The Road to Salem: The Decision that Changed the Season

The Road to Salem: The Decision that Changed the Season

As the Titans prepare to face the Salem Spartans tomorrow in the state semifinal, their journey to this point can be traced back to the decision to name Vashon McCants the quarterback.It is clear that the change made on September 16, 2016, during the game against Woodgrove, is what lead to greatest season in Titan history. Since that game, with McCants as the starting QB, Dominion is 8-0 and averaging 36.5 points per game.

As the quarterback, what responsibilities do you feel in carrying your team to victory?

McCants: I feel as if I have to lead my team in the right direction so we can become more successful and fight win, and I definitely feel as if it is my responsibility to always keep the team motivated and unified.

Did you think you were going to become the quarterback? Why?

McCants: No, because they told me I could never play as the quarterback which would then mess up my recruiting opportunities.

How did the coaches prepare you to make the switch to the quarterback?

McCants: I had an awesome quarterback coach, Coach Troth, also known as the quarterback whisperer. Sometimes I believe he has more faith in me than I have in myself. He keeps pushing me to be successful as the position seems to come natural to me.

Describe how they told you about the switch.

McCants: The switch happened suddenly, because it happened during a game. The next possession, they told me I was going in as the quarterback. There is no saying no, so I went in and did what I know how to do: play football.

Is there a lot of pressure that comes with being the quarterback?

McCants: I have the pressure of pleasing everyone; it’s the biggest stress. The fact that everybody wants to consider me as some kind of “superstar” is really stressful because I really don’t feel like I’m any better than anyone else. I try to keep the team on my back, and try to make sure everyone is happy, and making sure that not only the school, but now the whole community is behind me which is really nerve racking.

Who would you say is your biggest supporter on your journey to success?

McCants: Coach Buck, I love him so much, he’s the man. He’s a huge supporter. Coach Troth, I really do feel as if he sees more in me than I see in myself. The expectations he has in me are unbelievable. The team: family, so supportive. I like to say that me and the offensive line are married, we work together all the time: I have 5 wives. Most of all, my mom: huge supporter. We have had our rough times but she’s stuck by me for so long.

Is there anything else I should know?

McCants: I just want to say that I am not a super star: my team makes me look good. That’s it. It’s the team.

 As the coach, what made you want to choose Vashon as the quarterback?

Coach Buckwalter: Sitting down with the other coaches, we just thought that a change was good for the team and we wanted to move the offense, so basically, making Vashon the quarterback was simply a change in pace.

What are the responsibilities that you expect out of him and the team?

Coach Buckwalter: The same as any team: team above self and working together.

What are the main traits that you saw in Vashon that led you to choose him as the quarterback?

Coach Buckwalter: Definitely his capability to keep a play alive; he is always on his feet ready to make whatever move seems necessary.

Describe the thought process that went into the change in position for Vashon:

Coach Buckwalter: Coach Troth was evaluating the position so after we sat down, we realized that we just wanted a change in pace and he was what came out of it.