With the departure of 23 seniors from last years team Douglas football coaches have a number of holes to fill.

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One of those holes is at quarterback where CJ Teran played for the last two years.

Coach Dick Keith has found three athletes who are versatile enough they can all three be in the backfield at the same time and are very capable of running or throwing the ball at any given moment.

After last year’s 70-21 state playoff loss to Cactus, Coach Keith changed the offense this year to a more conventional type of offense that he says will complement these three athletes.

“I was so impressed with the way Cactus ran it I ordered some film on it,” the coach said. “Then watching the film and studying how Cactus used it I modified it to the point where we run a double wing."

Keith announced Friday senior AJ Acosta, who saw some playing time at quarterback last year, will be the opening day starter this year but that sophomore Grant Watkins and junior Jason Sanez could also step in behind center if needed.

“AJ played at least five games for us last year,” the coach said. “He’s a real fine athlete who has great speed.”

The coach said the one thing Acosta does not do well is throw from the pocket.

“So we will put him on the move and let him throw on the run or keep it and run,” Keith said. “This new offense we’re running is really fast paced. �- We’ll be rotating running backs with Jason and Grant.”

Keith said if something were to happen to Acosta, Watkins will step in and Sanez would go if Watkins is unable to play.

“AJ is a senior, Grant a sophomore and Jason a junior,” the coach said. “All three get along with each other. They work well together; they’re tough. They’re not afraid to run the ball. I like the fact they’re selfless.”

Keith said it also boads well for the future as Sanez and Watkins will be returning with experience under their belt.

“So far the new offense is working really well,” he said. “We really won’t know until we get into conference play.”

Acosta said he likes the new offense and feels is may surprise some of Douglas’ opponents.

“I feel a lot more confident in my abilities this year than I did last year,” he said.

Watkins played at the freshmen level last year and was brought up to the varsity for the state playoffs.

The now backup quarterback said he too likes the new offense he just needs to learn the fakes better.

“I think this new offense is really going to help us this season,” he said.

Watkins adds he feels he’s ready to play at the varsity level.

Sanez said this team has a lot of speed and this new offense complements that speed.

“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people,” he said.

All three athletes say they like the new field and feel it complements their speed and allows them to make better cuts.

Two weeks into the season the coach said he still has some concerns about the offensive line.

“We need time and to play some football games to find out where those guys are at,” the coach said.

The trio will be in action when Bisbee comes to Douglas Aug. 27 to kick off the 2010 season in what will be the 140th meeting between the two schools.