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Reggies must corral Amesbury's Flannigan

Tuesday, November, 27 By John Shimer
Staff writer

Amesbury's Jared Flannigan, is easily recognizable, playing the glorified position of quarterback and having lead his team to three straight wins.

While Flannigan did not start at quarterback to start the season, it became quite evident as the season wore on he was the guy for the 5-5 Indians, who'll challenge 10-1 Greater Lawrence Tech in the EMass Division 3A semifinals today (4 p.m.) at Arlington High's Pierce Field.

"We thought in the offseason there was the possibility he could play quarterback, especially with the history of his brother E.J. playing the position a couple of years back, but we started in the backfield to begin the season," said coach Thom Connors. "Early on, though, we decided to make a change. He split time with Dave Smith at QB before we gave Jared the nod as our guy, and obviously it has worked out quite well."

As Newburyport found on Thanksgiving, Flannigan can be quite the playmaker when the opportunity presents itself. Flushed out of the pocket, Flannigan tossed up a perfect 24-yard strike to Jesse Burrell for the Indians' only offensive score of the game.

"He's a baseball kid, so you know he has the arm, but he's also a great athlete with deceptive speed and great elusiveness," said Connors. "He's a threat every time he touches the ball, we don't just have him back there to hand off the ball.

"One of our favorite things to do is put him in play-action and give the run-pass option," Connors added. "He has been coached to either chuck it or tuck it, but make that decision fast, and he's so smart back there he normally makes the right decision."