Warrior triplets
CHERRY TWP — There are always question marks heading into a new season.
Moniteau's offense isn't one of them.
Led by a dynamic play-making quarterback, along with a proven wide receiver and talented running back, the Warriors figure to boast an explosive offense in 2011.
Senior quarterback Kyle Armagost — along with his 1,336 yards through the air and 1,146 on the ground — returns to the squad. As does Moniteau's top receiver, senior Ethan Pry, and running back, sophomore Dustin Geagan.
Don't be surprised to see the trio make opposing defenses start scratching their heads. Luckily for Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell, the formidable triple-threat attack is on his side.
“As a defensive coordinator, that just gives you fits,” said Campbell. “Typically, you're good at one thing, but not everything.”
Armagost, a potential Division I recruit who's been courted by Central Florida, North Florida and Central Michigan, has the physical tools to break a game open with his arm or legs. However, an improved mental approach should make him more dangerous than ever.
Armagost worked on his footwork with coaches during the summer and has learned to stay more patient in the pocket, allowing plays to develop.
“That's one thing that I see this year,” Campbell explained. “He'll look downfield and if it's not there, rather than just take off, he'll check down and make that throw.”
Pry — Armagost's favorite target last season — has already noticed the improvement.
“He can pass amazing this year,” said Pry. “His accuracy has been way better, and he's improving on the field with seeing wide receivers open.”
Of course, Pry makes it easier on him with a skill set that resulted in 29 receptions for 654 yards and four scores a season ago.“He's a nice route runner and he's a smart receiver,” said Campbell of Pry. “He'll read the defense. If the route combination calls for him to run a post and there's a safety sitting there, he'll break it off and take it to the outside.”Armagost believes Pry will be an even greater threat to opposing secondaries this year.“He's worked so much on his ball skills,” the quarterback said. “Every pattern is sharp. ... He's a better receiver now.”Pry doesn't only help his quarterback, though. Geagan praised the receiver for his ability to open up big plays for the running game.“For a wide receiver, he's not afraid to block and he's not afraid to hit,” said Geagan.This season will serve as the high school finale for Armagost and Pry, but Geagan is just getting started.As a freshman, Geagan racked up 949 all-purpose yards, including 672 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.The sophomore was so impressive that Armagost compared him to the 2009 Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy winner James Shope.“It's like having Shope again,” Armagost said. “He's so fast, but I think he'll go north and south, instead of east to west like Shope. He'll run someone over now.“He got a lot bigger and he's more confident with his body,” he added. “He's more of a complete running back now.”Pry also praised Geagan.“He has agility, he can spin, get around edges and follow blocks,” said Pry. “He's just an all-around athlete.”The talented trio will undoubtedly present challenges to the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference, along with the rest of District 9.“I think it would be a nightmare to get ready for this team, I really do,” said Campbell. “They pretty much have to be ready for anything, because we have the athletes to do it.”
