Two QBs are Better Than One for Redskins

By Scott Huff

It was never the plan.
 
Neshaminy has split its quarterback duties between senior Brian Titus and junior Charlie Marterella for the entire 2009 football season. 
 
The talented duo has basically alternated behind center – a series at a time - for the Redskins this entire season. And at 9-2 and a date with North Penn in the second round of the PIAA District One Playoffs - who can doubt its success?
 
But it was never the plan.
 
Brian Titus was the quarterback for Neshaminy during the 2008 season, but Titus suffered a broken bone in his foot in the spring, and it opened a door for Marterella.
 
“Charlie got a lot of reps early in summer camp, and he did a great job for us,” said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt. “And when Brian came back healthy, we just started rotating them in and out. I really didn’t think that we would still be rotating them this late in the season, I thought one or the other would clearly be the starter.”
 
It was never in the plans.
 
“I have never had a situation like this before,” said Schmidt. “But it hasn’t been a bad thing. Both of them are the same style of quarterback, both of them have good arms, both of them are good leaders. It gives us great depth at a position that most high school teams don’t really have.”
 
And there is no quarterback controversy at Neshaminy. Not even a hint of one.
 
“We get along fine and actually have become good friends,” said Titus. “Sometimes it’s funny that the announcers at the game really don’t know who is in the game. I guess they can’t tell # 10 (Titus) from # 16 (Marterella).
 
“Splitting time with Charlie has given me someone who I can relate to as far as preparing for the game,” added Titus. “It has been very successful so far, why would we stop it now?”
 
The stats on Titus are – 59 completions in 104 attempts (56.7%) for 755 yards and eight touchdowns. 
 
“I understand my role in the offense,” said Marterella. “Brian and I get along well, and when either of us come off the field, the first one to talk to us is the other.
 
“We share our thoughts on what is going on, and what our thoughts are,” added Marterella. “(Quarterback) Coach (Roger) Grove helps us out a lot. He really knows what he is talking about.”
 
The stats on Marterella are – 33 completions in 52 attempts (63.5%) for 508 yards and eight touchdowns. 
 
“Both Brian and Charlie are quality guys,” said Schmidt. “It worked out that both were given an opportunity and both made the best of it.”
 
Even if it wasn’t in the plan.
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