In his first varsity start on Friday, Williams Field backup quarterback Tom Ross played well in place of injured starter Nick Gaylord.
In the 48-7 win over Flagstaff on Friday, Ross completed 9-of-14 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. He did throw two interceptions, but coach Steve Campbell said one bounced out of the tight end’s hands and the other was a well-thrown pass on a slant route that was just a hair behind the wide receiver.
In two games, Ross is 12-for-18 for 282 yards with three touchdowns and the two interceptions. He will certainly get the start this week against Tempe as Gaylord continues rehabbing an injured foot, but when Gaylord gets back (possibly against Desert Edge on Sept. 25 and likely the next week against Seton) he will once again assume starting duties.
The plan all along this season was to get Ross into the game in certain packages at quarterback and let the athletic Gaylord move to wide receiver.
But no matter how impressive Ross looks in the next couple weeks, Campbell insists Gaylord will be his starting quarterback when he returns.
“It won’t change,” Campbell said. “Nick is our quarterback and will be our quarterback. Nick’s not the guy because he throws the ball better than Tommy. (It is because) he is the leader of our football team.”
