Logan coach Gary Mullins learned the hard way about necessity being the mother of invention.

In his first season as Wildcats coach in 2004, Mullins endured a rash of injuries that led to a 3-7 record and a wholly unsatisfying feeling. So he decided to do something about it, assuring that his team wouldn't be caught shorthanded again.

He and his staff introduced multiple sets, teaching every offensive position to every player.

"Everybody has to learn every position,'' Mullins said, "including quarterback. I learned that my first year. We had injuries during the three-week practice period [in June] and in August, no one knew how to play some positions. I said to myself, 'Enough of that.' We're going to teach everybody every position.

"We've got to make it where it's all about numbers. Our system is based on numbers. Once they learn the number scheme, they line up and follow the rule of the numbers.''

QB or not QB

Both Capital and George Washington will break in new starting quarterbacks when they clash on Thursday at Laidley Field. Only the Cougars' new signal caller has the edge in experience.

Junior Joe Beane has thrown the ball in six different games the previous two seasons, while GW senior Taylor Norman has attempted passes in just two.

Beane has completed 18-of-34 attempts in varsity games for 219 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Norman is 0-for-2 in spot duty last season.

"He's a very talented young man with a cannon for an arm,'' GW coach Steve Edwards Jr. said of Beane, "and they always have good athletes - kids who can catch and kids who can run.''

Beane has already started one game. As a freshman, when Malik Witten sat out a one-game suspension, Beane hit on 13-of-20 passes for 162 yards and two TDs with one pick in a loss to Princeton.

"He's been on the varsity team for two years, and has a lot of experience,'' said Capital coach Jack Woolwine. "He got a lot of reps in practice as a backup quarterback and he did get some reps during games. We're comfortable with Joe; he's skilled and very coachable.''

Logan coach Gary Mullins learned the hard way about necessity being the mother of invention.

In his first season as Wildcats coach in 2004, Mullins endured a rash of injuries that led to a 3-7 record and a wholly unsatisfying feeling. So he decided to do something about it, assuring that his team wouldn't be caught shorthanded again.

He and his staff introduced multiple sets, teaching every offensive position to every player.

"Everybody has to learn every position,'' Mullins said, "including quarterback. I learned that my first year. We had injuries during the three-week practice period [in June] and in August, no one knew how to play some positions. I said to myself, 'Enough of that.' We're going to teach everybody every position.

"We've got to make it where it's all about numbers. Our system is based on numbers. Once they learn the number scheme, they line up and follow the rule of the numbers.''

QB or not QB

Both Capital and George Washington will break in new starting quarterbacks when they clash on Thursday at Laidley Field. Only the Cougars' new signal caller has the edge in experience.

Junior Joe Beane has thrown the ball in six different games the previous two seasons, while GW senior Taylor Norman has attempted passes in just two.

Beane has completed 18-of-34 attempts in varsity games for 219 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Norman is 0-for-2 in spot duty last season.

"He's a very talented young man with a cannon for an arm,'' GW coach Steve Edwards Jr. said of Beane, "and they always have good athletes - kids who can catch and kids who can run.''

Beane has already started one game. As a freshman, when Malik Witten sat out a one-game suspension, Beane hit on 13-of-20 passes for 162 yards and two TDs with one pick in a loss to Princeton.

"He's been on the varsity team for two years, and has a lot of experience,'' said Capital coach Jack Woolwine. "He got a lot of reps in practice as a backup quarterback and he did get some reps during games. We're comfortable with Joe; he's skilled and very coachable.''

Wasonga's turn

Point Pleasant is counting on speedy sophomore tailback Allen Wasonga to provide a change of pace from bruising fullback Tyler Grant, the Black Knights' leading rusher last season.

Wasonga, who ran on Point's winning 4x100-meter relay team at last spring's Class AA state track meet, won the MVP award at the Ultimate 100 football camp in New Jersey in June.

He saw limited duty last year, but did rush for 119 yards and a TD on 16 carries against Poca.

"That kid's going to do well,'' said Knights coach David Darst. "He had a little bit of success last year. He's working hard, and we're happy with what we're seeing out of him. He's very elusive and hard to get a hat on.''

Scott leans on 'D'

Scott relied on its defense to start the 2005 season, shutting out its first five opponents.

The Skyhawks might do the same thing to start this season as they attempt to fill the void left by Kennedy Award-winning tailback Jordan Roberts. Scott returns seven starters to its 4-3 defensive alignment.

"Defensively, we feel like we're a little ahead of the game for this time of the season,'' said coach Shane Griffith.

"Our guys from last year have established a pretty good chemistry with each other, affording us the opportunity to add some packages to the defense that, typically, you wouldn't do this early on.''

Reach Rick Ryan at 348-5175 or rickr...@wvgazette.com.