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BRENTWOOD — Ravenwood quarterback Maverick Chance threw a deep touchdown pass, and a chorus of cheers broke out on the sideline.
One series later, the Raptors’ other starting quarterback candidate, Femi Babalola, completed a similar throw down the field.
TSSAA football practices began across the state Monday, and while there are plenty of question marks at schools this early in the 2024 season, Ravenwood coach Will Hester has no doubt about the strength of his quarterbacks.
The only question is which one will start.
“We think we have two starter-level quarterbacks, and you’re going to need two quarterbacks,” Hester said. “Very rarely does someone go through a season without getting a bump or a bruise.”
Chance and Babalola, both juniors, know that better than anyone. They’ve been backing each other up through injuries since their freshman season.
Chance was the starter for Ravenwood’s freshman team in 2022 after Babalola suffered a season-ending injury. In 2023, Chance and Babalola were No. 2 and 3, respectively, on the depth chart behind starter Stephen Nieves. Nieves and Chance both were injured in the season opener against Alcoa, with Chance breaking his jaw while taking snaps at running back, bringing Babalola into the spotlight.
Babalola led the Raptors to a 9-4 record, completing 158 of 240 passes for 1,944 yards and 13 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He also ran for 182 yards and 2 TDs.
More: How Ravenwood’s Donovan Starr used blistering speed to be SEC athlete at Auburn football
“I think the biggest thing I learned last year was adjusting to the speed of the game,” Babalola said. “I also had to get used to my team depending on me, having to step into that role.”
Chance is eager to play after how things went last fall. After recovering from his broken jaw, Hester had him run a few series…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ravenwood-football-starting-qb-competition-100716470.html
Author : The Tennessean
Publish date : 2024-07-30 10:07:16
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