Upperman Quarterback Position Is Up For Grabs

BAXTER, TN- A new face will be running the Upperman Bee offense in 2020. The question is, who will it be?

UHS head coach Adam Caine said the Bees are holding a quarterback competition between two players, senior Thomas Ensor and junior Ty Dutchess.

“I feel good about the two guys I’ve got competing for it,” said Caine. “They’re doing what they need to do. They each have their own strengths and unfortunately, they’ve got some weaknesses as well. It’s our job to play to their strengths and I’ve been pleased so far.”

Both Ensor and Dutchess saw the field extensively in 2019. Ensor started at linebacker and was the backup quarterback. Dutchess played defensive back and took over the starting running back spot during the season.

Caine said he is pleased with how Ensor and Dutchess are competing for the spot while not causing any sort of rift in the team.

“I like the way they’ve been working and competing,” said Caine. “A lot of times in these small towns and schools, a quarterback competition can rip your team in half and it, for sure, has not done that.”

Dutchess showed explosive play-making ability in 2019, rushing for 778 yards and 13 touchdowns on 84 carries. Ensor has gotten reps at the quarterback position for the previous two seasons while tallying 85 tackles defensively in 2019.

Whoever the starter is, he will look to create his own legacy while filling large shoes. Three-year starter, and member of the UHS Hall of Fame, Donoven McCallister graduated in 2019 with a legacy of consistent winning. Caine said he hopes his new starter will not face added pressure from following a UHS legend, but instead take inspiration from it.

“I would hope they don’t look at it as pressure to follow (McCallister),” said Caine. “I hope they just look at it as he’s a guy that brought a lot of attention to the quarterback position here as well as the program in general. Playing quarterback at Upperman is now something to take pride in. I do hope he raised the bar for them and gives them something to shoot for.”

The starter will be tested early in the season. The Bees are set to take on 6A cross-county rival Cookeville on August 20 at Tennessee Tech. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Upper Cumberland Reporter’s Facebook page.