Raiders choose starting QB
JACKSON TWP — T.J. Holl displayed his play-making ability as a receiver last season. He will now be counted on to do the same at quarterback.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior has been named the starting quarterback for the Raiders' season-opener Friday at Butler, with the Eagle Traveling Trophy on the line.
Senior Mike Jones will serve as Holl's backup.
“Both of them are talented,” said SV coach Don Holl. “In our scrimmages (against New Castle, McDowell and Hopewell), T.J. was able to make a few more plays with his feet and that factored into the decision to start him.
“It's nice to know that we have a guy (Jones) who can come in if needed and there wouldn't be a big dropoff.”
As a sophomore, Holl caught nine passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. He will also start Friday at free safety and may be seen returning both punts and kickoffs.
Several new faces will man the offensive front for the Raiders.
Seniors Jason Mack (left guard), Tyler Miller (center) and Steven Gaviglia (right guard) are new starters. Junior Tyler Hudanick (6-5, 285), a returning starter who has been slowed in camp due to an undisclosed injury, is questionable at left tackle. If he is unable to go, junior Brady Moore will take his place. If that is the case, senior right tackle Dan Miller will be the offensive line's lone returning starter against the Golden Tornado.
Coach Holl believes SV's performances in scrimmages were a mixed bag.
“We saw some things that we did that were almost perfect,” he said. “Other things were the exact opposite and then there was the stuff in the middle. One plus is that we stayed relatively healthy.”
Butler is coming off its first postseason appearance in 14 years, though, like the Raiders, the Tornado lost much to graduation.
The Tornado offense will be led by senior quarterback Tom Jendesky (6-2, 197 pounds), who completed 10 of 16 passes for 65 yards while starting two games in 2012.
SV has won the Eagle Traveling Trophy six straight times, defeating Butler 24-9 last year.
Butler's last win in the series was a 14-0 decision in 2006.
“Clyde (Conti, Butler coach) is one of my favorite people in high school football,” said Coach Holl. “He is not only an outstanding coach, but an even better person.
“Somebody is going to be holding that trophy Friday night,” he added. “Whether it's the first game of a season, ninth game or the state championship, you win by doing the things you can do the best you can do them. That's our approach.”
