How Marble Falls football is shaping its QBs

CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Atreyu Machacek (left) and sophomore Crawford Mattox are two of several quarterbacks in the Marble Falls program. Staff graphic by Cristele Richins

When the Marble Falls Independent School District hired Keri Timmerman to be its athletic director and football head coach in December 2023, administrators knew the new skipper was bringing his version of the spread offense.

Since then Timmerman, who serves as the program’s quarterback coach, has been busy developing that position to move from a ball distributor under the old slot-T offense to a passer in his offense where Mustangs want to be as effective throwing the ball as they are at running it. To many people, quarterback is the hardest position in all of sports to play. That’s because the quarterback must know his job in each play and that of his teammates. He must check the safeties as he’s lining up to call the play to get an idea of the coverage and make sure the offensive line is set up to move properly in order for the play to be a success.

And the quarterback does all of that in a matter of seconds.

While senior Atreyu Machacek and sophomore Crawford Mattox have been battling for the varsity starting role, Timmerman has been watching the quarterbacks in the other classes as they’re coming through the ranks. He has gotten to know the Marble Falls Middle School quarterbacks, particularly Gage Goebel and Drew Whittle, who will be freshmen this year. Charles Wood, who helped his Marble Falls Youth Football and Cheer team win back-to-back Hill Country Youth Football and Cheer championships, will be a seventh-grader.

Each quarterback has strengths that make him ideal to be in the position. None bigger than Goebel, the son of former NFL quarterback Brad Goebel, and Whittle, the son of 1996 graduate Stan Whittle, who is a legacy Mustang in helping the program remain one of the best during the 1990s under former head coach David Denney. Wood has attended numerous quarterback football camps, including former head coach Todd Dodge’s QB/WR Camp, which he has directed for more than 30 years.

“I think we have kids coming,” Timmerman said. “Drew and Gage distribute the ball and run.”

Ideally, there are two quarterbacks “per each level,” he said.

“Two sophomores, two juniors and hopefully two seniors,” the coach said. “A backup and a true starter.”

With all the quarterbacks must know, it’s imperative they take advantage of opportunities to throw and learn as much as possible.

“They’re finding ways,” Timmerman said. “They’re coming to our camps. They’re doing 7 on 7 outside of school. We’re definitely excited to see them putting in the work.”

Timmerman noted the hire of Zach Wagoner as the Marble Falls Middle School boys athletic coordinator also will help the position. He envisions even more alignment at the middle school to mirror the activities the high school athletes are doing as far as getting ready for practices, practices themselves and how the athletes take care of their bodies once the sessions end.

“There is someone at the junior high who is a quarterback guy,” he said.