Dynamite Dozen: Monroe’s David Dillard a well-rounded quarterback

ALBANY — Monroe’s David Dillard had all sorts of offensive schemes thrown at him this summer.

One week, he was at Florida A&M’s camp. Another week, Georgia State. Another week, he was running the triple-option at Georgia Southern. Yet another week, Chattanooga.

All the styles of football those schools play might get a bit overwhelming. But for a dual-threat quarterback like Dillard, it’s just an opportunity to add dimensions to his game.

“This summer, he was going to a camp a week,” Monroe head coach Charles Truitt said. “It was an opportunity to get his name out there. We had a lot of coaches calling back saying he had a great camp. We feel good about his ability to learn from what we teach him but also go to colleges and bring back what he learned and make our high school football team a better team.”

Dillard had goals in mind. Entering his senior year, he not only wanted to gain exposure from college coaches, but he also wanted to add some depth to his game as he leads the Tornadoes into the 2018 season.

“Critique my craft, get better, learn to read coverage better and scan the field more,” Dillard said of his offseason goals.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Dillard is a 2018 Albany Herald Dynamite Dozen selection.

Last year, Dillard completed 91-of-168 passes for 1,376 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had 81 rushes for 664 yards and eight scores.

“He does what we want him to do offensively,” Truitt said. “He throws the football, but he has the ability to make things happen with his legs, also. We try not to run him too much, but teams have to be focused on him, not only his throwing, but his running ability, also.”

While Monroe went 3-7 last year, the Tornadoes had some close calls that could have given them a .500 or better record had a break or two gone the other way. Monroe lost a wild 33-32 game to Thomas County Central,fell 13-10 to Berrien, and the Tornadoes’ first-round GHSA Class 3A playoff loss to Pierce County was a seven-point contest, 28-21.

The passing game is an area where Monroe has experience returning. Za’tarious Anderson, who had 25 catches for 569 yards and three touchdowns, returns, as do senior twin brothers De’monn Ansley and Desmond Ansley.

“They have great speed,” Dillard said. “They get to the ball, and they know how to attack the ball.”

Truitt is counting on Dillard to bring some creativity to Monroe’s offense on Friday nights.

“He brings leadership and working ability,” Truitt said. “He’s the first one on the football field, takes criticism well, he makes things happen. When we put the ball in his hands, we always tell our quarterback, ‘We want you to make us look good. If the defense gives us a front and we call a play, we expect you to be able to put a better play in.’ He’s the type of kid who can do that sort of thing for us.”