Patriots season preview

Every high school football coach has those butterflies in his stomach on Friday night as he arrives at the stadium. Has he prepared enough? Will his kids remember what they’ve talked about all week? 

Homewood coach Ben Berguson will have fewer butterflies and a little less churning in the gut when he walks out on the field, because Berguson has one luxury most coaches don’t have: a three-year starter at quarterback in Carson Griffis.

“On any given Friday night, in the end, you’re only as good as your quarterback play,” Berguson said. “That’s the case at any level of football, NFL to little league. I’m very excited about the season knowing we’ve got him at the helm.”

Griffis led the Patriots to a 9-3 record last season, carrying the team to a Class 6A, Region 5 championship and a playoff spot. The Pats made it to the second round before falling to Gardendale on a cold, miserable, rainy night.

The Patriots were more like the Minutemen last season — as in winning games in the final minute. Griffis’ leadership played a big role in that.

“We got four or five comeback wins in the last two minutes. Very seldom do you have a three-year starter at quarterback. He just makes great decisions,” Berguson said. 

“The most special thing about Carson is he’s very dangerous outside the pocket. With his 4.5 speed he can beat you with his feet. Carson’s most memorable highlight from last season was rushing for 280 yards in a comeback win versus Pelham.

“He has led our team brilliantly to an 18-6 record the last two years. A lot of people don’t know this, but we’ve won 21 straight region games.”

Griffis went 122-of-201 passing (61 percent) for 1,407 yards and 10 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He added 480 yards rushing and three scores.

For his career, he’s thrown for 2,794 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes and added 969 yards rushing.

“Carson’s throwing the ball much better than he has in the past,” Berguson said. “It’s been obvious this spring and summer. A year or two ago you might say he can only beat you with his wheels, but he’s really throwing the ball well right now.

“He will give a lot of defensive coordinators problems being a dual-threat QB.”