In this photo: Quarterback Stephen Schuweiler has helped lead the Kamloops Broncos to their best start in franchise history, but Connor Whitelaw, who entered the season as the team’s backup, has made a case to take over under centre. Allen Douglas/KTW
The quarterback carousel seems poised to stop spinning.
Mike Faisthuber, the Kamloops Broncos’ offensive co-ordinator, said a decision will be made on the man under centre — either Stephen Schuweiler or Connor Whitelaw — in advance of a showdown with the Valley Huskers of Chilliwack (0-7) on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Hillside Stadium.
The B.C. Football Conference (BCFC) tilt is slated to get underway at 7 p.m.
“In recent years, we’ve had a tendency to give one quarterback a half and another quarterback a half, so I’ve stopped doing that,” said Faisthuber, whose Broncos are 5-2 on the campaign.
“I saw how much it hurt them, in terms of their play, and I’ve tried to be open with them this week.
“We need that one guy to really step up and be like, ‘OK, this is my team and I’m going with it.’
After analyzing each of the pivots’ play this week in practice, Faisthuber was expected to meet with receivers coach Jeremy White and running backs coach/manager of football operations Brad Yamaoka.
Kamloops Broncos’ head coach Duncan Olthuis (left) and offensive co-ordinator Mike Faisthuber. Allen Douglas/KTW
They were scheduled to make their decision and relay it to head coach Duncan Olthuis on Thursday, Sept. 18, after KTW’s press deadline.
“Duncan’s been really, really accommodating in letting me do what I want on offence,” Faisthuber said. “Whatever we decide, he goes with.”
Schuweiler entered the season as the No. 1 QB and led the Broncos to a 3-0 start with two wins over Valley and one victory over the Westshore Rebels of Langford, both considered among the BCFC’s weaker teams.
His numbers were impressive in that three-game stretch, completing 45 of 92 passes for 888 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Broncos came back to earth in Week 5, when the Okanagan Sun of Kelowna thumped them 54-16 at Hillside on Aug. 23.
Langley then trounced Kamloops 70-24 on the Lower Mainland on Aug. 31.
Schuweiler’s combined statistics in the losses — 42-for-78, 549 yards, three TDs and four picks — were not great, but they weren’t dismal, considering the defences he was up against.
Connor Whitelaw got the nod in Week 7 against Westshore on Vancouver Island and staked his claim to be the starter.
He connected on 16 of 30 passes for 337 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 42-14 victory over the Rebels.
“Connor played great. He knows it. I told him,” said Faisthuber, whose up-tempo offence has been a big part of the Broncos’ recent successes.
Both quarterbacks saw time in last weekend’s 24-14 victory over hometown Westshore: Schuweiler — 6-for-9, 53 yards, one TD and one pick; Whitelaw — 11-for-13, 198 yards.
With both QBs, their strengths can also be their weaknesses.
Schuweiler is a gunslinger who can put up big yards and throw touchdowns, but has been prone to interceptions.
Whitelaw has good pocket presence and is more careful with the ball, but has tended at times to be too conservative.
“I talked to both guys on Tuesday and told them, and it was a rough meeting, but I said, ‘As of right now, you’re not starting and you’re not starting and we’ll have a meeting on Thursday,’” Faisthuber said.
“We have to look at what’s best for the team.”
In a perfect world, Faisthuber said, the QB that starts on Saturday will be the No. 1 guy the rest of the way, charged with the task of leading the Broncos to their first-ever home playoff game.
“We have a big three-game push coming up here,” Faisthuber said.
“They both can produce. It’s just a matter of us feeling confident in one guy. The decision will be made by Friday.”
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