CLA Sports Exclusive Story | 2010 USC Football Commit Dillon Baxter
By Aaron M. Plunkett - Publisher
The "Wildcat" | Spotlights California's Best Prep Football Player Since Reggie Bush
The University of Southern California is trembling with anticipation for the "next coming." The Trojans are excited about the biggest USC football commit since Reggie Bush to come out of the San Diego area. Dillon Baxter hasn't risen to SoCal stardom because he has been blessed with the speed or acceleration of Bush, very few are. However, Southern California is equally enthralled by 2009's most renowned prep football player due to the emergence of the "wildcat" formation. Dillon Baxter, who has capitalized on having the ball in his hands on nearly every snap this season, has rushed for 1,090 yards and 16 touchdowns, passed for 781 yards and 9 touchdowns, and will lead Mission Bay High School into Point Loma this Friday with an undefeated record (5-0). Baxter has put up astronomical numbers in the first five games of the 2009 high school football season, and has done so against worthy competition. Mission Bay's defense has given up 19.4 points per game this season, leaving Baxter's offense to consistently make things happen every Friday night.
Mission Bay High School | "Wildcat" Exposes Elite Talent
The scheme Mission Bay Head football Coach Willie Matson has entrusted Dillon Baxter to run, has allowed the senior quarterback to effectively become the most dangerous weapon on the field, and possibly California. While using a direct snap to the running back and an unbalanced offensive line out of the "wildcat" formation, Mission Bay's offensive has carried the Buccaneers in 2009. Most regions across the country have begun to gain experience utilizing the "wildcat" formation within all levels of football, while California high schools are beginning turn a page. California is a region that is known for producing a plethora of five-star high school pocket-passer quarterback recruits such as Matt Barkley, Mark Sanchez, Jimmy Clausen, Carson Palmer, and countless others, but the West coast is definitely not sleeping on the "wildcat" formation. Look for more players like Dillon Baxter to emerge from the CIF in the next few years, as the "wildcat" formation gains more popularity in the West region.
Mission Bay vs. Lincoln | Baxter Dominates out of "Wildcat" Formation
Dillon Baxter rushed for 268 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing for another 277 yards and four scores, nearly eclipsing 600 total yards against Lincoln High School (San Diego, CA) last Friday night. Mission Bay won 41-34 to remain unblemished (5-0) in 2009.
The "Wildcat" | A Brief Description
Most plays ran out of the "wildcat" initially look like sweeps behind zone blocking, but after the snap there are multiple options for the receiver once the player in motion has crossed his face.
The "wildcat" formation is essentially a variation of the "single-wing" formation. The "single-wing" has been popularized by college football programs such as Army, Navy, and Air Force, who employ this formation to rack up gargantuan amounts of rushing yards each season. In 2008, Navy led the NCAA in yards rushing with 3,801. Air Force finished sixth (3,470), while Army finished tenth (2,987). In 2007, Navy and Air Force finished first and second in the NCAA in total rushing yards, respectively, and in 2006 Navy completed the season atop the rankings as well. The "single-wing" is undoubtedly the premier formation to employ offensive schemes using multiple ball carriers. The "wildcat" allows similar schemes, however, the ability to attack defenses through the air is what has enabled the "wildcat" to become an offensive package that is now used on all levels, including the NFL, NCAA, and junior college.
