New game in Moniteau
CHERRY TWP— Despite not starting behind center until the third week, Moniteau quarterback Tyler Armagost threw for 1,279 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
But forget about those numbers. It's time for a real challenge.
The Warriors are going to a spread offense, featuring numerous ball carriers, some option and triple option, passing on the run and audibles at the line of scrimmage.
Armagost even will be doing some of the running himself.
"He'd better," first-year coach Jeff Campbell said. "It's part of the offense."
Plenty of responsibility is being heaped on to the shoulders of this 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior — and he welcomes it.
"I love it, actually,"Armagost said. "It's a fun offense to run and it's not all that hard, really. I have to make the right reads, but that's no big deal."
Quarterback sacks included, Armagost rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns last year, so he is capable of running with the football.
Armagost accumulated last year's numbers primarily by being a pocket passer and reacting as plays developed.
"Last year, he played the game on athletic ability,"Campbell said. "This year, we're utilizing more than his arms and legs. He'll be doing a lot of play calling and checkoffs on his own.
"Tyler is a very intelligent football player and we're going to take advantage of that."
In 151 passes last year, Armagost threw only four interceptions.
His father, Randy Armagost, is Moniteau's varsity boys basketball coach and junior high football coach.
Moniteau's offensive coordinator is Al Pryor, formerly a head coach at Union. He said he is enjoying working with Armagost.
"That kid is making my job easy,"Pryor said. "This is a complicated offense and he's in full control of it. Tyler's been working hard at this all summer and he's doing a good job."
Armagost is used to being a leader. He started at point guard as a sophomore for Moniteau's basketball team last winter.
Now he's working on realizing lofty goals placed on him by his new head coach.
"He's challenged me to double my passing yards from last year,"Armagost said, laughing. "I think it's possible, though. ... My main goal is to win District 9. The numbers don't really matter."
