Oak Ridge/Bearden Scrimmage

[boyfromsi]

Haven't heard much from Bearden fans for a while. To me, this is the more critical scrimmage for the 'Cats. I would like to see us be a lot sharper than the Maryville scrimmage, even though we played with a lot of heart. The quarterback race should be interesting as well. Willy, be looking later tonight for the results.

[boyfromsi]

Ok Willy, here is the score 41-3, Oak Ridge. I'll comment later, but we looked sharp for the most part. Good scrimmage for us.

[WillieTheWildcat]

Thanks for the score and I look forward to more details! I was worried the team would struggle with Bearden but sounds like they were focused and ready. I know a BHS player posts on CoachT and I would love to read his thoughts on the scrimmage as well.

 

I hope the Wildcats will improve week by week and have a lot of fun this season.

 

~~Go Wildcats --- Hixson and Oak Ridge

Steve

[boyfromsi]

Ok, Here are my impressions from the chain gang perspective. We were a lot crisper in our execution of the offensive. The blocking was better, both quarterbacks carried out their fakes very well. Cory and Spencer ran very strong.

 

First drive was almost all passing with Booker catching the touchdown on a short pass from McMahon. Next score was all run with MaMahon scoring on a keeper from 11 yards out. Score was 14-0 at half.

 

Next half was more mixed on the play calling with Spencer Gulmire scoring from 10 yards out. Later, David Thompson scored from 55 yards as the 2nd unit played in the 4th quarter. Late in the 4th quarter we had 2 quick scores from Daniel Johnson and #46 (whose name I don't have with me here)

 

Defensively, Bearden could do nothing against the Cats defense. The only score was a field goal late in the 4th quarter against our 2nd and 3rd stringers.

 

Overall, it was a good scrimmage. We made good improvements from last week. Still, there is work to do with both our QBs. I thought Scott looked stronger overall, but Cody had some incredible scrambles. The QB situation is probably still not settled. Our pass defense still needs more improvement. This week we couldn't stay onsides on defense which was the main reason that we didn't score more in the first half.

 

It was good to see more balance in the offense this week. Of course Maryville's pass defense had a lot to do with last weeks. But, we need the passing threat to keep other teams honest.

[BHSfootball]

I don't think my Bearden team came ready to meet an Oak Ridge team like we saw. Great speed on both sides of the ball, and absolutely incredible execution of a quick hitting offense. I was really appalled at the way our defense played. We weren't ready for Oak Ridge to come out like they did, and it showed. Cory Booker is fast and shifty, Spencer Gulmire is strong and also quick and shifty. Scott McMahon is a very accurate passer, but I think we helped out with his passing and runnning stats by applying no pressure with our line or secondary. QB # 12 was fast, but really scrambles too frequently. I think he needs to learn top stay in the pocket more and be patient. His blocking was definitely there. If you get a team with stronger exterior players than us, he will get smacked hard.

 

Defensively, nothing special. Just solid defense and a good gameplan: stop the run and apply pressure.

 

Offensively, I don't feel like we ever even tried to push the ball down the field or try to challenge Oak Ridge's defense. As a quarterback, it was really frustrating to watch our guys run into non-existent holes for negative yard gains. Our o-line just got physically abused by Oak Ridge. As did our d-line. I feel we were completely too one-dimensional in this scrimmage. We were primitive compared to Oak Ridge. Oak Ridge's D knocked down 2 of Bearden's passes, and they played solid. That, coupled with the exterior pressure applied by the d-end's made it difficlult to pass.

 

Mark my words: Oak Ridge is one of the best teams in the state this year.

 

 

Bearden certainly did not play to our potential and we were missing some key things(including players) in that scrimmage. We have a lot of work to do. I think Friday was a reality check. But I will also say this: We will meet Oak Ridge again this year. And I hope the results are a lot better. We have some things to straighten out, but we will be ready for week 1.

 

BTW, I was #15.

[boyfromsi]

Yes, I thought you all came out a little flat, but I try to refrain from being too negative, being a scrimmage and all. I do wish you all the best this season, of course not when you play us! :justwrestle: Thanks for the kind words about the Cats. We should go a long way this year, if we pull together and play to our potential. I hope you all can beat the injury bug as well. I was the guy running the box on the chain gang.

[dirtydawgs44]

I play at Bearden and would have to stay Oak Ridge has the right package and depth especially to run over teams in their region this year. It seemed as if on every series they had a new combination of fresh lineman on both sides of the ball. I think they can wear teams down this year