Jets looking for quarterback

Coach Wade Waldrop led James Clemens to a 10-2 record and a trip to the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs in 2015, his third season with the upstart program. CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

MADISON – James Clemens entered spring football practice with Division I prospects on defense such as linebackers Monty Rice and John Jenkins, end LaBryan Ray and safety Kyriq McDonald.

The cupboard on offense isn’t exactly bare either with rising junior Devon Atkinson and senior Brody Collier among those returning.

What the Jets don’t have, however, is graduated quarterback Heath Burchfield. He started every James Clemens game from its first season in 2012 until he broke a finger and missed the last four games of 2015.

In his absence, Joseph Arias started as the Class 7A Jets finished with a 10-2 record. He’s a rising senior battling two others for the starting position.

“Quarterback is a big question mark for us,’’ James Clemens coach Wade Waldrop said. “We opened up the competition. It’s pretty even. They’ve all got things they do well and all have things they need to get better at.’’

Waldrop said the Jets made it a priority to be physical this spring and have had three full contact practices among six so far.

“Our goal coming in was to be physical and get after each other as much as possible,’’ he said.

The Jets are slated to take on Benjamin Russell on Friday at Jacksonville State in the Gridiron Challenge. The second-year event has been expanded to three days at Burgess-Snow Field and the Jets-Wildcats clash is a highlight among 12 games.

The backups and reserves will play two quarters, followed by two more with first-teamers.