Soltis Revving Up BC’s Offense (Daily News-Record)

Daily News-Record - By Jeremy Cothran

BRIDGEWATER — Now that Bob Colbert has his own rig in Latrobe, Pa., Bridgewater College football coach Michael Clark has tossed the keys to the Eagles’ offense to the protégé – former wide receivers coach Joey Soltis.

So far, Clark said, the engine is purring quite nicely, though he isn’t averse to giving it a tune-up.

"He’s done a good job of identifying what we’ve done well," Clark said this week. "[But] anytime you put new people in charge, there are new ideas that are introduced that might end up making the bag."

Colbert, now the head coach at St. Vincent College, developed an entertaining, high-octane attack that helped turn BC into a Division III power. Not surprisingly, Soltis plans no major changes to an offense that averaged 37.1 points and 443.1 yards per game in 2005.

For one thing, Clark probably wouldn’t let him.

"He knows I’m not going to do anything that he thinks doesn’t work," Soltis said with a laugh.

Most of the key players from last year are back, with the only notable absence at the skill positions being tailback Marcus Washington. With junior quarterback Jeff Highfill now entrenched in the starting role, Soltis wants to tailor the BC attack toward both the Roanoke native’s strengths and those of senior tailback Winston Young.

Highfill is exceptionally mobile for a D-III quarterback, and Soltis intends to take advantage of that attribute.

"We’ll do a lot more option things out of the shotgun," Soltis said, "do a bit more inside and outside … in addition to our regular power running game."

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Highfill secured the starting job late last season when incumbent Jacob Lewis hurt his right thumb during practice two days before the NCAA Division III playoff opener against Washington & Jefferson. Even after Lewis healed, Clark stuck with Highfill, who led the Eagles to two victories before a 46-7 loss to Wesley in the national quarterfinals.

This year, Highfill has been given more responsibilities.

"Now, I can make more checks from the line," Highfill said. "We’ve added some new running plays and some blocking schemes that should help us, especially against some of the bigger guys that we’ll see like the ones we saw at [Washington & Jefferson] last year."

To help familiarize himself with Soltis’ playbook this summer, Highfill made the two-hour drive from Roanoke to Greensboro, N.C., to meet his top receiver and in-season roommate, Brandon Copeland. The duo spent time focusing on the offense’s routes, using repetitions to get more comfortable with each other and learn tendencies.

Sometimes, he said, Copeland would make the drive up to Roanoke, but the mantra was always the same — improve.

Soltis was pleased to hear of the bonding sessions.

"Oh man, it’s great anytime that you have quarterbacks and receivers who are trusting each other," he said.

Soltis said he still calls Colbert for advice, but not as often as he would like because both are busy. They also email each other. The 34-year-old Soltis knows he isn’t yet a finished product. For one thing, he said, his play calling needs improving. In the past, he called plays only for BC’s junior-varsity games.

"You’ve got to develop a feel for it," Soltis said. "I’m not exactly sure how I’ll deal with it, but I know I’ll have to be even more organized."

Colbert’s famous trick plays still will be in the repertoire, and Soltis has designed some new ones that he hopes to install in the next few weeks as the Eagles become more comfortable in his system.

"We’ve already broken out a wide receiver reverse or two in practice," Soltis said.

If there’s any pressure that comes from taking over an offense that’s led Bridgewater to five straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference championships, Soltis said he isn’t feeling it.

"We’re going to still stick with the things that made us successful that I believe in and our kids believe in," Soltis said.

Clark, whose team is ranked 13th by d3football.com, sounded almost jealous of Soltis.

"I’ve coached a long time," Clark said. "Funnest thing I’ve ever did in football is call passing plays. I’ve done just about everything else. There’s nothing more fun to do during a game than call the offensive plays."