Last Friday saw the totals jump even higher. The highest 10 scores ranged from 51 to 35, with two teams in the 50s, three in the 40s, and five in the mid-to upper 30s. Just two scores came from a team that runs from a scheme other than the Spread.

You get the picture.

But here’s a twist. Overall pass attempts have not increased as the scoreboard numbers have risen. With few exceptions, most teams are running the ball more, a factor that Owen coach Ken Ford predicted in early August. In the preseason, Coach Ford compared the Spread at the high school level to a wider version of the Notre Dame Box—a mostly running scheme that shifts from the T-formation to a shot-gun “box” that regularly attacks the right side of the line.

Teams that spread out, as Ford said, are using the run to set up the pass, and it’s often the quarterback toting the pigskin. Reynolds has been throwing more frequently since QB Alexander Wall went down with an injury, partly because Wall is more likely to head downfield when the passing lanes are closed. In his absence, junior Paul Wright has performed admirably behind center. The Rockets haven’t missed a beat, scoring 91 points in two October outbursts.

As the name implies, the Spread involves moving athletes wider and deeper down the field, but it’s the defense that stretches the most, opening holes and lanes that would not otherwise develop. Asheville scattered the region’s most vaunted defense on October 5, executing three long pass plays to perfection to keep the highly-ranked Rams on their heels most of the night. Cougars QB Rahkeem Morgan has aired it out just 20 times over the past two weeks, but has 436 yards through the air in two huge conference wins.

Among the many duel-threats taking snaps in the mountains, Mitchell’s Joe Hoilman (1,958 yds. passing, 971 yds. rushing) and North Buncombe’s Randy Pressley (1,126 yds. passing, 1,202 yds. rushing) have been the most effective from two directions—on land or through the air. Opposing linebackers have a snap decision to make: drop back in the zone to aid the secondary, or hover near the line to stop the run. Either alternative leaves the other open as Hoilman and Pressley, et al., take off running when receivers are covered, or find the open man in the flats and downfield.

As stated before, other systems are still effective; there are just fewer of them in today’s game. Of the four highest scores from the last two weeks, Murphy’s wing-T system has poured in 101 points in two SMC wins. Take away three big fumbles at Asheville, and Roberson’s I-attack has not been stopped in ’07.

How are the individual stats stacking up? Before tonight, a dozen local quarterbacks had passed for more than 1,000 yards (one over 2K), 11 running backs had gone past the century mark, and seven receivers had caught 30 or more passes. There are three weeks left in the regular season for 30 teams in the mountain region, and those numbers will swell with each weekend.

Are offenses becoming more sophisticated, or are defenses slow to catch up? Most things happen in spurts, and systems are often cyclical. For now, the best is yet to come.