Meet the new boss
Colville brings solid fundamentals, coachability to Eagle offense
BY LELAND ACKER

Eagle quarterback Jared Colville drops back to pass during two-a-days at Rusk High School Monday. Quarterback coach Rick Frauenberger said Colville is fundamentally sound, coachable and will make the routine plays. PHOTO: LELAND ACKER

When Justin Sturns graduated last year, a big hole was left in the quarterback position for the Rusk Eagles. As the saying goes, "It will take some big feet to fill those shoes." Eagle quarterbacks coach Rick Frauenberger said Jared Colville will fill those shoes well.

"Of course we lost a great quarterback last year," coach Frauenberger said, "But Colville is very fundamentally sound. He's smart, reads the defense well and won't make many mistakes. He will make the routine plays, which is what we need."

Coach Frauenberger's assessment of Colville is reinforced by last year's stats. Colville, who enjoyed little time backing up Sturns last year, competed all five of his passes for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Colville also played wide receiver, catching a crucial touchdown pass during Rusk's 49-48 win over Westwood last year, and made the All District team as a cornerback. Coach Frauenberger said Colville will start on defense as a cornerback this year, meaning that Colville will play both ways. Should Colville begin to tucker out, Demarcus "Nip" Skinner will step in and back him up at quarterback.

Coach Frauenberger said Colville is a good leader on the field.

"He's not very vocal," he said. "He leads by example. He's very coachable. He'll be where you tell him to be. From that, he'll be able to command the offense. He won't get us beat."

Coach Frauenberger said the Eagles will try to throw more passes, but noted that the Eagle offensive strategy uses a "no-huddle" offense which aims to take what the defense gives them. Should the pass play be called, Coach Frauenberger said Colville has a knack for the "touch pass."

"He hits the receivers in stride," he said. "It's hard to teach that."

Rusk opens the season on the road against Mabank on Aug. 31.