@MarshalsSports @quinn_smith3 (Quinn Smith) learning to @throwitdeep this offseason…

Like we said just yesterday, KPGFootball has sources spanning the entire breadth of the commonwealth of Kentucky. We talk to these sources daily, with the KHSAA in a coronavirus-imposed “Dead Period,” we talk to them even more frequently than usual.

We get a call from one of our scouts yesterday raving about Marshall County’s young QB, Quinn Smith. Smith, a 2022-prospect, we were told, has been working in Chicago with the prestigious, “Throw It Deep” Training Academy.

For those who don’t know, “Throw it Deep” is the brain child of Jeff Christianson. If the name sounds familiar, you may have a little age on you, but it probably should.

Jeff Christianson played collegiately at Eastern Illinois University and in 1983 was drafted in the 5th round by the Cincinnati Bengals. Back in 1983, Eastern Illinois, and teams of its same ilk, were called Division I-AA, as opposed to Division-I, FCS, like they are called today. Getting drafted in the early 80s out of I-AA means you were a “hoss-cat” at your level of play. Here endeth the lesson.

Christianson works with his charges on Sundays and his workouts are referred to, by most within the organization as “The Talk.” He teaches his players about leadership, teamwork, discipline, integrity, and respect displayed on and off the field of play. All of these characteristics are prized by coaches from their QB-position especially.

No less than Tom Lemming, the nation’s top recruiting analyst in this publication’s humble and somewhat informed opinion, has called Christianson, “…one of the finest Quarterback instructors in the Country. Personally, I (Tom Lemming) believe he should be an NFL Quarterback Coach, he’s that good.” That is very high praise.

Now that we have sold you on “Throw it Deep” Training Academy (you’re welcome Jeff), let us sell you on this…Quinn Smith working with this outfit will pay immediate dividends for the Marshals’ football fortunes this coming Fall. Smith, according to our Western-Kentucky scout is “…looking good.” This isn’t just rumor as our scout reinforced the basis of his information as being, “I have seen the film with my own eyes.”

Smith had a little bit of a rough go at it in 2019. Of course, playing on a Class 6A, first-district team which finished 2-9; it could be argued the entire team had a rough go of it.

The Marshals two wins were a 37-6 victory over Class 2A’s worst team, Kentucky-wide, in Ballarad Memorial and a narrow victory over Class 4A, District 1-lightweight, Calloway County (perennial 4th place district finish) 20-14. Class 2A Murray High School beat the Marshals 58-7. Wow!

Fall 2020 promises to be a different year for Quinn Smith and the rest of his charges. The QB with pedestrian 2019-numbers (39 completions, 110-attempts, 567-passing yards for 5TDs with 8 interceptions; 101-rushing attempts, 283-yards with 3-TDs) has committed himself to putting his nose to the grindstone and coming back for his junior year a completely different player, on a completely different Marshals’ team.

How much difference will Christianson make with his W.Ky. protégé? How much better will Marshall County be with a new coaching staff? We believe the metamorphosis will be truly remarkable. We aren’t just “Whistling Dixie” either.

The program has plenty of support, outstanding facilities, and plenty of athletes roaming its hallways. Players like Quinn Smith buying in and taking responsibility for his own development, like he obviously has, means the Smith who aligns under center is 2020 will probably not even resemble the 2019-version.

If you’re looking for a team which struggled in 2019 that appears destined to make a big up-swing in 2020…look no further than the Marshals. There’s a hot-tip for you from the publication which knows KHSAA football better than any other. You can take that to the bank, friend.

This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!

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About Henry Lyon 1210 Articles
Have coached at the high school and middle school level. Have worked in athletic administration. Conceal my identity to enable my candor on articles published by this magazine. Only members of the editorial board are aware of my true identity.

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