Champion Charger backup quarterback Taylor Davis will start in Friday’s game against Kerrville Tivy, only his second varsity start. Head Football Coach Danny Threadgill says Davis is looking sharp after two weeks of working with the first team offense. Photo by Mike Reeder

The undefeated Samuel V. Champion football team will be heading into its District 27-4A opening game at Kerrville Tivy Friday night as ready as it can possibly be, absent its starting quarterback, Chuck Thornally.

The Chargers got some good news last week when they learned that Thornally, who broke a bone in his hand against Del Rio, should be able to return to action in a month, after initial fears he could be lost for as much as eight weeks.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the Chargers will need to survive a three-week stretch without him that includes not only the game at Kerrville, but games against powerhouses Alamo Heights and Clemens as well.

The Chargers were fortunate in having a bye week that, in addition to giving Thornally time to heal, provided an extra week of practice to bring backup quarterback Taylor Davis up to speed. Davis started against Clemens last year when Thornally was out with a concussion, but the Tivy game will be only his second varsity start.

Champion Head Football Coach Danny Threadgill says Davis is looking sharp after two weeks of working with the first team offense.

“The first day, I thought he was a little bit shaky, but then the next day he stepped in like a pro,” Threadgill said. “He’s been good ever since then, so I think he’s settled in. We hate to see that Chuck can’t play, but we’re excited to have a great backup behind him.”

“It’s going good,” Taylor said during practice. “It’s all about rhythm really, and the reps you get with the first team. It’s helped a lot. The receivers are used to catching the ball, but they had to get used to my timing. We’re meshing together now.”

“He can’t quite throw as far as Chuck, so we’ve got to adjust our routes a little bit,” slot receiver Kody Beach said. “He doesn’t quite have the velocity of Chuck but he puts them right there every time.”

Threadgill said the coaching staff has tweaked the offense a bit to fit Davis’s strengths, but by and large little has changed except the man under center.

“He does a lot of the same things Chuck does,” Threadgill said.

“He’s not the same size as Chuck is, but other than that it’s just a few minor adjustments.”

Beyond missing Thornally’s ability and senior presence in the huddle, his absence leaves the Chargers thin at the most important position. If anything were to happen to Davis, Beach would be next in line.

“I’m learning all the plays a little better at quarterback and how everything goes back there,” Beach said. “It’s a little bit of a change but I can deal with it.”

Threadgill would prefer that all Beach’s plays under center come in practice; not because he doubts his ability, but because moving him to quarterback would rob the team of its primary receiver. That’s how quickly injuries can domino through a team.

“We just need to keep Taylor healthy and we’ll be able to keep Kody where he needs to be,” Threadgill said.