By Kevin Connelly

kconnelly@vindy.com

LIBERTY

With the departure of dual-threat quarterback Asim Pleas, Liberty was looking at a major hole that needed to be filled behind center.

Second-year head coach Kevin Cylar didn’t feel entirely comfortable with his quarterback options, so he decided to turn to Lynn Bowden — last year’s breakout running back — as a solution. Bowden, who ran for 1,427 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman, will switch positions to help the team.

“When they told me I was happy, but it’s bigger than me — it’s about the team,” Bowden said. “I want what’s best for us, because I want a state championship.”

That may be beyond the Leopards’ reach this season, but it’s difficult to predict without seeing what kind of arm Bowden carries. If he can throw the football as well as he runs it, he’ll be the area’s next great dual-threat quarterback.

Although they’re looking at a major change, the Leopards will have a familiar face on the sidelines for the first time in three years. Cylar replaced Jeff Whittaker last year, who replaced Brian Jones the year before. Three head coaches in three years made continuity impossible.

“Last year was difficult because they had no idea about me and I knew nothing about them,” said Cylar, who still guided the Leopards to a 7-3 regular-season record and a Division IV playoff appearance. “But I commend those boys last year, because there wasn’t a week that they didn’t work hard.”

Liberty fell to Crestview, 35-26, in a first-round playoff matchup. It was a rematch of a Week 3 game also won by the Rebels.

Offense

When deciding to move Bowden away from a position he was so successful at last year, Cylar went by the simple school of thought: “The best player on the team should be having the ball at all times.”

“Lynn kind of took the bull by the horns and ran with it,” Cylar said.

Bowden said the request didn’t catch him by surprise and he was already comfortable making the switch. The last time he played quarterback in a competitive game was in middle school.

“He threw the ball pretty naturally and pretty good when we first looked at him,” Cylar said. “Now he’s starting to hook up with our receivers and get comfortable from that standpoint.

“Our biggest problem with Lynn is telling him to sit down. He’s a workaholic.”

With Bowden now under center, the Leopards will implement a running back by committee. Brandon Rios and Jose Carnathan will get the majority of the carries to start the season.

Senior center Abdel Yusuf understands how important the transition is after Liberty graduated 20 seniors from its 2013 team.

“Considering the majority of our team are underclassmen, we had to teach them how to become varsity players,” Yusuf said. “Everybody else has some experience, so we just had to make sure they know everything.”

Defense

The biggest thing Cylar is looking for in his defense is speed and physicality.

“They’re kind of a big group, but I want to make sure they play quick,” he said. “I feel like this year’s team is a lot more football smart in terms of their overall understanding of the game.

“These kids are already starting to take the words out of my mouth when I’m telling them what to do.”

Middle linebacker Arwan Clinkscale should hold things together for this unit. He’s undersized at 5-foot-8 and 208 pounds, but Clinkscale plays with fire. His focus this offseason has been in the weight room and in conditioning.

“We just take it one week at a time and focus on one team,” Clinkscale said. “I think we can succeed.

“It’s going to take work, but I think we can do it.”

Special Teams

The Leopards went for two the majority of the time last year, and with Bowden under center, opponents should expect much of the same. Should they choose to kick, junior Brendan Gilmartin or sophomore Alec Coman are the candidates.

Outlook

It’s difficult to project Liberty at this point. Bowden’s transition to quarterback will be critical. He says he’s been working on his composure and quickness — that’s a scary thought — but it will come down to how effectively he can throw the football.

No worries, according to Bowden.

“They can consider me as a dual threat this year,” Bowden said. “I can throw, I can run. My main focus is going to be getting my receivers the ball, getting my running back the ball, and then when they start reading that I’ll just run.”