TEagle8

8-4A DII Week 1 Games - Who you got? Arp @ Tatum L.C. Mauriceville @ Jasper Madisonville @ Diboll Warren @ Huntington Rusk @ Center

KLTV News Segment on the scrimmage and Barker taking over [Hidden Content]

Think they said something about 3 guys missing on defense on another site. A quote from a Center poster on another site - "Hats off too Tatum eagles you guy looked great!! Ricky Meeks was our offense coordinator last year and made center have an explosive offense and he will do the same in Tatum this year, there's no doubt Tatum will go deep if they will stay healthy! The fact three starters didn't play on D yesterday for center, it still wouldn't have help because you guys were clicking all the way around and played lights out!! Good luck to ya'll down the rode!!" From what I gather they lost some big key players up front to graduation on both sides of the ball. The big DI recruit WR Octavius Evans played the whole scrimmage on both sides of the ball and the 3 years starter at QB Kyle Parks played. Parks didn't have time to really even look at option number 1 though. We sacked him a lot. We have gotten much better in a weeks time. No sloppy play this week for the most part. Line is blocking as good as it ever has. 3 TDs on the ground, 2 through the air.(4 TDs with the 1s, 1 TD with the 2s) Sophomore QB OB Jones is running the offense quite well and we have 3 really talented RBs. One is 6' 205 lbs, the others are scat backs. 6'3 and 6'2 out wide at WR and several speedy slot receivers. Defense really did play pretty much lights out. 1st string only gave up 1 first down. 2nd string gave up just 2 first downs. Defense is anchored by two big DEs, 6'3 226 lb D'Torian Smith(Air Force) and 6'4 230 lb Shay Rogers. A lot of speed on defense. If we can stay healthy, could be a heck of a break out year for coach Barker.

No word on the Lumberjacks?

Tatum had a three way scrimmage with Daingerfield and Jefferson this morning. Tatum's nerves under the new regime gave up a 75 yard run on the first play for a TD and a 75 yard pass for a TD on the 2nd play of the scrimmage both to Daingerfield. Then settled down and didnt give up another TD all day as far as first string. Scored on each team once and scored on the final play of the scrimmage as well but a flag at the 5 yard line called it back and we didn't replay it. I guess the best part about the whole scrimmage was we didn't have any turnovers. We had 2 fumble recoveries and picked off a pass in the end zone. We were more disciplined in this first scrimmage than we've been in years. Offensive line looked great....protected the QB well and opened up massive holes in the run game. Wasn't great by any means but definitely headed in the right direction fast.

Gilmer, Pittsburg, Atlanta, Gladewater, and Pleasant Grove all battling for the 4 spots...then Spring Hill dragging up there rear....very tough district.

Sorry chief, we'll spice it up for you next time. We went 0-10 last year remember, we are only saying what everyone is thinking.

Supposed to be rather solid from what folks are saying...we play them middle of the schedule.

Whatchoo talkin bout Willis? Them boys aint runnin at all...no conditioning.

Yeah...6.8 is about right. Takes us forever to snap the ball too. And we aint got no discipline, just awful.

Really excited about this new offense Barker brought in. The wishbone and Maryland I, gonna be a fun year.

Assuming you're from Rusk...we'll be in the same boat as far as breaking in a new coach as well.

I'm not sleepin on 'em. I think they'll be pretty good. I just think if Barker can come in and do what he's done everywhere else he has been....we should be at the top of the district. We have a lot for him to work with. Gonna be a fun ride.

Should be interesting. Coach Barker should have us in a position to bump heads with Jasper at the top.