Published: August 28, 2008 02:33 pm            

The Five Horsemen?

By Brandon Walker

assistant sports editor

Meridian High's Larry Weems has a problem that most coaches would love to have.

After all, while most high school coaches are scrambling to find athletes skilled enough to play wide receiver, Meridian's problem might just be the opposite.

The Wildcats might have too many.

With a quintet of senior wideouts — Hamp Glover, Chris Smith, Marcus McQuarley, J.J. Harbin and Dallas Hannah — Weems and all-state QB Tyler Russell have plenty of weapons at their disposal as they enter the 2008 season, even if there is only one football to go around.

"I think we have four or five guys who are a threat to score any time they have the football," Weems said of his group of wide receivers. "Yes, there's just one football, so they've got to understand that. But as far as the matchups we can create, it gets you excited as a coach."

Returning for its final season, Meridian's Fab Five is a virtual highlight reel waiting to happen — and a nightmare for opposing coaches.

And that's just fine with Russell.

"They're all so good that teams can't double team any of them," Russell said. "Most teams have one go-to receiver, but I have the benefit of having five of them. And I trust all of them to make a play."

That trust was evident last season, as Russell and his wideouts provided the fuel for Meridian's high-octane offense. En route to an 11-win season and a berth in the Class 5A South State Championship game, the Meridian offense averaged 247 yards per game through the air and topped the 30-point plateau seven times.

While there is strength in numbers with Meridian's receivers, each individual player brings his own strengths to the table, whether it's the blinding speed of Harbin and McQuarley, the toughness of Smith or the unmatched versatility of Glover.

"Our key is matchups," Weems said. "All of our receivers bring something else to the offense, it's just a matter of taking advantage of those skills."

For Glover, a do-everything senior playmaker, those skills include a knack for being one of the best players on the field no matter where he's lined up.

"Hamp Glover is probably the most versatile player I've ever coached," Weems said. "He's just a gifted football player who does a lot to help his team win football games."

Last season, Glover did a little of everything for Meridian, hauling in 43 passing for over 600 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns. He also filled in at quarterback when Russell went down to a late-season injury, tossing three touchdowns in a pair of blowout wins. Glover also served as Meridian's punter last season and is expected to see time as safety, as evidenced by his interception and 36-yard return in last Friday night's jamboree at Louisville.

Another athlete who will help out with his versatility will be Smith, who committed to play at Mississippi State in July.

A physical speedster, Smith averaged an impressive 23 yards per catch in 2007, leading the Cats with 836 yards on 36 catches.

"Chris is just a good football player," Weems said. "He's got the ability to play anywhere on the field, but when he's lined up at wideout, people have to respect him.He's one of those guys that can definitely help us out in the defensive backfield, as well."

Another Wildcat with speed to spare is McQuarley, Meridian's 5-10, 150-pound lightning bolt on the outside. McQuarley led the Wildcats in catches and showed flashes of brilliance last year, including a four-touchdown performance in the Wildcats' opener against Northeast Lauderdale.

The new face in Meridian's arsenal will be Harbin, a transfer from the Atlanta area. After arriving in Meridian over the summer and taking part in 7-on-7 camps with the Wildcats, Harbin has quickly established himself as a dependable option in the Wildcats' offense. In last week's jamboree, Harbin hauled in three passes for 56 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown.

"J.J.'s a competitor, that's something you notice about him right off the bat," Weems added. "He's got good wheels and he has a chance to be good on either side of the ball."

Hannah could turn out to be Meridian's wild card at receiver after an injury-plagued junior campaign. Despite missing time due to an early-season injury, Hannah rebounded late in the year, amassing 185 yards on 15 catches with a touchdown.

Blessed with a talented senior class, Weems believes that Meridian's WR depth goes even further, as a bevy of talented contributors could challenge for playing time.

"We've got some other players who can play out there," Weems said. "Guys like Shaun McQuarley, Jamiee Clayton, Rustavio Williams....Those guys are players. We have a number of guys who can help us out"

That's just fine with Russell.

"We have so many guys out there that it's hard to cover," Russell said. "Those guys are hard to defend, but it makes it fun to be a quarterback."

It should be fun to watch, too.

        

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