There’s a saying at Griffin. The defending AAAA state champions believe their second-stringers are as good as or better than most teams’ starters.
That theory will be tested as the Bears enter the playoffs without injured starting quarterback Anforne Stroud.
Stroud, a playmaking dual-threat quarterback, suffered a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand (left) in a passing drill last week in practice. The doctor’s prognosis is that he’ll be out three-four weeks, but the Bears are hoping he’ll be back sooner.
In the meantime, sophomore Tylan Morton will lead Griffin’s prolific attack. At 6-3, 170 pounds, Morton is more of a pocket-passer than Stroud.
“He likes to get his feet set,” Griffin coach Jarrett Laws said. “Anforne makes a lot of big plays by improvising. Tylan’s going to stick more so with the play. It’s a detriment in some ways, but also an advantage.”
Morton, for a backup, has gotten plenty of game action, not only late in blowouts, but also in a handful of meaningful series throughout the season.
“I made sure to give Tylan some drives in some significant situations this season,” Laws said.
Morton started in last week’s Region 4-AAAA championship game against Eastside (Covington). Morton completed 12 of 22 passes for 213 yards with three touchdowns and an interception in the Bears’ 48-28 win. On the season, Morton has completed 31 of 59 passes for 449 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. He’ll get the start against Liberty County on Friday.
Laws said Stroud is wearing a soft cast and rehabbing hard with strength exercises and rest.
“We expect to get him back by Round 3,” Laws said.
That would be good timing. Griffin is an extremely tough quadrant of the Class AAAA playoff bracket. With a win over Liberty County in the first round, the Bears will face the winner of Marist-Whitewater in the second round. The third round could bring No. 1 Buford.
“Your natural reaction, when you see so many monsters in that quadrant, is to be apprehensive,” Laws said. “But to be honest with you, it’s playing to our advantage, because it doesn’t allow us to look ahead from week to week. We have to focus on every week. Nothing is promised and nothing is given, and the kids know that. We know the season could end any given Friday. The big statement coming from our seniors is that ‘tomorrow ain’t promised.’”
