Chicks counting on all-stater McKillion

Blytheville head coach Maurice Moody would love to have all-state receiver Greg McKillion on the field every offensive, defensive and special teams play.

Physically, it might be asking a bit much to play every snap of a 48-minute game.

But the 6-foot-5, Division I prospect will likely make his fair share of plays on all three areas this year, lining up at split end, playing in the secondary and returning kicks.

"Because he exerts so much energy on offense, we have to keep him fresh," Moody said. "I don't know if we're going to start him a whole lot on defense, but he's definitely going to play, especially against those spread teams. He's too valuable to be sitting on the sidelines beside me."

Moody anticipates a big year for his big senior, who he believes has a bright future.

"He's getting a lot of attention from colleges -- the University of Arkansas, Ole Miss, Arkansas State," Moody said. "If we can take care of things in the classroom and that part, Greg is going to be big-time one day. I'm excited to have him. I know this is my last year with him and I hate to lose him, but I'm excited to have him."

The second-year Chickasaw coach projects McKillion to flirt with 1,000 yards receiving, despite Blytheville having an unproven quarterback.

"I'm expecting a great year from him," Moody said. "I'm expecting him to do all the intangibles, all the small things -- blocking, run great routes. He's going to be the leader of that receiving corps by his actions."

Blytheville lost all-state quarterback Patrick Smith, who moved to Memphis.

Moody had anticipated Smith and McKillion combining to put up a lot of points this year.

"If Pat was here, I would tell you that McKillion would go for over 1,000 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns," he said. "But with an unproven quarterback, I really don't know what's going to happen when these lights come on and that butter starts coming off that popcorn. But I'm looking for him to have a great year. I'm going to have to do some things, put him in some different positions, to get him the football a little quicker. I have to have a lot of set-up routes, I'm going to have to have a lot of double moves. When teams start to see that we don't have a proven quarterback -- yet -- they may start playing him differently."

Yet may be the key word as Langston Jenkins and Demarko Clark split time behind center.

Both have taken a lot of reps this summer, according to Moody.

"Langston and Marko do a fabulous job running the offense," Moody said.

Moody plans to throw the deep ball and take advantage when teams give up the underneath throws.

He said executing screens, hitches and short outs will be a key to the Chicks' success on offense, which will include spread sets as well as Moody's staple single-wing.

And of course the key piece in the passing game will be McKillion.

"I'm excited about having him," Moody said. "Langston ought to be excited because Greg is going to open the field up for him. Spreading the ball out with Greg on one side and good receivers around him and a running quarterback. If I was a quarterback, I would be chomping at the bit because I know we're going to spread it out, I'm going to have all types of running lanes. When I get ready to pass it, he's going to be wide open on anything quick."

Along with having track speed, McKillion runs good routes, Moody said.

"Greg can go under and get it," he added. "You're talking about 6-5 and I don't know what he runs in the 40. I guarantee he runs a 4.4 in the 40. He's going to go get it."

Moody said the foot stress fracture that has plagued McKillion in the spring and summer shouldn't slow him down this fall.

"The good thing about his injury this summer, he's been sitting his tail down," Moody said, noting McKillion is usually playing AAU basketball or working out during the summer break. "It's the first time in his life he's ever had to sit down for an entire summer."

Moody isn't worried about his star receiver being in shape.

"He can get in shape; that's not a problem," the coach said. "I want him to rest his body. He ought to be able to be 10 times faster this year than he was last year."

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com