It was one touchdown pass in a season full of them for Richlands quarterback Joel Elswick.
But his 18-yard scoring strike to Matt Davis Saturday in the first quarter of the Blue Tornadoes’ Division 3 semifinal with Brookville was more than a TD.
It was an illustration of how far Elswick has come this season – not just physically, but mentally.
"I saw they had seven people in the [tackle] box," Elswick said earlier this week. "They had man coverage on Matt, and the guy who was playing him didn’t have enough size."
So Elswick got Richlands out of the play coach Greg Mance had called and into a play which would give Davis a chance to exploit his favorable matchup.
One accurate flick of his right arm later, Elswick had his 24th TD pass, and Mance had yet another reason to believe in the maturation of his first-year starter.
"It’s a process learning our spread offense," Mance said. "The quarterback has to recognize coverages and what our best matchup is. He’s gotten better each week with his timing and his confidence."
Which is why one can make the case that as indispensible as Virginia Tech commitment Austin Fuller is, that Elswick’s development has played an equally big role in the Blues’ march to a third straight Division 3 title game.
Fuller started the season alternating with Elswick at quarterback, but Mance soon found his offense too predictable. Plus Fuller playing QB denuded the offense of its top receiver.
So Elswick began seeing more snaps and took over the starting role before September ended. But it wasn’t until later in the season before he looked and felt truly comfortable with the offense.
"You’ve got to remember he never threw a pass last year," Mance said of Elswick, who mopped up several Richlands blowouts in relief of Justin McCracken.
Elswick and Mance each say an Oct. 26 game at Carroll County was a turning point. Down 6-0 at halftime, Elswick tossed two TD passes in the second half as the Blues came alive for a 34-6 win.
Mance said Elswick’s command of the offense now is comparable to where McCracken was at this point as a junior.
"Things are slowing down, getting easier," Elswick said. "It helps when you have the athletes we have on the outside. They put a lot of pressure on the defense."
And Elswick’s ability to find those athletes has stood out in the postseason. His efficiency – 29-of-45 accuracy, 569 yards and a 10-to-3 touchdown-interception ratio – has helped Richlands average more than 37 points per game in the playoffs.
That kind of performance must continue Saturday if the Blues are to knock off Region II champ Monticello for the state title in Lynchburg.
While the Mustangs may own a speed advantage, Richlands will be very familiar with the surroundings at Liberty University’s Williams Stadium.
"They’re very well-coached with a lot of talent," Elswick said of the Mustangs. "But we’re used to the experience of going [to Lynchburg], playing in the cold weather. It helps you as you go into this game."
It also helps when your quarterback has made the strides Elswick’s made.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement