Following Tuesday night’s game against Gilmer played in the SSHS Multipurpose Building, Wildcats 7-on-7 football continues to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the team to both offensive and defensive coordinators.
Seven on Seven Offense
For Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young, 7 on 7 football is all about reps. He says that’s the greatest asset the football team gets from it. The Wildcats varsity 7 on 7 team played Gilmer Tuesday night in the Multipurpose Building. Gilmer won the first game by a touchdown. The Wildcats won a high scoring second game by one score. There was also JV competition as well as 8th grade games and action involving two seventh grade teams. The Wildcats JV also split two games with the Buckeyes JV winning game one by a touchdown and losing game two by one score. Coach Young says playing a good team like Gilmer shows weaknesses. He says both varsity quarterbacks, Ryan Humphries and D’Corian Young, threw some really good balls and made some good decisions. Coach Young says both were also late throwing on some routes. He says that is something they can work on and get better at. Coach Young says receiver Simeon Taylor was extremely explosive down the field and receiver Landry Tyson had a big night catching the ball. He also had praise for receivers Brady Crouse, Tyler Armstrong, Bryce McQueen, Jace Thompson and Austin Dodd. Coach Young says running backs were also involved in catching the ball. He says overall it was a pleasing night.
Defense 7 on 7
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron is not a big fan of 7 on 7 football. That’s understandable since it is geared toward offensive throwing and catching. Coach Abron does say 7 on 7 can help defenders work on their man coverage and even zone defenses. He says he was happy with the way his defenders competed with always talented Gilmer Tuesday night, especially since the Wildcats played after a one-hour workout in pads right after school. Coach Abron says he was very impressed with the play of cornerback Cor’Tavius Pruitt. Despite giving away quite a few inches of height to some tall Buckeye’s receivers, Pruitt kept competing and deflected some passes away from them. Overall Coach Abron says Assistant Coach Cameron Warren has done a good job of teaching defenders to rake the ball away from a receiver after a catch. Coach Abron says he also liked the play of safeties Austin Dodd and D.J. Abron. He says the Wildcats were playing without safety Sebastian Adams, who missed the competition due to injury. Coach Abron says defensive backs Conner Burgin and Andy Eddins also did well. He says Eddins suffered an injury preventing a touchdown but he says he is going to be okay. Coach Abron says Gilmer is going to be a force to reckon with in their district again this fall.
