Wolfpack address a number of question marks

Greenbrier has a lot of questions headed into its opener with Evans on Aug. 29.

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T.D. Davis had one of them at a recent practice.

"You want me at Y (receiver) or quarterback?" Davis asked Wolfpack coach Brian Smith, who told him to join the other receivers.

Other questions remain. Who will replace Nick Richards as the team's quarterback? How will the team handle a new region after being bumped up to Class AAAAA? And how will the players respond to a new head coach?

The Wolfpack finished 5-5 last season but had to forfeit two of those wins after they were found to have used ineligible players. The miscue led to the departure of coach Scott Chadwick, and Smith was left with the reins.

Smith will maintain a similar offensive scheme, but he will have to fill the void at quarterback left by the departure of Richards, who will play for Division II powerhouse Valdosta State this season.

The quarterback question likely will be answered in three parts. Smith said Blake Ross, Chris Smith and Davis will take snaps at quarterback. All three probably also will play receiver in Smith's spread offense.

Smith said the juggling act was borne out of a lack of other options.

"I think it's a product of what we have to do," Smith said. "We don't have a lot of depth."

Smith is particularly concerned with his line depth on both sides of the ball.

If the offensive line is shaky, Ross would seem the likely candidate to get the majority of snaps. The junior has the ability to move out of the pocket and hit receivers on the run.

But Smith has been non-committal on naming one signal caller, and his players have embraced the possibility of playing with three.

"All three are real good quarterbacks," senior Dylan Turner said. "All three can play."

The quarterbacks have had a good chance to grasp Smith's offensive system, having competed in June's passing camps at Greenbrier.

Smith's new system will be up against a new set of opponents this season. The move up to Region 2-AAAAA will mean some long bus rides. Turner said he expects the competition to be tougher -- more speed and better athletes across the board.

But Smith said he was trying to keep his players' focus elsewhere.

"It's not who we play, it's how we play," Smith said. "We can't control that we have to drive to Atlanta. ... I think too many people make a big deal about 5A, but we believe in ourselves."

The Wolfpack have a few athletes of their own and others who could be poised for breakout years.

Davis presents a big target at receiver. Turner is a Division-I prospect on defensive line. Running back Kendrick Wilson has drawn raves from coaches for his improvement in the off-season and is expected to be the starter to open the season.

"If everybody executes, we'll have a real good season," Turner said.

And maybe a few questions will be answered along the way.