It's only fitting the Lake Norman Wildcats football team implemented a new formation this season. The Wildcat.
It's also fitting that senior Jaquez Vanderburg is the one running it to perfection.
The dynamic senior spent his first three years playing all over the field, wherever he was needed. Adding temporary quarterback to his resume only solidified his reputation as a do-everything threat that is tough, if not impossible, to contain.
"He brings a spark to the offense," Lake Norman coach Scott Sherrill said. "If we need a big play or just a different look, that's where he comes in. He's played receiver for us here, but we're not really deep at halfback either, so he'll give James (Cloud) a spell too in that regard.
"He's just electric."
The Wildcat gained notoriety when major college football teams, most notably Arkansas, began lining up their most dangerous player at quarterback. Sometimes there is a running back in the backfield, and there is always motion from a slot receiver who gets to the quarterback just as the ball is snapped.
The Miami Dolphins implemented it in the NFL, and that had a kind of trickle-down effect. Several high school teams run the formation at least a few snaps a game, although maybe none as effectively as the Wildcats.
"We ran it against Statesville for the first time (in Week 3), and it worked," Vanderburg said. "We kept it in the playbook and kept running it. It's something that I enjoy doing."
With Cloud (over 1,100 rushing yards) and Vanderburg lined up next to each other, defenses are often left flummoxed as to what's coming next.
And just try crowding the line of scrimmage.
"Oh yeah, I can throw it if I need to," Vanderburg said with a chuckle. "Probably a good 50 yards."
Vanderburg is a major threat even when he doesn't touch the ball.
His listed position is receiver, and Lake Norman lines him up outside and in the slot.
Receivers go in motion quite often in the Wildcats offense, and Vanderburg often takes a lot of the defense with him.
"We put him in motion one game, and the team we were playing pulled three defenders," Sherrill said. "When we ran other guys in motion, it didn't have the same effect. He understands his role fully. He runs great fakes, and it really opens up the rest of the offense."
Lake Norman will rely on its entire offensive complement tonight. The Wildcats (8-3) will hit the road to play at West Forsyth in the first round of the 4AA N.C. High School Athletic Association state playoffs.
The Wildcats are seeded ninth while West Forsyth (9-2) is eighth – clearly, these are two evenly matched teams.
"It's a big game for us," Vanderburg said. "We're looking forward to breaking another record and taking it to the second round. If we do that, we'll be the first team in Lake Norman history to do that. From my knowledge, it's a pretty even matchup, but we I feel like this is a team we can beat."
If a victory is in the cards for Lake Norman, the Wildcats will likely face the biggest game in school history in the second round.
The Wildcats – who scream "Believe!" when they break the huddle at practice – would likely get matched up with state power and nationally ranked Butler (11-0) in the second round.
"Honestly, I think if we really put our minds to it, we can take it all the states," Vanderburg said. " I mean, if we win this week, we'll probably come up against Butler. But if we have a good, strong week of practice, and play to perfection, we can beat that team. I know it. We've got people on this team who never quit."
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