Dutch Fork’s Cole Douglas continuing to grow as a QB

Cole Douglas’ development as a quarterback took another step forward last week.

The Dutch Fork senior calmly led the Silver Foxes on a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, and his 1-yard run with 24 seconds remaining gave Dutch Fork a 38-35 win Friday against previously unbeaten Dorman.

“We called a timeout on the goal line and knew exactly what we were going to do to get the win,” Douglas said Monday before practice. “We prepared for it all week. He (Coach Knotts) yells and screams at me all week, so that pressure, I don’t really feel it.”

After starting 0-2 for the first time in Tom Knotts’ coaching career, the Silver Foxes have won two straight and are at Sumter this week.

Against Dorman, Douglas had the best game in his third career start at QB. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, ran the ball 19 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns, and was 14-of-22 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown.

For the season, he is 35-of-71 for 721 yards passing with four touchdowns along with 255 rushing yards and two scores.

“He was calm and cool and he ran some and threw some,” Knotts said of Douglas Friday night. “He did everything I asked him to do. (I am) just really pleased with him. It was his best performance as a Silver Fox. Hopefully there will be more to come.”

With star running back Stephen Davis Jr. out for the rest of the year after tearing his ACL, more will be on Douglas’ shoulders in leading the Silver Foxes’ offense.

Knotts has been pleased with Douglas’ progress toward being a more complete quarterback. Douglas admits he relied a lot on his running ability early in the season instead of going through his progressions and reads down the field.

But when he injured his ankle in the opener against Greenwood, and missed a start the following week against Goose Creek, that forced him to be more patient in the pocket.

“With the injury, I had to use my mind more. I couldn’t scramble as much in the Boiling Springs game. I had to listen to what he (coach Knotts) was saying as far as progression and receivers,” Douglas said.

“In practice, I feel like I have become better and better as a player. That comes with experience in the game, and every game helps me become more experienced as a player.”

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 8:40 PM.