A process that started at the conclusion of last year's 7-3 campaign for the Greenwood Bulldogs, and has continued unabated ever since, is still ongoing. That process is the choosing of a new quarterback to run the 1996 version of head coach Ronnie Peacock's high-flying offense.

Four young men have been under the watchful eye of Peacock and his coaching staff. They worked the long hours through the spring and summer, learning the terminology and plays, running the drills, working on the conditioning and the arm strength, and developing the mental toughness to be a high school quarterback.

Now, some eight months after the process began, the Bulldogs still don't have a quarterback. But they're getting closer.

Last week Coach Peacock moved senior Brian Kilpatrick from quarterback to defensive back, leaving a junior and two sophomores still working under center. The coach explained that Kilpatrick accepted the move gracefully and has played well on defense.

"We needed to look at Brian at another position," said Coach Peacock. "He's got a good attitude about it and has done well on defense."

Peacock and his staff just didn't want to go into next season needing to start all over again without a proven quarterback as they've done for the past two years, deeming it better to go with an underclassman who might provide two or three years of stability. Now if only Trent McDaniel, Josh Burton, or Brooks Coatney would just step up and take control, things would be a lot easier in Bulldogland.

McDaniel (5-10, 150) is the junior and the younger brother of Travis McDaniel, the first Greenwood QB who played for Peacock, throwing for over 2,000 yards. Trent is a good runner and gained some valuable experience last season as the JV signalcaller.

"At times he's looked very good throwing the ball," said Peacock. But all three potential quarterbacks are strug- gling with their consistency.

Josh Burton (6-2, 150) is a sophomore and the tallest of the three, which is always an asset for a quarterback. Burton gained experience running the offense for the Junior Bulldogs last season and has improved greatly over the summer says Peacock.

Brooks Coatney, another sophomore (5-9, 160) is probably the best pure athlete among the QB threesome, but sat out the last two years and has a lot of catching up to do. "He's improved tremendously, but has a long way to go," says his coach.

Peacock admits he won't likely make his choice regarding a starting quarterback until after this week's pre-season scrimmage at Fort Smith Northside. That matchup is set for Thursday at 7 p.m.

"We're still looking for somebody to separate themselves and be more consistent," he says"

All three quarterbacks will see action at Northside said the coach. "We need to use them and see how they do. Hopefully, we'll get some good out of it."

One senses the frustration within Greenwood's head coach at not having a clearcut choice present itself at quarterback. There might be a possibility, he says, that two quarterbacks will be used early in the year until one proves himself and takes charge.

The Bulldogs will practice next week following the Northside scrimmage in preparation for their season opener at home against out-of-state foe Tulsa McClain. That game is set for Friday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m.