MACON — Timorrius Conner knows he has come a long way.
More than a feeling, all the Noxubee County High School junior quarterback has to do is compare the statistics from his sophomore season to his junior campaign.
There is no comparison.
The fact that Conner had gone from throwing four touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a sophomore to throwing 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season helps you understand why Noxubee County (13-2) is one victory away from winning its third state title. Conner and the Tigers will try to secure that championship at 3 p.m. Saturday when they take on St. Stanislaus at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.
“Early in the season, I was still messing up a little bit and making bad mistakes, but I have learned the whole offense and I am able to look at the defense and tell what they are going to run before they get in it,” Conner said. “I think I have accomplished a lot.”
Conner, a 5-foot-10, 165-pounder, has the arm strength of someone much bigger. But Conner hasn’t allowed the power in his arm to cloud his judgment when he leads the offense. That’s why Conner has been able to throw for 2,669 yards and complete 57.6 percent of his passes. He also has rushed for 251 yards (an average of 16.7 yards) and five touchdowns, which shows he also is willing to pick his spots and tuck the ball and run, even if he hasn’t quite perfected the art of sliding to avoid contact.
“Last year, my interceptions were higher than my touchdowns,” Conner said. “This year, my touchdowns are way over my interceptions. Coach always says when you see green grass go ahead and take it. That is what I have been doing. I am trying not to force things. When you force things, bad things happen.”
Conner smiles when asked if he has been tempted to try to use his arm and trying to complete a 50- or 60-yard pass instead of taking a 10-yard gain. Still, his understanding of ball security in an offense that used to be known more for slinging the football all over the field has helped the Tigers take the next step after seeing their 2013 season end with a loss to Lafayette County.
With conductor Bobby May at center leading the offensive line, Conner said he is like “the steam” coming out of the engine of the Tigers’ offense. He credits his offensive line and junior running back Shunessy Sherrod for providing a great complement to the passing game. He said the offensive line has provided great protection that has enabled him to stay in the pocket and complete passes to a deep group of wide receivers that includes Ladaveon Smith, Tamarcus Silvers, Daveon Ball, Kynbotric Mason, and others. Conner said he and the receivers have worked before and after practice to develop the timing and chemistry the offense needed to eclipse the 40-point mark six times this season.
“I have never seen a kid that small who can throw the ball as hard and as far as he can,” Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter said. “He just has to learn that touch. Once he develops that touch and learns when to throw the ball out of bounds, he is going to get a lot better. It is just amazing to watch him from a year ago to this point.”
Shorter hopes Noxubee County doesn’t have to get into a shootout with a St. Stanislaus team that has scored 40 or more points 11 times and has scored 651 points. Quarterback Myles Brennan had 5,008 yards and 55 touchdowns through 13 games, according to maxpreps.com, but Shorter likes how Conner has improved and has become a bigger and better leader this season. He hopes Conner can deliver a poised and mistake-free performance to complete the title run.
“It is unbelievable what one year means to these kids,” Shorter said. “Last year, he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. One year later, he has developed and gotten bigger and stronger. He has learned more and has attended a few camps. That has been the key to our offense this year: Protecting the football. He has managed the game and has done everything we are asking him to do.
“I always knew he could play the position, but I think our offensive coaches have done a great job with him teaching him and sitting him down and showing him what he did wrong last year. He still has a lot of growth to do. I think he will be a whole lot better next year.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.