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Pack bounces back in final preseason tuneup, Seahawks get first test of the year
BY STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
This was the Pam Pack that coach Sport Sawyer has grown accustomed to seeing on a daily basis.
After a lackluster performance in its opening scrimmage against Roanoke on Wednesday, Washington returned to form on Friday night in its final preseason tuneup during the Washington Football Jamboree at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium.
The Pam Pack offense raced up and down the field at will and the defense looked stout as Washington squared off against Plymouth and Southside. Mattamuskeet and First Flight also were present in the five-team Jamboree, but did not face Washington.
“We gave a great effort today,” Sawyer said. “The kids came out and played their hearts out. We looked like the team that I was hoping to see the other night.”
The Pam Pack offense was virtually unstoppable as senior quarterback Austin Thompson guided them down the field. Thompson, who threw for 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions a year ago, was sharp and on target as usual. Teamed with a plethora of star receivers in Dakuan Spencer, Mike Moore and Mike Godley, along with speedy running back Tony Turnage, the offense was clicking on all cylinders.
“Austin did an excellent job of running the offense,” Sawyer said. “He’s the guy that makes our offense tick. He can run the ball and throw the ball exceptionally well, and that allows us to do a lot of different things.
“We also saw a lot of big plays out of guys like Dakuan and Mikey Moore,” Sawyer added. “And Mike Godley did an excellent job of blocking down field. Those guys really stood out. But it takes 11 guys to be successful. It was a total team effort for our offense. ”
Thompson was also pleased with how the final preseason scrimmage turned out.
“We accomplished a lot today,” the senior quarterback said. “The guys were running sharp routes and we started to get the timing down. It’s very beneficial to scrimmage, because you get to go against a different team and see different things. I thought we looked pretty good tonight.”
Defensively, the Pam Pack were without a couple of its usual stars as middle linebacker David Tyson was held out with a shoulder injury and defensive end Chase Tripp went down early on in the first scrimmage with an ankle injury, Nonetheless, the Pam Pack defense was swarming to the ball.
“Our guys came ready to play,” defensive coordinator Jon Blank said. “We gave up a couple big plays and had a couple guys out of position, but otherwise I thought we looked pretty good.”
Sawyer said that Tyson and Tripp were held out for precautionary reasons. He expects them both to be ready for next week.
“It’s a scrimmage, so we didn’t want to chance anything,” Sawyer said. “Next week is when it counts, so we want those guys ready to play then.”
On Friday, the Pam Pack will open the regular season when they kick off against North Pitt at 7:30 p.m. at J.G. Choppy Wagner. Over the next week, Sawyer said that the Pack will focus a lot on special teams play and work on shoring up the little things.
“We haven’t played special teams live, so I am sure we’ll work on that a lot this week,” Sawyer said. “Other than that, we’ll just be working on fine-tuning the offense and shoring up the defense. We’re one week away and the kids are excited to get started.”
Southside looks good during the jamboree
By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
After walking off the field following Friday night’s Washington Football Jamboree, Southside coach David Hines had mixed feelings about his team’s play.
The second-year coach was pleased with the way his Seahawks moved the ball at times, but wasn’t happy with the numerous fumbles by his offense and the few big plays that his defense allowed.
“I’d give us a C-plus,” Hines said. “We looked good at times and at other times we didn’t look so good. For our first scrimmage of the season, it went well. We can learn a lot by playing against teams like Washington who’ve had a pretty good run of athletes lately, and a quality Class 2-A school like First Flight.”
Southside squared off against First Flight, Mattamuskeet and Washington during the five-team jamboree. However, the Washington game was cut short after 15 minutes as a thunderstorm raced across the area. Plymouth was also present, but the two teams did not face off.
The Seahawks, looking to atone for a winless season in 2007, were much more impressive than they were at this time last season.
“It’s like apples and oranges,” Hines said. “One of the biggest differences was when things went wrong last year we’d hang our heads and couldn’t recover. This year, we get disappointed, but the kids just keep battling. They’re hungry to win.”
One of the stars from Friday’s preseason tuneup was running back Dash Spruell. Spruell ran with a purpose as he burst off long touchdowns run on three separate occasions. His biggest run came against Washington, as he exploded up the middle, then outraced the entire Pam Pack defense for a touchdown run of 38 yards.
“I thought our entire team looked pretty good,” Spruell said. “I just go out there and run as hard as I can. The line did a good job of opening up holes.
“We can take a lot from tonight,” he added. “We got some things to work on, but we should do well this year. Our goal is to be undefeated. We don’t want to lose any games this season.”
Defensively, the Seahawks came up with several big turnovers, but at times were susceptible to giving up long touchdowns.
“We got some things to work on on both sides of the ball,” Hines said. “We’re using a new defense with a three-man front, and offensively, we’re going from the wing-T to veer-type offense, so the kids are still adjusting. It’s going to take time, but I think we’ll be fine though.”
Expectations are certainly higher at Southside this season.
“Like I said before, last year was the perfect storm, everything that could go wrong did,” said Hines with a smile as lightning flashed in the distance. “This year our kids are ready to play football. We’re going to be a much better football team.”
The Seahawks will get their first test of the season on Friday, as they open the regular season against North Duplin at home at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re ready to get the season started,” Hines said. “The kids are anxious and are ready to play football. It’s an exciting time of year.”
After a lackluster performance in its opening scrimmage against Roanoke on Wednesday, Washington returned to form on Friday night in its final preseason tuneup during the Washington Football Jamboree at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium.
The Pam Pack offense raced up and down the field at will and the defense looked stout as Washington squared off against Plymouth and Southside. Mattamuskeet and First Flight also were present in the five-team Jamboree, but did not face Washington.
“We gave a great effort today,” Sawyer said. “The kids came out and played their hearts out. We looked like the team that I was hoping to see the other night.”
The Pam Pack offense was virtually unstoppable as senior quarterback Austin Thompson guided them down the field. Thompson, who threw for 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions a year ago, was sharp and on target as usual. Teamed with a plethora of star receivers in Dakuan Spencer, Mike Moore and Mike Godley, along with speedy running back Tony Turnage, the offense was clicking on all cylinders.
“Austin did an excellent job of running the offense,” Sawyer said. “He’s the guy that makes our offense tick. He can run the ball and throw the ball exceptionally well, and that allows us to do a lot of different things.
“We also saw a lot of big plays out of guys like Dakuan and Mikey Moore,” Sawyer added. “And Mike Godley did an excellent job of blocking down field. Those guys really stood out. But it takes 11 guys to be successful. It was a total team effort for our offense. ”
Thompson was also pleased with how the final preseason scrimmage turned out.
“We accomplished a lot today,” the senior quarterback said. “The guys were running sharp routes and we started to get the timing down. It’s very beneficial to scrimmage, because you get to go against a different team and see different things. I thought we looked pretty good tonight.”
Defensively, the Pam Pack were without a couple of its usual stars as middle linebacker David Tyson was held out with a shoulder injury and defensive end Chase Tripp went down early on in the first scrimmage with an ankle injury, Nonetheless, the Pam Pack defense was swarming to the ball.
“Our guys came ready to play,” defensive coordinator Jon Blank said. “We gave up a couple big plays and had a couple guys out of position, but otherwise I thought we looked pretty good.”
Sawyer said that Tyson and Tripp were held out for precautionary reasons. He expects them both to be ready for next week.
“It’s a scrimmage, so we didn’t want to chance anything,” Sawyer said. “Next week is when it counts, so we want those guys ready to play then.”
On Friday, the Pam Pack will open the regular season when they kick off against North Pitt at 7:30 p.m. at J.G. Choppy Wagner. Over the next week, Sawyer said that the Pack will focus a lot on special teams play and work on shoring up the little things.
“We haven’t played special teams live, so I am sure we’ll work on that a lot this week,” Sawyer said. “Other than that, we’ll just be working on fine-tuning the offense and shoring up the defense. We’re one week away and the kids are excited to get started.”
Southside looks good during the jamboree
By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
After walking off the field following Friday night’s Washington Football Jamboree, Southside coach David Hines had mixed feelings about his team’s play.
The second-year coach was pleased with the way his Seahawks moved the ball at times, but wasn’t happy with the numerous fumbles by his offense and the few big plays that his defense allowed.
“I’d give us a C-plus,” Hines said. “We looked good at times and at other times we didn’t look so good. For our first scrimmage of the season, it went well. We can learn a lot by playing against teams like Washington who’ve had a pretty good run of athletes lately, and a quality Class 2-A school like First Flight.”
Southside squared off against First Flight, Mattamuskeet and Washington during the five-team jamboree. However, the Washington game was cut short after 15 minutes as a thunderstorm raced across the area. Plymouth was also present, but the two teams did not face off.
The Seahawks, looking to atone for a winless season in 2007, were much more impressive than they were at this time last season.
“It’s like apples and oranges,” Hines said. “One of the biggest differences was when things went wrong last year we’d hang our heads and couldn’t recover. This year, we get disappointed, but the kids just keep battling. They’re hungry to win.”
One of the stars from Friday’s preseason tuneup was running back Dash Spruell. Spruell ran with a purpose as he burst off long touchdowns run on three separate occasions. His biggest run came against Washington, as he exploded up the middle, then outraced the entire Pam Pack defense for a touchdown run of 38 yards.
“I thought our entire team looked pretty good,” Spruell said. “I just go out there and run as hard as I can. The line did a good job of opening up holes.
“We can take a lot from tonight,” he added. “We got some things to work on, but we should do well this year. Our goal is to be undefeated. We don’t want to lose any games this season.”
Defensively, the Seahawks came up with several big turnovers, but at times were susceptible to giving up long touchdowns.
“We got some things to work on on both sides of the ball,” Hines said. “We’re using a new defense with a three-man front, and offensively, we’re going from the wing-T to veer-type offense, so the kids are still adjusting. It’s going to take time, but I think we’ll be fine though.”
Expectations are certainly higher at Southside this season.
“Like I said before, last year was the perfect storm, everything that could go wrong did,” said Hines with a smile as lightning flashed in the distance. “This year our kids are ready to play football. We’re going to be a much better football team.”
The Seahawks will get their first test of the season on Friday, as they open the regular season against North Duplin at home at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re ready to get the season started,” Hines said. “The kids are anxious and are ready to play football. It’s an exciting time of year.”
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