Possibly two of the most important playmakers for the Rattlers return, though, bringing back some much-needed continuity. Starting quarterback David Talley enters his junior season after starting 14 games for Matthews as a sophomore, where he went 67 for 142 for 923 yards and five scores along with four interceptions. Those numbers don’t necessarily jump off the charts, and a year ago his teammates didn’t need him to.
The Rattlers ran the ball more than 75 percent of the time, and Talley played a major part as the catalyst that ran Rancho Mirage’s triple-option threat in the backfield, running 125 times himself for 547 yards and nine touchdowns. This year, without rugged running back Kyle Whitefield to carry the load, Matthews said he plans to use Talley more in the passing game, in part due to his improved accuracy and elevated confidence he’s shown this offseason.
In Whitefield’s place, senior star athlete Marques Prior will take over the primary rushing duties, where he already amassed 961 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 111 carries a year ago. Even more so than in 2016, the offense will revolve around Prior’s plethora of skills running and catching the ball, evading defenders in the open field and even throwing occasionally.
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