Boot Camp: Manual QB Amare Breedlove ready to lead Rams

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Last year Amare Breedlove was “thrown into the fire.”

That’s how Manual coach Dennis Bailey describes it. Breedlove was pressed into action as the starting quarterback in the second week of the 2023 season and had growing pains throughout the year with on-the-job training.

A year later, the Rams say he’s ready for primetime as the starting quarterback.

“We slowed it down and worked on his mechanics this offseason to get him to understand what we are doing with the offense,” said Bailey. “He’s picked up on it. He’s a big guy, a big athlete. We like that.”

The flashy Breedlove, who is also on the Manual basketball team, says he’s more poised at quarterback now. He’s also received scholarship offers from Western Michigan and Morehead State.

The Rams have 55 players out for football this fall, according to Bailey. And return five starters on offense and defense from last year’s 2-7 team.

But the key player is Breedlove.

“The best part about being quarterback at Manual is I have supporters inside the school and outside the school,” said Breedlove. “Everybody makes sure I’m straight and everybody is straight. I’ve studied the game with the coaches and watched film. And figured out where my (defensive) read is and who to throw the ball to.”

Manual opens the season at Normal U-High on Friday.

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