Albany State to determine quarterback one in Saturday’s scrimmage

ALBANY — Coach David Bowser has six quarterbacks on his Albany State roster.

Only one can be the day-one starter.

Four received significant playing time in the Golden Rams’ first preseason scrimmage Saturday, and Bowser said Monday that two have begun separating themselves from the competition.

Who are they?

Bowser isn’t saying just yet. He wants the players to hear it from him first.

“The difference is those two showed more composure and made the right calls to put us in a better position to be successful,” Bowser said.

The competition moves another step closer to a conclusion Saturday night when Albany State holds its second preseason scrimmage at 7 p.m. at the Albany State Coliseum.

This one will be more game-like than the first.

And by the time it’s over, Bowser could be considerably closer to deciding who takes the first snap when the Golden Rams open the season Aug. 29 at Florida A&M.

That first assignment comes with a familiar face waiting on the other sideline.

Quinn Gray, the former Albany State head coach, is now leading the Rattlers. Bowser’s first game as head coach of the Golden Rams will come against the man he replaced.

And Bowser knows what Gray can do with an offense.

“Coach Quinn Gray is an offensive-minded genius,” Bowser said.

The best way to deal with an offense like that?

Don’t give it the football any more than necessary.

“We can’t give them any extra possessions because we turn the ball over,” Bowser said. “We’ve got to be able to manage the clock and keep them off the field as much as possible … and we can’t turn the ball over.”

That’s one reason Bowser’s quarterback decision involves more than finding the player capable of making the spectacular throw.

Composure matters.

Making the right call matters.

Protecting the football matters.

Those were among the qualities that allowed two quarterbacks to move ahead of the pack in the first scrimmage.

While the quarterback competition remains unsettled, Bowser came away from Saturday feeling considerably better about his defense.

For now, that side of the football appears to be ahead.

“The defense did an outstanding job,” Bowser said. “The defensive front has really improved. I was really pleased with the interior line play.”

Preseason All-American Derrick Drayton of College Park and De’Avery Weeks of Jacksonville have helped lead that group, along with two transfers who have made an impression during camp.

Bowser also singled out Cameron Watts of Tyrone for his work in the secondary.

“Cameron Watts from Tyrone was excellent in the defensive backfield,” Bowser said.

There has been plenty of Southwest Georgia representation among Albany State’s camp standouts as well.

Early County’s Jimmyan Jones, former Dougherty standout Chancie Brown, Westover graduates Jordan Lassiter and Tanner Turner and Thomasville’s Nigel Pittman have all caught Bowser’s attention.

Saturday gives them another chance to do it.

Bowser plans to make the second scrimmage resemble an actual game more closely, with special teams among the areas receiving extra attention after issues surfaced in the first scrimmage.

Then the Golden Rams will begin turning more of their attention toward Tallahassee.

Bowser’s message to his defense for FAMU is straightforward.

“We’ve got to go down there and get hats to the ball and put ourselves in position to make the plays,” he said.

Offensively, the message may be even simpler.

Don’t give the ball away.

First, Albany State needs to determine who will be responsible for taking care of it.

Saturday’s scrimmage is free and open to the public, with fans invited to “Meet the Rams” afterward. The award-winning Albany State Show Band will be on hand, and the school’s volleyball and women’s cross country teams will also be introduced.

Supporters can also donate snacks, water and other supplies for the football program. Donations may be dropped off at Lovett Hall.

There will be plenty happening at the Coliseum Saturday night.

But the biggest question of Albany State’s preseason may be getting closer to an answer.

Six quarterbacks entered the competition.

Two have separated themselves.

Soon, Bowser needs one.