Mt. St. Joseph College (Ohio) is a program that uses the traditional stick concept of three players in a pass concept. They have seen an increase in quarters match coverage to combat their stick concept.
In this video Offensive Coordinator Caleb Corrill shows what they are doing to combat that defensive approach. Coach Corrill was named the offensive coordinator of the year for 2023 by Hansen Ratings.
Coach Corrill has several clinics on Glazier Drive. This particular video was taken from Stick Option: A Quick Game Cheat Code out of a Multiple Spread Offense
Philosphy Behind the Concept
Mt. St. Joseph started to see that on the front side teams that wanted to maintain a two high structure kept their field safety over the top of the vertical for a 2 on 1 coverage. The nickle back would take away the leverage of their flat access. The mike backer would restrict their ability to throw the free access route.
They still run that concept with RPOs when they can control the mike backer.
The stick option route concept gives Mt. St. Joseph the ability to work off the mike and find the void that is being created. If they are facing quarters match (4 over 3 coverage), they are able to get a backside isolation. That gives them the ability to win inside or outside or just sit down depending on the coverage.
Giving the receiver the ability to choose how they win the route gives the player ownership in learning how to run the concept effectively.