Fair, 54°
Weather sponsored by:

Justino grooves with Lane, Bryant, Todd

By Randy Lefko Sports Editor
Posted 7/3/19

MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg High's offense showed off some passing prowess in their 21-6 first half score against Santa Fe High in the spring game and quarterback Joe Justino maintained his pocket …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

Justino grooves with Lane, Bryant, Todd


Posted

MIDDLEBURG - Middleburg High's offense showed off some passing prowess in their 21-6 first half score against Santa Fe High in the spring game and quarterback Joe Justino maintained his pocket precision in a passing scrimmage with Clay High School on Wed., June 26.

Justino, who favored Jay Lane in the Santa Fe game with Trevor Todd setting up Lane's over the top scores in that game with strong catch and runs in the heart of the Santa Fe defense, continued with his secondary reads to the trio of Lane, Todd and Luron Bryant as he mixed and matched his passing patterns against the Clay High defense with Bryant doing the most outside damage and Todd creating diversion with a dependable presence in the middle, including a wide open scoring pass late in the scrimmage.

Justino pumped out a couple of long passes downfield to Lane and Bryant to squeeze the Clay defense to set up crossing patterns that got Todd open.

On the defensive side, Clay quarterback Tre Griner had limited downfield success with a handful of dropped passes that were on target in space. Griner's success came with sideline passes to Will Kendrick and swing out passes to running back Al'Querious Ray who turned upfield and created space to the pursuing Bronco defenders.

Two bright, young spots for Bronco coach Karl Smeltzer were the Padgett brothers; Luke and Logan, both from Wilkinson Junior High and also a long line of football Padgetts in Clay County, who were steady performers in their first foray on high school ground. Logan Padgett looked responsible as a possible outside linebacker while Luke Padgett showed good poise catching passes, at first, before manning the quarterback hole and connecting with Lane for a late scrimmage corner touchdown pass.

With Middleburg's pass catching crew showing consistent ability to hold on to the ball, the Broncos offense could be fast moving downfield.

Smeltzer did hint of a running back to come that was in summer classes to be ready for the fall and linebacker Brody Senn looked in good enough agility shape to be a strong fullback in the backfield. Bryant also has size for carrying the ball.