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Wynn, Marshall Key To Hudson

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By BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 3, 2008

HUDSON - Successful quarterbacks all have one thing in common: a center who does his job, quietly and effectively.

Hudson junior Zack Wynn may get all the accolades as the most successful signal-caller in Pasco County last year, but he understands the importance of who snaps him the ball before every play. That person is fellow junior R.J. Marshall, a first-year varsity player who has impressed Coach Mark Nash since he was a freshman, and earned Wynn's respect long before the two entered high school.

Together, this unit does more than participate in Hudson's student council. They are the most important duo for the offense, capable of igniting an attack that includes lots of potential, but questionable experience at running back and receiver. And since they aren't seniors, they also represent the future of a program that is clearly on the rise.

"Zack will be as big if not a bigger part of our offense as opposed to last year," said Nash. "I'm completely confident in R.J. - no hesitation whatsoever. He's been outstanding, and I have no doubt he'll be a part of this."

Most know the story of Wynn, who took his lumps as a freshman on a 2-8 squad. He started the 2007 season slowly before he had a breakout campaign - leading Pasco County with 1,698 yards and 20 touchdowns passing en route to being named first-team All-County quarterback by the Tribune.

But while he led the Cobras to a come-from-behind win at Zephyrhills to clinch a playoff berth, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which led to surgery and missing the final two games, both of which Hudson lost to finish 7-4.

Both Wynn and Nash insist the knee is healthy again, and the test should come quickly, as Wynn is expected to run the ball often in Hudson's spread-option offense.

"We'll stay balanced, like last year. Run, pass, 50-50. We'll try," Wynn said. "And I'm hoping to open it up a little more."

Marshall's story is less well-known, but perhaps more moving. After coming to Hudson he was one of two freshmen selected to attend Cobra Camp, the annual three-day excursion to Leesburg where the team goes through a challenging obstacle course designed to improve teamwork.

On the first day, Marshall was climbing Jacob's Ladder, a tower with telephone poles spaced farther apart the higher one goes. After reaching the first rung, Marshall looked so tired, it appeared he wouldn't make it to the top. The team rallied around him as he climbed, and he never quit. About 20 minutes later he made it to the top and received raucous cheers from the players. The coaches were even more emotional.

"I looked around, there wasn't a coach in sight that didn't have tears running down their cheeks. It was incredible. That summed up R.J. Marshall," Nash said. "He doesn't say two words to anybody, he just never stops. He's humble, he's just a great kid. It gives me chills just thinking about it."

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