NASHVILLE Though the White House High football team is coming off a season where it missed the playoffs for the first time since 1991, head coach Jeff Porter says there is no better time to be a Blue Devil.
With many questions concerning who will step up and claim starting positions for the Blue Devils, Porter still searches for answers as his squad was outscored one touchdown at Lipscomb Academy in each team’s opening scrimmage.
The Mustangs’ first-team offense scored on its only two possessions, while the White House starting offense failed to put up points in three series.
On the fourth possession, junior running back Carter Hunt picked up a 5-yard touchdown run for the Blue Devils.
Each team had 10 plays per possession during the scrimmage.
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Afterward, Porter stated how important it was for players to step up.
“Right now it is a really good time to be a part of our program,” Porter said. “If you want playing time, and are willing to play hard and compete for it, you’ll get it.”
Lipscomb Academy finished last season with an 8-4 record, falling in the second round of the 4A playoffs to eventual state runner up Pearl-Cohn by a 28-17 margin.
White House finished 4-6 last season, missing the playoffs by one game after a 14-6 loss at Maplewood in the final week of the regular season.
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The Mustangs feature a tough defense led by senior defensive lineman and University of Oregon commitment Rutger Reitmaier.
White House managed a pair of first-down runs from Hunt and senior running back Preston Long during the opening series, but the offense was stagnant during the team’s next two possessions.
“We’ve got to be ready to play when it’s time, and we struggled with that,” Porter said.
“After tonight, we are wide open, and it’s up to anyone on the team on who wants to claim a spot, as nothing is decided right now.
Sophomore Andrew Nixon started the scrimmage at quarterback for White House, and played the team’s first three series.
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Nixon completed three passes during his snaps with the first unit.
Senior Hunter Brown, who made a start last season, completed a couple of deep strikes with one going to classmate Connor Holder for 40 yards, and his second on a 25-yard reception by sophomore Will Frazier.
Both quarterbacks committed a turnover.
Long started the contest for White House at running back, while Hunt saw significant action with the first team.
White House’s next scrimmage is next Friday, when the Blue Devils host Smith County at 6 p.m.
“This is one of the most important times of the season for us, as we need to see improvement from one scrimmage to the next,” Porter said.
“We need people to step up, and we need to show improvement going forward each time we’re on the field, and that starts in practice.”
White House
