BARKING SIGNALS—Loranger QB Taylor Abdalla (2) is yet another area two-sport standout who has a decision to make at some poit. In the meantime, the Wolves will be counting on his strong arm to trigger their passing offense this fall.

LORANGER - Literally thrown to the Wolves two seasons ago, Loranger quarterback Taylor Abdalla took his lumps as head coach Sammy Messina began grooming him as a starter.

The senior nowadays is the leader of the Wolfpack after having what his coach calls a "semi-breakout" year last year.

"After my sophomore year, I learned a lot of things," Abdalla said. "I learned my reads better. I learned when to throw the ball and when not to throw the ball."

Abdalla came into his own in his first full season as a starter, completing 54 percent of his passes (90-of-168) for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns as Loranger finished 6-5 and earned a playoff berth.

Messina said Abdalla's combination of intelligence, athleticism and leadership sets him apart from others. He is a strong-armed, accurate quarterback who can make plays with his legs, but also understands the offense.

"The most important thing is the leadership quality - as he goes, we go, as far as attitude," Messina said.

Messina said the team was more balanced offensively as running backs Eric Brown and Isaac James combined for 1,055 yards on the ground. The Wolves lost several key offensive players from last year's team, including two of Abdalla's top three targets - wide receivers Lionel Lewis (36 catches, 799 yards, 10 TDs) and L.J. Holland (19 catches, 247 yards, 2 TDs).

Bryan Cook (24 catches, 367 yards, 6 TDs) is the top returning receiver. Messina said Abdalla will become more involved in the running game. He took losses last season running around behind the line of scrimmage trying to make something happen. Messina wants Abdalla to move up in the pocket more and look for ways to gain positive yardage.

"It puts a little more pressure on the quarterback," Messina said. "We're going to give him the opportunity to make plays. He's a good athlete, a good football player. He's really responded with that. You can tell there's another level of maturity for him coming into the year."

Abdalla said leadership is going to play a big role in the team's success this season, and he has worked in the offseason to prepare to shoulder more of the load. Part of that work is adjusting to different wrinkles in the offense and developing a rapport with new players.

"It's really hard. I've got to work my hardest to learn all of that," Abdalla said. "Coach throws a lot of stuff at me, and I've got to accept it really fast because we don't have much time."

Doing things quickly is not strange concept for Abdalla, an All-District 10-3A shortstop for Loranger's baseball team. Abdalla said there are similarities to the positions, including having a good arm and a knowledge of where everything is on the field. Being light on his feet is also a necessity.

"You've got to have quick feet in the middle in baseball, and you've got to be quick to get away from those big linemen and defensive ends rushing around the corner," he said. "You've got to stay confident."

Like many other two-sport athletes, Abdalla will have to make a decision regarding is college career in the spring. He said he loves both sports, and making a decision will be hard for him.

"If I can play both and they want me to play both, then I'll give it a try," he said. "It's going to be hard, but I'll work hard and try to do it. If not, I'll have to choose at the end of baseball season."