Shannon looking for answers at skill positions

Shannon is returning its quarterback, but a young Red Raiders team will have to develop some playmakers quickly.

Spring football is in full swing at Shannon, where the Red Raiders are looking to build off a 7-4 season last fall.

“It’s just a great opportunity for us to kind of see the young guys that really don’t have much playing experience get out there with the other guys mixed and just trying to get them caught up to where we want them to be,” Shannon head coach Ken Topps said. “Just get them some experience basically. I’m excited, we’re going to be young, but just excited to see what they grow into.”

Shannon’s offense had no problems putting up points last year, averaging 32.9 per game. But the Red Raiders graduated Brayden Hooks, their leading rusher from last year, and are virtually starting from scratch at wide receiver. Shannon is hoping to develop some impact players at the skill positions.

“With the offense we run, it’s going to be really important,” Topps said. “For us to operate at the level I know we can operate, those guys got to be performing at a certain level. It’s our jobs as coaches to try to get them there. Even with them being young, we still want to make sure that we get them up to that standard.”

But having your quarterback return is an advantage. Last season, Dashaun Clifton completed 90 of 182 passes for 1,534 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.

“I know he only started one season last year, but that alone has helped this spring right now,” Topps said. “He’s helping develop the next quarterback behind him. I’m not having to overcoach that because he’s doing a lot of leading in that position. Right now, he’s kind of light years beyond where he was last year.”

The Red Raiders also have some holes to fill defensively after graduating their top four tacklers, but there’s still some experience there.

“I thought we were going to be young on that side, too, because we graduated a lot on defense, but the guys that we actually brought back got a lot of playing experience as well,” Topps said. “We’re not as inexperienced as we thought we were going to be on that side of the ball, so they look good.”