HUMBOLDT — Want to slow down Humboldt High’s increasingly potent passing game? SUCCESS IN the state playoffs will be the Cubs’ ultimate barometer, the players said, but the postseason has barely registered on the team’s radar.
There’s one option that may be gaining favor among opposing defensive coordinators: just invent a weather machine that ensures a rainstorm at kickoff.
It’s hardly a coincidence that two of Humboldt’s least productive passing nights in 2012 have taken place during driving rainstorms.
Week 1 kicked off the season as the remnants of Hurricane Isaac swept through eastern Kansas.
Another storm two weeks later left players standing in ankle deep water while Humboldt struggled at Neodesha.
But since then, clear skies have meant much smoother sailing — and more victories — for the Cubs.
Now, Humboldt prepares to wrap up the regular season Thursday at Burlington with a Class 3A, District 6 title on the line.
The Cubs (6-2 overall and 2-0 in district play) are assured a playoff berth regardless of Thursday’s results.
That matters nothing to Humboldt head coach K.B. Criss, senior quarterback Nathan Whitcomb and a talented group of speedy receivers who have helped rewrite the Humboldt record books.
“We’re not interested in just getting to the playoffs,” Criss said.
EVEN WITH the noteworthy weather games, Humboldt’s aerial fireworks have kept stat-keepers busy.
Whitcomb, who has thrown for 1, 594 yards — even with the two nagging “weather games” — has been spreading the wealth to a talented corps of receivers.
Leading the charge is senior wideout Tanner McNutt, whose 21 catches, 550 receiving yards and nine touchdowns are team highs.
On the other side is senior Blake Crawford, who has delivered 19 receptions, 319 yards and a pair of scores.
Noah Thornbrugh — a a 6-foot, 6-inch senior — has become a valuable red zone target, good for five touchdowns on 13 catches and 244 yards.
Trey Johnson, yet another receiver, has three receiving touchdowns on 13 catches and 264 yards.
THE GENESIS for the 2012 edition for the Humboldt Cubs took shape during a team retreat to Steamboat Springs, Colo., in June, where 7-on-7 drills were a daily routine.
Humboldt’s players routinely moved the ball with ease as Whitcomb peppered various receivers with on-target passes.
“That’s when we figured out we were onto something,” Thornbrugh said.
With four or five receivers to pick from on practically every play — no-back sets with receivers spread wide of the line of scrimmage are commonplace with the 2012 Cubs — communication and teamwork are vital, Criss said.
“We usually spend about 30 minutes at the start of each practice dedicated to passing plays,” Criss said.
Luckily for Whitcomb — it may seem — each of the receivers is eager to “remind” him of which plays are called.
“It’s more just to point out our routes,” junior Alex Murrow said, “so he knows we’ll be open.”
“Nathan gets an earful between plays, usually from the receivers as much as the coaches,” Criss added. “I call Tanner, Blake and Noah our ‘7-11’ receivers because they’re always open” — at least in their minds.”
Whitcomb remains diplomatic on which receiver is targeted. “It all depends on the pre-snap read.”
The open receiver, Whitcomb said, will get the ball, from his lightning-quick release.
Thornbrugh, meanwhile, understands while a single receiver could rack up big yards on any given week, it’s the threat of having multiple targets that makes Humboldt’s offense click.
“”They might be able to cover one of us,” Thornbrugh said, “but they can’t cover all five.”
PERHAPS MOST noteworthy of the team’s offensive prowess is that Whitcomb has re-written Humboldt’s school record book in only his second year of organized football. Up until last year, his sole focus had been the baseball diamond.
“Nathan has a very good arm, but he’s improved most with his understanding of the game,” Criss said. “He’s highly competitive, but a lot of his competition is with himself. He wants to do well.”
A secondary focus on football up to now is a common thread with other key players.
McNutt, the team’s fastest player, is a state 800-meter champion in track and field.
Thornbrugh, at 6-6, is capable of reaching above defenders to pull down acrobatic catches — much like he’s done in years past fighting for rebounds on the basketball court.
THE SECONDARY receivers likely would be the primary threats on other teams. Crawford lacks the raw speed of McNutt and Thornbrugh “but he has great hands,” Criss said. “He’s a tremendous possession receiver who’s not afraid to go over the middle. He would be our tight end if we weren’t running the spread.
“Trey Johnson is another valuable receiver who can make things happen,” he said.
Jacob Carpenter, the team’s starting running back, has rushed for eight touchdowns while providing Whitcomb a reliable check-off target if down-field receivers are covered.
“Our passing game has really opened up our running game,” Criss said. “Jacob has allowed us to take advantage when defenses key on stopping the pass.”
Hunter and Alex Murrow have proven useful as well, by forcing teams to cover them with defensive secondary players and leaving other receivers with one-on-one coverage.
“They’re not the fastest receivers, but they’re great at creating space and getting open,” Criss said.
While competitive, the receivers also are unselfish when it comes to team success.
“Anybody can be the key player on any play,” Thornbrugh said, making it tougher for defenses.
“The players understand ‘T-E-A-M’ is more important than ‘S-T-A-T-S’” Criss said.
And none of the aerial fireworks would be possible without the steadily improving offensive line.
“It takes a different technique to pass block as opposed to run blocking,” Criss said. “Our linemen have really picked it up, even with some injuries. We’ve had other guys step up, and we haven’t missed a beat.”
First, Humboldt must deal with a feisty Burlington squad, which is riding a two-game winning streak.
“Burlington has some athletes — they always do,” Criss said. “It’s gonna be a tough game.”
Aerial fireworks commonplace for high-powered Cubs
