Keeping the ball out of Gage Brumfield’s hands has been a hard-to-achieve goal of opposing defenses for the past two seasons.
In 2023, it will become downright impossible.
After two years lining up out wide — and earning back-to-back all-EvCo honors in the process — Brumfield is set to shift to quarterback for the Bearcats this season, taking over for the graduated Gavin Fugate.
“Gage played quarterback in his younger years, but having a guy who was a couple years older already here (moved him) to a different position,” WFW coach Dan Hill said. “It’s been part of the plan. He knew that he would be switched over to quarterback.”
With the planned switch in mind, Brumfield served as the Bearcats’ back-up from his first day on campus, and got a hefty dose of experience during the 2021 postseason, when Fugate’s season ended early due to injury. Taking over in the crossover week, Hill and the coaching staff kept Brumfield’s plate light, letting the run game carry the day in a 21-7 win over Mark Morris. The freshman finished 5 of 7 through the air for just 28 yards, while mostly being used as a rusher.
That proved to be enough of an orientation in the coaching staffs’ eyes. The next week in the first round of the state tournament, the Bearcats let Brumfield loose, and he went 18 for 30 for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
“He’s had some experience and he’s done really well,” Hill said. “So we’re looking forward to what he’s going to give us, and his leadership role on this team moving forward.”
With the only non-senior in last year’s wideout corps now moving to quarterback, there’s going to be a new cast to catch the passes Brumfield tosses around. Hill pointed out Ross Kelley — who started on defense last year in the secondary — Beau Guyette, Grady Westlund, and Anthony Isenhower as seeing time early, with tailback Tucker Land also set to take on greater responsibilities in the passing game.
“All of those guys have been chomping at the bit to go out and do it,” Hill said. “They’ve been working really hard in the offseason and studying stuff.. They’re ready to go.”
There’s also, ironically enough, Brumfield to think about.
During their jamboree at Kelso last Saturday, the Bearcats showed a second package, with Brumfield going back out to wide receiver and Carson White — who started under center for the WFW JV team last year — in at quarterback. Unsurprisingly, the two-time all-EvCo receiver was White’s top target, and they linked up for a 22-yard touchdown on the final play of the evening, giving opposing coordinators one more wrinkle to think about.
“Those two boys will do just fine back there for us,” Hill said.
