High school football: Jordan moves forward with new pieces

Note: Jordan went 7-5 (3-3 in Region 4, tied for fourth) and advanced to the first round of the 5A playoffs after beating Brighton in a play-in game.

SANDY — The roles have changed for Jordan's McCoy Hill.

Last year, he was on the receiving end of pin-point passes. He was bursting off the line of scrimmage and running routes. He was good at it, too, hauling in 48 catches for 605 yards and four touchdowns. This season, he is the one delivering the ball. He has the unenviable task of trying to replace one of the best quarterbacks the Beetdiggers have ever had in Alex Hart.

"I don't really look at it as trying to replace him," said Hill. "I am just going out there and trying to play quarterback the best that I can. Alex was a great quarterback. I just want to go out there and play the way that I can and hopefully that will be good enough."

Being a receiver last season actually helped Hill prepare for taking over. It helped him understand what is going through a guy's head as he tries to make his reads against a defensive back.

"I think it helped me a ton," he said. "While I may not have got all the reps at QB, it helped me understand the whole offense a lot better. We run a pretty complicated system, so to see it from both sides really gave me a ton of information that I think I can use this season."

Any player stepping into Hart's shoes would have a tough time. But coach Eric Kjar said that Hill is the right player to do it.

"He has been great so far," said Kjar. "I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than he has. He has all the tools. He is tall, really has the football smarts, knows the offense and has emerged as a team leader. It is almost like having a starter back with him, and I am very confident that he is going to have a big year for us and is the right man for the job."

Hill should get time to throw the football. The offensive line has four players back that started over half the games last season.

Alex Jones (right tackle), B.J. Cavender (center), LT Viatuu (left tackle) and DT Viatuu (guard) are all excited to provide the protection for him.

"I think McCoy is going to be good," said LT, whose name really is Lawrence Taylor. "I know that we are going to do everything we can to help him out. If we don't give him the time he needs, we are going to struggle. But with the guys we have, I don't really think that is going to be a problem."