The White County Warriors are looking to build on the momentum they built during the 2019 season, and they are looking towards a new face to lead them.
Head coach Mark Frasier named sophomore Malaki Dowell the starting quarterback in 2020, and says he knows Dowell will be a great player.
“Our starter’s going to be Malaki Dowell,” said Frasier. “Malaki’s going to be special. I do think it’s important his name gets out. He’s got the potential to be one of the best players that’s come out of Sparta in a long time. He’s going to be very good. He’s got the work ethic, the natural ability a lot of things. I look for him to have a huge career. We’re excited about him.”
Dowell started at defensive back as a freshman and turned heads with his playmaking ability. In a run-heavy White County offense, his ability to run could be a game-changer for the Warriors.
READ: 2020 White County Football Preview
Frasier said Dowell is a dual-threat quarterback.
“He’s definitely a dual-threat,” said Frasier. “He’s a very good athlete. I didn’t want to play him (in 2019), but I couldn’t keep him out of the lineup as a freshman. He can run. He can jump. He’s a smart kid with great instincts. He’s a physical runner.”
Prior to the 2020 season, Dowell never played quarterback, but Frasier said his quarterback worked hard in the offseason.
“He’s never played (quarterback),” said Frasier. “He can throw the football and he’s gotten a lot more comfortable over the summer knowing he was going to be back there. We wanted to have a little bit more of an opportunity to throw and run and he’s going to be that guy.”
The Warriors are coming off a 5-5 2019 season after two consecutive winless seasons. Frasier said Dowell is focused on the challenge of continuing to build a winning tradition in Sparta and being a leader.
“He’s a more focused individual at his age than some I’ve seen,” said Frasier. “He’s excited about the challenge. He’s not a vocal leader. He does everything by his actions. He’s the hardest worker in the weight room. He stays after, he’s trying to learn. He’s thrown the ball a million times this summer trying to get ready.”
While Dowell will have a lot on his shoulders, he will not be asked to shoulder the whole load. With veteran leaders surrounding him in the backfield, Frasier said Dowell will have help.
“I hope we can take the pressure off,” said Frasier. “We’ve got some senior people around him that can have the ball. We’re not asking him to throw the ball 30 times a game and I’m not expecting him to run it 30 times a game. I do think the ball being in his hands will give us an element we haven’t had here in quite some time. I’ve got confidence in him.”
Dowell will take his first snaps as Sparta’s starting quarterback Friday night when his team takes on Cannon County. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.