Trigger man

BY SPENCER CAMPBELL
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

BIG STONE GAP, Va. – It wasn’t a matter of preference that motivated Myron Pinkston’s 2008 mid-season move from running back to quarterback.

Powell Valley was 2-4 and in serious danger of missing the Region D, Division 2 playoffs. Something needed to change.

“We had to do that,” Powell Valley coach Phil Robbins said. “Well, Kenny Burke and Gil Lusk were the two quarterbacks and everything was going good, until they just couldn’t pull the trigger.”

Robbins tabbed the two-starter to run his spread offense, ordering Pinkston under center for the first time against Thomas Walker. Although far from a polished, pocket quarterback, Pinkston responded by using his athletic ability to scramble away from trouble, making plays with his feet more than with his arm.

The Vikings responded positively to the change in signal-callers, finishing out the season 3-2, and making the playoffs by the seat of their pants.

“It was all right,” Pinkston said. “But it was different, me going from being a running back for two years to being a quarterback.

“I wouldn’t say I was a good pocket quarterback, because I didn’t stay in the pocket much. But as a rushing quarterback, a scrambling quarterback, I was all right.”

A summer spent working with offensive coordinator Travis Turner, along with countless 7-on-7 tournaments, has helped Pinkston’s maturation as a quarterback. Always blessed with a powerful, accurate arm, the senior now understands the proper progression through which a quarterback must read before unloading the football.

It’s a good thing Pinkston improved. He’ll need to be everything and more for Powell Valley if it hopes to win the Lonesome Pine District crown.

Pinkston’s 2008 backfield mates, Jordan Martin and Dakota Cantrell, are gone. More responsibility than ever will hang on Pinkston’s reads and accurate right arm.

However, Powell Valley fans shouldn’t expect their quarterback to forgo his tantalizing scrambles in favor of a constant pocket presence.

Robbins, noted for his willingness to adapt to new offenses, plans to use Pinkston as what the senior described as a “Percy Harvin-type,” referencing the do-it-all spark plug that helped the Florida Gators win the 2009 National Championship by lining up as a wide receiver, halfback and quarterback.

Pinkston’s proposed new roles are fine with him. Playing multiple positions will enable the Vikings to maximize the talent they have, and increase Pinkston’s visibility to college scouts.

None of this, however, would be possible without the emergence of a solid No. 2 quarterback in sophomore Jacob Huff.

“Before, we didn’t have a back-up quarterback that could do the things that we were doing on first-string,” Pinkston said. “Now we do. And we have different looks, with people playing at different spots.”

This includes the defense, where Robbins did most of his tinkering during the offseason. Seniors Taylor Barton and Bryant Rentfrow have been moved from linebacker to defensive end, Derrike Short, Randall Lawson and Evan Orr make the defensive tackles bigger, and Pinkston moved to safety.

Robbins didn’t have to do too much with the offense, though. He learned last season, six games in, what makes the Vikings go.

“Obviously, Myron’s the trigger guy,” Robbins said. “He can throw it a mile, very accurate, got much, much better going through his progression. That’s been a real plus.”

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