After a junior season that earned him major Division I offers, a four-star ranking and Dandy Dozen status, John Rhys Plumlee went back to the lab in an effort to become a better quarterback in 2018. Eight games into his senior year, it’s clear his work paid off.
Plumlee has passed for 1652 yards and 18 touchdowns to only one interception, leading the Warriors to their best start (7-1) since 2015—the last year the team made the playoffs.
The Georgia commit threw nine interceptions in as many games last season.
He’s improved his craft, but there’s also a familiarity factor with this Oak Grove offense, according to Plumlee.
“Doing the same stuff for three years now has really helped me in that it’s almost become second nature, especially recognizing what the defense is in and finding a way to go at holes they might be giving us.
“When I was younger, like my sophomore year, when something broke down, I was immediately using my feet and trying to get yards. That may be a big play, or it may be three yards. Then junior year and senior year rolls around, and I’m thinking I can maybe extend plays and keep my eyes down field better.”
Plumlee can hurt opposing defenses with his arm and his legs. He’s scored 10 rushing touchdowns this year and is on pace to rush for over 1000 yards for the Warriors, who have essentially already clinched a playoff berth.
The team took a positive step in that direction this past Friday with a 34-6 road win over Terry. To no one’s surprise, Plumlee was critical to the victory. He threw for 211 yards and added another 100 on the ground, finishing with three total touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush).
Plumlee is our Week 9 Sports601 Hattiesburg Player of the Week.
“We came out a little slow as a team and offense,” said Plumlee. “It’s a place [Terry] not a lot of our fans travel to. It was kind of a slow start for us, but once we got rolling, we started doing better and put some things together. We got some momentum going and looked better as the game went on.”
Plumlee also played a little bit at defensive back for the Warriors and made his presence felt there, too. At the end of the first half, he pulled in an interception that preserved Oak Grove’s 21-0 lead heading into the intermission.
“They [Terry] did like a reverse flea flicker,” recalled Plumlee. “I told Tavion [Smith] if the ball goes up, bat it down. So we both go up to bat it down. It hits his finger tips, and then it hits my finger tips and goes straight up. Then at that point, it was me and the receiver from Terry. We just kinda fought it ought, and I snatched it from him.”
Playing on the defensive side of the ball is far from a new experience for Plumlee. He started at safety and outside linebacker for the Warriors as a freshman in 2015 and for three games his sophomore year before taking the reigns at quarterback.
He’s also the team’s starting punter.
“He [Plumlee] is a one of a kind athlete and one of a kind teammate,” said Oak Grove coach Drew Causey. “He’s a fun guy to coach.”
