The most prolific receiver in Rockdale Tiger history is about to become a part-time pass-catcher.
Joe Sanders is back at quarterback.
Sanders set a school record for passes caught and receiving yardage as a junior last season. On his way there, he also became the Tigers' career pass receiving leader.
"We moved him up as a freshman to play some quarterback," said Rockdale coach Jeff Miller. "As a sophomore, he and Mark Drake alternated at quarterback, competing for the starting job.
"Neither of us could ever get a rhythm going," admitted Sanders.
Drake eventually took over as the full-time quarterback, which allowed Sanders to concentrate on receiver.
"It's not that Joe lost the job," said Miller. "We just felt that with him at receiver and Mark at quarterback, we'd be a better football team. A quarterback is what he was supposed to be."
It took just one game to prove that the experiment would work.
"I think I caught seven passes for about 100 yards and two touchdowns," said Sanders, whose team nearly upset heavily-favored Liberty Hill. The Tigers opened that season with a 1-6 record. Since then, they have gone 12-4.
As a junior, Sanders caught 44 passes for 786 yards, both records, with 10 touchdowns
"I caught 24 the year before, and I'm almost to 1,400 yards," Sanders said.
Sanders' attitude made the move to receiver work brilliantly.
"He didn't sulk or pout but just took the change," Miller said. "He ultimately became an all-state type receiver, setting a school record in receptions."
Although he had been a quarterback since he began playing, catching passes was nothing new. He had had plenty of them pointed his way by his older brother, Mark, who also played quarterback for Rockdale.
Rockdale will run more plays from the shotgun to take advantage of his running and passing skills, but he won't completely give up on receiving.
"We have a package where Tyler Wright goes in at quarterback," Sanders said. "I may increase my career receiving, but not too dramatically."
Sanders' other sports have been basketball and baseball, where has been a catcher and center fielder. By comparison, it makes the shift from quarterback to receiver and back seem commonplace. And there are some advantages to having played both spots.
"It works both ways, for receiver and quarterback," Sanders said. "If they are pressing at the line of scrimmage, you have to go longer. It makes the timing of the throws easier. It's nice to know what the quarterback is looking at."
At whatever position he plays, Sanders is a big-game player who thrives in the limelight.
"I'm just as excited about the regular games, but the big games are a little different," Sanders said. "Everybody's watching you, and you're in the spotlight. It's fun for me."
"He's that type of player that you want in those kinds of games for you," Miller said. "He's a great competitor. He plays hard and he practices hard. He's a great punter and a good return man. He's just a complete player."