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Douglas' versatility alters attack Converted receiver uses athleticism to fuel Heat By DON HUNT David Douglas admits he was a bit nervous and slightly tentative as he took the field for last Saturday's National Indoor Football League game in Kearney, Neb. A wide receiver and defensive back for virtually his entire high school and college careers, Douglas found himself at quarterback for the Southern Oregon Heat in its game against the Tri-City Diesel. Douglas struggled for much of the first half, but threw three touchdown passes and ran for another in the second half in repeatedly rallying the Heat from sizable deficits. Tri-City ultimately triumphed, 49-35, to leave the Heat with an 0-2 record. But Douglas, who will get his second start at quarterback Thursday when the Heat plays host to the Sioux City (Iowa) Bandits at the Jackson County Expo, walked away feeling like he did his job. "After the game, I hung my helmet in my locker and said, 'Hey, I can play quarterback in this league,'" Douglas says. "I went in a little tentative, but my confidence level shot way up once we starting moving the ball and I started making plays." Douglas, who played wideout and caught a touchdown pass during the Heat's 27-21 loss to Yakima on March 28, was initially viewed as an emergency QB - a modern-day Tom Matte, minus the wristband. But when Eric Vanderwegen suffered a torn pectoral muscle on opening night and when last week's scheduled starter, Andy Hixson, couldn't perform due to severe tendinitis in his throwing arm, Douglas was suddenly the man. The former Gresham High and Southern Oregon University star completed 10 of 20 passes for 97 yards and ran nine times for 36 yards. "He missed a couple of early passes, but he made some big plays in the second half when he let his athletic ability take over," says Vanderwegen, who serves as the Heat's head coach and offensive coordinator. "He's a great competitor." Douglas, who played quarterback briefly with the Rogue Warriors of the Oregon Football League the past two seasons, said the biggest challenge in indoor football - which features eight players on a side performing on a 50-yard long by 28-yard wide field - is making quick decisions. "You've got to get rid of the ball in three seconds, and it's got to be on a rope," he says. "I was able to run around and buy some time on some plays, but you've got to be decisive out there. The game is very quick." Since Douglas is one of the fastest players on the team, Southern Oregon has put in plays and formations specifically designed to take advantage of his skills. One of those formations is the shotgun, where Douglas takes a direct snap a few yards behind his center. "The shotgun allows me to get some quick depth in the pocket, read the coverage and throw," Douglas says. "It also spreads the defense because we've got four receivers (and no running back) in that formation." Southern Oregon's biggest problem last week was pass defense. The Heat yielded 175 yards and four touchdowns through the air and allowed 30 points in the second half that stymied its comeback effort. The Heat hopes to bolster its secondary Thursday when former Humboldt State standout Tony Redd steps into the lineup at strong safety. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Redd joined the team last week but wasn't ready to play against Tri-City. Redd's arrival comes at a good time because the Heat lost defensive end John Avalos to a knee injury in the Tri-City game. With Avalos sidelined, middle linebacker Freddie Taulani moves to end, strong safety J.D. Callicoat moves to middle linebacker and Redd takes over at safety. "We're a little quicker with this lineup and Redd will definitely help our defense," Vanderwegen says. "He's a good run-stopper and not a bad pass defender." Sioux City, meanwhile, also comes into Thursday's game with an 0-2 record. The Bandits lost 38-34 to Yakima last Saturday. "They're a lot like us in that they've been competitive but have nothing to show for it," Vanderwegen says. "They were picked to win their division (Central)." Sioux City is led by quarterback David Short, who ran for 48 yards and one touchdown and completed 3 of 8 passes for 35 yards in the Bandits' loss last week. Vanderwegen says the Heat is coming off its best practice of the season on Tuesday. "It was an intense practice - the energy was great," Vanderwegen says. "Our guys realize they're going to have to step it up a notch if they're going to be successful in this league. And the last thing they want is to be 0-3." Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.