Versatility may help Devils develop

~ Hendrix moves into quarterback role as Chaffee tries to build on 3-7 season.

Chaffee senior Andrew Hendrix certainly understands the meaning of the word versatility.

Hendrix started out as a tight end his sophomore year, and moved to fullback halfway through the season. Then during his junior year, he became a running back, carrying the ball 87 times for close to 485 yards.

Now, in his senior year, he is taking on his newest role as quarterback of the Red Devils, who lost Michael Lee to graduation. Last season's junior varsity starter, Aaron Horrell, had elbow surgery during the offseason.

"He's a real good athlete -- one of the best athletes we've got on the team," Chaffee coach Charlie Vickery said. "He throws the ball well and he's smart. I'm real pleased with his progress.

"We are going to ask him to do quite a bit for us. We worked all summer and we went some 7-on-7s, and I think he's getting better every time he goes out."

Hendrix said he is excited about his new role with the Red Devils, who ran a wishbone formation last year.

"I had to work real hard because I really didn't know how to do it," he said. "I had to learn everything real fast."

Although Hendrix has much more experience running the ball, he is ready to throw as well.

Horrell, a junior, has recovered from surgery and also could see some playing time this season. The surgery was to repair the bone in his right elbow, which never grew correctly. Doctors repaired it using two screws.

He started throwing short passes four weeks ago. A couple weeks ago, however, he injured his thumb, which again set him back.

"Our quarterback this year is really good, but if he goes down I'll be ready to step in if it's up to me," Horrell said. "The thing I think [Hendrix] does best is that he's a monster with the ball and if he takes off running, he's going to be tough to tackle. We run the ball little bit as quarterbacks, and he's pretty good."

Because Horrell had not been practicing regularly, Vickery is calling upon some other members of his football team to show their versatility. Running back Jerrod Steger and wide receiver Trenton Horman both took some snaps in the jamboree last Friday. Vickery has named Steger as Hendrix's backup for the opener.

Hendrix will have a number of receivers to connect with, including Horman, Colin Dannenmueller and Colin Dame. Steger could get some playing time at wide receiver while also receiving some carries.

Tight ends Adam Horton and Russell Gardner will be two other viable options for Hendrix.

Dylan McAlister, who played some running back toward the end of last season, could get the majority of the handoffs. Steven Atkinson, Chris Thomas, Steger, Hunter Thomason and Dannenmueller will all see some time in the backfield.

"We're pretty deep for us in the backfield," Vickery said. "At a small school like this you'd normally have one, maybe two, running backs. We've got some depth for a change."

The offensive line will be anchored by Walker Rice and Jo Jo Myers. Both are two-way starters.

Chaffee will play its first game of season at home Friday at 7 p.m. against Grandview.

Hendrix is ready to take some real snaps.

"This is the first year I've got to really do it," Hendrix said. "It feels pretty good. It will be great to do it."