Newberry QB Yafari Werts keeps everybody guessing

Yafari Werts’ playmaking ability creates plenty of problems, and not just for opposing defenses.

The Newberry quarterback’s scrambling and ability to extend plays creates a different set of problems for his own offensive linemen.

“You never know what he is going to do, if he is going to run or throw,” Newberry Shrine Bowl offensive lineman Demarcus Gillmore said. “Sometimes, we got to block a little longer or sometimes he just takes off. When he takes off, we just run with him.”

Gillmore and the rest of the Bulldogs linemen have done their best to keep up with Werts, who will wrap up his high school career Friday when Newberry takes on Dillon for the second straight year in the Class 2A Division I championship game. Newberry lost to Dillon 49-27 last season.

But the play of Werts, a Georgia Southern commit and Shrine Bowl selection, is one of the reasons Newbery has made it back to the title game. He has thrown and rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season with 31 touchdowns.

“There is so much he can do,” Newberry coach Phil Strickland said of Werts. “He is electrifying with the ball in his hands. He is a good leader and doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Werts, who is known more for his running skills than passing, showed his throwing ability against Fairfield Central in the upper state championship last week. He was 10-of-16 for 179 yards and three touchdowns.

“I think I have developed as a passer. I have always been a good runner,” Werts said. “I trust my teammates more. I owe to them to win this game because they work hard for me.”

Werts’ play has impressed Dillon coach Jackie Hayes, who has his own Division I quarterback in Avery McCall. Hayes said Werts is a lot like Freddie Solomon, the former Sumter dual threat quarterback who went on to play receiver in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins.

For his career, Werts has rushed for 3,028 yards and thrown for 2,762 with 72 total touchdowns.

“He is going to make some plays, but you got to keep him under control,” Hayes said.

Dillon did its best to control Werts last season. He finished with 241 yards of offense and two TDs in the title game.

Werts said Newberry played nervous and was just happy to be there last year. This season, they are hoping for different results.

“It took us a while to get into a rhythm of a game. But we will be more settled down and more focused this year,” Werts said.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 9:37 PM with the headline "Newberry QB Yafari Werts keeps everybody guessing."