Football Shows Promise in Friday’s Blue-White Scrimmage

The Blue trumped the White team by a final score of 32-11, aided by some entertaining 1-on-1 matchups between receivers and defensive backs during water breaks to earn a point. While there were multiple impressive plays throughout the night, playing against your own team can always be seen as a Catch-22. An explosive play for the offense is something the defensive coaches will look to correct; an interception by the secondary or a sack by a blitzing linebacker are learning opportunities for the Offense.

Nic Lauderdale provided a spark for the White team early on with an interception. Two plays later, Jonathan Burns caught a deep pass from Jacob Lauderdale to put the White in scoring position. On 3rd and goal, the same pair connected for the White’s lone touchdown of the evening on a corner route.

The Blue seized momentum from there, jump-started by a long run from Marcus West on a jet sweep. Quarterback Joe Parker’s scramble on 4th and goal gave the Blue their first touchdown of the game. Vincent Yokley caught Parker’s pass for a 2-point conversion and Blue didn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the night. Parker’s first touchdown through the air came to Bridger Middleton on a screen play on 4th and goal. Middleton followed that up with an interception he returned for a touchdown as a defensive back.

Tight End/Receiver Kurtis Brown was a reliable target for Parker, with 4 receptions of his own. William Lee received high praise from the coaching staff for his work on both the offensive and defensive lines. Linebacker Colin Grimsley led the way defensively with 8 tackles. Landon Hall was disruptive as a linebacker as well, showing flashes of potential and athleticism. Jacob Atkinson made plays on both sides of the ball, playing both receiver and defensive back.

The coaching staff emphasized the need to sustain intensity for all four quarters and a continued focus on the finer details, typical of a team early in the season that has only had two full pad practices. With pleasant surprises on both sides of the ball, there is plenty of optimism for individuals and the team as a whole to continue developing.

The Warriors travel to Montgomery, Alabama for a scrimmage against Bessemer Academy this Friday. The Rebels present a tough measuring stick, as they are a consistent power in AISA and come off a AAA State Runner-Up finish in 2017.