- November 25, 2024
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Seabreeze quarterback Isaiah Shirley throws a pass downfield. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Orion Mountain and Isaiah Shirley celebrate after a touchdown. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze coach Troy Coke talks to his team after the 7-on-7 camp. Photo by Ray Boone
Receiver Harold McKay makes a one-handed grab in the end zone. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' De'Shaun Hugee defends a Trinity Christian receiver. Photo by Ray Boone
Receiver Orion Mountain tries to escape a defender. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze receiver R.J. Mack makes a leaping catch over a Trinity Christian defender. Photo by Ray Boone
The Sandcrabs' Orion Mountain tries to run past a defender toward the end zone. Photo by Ray Boone
Photo by Ray Boone
In one of the last games in Seabreeze’s 7-on-7 tournament against Halifax Academy and Trinity Christian on Wednesday, June 27, rising sophomore quarterback Isaiah Shirley launched a 35-yard pass into the right corner of the end zone at Seabreeze High School's practice field. The ball had distance and touch.
Seabreeze receiver Harold McKay came down with the reception for the touchdown.
Shirley has played football since the sixth grade. Never once did he play quarterback — until this summer.
Before Sandcrabs coach Troy Coke pulled Shirley aside in the spring to ask Shirley if he wanted to play quarterback, Shirley had only ever played wide receiver. As a receiver, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Sandcrabs’ junior varsity team his freshman year.
The transition to quarterback has been difficult, but there are some skills that cross over.
“Seeing the field has definitely helped because that’s something you always do as a wide receiver” Shirley said. “You also understand how routes work and things like that.”
In a mini tournament that kicked off at 9 a.m., Shirley threw eight touchdown passes throughout the day to just one interception.
He threw three interceptions in his first practice at quarterback earlier this summer.
“I’ve put in a lot of work, and I think I’m getting there,” Shirley said. “I’m not good enough yet, but I’m getting there.”
In addition to Shirley’s improvement, Coke said the rest of the team competed much better than in pervious weeks, especially defensively. Just over a week ago, Coke said the defensive backs had a hard time forcing interceptions. They recorded two interceptions on Wednesday.
“We rotated a lot of guys and got a lot of guys some experience, and that’s what we’re trying to do this time of year,” he said. “I was pleased with the way we played.”
After two hours of scrimmaging, the Sandcrabs handled Trinity Christian 21-7 but lost to Halifax 7-0.
“That last game, we had a couple drops that got away from us. You can’t miss those opportunities in a short game like that. You’ve got to get better at making the plays that come to us,” Coke said. “But overall, I was pleased with the way we played.”
It was Seabreeze’s last 7-on-7 until the end of July.
