By Justin Graves

justin@athensnews-courier.com

TANNER – Last year the focal point of Tanner’s offense was its running game that was built around the Rattlers’ three senior running backs. This year Tanner’s strongest point on offense could be its passing game, led by multi-talented senior quarterback Demarcus King.

The former receiver was converted to quarterback last year, and now has a whole season of experience under his belt. With a talented group of receivers to get the ball to this year, Tanner’s offense has the potential to be very potent.

King has been selected the No. 6 player on The News Courier’s list of Limestone Super Seniors.

“Demarcus (King) got more comfortable running the spread as the season went along last year,” Tanner coach LaRon White said. “He did a good job making plays for us last year, but with a whole year of experience under his belt we are expecting even more out of him.”

King knows that more is expected out of him this year, but the pressure doesn’t concern him.

“I like taking on big challenges,” he said. “I think I perform better when there is more pressure. That’s what I thrive on.

“Our running backs helped take up some of the load last year, but they are gone now. We have good players graduate from here every year, and every year the expectations are always the same. That’s what it’s all about.”

One thing that’s going to help the senior quarterback perform at a high level this year is the Rattlers’ talented group of receivers led by senior Rod Byrd. King and Byrd have been playing sports together since elementary school, and they have always been successful. The Tanner duo are considered two of the best basketball players in North Alabama, and King believes the chemistry they have built over the years will make them a dangerous combination.

“The relationship me and Rod (Byrd) have is strong,” King said.

“It helps you as a quarterback when you know the guys you are getting the ball to as good as we know each other. We know what each other are capable of, and it really helps your confidence.

Tanner’s talented receivers aren’t the only part of the Rattlers’ offense that boosts Kings confidence. This year Tanner features a talented group of young offensive linemen that should make life in the pocket easier on the senior quarterback.

“We have some good teams in our region, and almost all of them are physical, power teams,” King said. “I think the guys we have up front can match up with anybody on our schedule.”

King likes the recent success that Tanner has found over the past few seasons, and he wants to continue building on that success this year.

“Last year we made it to the third round of the playoffs,” he said. “We want to better that this year, and I think we have the team to do it.

“We are going to take it one week at a time, and try to better what we did last year.”

Wednesday The News Courier will feature its No. five player on the list of Limestone Super Seniors.