of our offensive line and running backs,” Anderson said. “Next year, he will have to shoulder a little bit more of the offense.”

But with a Warrior program record of five touchdown passes in a single game, against Rockcastle County on Oct. 23, Turpin has already began to shoulder the offense and has proved he can win the game with his arm, if needed.

“Zack really showed what he could do in our last game (against Rockcastle) and his future is bright,” Anderson vaunted. “It is fun to watch them grow and develop, and watch them handle the kind of pressure Zack had to handle against Rockcastle County.”

“We had two 4th-and-longs, and he completes both passes,” Anderson continued. “That is just awesome in a pressure situation. On both of those plays, he had plenty of time because of the offensive line. Rockcastle sent the blitz and everything else, and those guys picked it up.”

“We knew Rockcastle’s defense was good against the run, so it was time for Zack to show what he had been working on for six weeks,” Anderson explained. “He has really improved in practice, and we haven’t had the need to throw the ball that much. But we got stuffed on our running game against Rock and we had to throw the ball. Zack throws five touchdown passes to set a new school record. That’s awesome.”

Behind Turpin’s maturity and improvement at the quarterback position, looms some large and talented offensive linemen like Willie Dungan, Rob Lewis, Zach Fowler, Christian Childers, Alan Williams, Nick Peppers and James Schultz. These guys have worked extra hard at protecting their young quarterback this season.

“Those offensive linemen have taken Zack under wing all year long,” Anderson stated. “It is not very often you start a sophomore quarterback, but Zack has done a great job. The offensive line has taken it upon themselves to protect him and make the game as easy as possible for him. And the good part, Zack has a lot of faith in his offensive line.”

Turpin explained that he has bonded with his offensive linemen, both on and off the field.

“Those guys treat me like I was their little brother and we are all best of friends off the field,” Turpin said. “I have a lot of trust in their ability on the football field, and I have tried my best to build their trust in me.”

“With each game, I feel a little more comfortable, and I have been able to read the defenses better,” Turpin explained. “I think I have gotten better by shear repetition of running the plays in practices and in games.”

Anderson admitted that part of his team’s success this season has been fueled by Turpin and the guys who protect him.

“It is a great relationship between those big offensive linemen and Zack,” Anderson said. “It is a fun team to be around because they all get along, they like each other and they like to kid around with each other. Zack takes a lot of kidding being a young sophomore quarterback, but he is not the only sophomore out there and that helps.”

Fellow sophomore teammate Alan Williams gave a sample of the Warrior good humor and quarterback ribbing.

“I think deep down Zack Turpin is a legend in his own mind,” Williams laughed in unison with the rest of the offensive linemen.