SPRINGDALE (KFSM)--When a coach and quarterback team up for multiple seasons, the results can be striking. Just look at Jeff Conaway and Connor Reece at Shiloh Christian. In Conaway's first season three years ago, Reece took over the starting job.
"I was kind of his puppy I guess, for the whole three years he's really poured into me and made me a better player," Reece said.
"He's doing what the Shiloh Christian quarterback is asked to do. We ask those guys to make great decisions and be accurate with the football and Connor has bought into that philosophy," said Conaway.
Take the 49-28 quarterfinal blowout of Dardanelle as an example. Reece threw for over 400 yards and six touchdowns, and only played the first half.
"He's really taking off as the playoffs have rolled through, and he's really playing his best football right now," Conaway said. "From his mechanics to footwork to vision to his progressions, he has really bought in to becoming an excellent QB."
The senior has matured with three years of starting experience.
"I've gotten a lot more confident, I've grown up a lot. My sophomore year I had great seniors around to lift me up," Reece explained. "Let it loose. I just wanna go out there and have fun with all the guys and just win."
As Conaway summed up, "He's a fierce competitor and a great leader. Our team follows him, he puts people in the right spot."
Behind Reece's arm, Shiloh Christian has scored forty plus points in all three playoff games. In his decorated career, the senior has completed 60% of his passes and accounted for over 7,700 yards passing with 80 touchdowns, while adding 1,250 yards rushing and 15 more scores. The Saints face 4A-1 rival Pea Ridge on the road Friday night at 7PM for a spot in the state championship game.