Niceville offense ready to takeoff (WITH PHOTOS)

By ADAM PRUIETT

adamp@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE - The Niceville football team transitioned to a spread offense last season because its biggest supply of talent was possessed by its quarterback and receiving unit.

According to new starting quarterback Rick Whiddon, the air show should continue.

"I don't think you could ask for anything better as far as (receivers). They're phenomenal," Whiddon said. "They're one of the greatest receiving corps I think we've ever had here as far as talent-wise and all being on the same page."

That receiving corps, which includes returning starters Zeus King and Kody Williams, some talented new faces and a heavily-hyped transfer, is a big reason why Niceville is excited about its offense despite the loss of eight starters. Five of the departed were All-Area performers, most notably quarterback Josh McDorman, the Daily News big school Player of the Year.

But the Eagles (8-3 last season, including one playoff victory) are known for reloading and they've got a good base of experienced skill players.

Williams, a junior, led Niceville in receptions last season with 38 for 507 yards and four touchdowns while King, a senior, added around 300 receiving yards. Junior Roy Finch racked up 14 touchdowns and approximately 1,600 all-purpose yards at the varsity level in Oklahoma before arriving at Niceville.

How explosive the passing game will be largely hinges on the development of Whiddon, who switched to quarterback after playing wide receiver the previous two years.

"(Rick's) a lot further ahead than I expected him to be at this time, not having played since the ninth grade," Niceville coach John Hicks said. "Like his brothers (former Eagles stars Tommy Joe and John Houston), he's got a lot of football sense. That's helped him make the transition a little more."

How much time Whiddon will routinely have to throw is a question. The team is in the unusual position of having a senior-filled offensive line that lacks experience because none are returning starters.

"I think they're going to get an early test against Fort Walton Beach (in the kickoff classic), which has a very good defensive front," Hicks said. "I think we'll find out a lot about how much progress we've made in that area at that time."

Progress is something Williams said the Eagles have made in their second year of the spread offense.

"It's clicking," he said. "Last year we were just throwing stuff out there like, ‘Let's see if this is going to work.' This year it's more (polished), so we're looking good."

Photos: Click here to view photos