Demopolis shows flashes during scrimmage
The Demopolis High football team took to the field for an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday evening as it continues it preparations for the 2014 season.
“We got better on offense. We finally had some continuity and some rhythm. We were able to get some runs,” Demopolis coach Tom Causey said of the scrimmage, which lasted some 70 snaps.
After a slow start, the Tigers found an offensive flow when Drew Jones reeled off a long run before Jayjerrin Craig scampered more than 40 yards up the middle to set up his own 2-yard touchdown run.
The second team offense got in on the act when Logan McVay stepped up and delivered a pass to Demarcus Johnson, who sprinted the rest of the way to polish off a 72-yard touchdown play.
The defensive team had its share of highlights as Tim Bonner chased down McVay for a sack and Davontae May elevated for an interception.
“I was impressed with the team as a whole,” Causey said. “Their legs are dead. They’ve had 12-13 practices now. I was impressed with their effort in the 70 plays we ran.”
Causey was satisfied with his team’s accomplishments on the day, noting that the coaching staff saw its primary objectives met.
“Just get better and I think we did,” Causey said before commenting that the scrimmage was as much about personnel groupings learning how and when to get on and off the field as much as it was about the play on the field. “We had some mistakes, but that was the whole idea to go ahead and get that taken care of today as opposed to next Thursday night.”
While the Tigers had a number of bright spots, the big plays from Craig, Johnson and May signify a trend in which new faces will be called upon to contribute in big ways this season.
“When you graduate 16 out of 22 starters, you’re going to have some new guys contributed and you’re got to,” Causey said. “We’ve got to get the ball into the hands of as many people as possible.”
The scrimmage was open to fans with the admission charge substituted for the donation of cleaning supplies to be used in the field house.
“I was impressed with the crowd tonight,” Causey said of the high attendance for the practice.
The Tigers are set to take the field again Thursday, Aug. 21 at Tuscaloosa County High for a Jamboree game before opening the season at home against Thomasville. Causey made it clear that there is plenty of work to do before his team suits up again.
“We have to get better at every aspect,” Causey said. “We’re not even close to being ready to play a game. We get to play 7A Tuscaloosa County and that’s a great opportunity to see ourselves against a different color helmet. The season ain’t gonna wait on us. We’ve got to press the gas and go.”