PATASKALA Licking Heights quarterback Cody Bailey has no qualms with playing second
fiddle behind senior classmate running back Dan Pennington.
Pennington, a four year starter, has the better than 10 ard per carry average and the
17 touchdowns through four games, numbers not seen at Heights since Marcus Booker in
the early 1990s.
The ultra efficient Bailey, however, is as good as a reason as any for Heights offensive
success. The Hornets are averaging 50 points per game in their 4,0 start, and Bailey
certainly at least has been a supporting actor, completing 56 percent of his passes and
having five touchdowns to no interceptions.
"You have to know that you dont want any negative plays," said Bailey, who threw for 190
yards and two scores in the 70,6 victory against Fisher Catholic.
"If it comes to that point, you have to either throw it away or get it back to the line
of scrimmage. Fisher brought a lot of heat, which did break up our passing game, but our
receivers stayed with their routes."
While several of Baileys offensive classmates have started at the varsity level most of
their high school career, Bailey has long pointed at 2009. Bailey backed up the prolific
Shawn Smith the last two seasons, and days before the seasons first game, he pledged to
fill Smiths shoes.
Bailey has done just that with a green set of receivers. Juniors Ty Stallings and Jordan
Bodell have made important plays with Bodell scoring on both of his catches against Fisher
Catholic, but they also have had trouble at times getting open.
Several times against the Irish, Bailey had to bail out on his first and second reads.
When Bailey left the pocket, however, he never lost sight of the field and made a big play
each time, including a 38 yard connection with Mikie Barnett to set up a second quarter
score.
"That is something that Cody just has his ability to scramble in the pocket," Heights
coach Darren Waters said. "He will look downfield to try to make plays when he can. He
even tries to direct his receivers a little bit."
Even a senior laden offensive line knows it does not have to protect Bailey an inordinate
amount of time to keep him clean. If Heights spread formations leave Bailey open to a
blitz, he routinely slips away.
"I have total confidence in Cody," lineman Austin Williams said. "He is a great
quarterback and a great leader. I have all of the trust in him that he can get
the play done."
Being in a leadership position is nothing new for Bailey. The catcher on the Heights
baseball team also has been the Hornets free safety the last two years. Directing the
defense from the back, Bailey has helped the Hornets (4~0, 1~0) hold their opponents
scoreless in four second halves this season, a trend they would like to continue when
they visit Harvest Prep this week.
Despite facing Fisher Catholics new spread look, the Hornets did not miss a beat. Heights
held the Irish to 127 yards, intercepted three passes and set a tone when Tevyn Young and
Williams made plays behind the line of scrimmage on early drives.
This week, Heights has to prepare for the Warriors, who have added more option to their
base I formation look, but going from the spread to more traditional offense should not
be a major adjustment.
"As a free safety, I am just taught to adjust the defense," Bailey said. "Honestly, we
could call just about any defense, and we have plenty of checks to go off of what they
do."
