Teams preparing for scrimmages..COMMENTS FROM COACHES

[KFDM COOP]

Teams preparing for scrimmages

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

The first week of practice is over for most schools in the area with Vidor being the lone team to start things up Monday.

Teams were at it again with the pads on Monday and getting ready for the first set of scrimmages coming up this weekend.

Here is what a few coaches reported after Monday’s practices.

Orangefield

Head Coach Blake Morrison reported no major injuries as the Bobcats practiced late into the evening on Monday.

Jeremy Granger was said to be progressing nicely at the running back position.

“He has done real well running the football so far in practice,†Morrison added. “Jared (Helton) has also done a nice job reading the options.â€

Helton is the new starting quarterback for the Bobcats.

Morrison also gave the quote of the day when asked how things went on Monday.

“Coach Morrison is doing good just to survive the heat,†Morrison reported.

Vidor

The Pirates started practice for the first time Monday after holding spring practices.

Two guys stood out for Coach Jeff Matthews on Monday as quarterback Roman Franklin and running back Bo Pillsbury got off to great starts.

“Those two stood out the best on the first day,†Matthews said. “It was hot; I know that much. We had a couple guys lose 12 pounds out there. Even now at 7:30 p.m. it is 98 degrees. There is not a cool part of the day to practice.â€

Matthews said the Pirates retained a lot from spring practice and had no “mental busts†on Monday.

“We are a year ahead compared to last year,†he added.

Deweyville

Head Coach Dwight Bickham has been impressed so far with the transition senior Michael Manning has made on the defensive side of the ball.

Manning has moved from defensive end to safety, the most important position on defense in Bickham’s mind.

“He is learning quick and has been out there breaking up passes,†Bickham said. “We looked a lot better today (Monday) than we did on Friday. We are going to push them hard over the next few days.â€

Bickham also reported there are no major injuries on the Pirates roster.

WO-S

There was some hard hitting going on with the Mustangs Monday and Head Coach Dan Hooks is looking for the team to get “better on defense†before Saturday’s scrimmage in Barbers Hill.

“The only way to get better is to go through more reputitions,†Hooks said.

Hooks is also starting to fall in love with the quarterback-running back combination of Ortavious Hypolite and DePauldrick Garrett.

“Both are great kids and they compliment each other well,†Hooks added. “I know 7-on-7 helped Hypo a lot. Plus he can run the ball too so they are coming together.â€

Hooks pointed to Quintavius Garrett on defense who made the move from linebacker to nose guard and running back.

“He didn’t play much and now is doing a great job at both positions,†Hooks reported.

[td]

Coach Hooks has much better quotes on the sidelines. Rags should write a book.

[DP#1FAN]

Would that book be rated? R

[Panther Pride]

It would be rated R for sure.. I feel for the ref's on his side of the field. They are going to get an ear full. I don't know how they put up with him on the side line, I guess they have thick skin...