The Situation

You’re down, 21-17, late in the fourth quarter. Your opponent has been playing a multiple front defense based out of a 3-5-3 with a base Cover 3 behind it. It’s third and 10 with the ball on the right hash of their 35-yard line. You’ve been running the spread shotgun for the entire game with some success. There’s only 1:15 left and you desperately need a first down to continue the drive. What play would you call in this situation? Kevin Tallman, Assistant Head Varsity Coach, Stevens High School, Claremont, NH. AFM subscriber since 2007. In this situation we would call ‘Double Slot Left, Z-Rip, Y-Crack Double Screen.’ We want to have the option of getting the ball to two of our best play makers. The 3-5-3 Defense is aggressive with stunts and various blitz packages. We are facing a Cover 3 with man under on 3rd and 10 with 1:15 left in the game on their 35-yard line. We must