Keaton Flint used to be on the receiving end of long passes. Now, he’s going to be making those throws.
The senior will be Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake’s starting quarterback when the Section II Class A football season starts next weekend. Flint replaces Phillip Neumann, who guided the Spartans to their second consecutive appearance in the state finals last year.
He’s working hard, said BH-BL coach Matt Shell. `He likes the challenge, and he’s a real good athlete who likes challenges.`
It hasn’t been an easy transition for Flint, who said he’s never played quar-terback at any level of football.
`I’m still playing baseball right now,` said Flint. `My [throwing] motion has been good, but the way I grip the ball … I’m still learning.`
Taking a successful receiver like Flint and turning him into a quarterback might seem like a potential hazzard on another team, but not the Spartans. Shell said he plans on utilizing Flint’s speed as much as ` if not more than ` his arm.
`He’s got the ability to run the ball, and with him back there [at quarterback], we essentially have four backs who can run the ball,` said Shell.
If there is one thing that remains true for BH-BL’s offense, it’s that the Spartans can still run the ball. Besides Flint, BH-BL has three veteran running backs with strong rEsumEs ` Evan Nusbaum, Brandon Beatty and Willie Fisher.
`They’ve been good players for us in the past, and they’ve worked hard this summer,` said Shell.
Still, the Spartans will need someone to step up in the receiver corps to make up for the fact that Flint is now throwing the ball.
`With Keaton, we had speed on the outside last year,` said Shell. `This year, we don’t necessarily have the speed we had, but we’ve got some size at receiver.`
For his part, Flint has been working with his receivers to develop his timing.
`In a way, it’s better [being the quarterback] because I know what the receivers are going to do,` said Flint.
Besides having a new quarterback, BH-BL has to fill in the holes on its offensive and defensive lines following the graduation of seniors Zachary Morton and Johnathan Acors. Fortunately for the Spartans, there are several players ready to step up led by returning senior Jake Batty.
`We have to replace two defensive ends, which is a pretty big replacement,` said Shell. `But the good news is we have half of our line back.`
BH-BL begins its season next Friday when it travels to Lansingburgh for a non-divisional game. The Spartans’ first home game is Sept. 10 against Averill Park.“