Two interceptions, good passing and scrambling skills, solid catches by receivers and powerful running through the middle gave the Bradwell Institute Tiger varsity squad a two-touchdown advantage over the Statesboro Blue Devils in a scrimmage Friday night.
"Any time that you end up on the upside on something like this you feel pretty good," Tiger coach Jim Walsh said about his varsity squad's performance. "But there was still a lot of mistakes on both sides of the ball."
Starting quarterback Wilson Brown showed his knee is not a factor in his playing skills, completing three passes and running for yardage in the three eight-minute quarters he played.
Twins DeMario and DeAnte Day also displayed their athletic speed, keeping the Blue Devils on their toes to try to catch them. DeAnte Day ended the night with two interceptions, one he took back more than 20-yards. It would have been a touchdown but the Tigers drew a flag.
"He would have scored, but we got a clipping penalty," Walsh said about Day's second interception."
DeMario Day, Alec Velasco and Ronald Joseph showed they have ball skills with pass receptions offensively.
The Days brothers, Manuel Crum, Shaquille Russell, Joseph and Ja'Shan Thomas shined on the Tigers' defense.
Walsh said the defense ran to the ball well, but mistakes are still issues he thinks the Tigers need to work on. He said with only two weeks of practice he knew the game would look sloppy.
Sheldon Barnes proved he has strong legs as the powerhouse running back barreled through opponents, scoring both touchdowns.
"He proved himself last year as a sophomore," Walsh said about his running back. "He's not afraid of hitting it up in there."
Kicker David Miller was two for two in point after attempts, but did have a field goal try blocked by the Blue Devils. His only punt in the game was in the last quarter and it had significant hang time and distance.
DeMario Day took the snaps toward the end of the game and while his first two plays were off, he quickly composed himself and found the game groove.
A big factor last season was the Tigers' inability to stay healthy in physical games. Despite a collision between Brandon Armstrong and Joseph, who were going for an interception, the scrimmage went relatively injury free for the Tigers. Joseph was able to walk off the field a little winded. Armstrong needed help getting off the field, but it appeared to be a temporary issue.
"They both got the wind knocked out of them," Walsh said.
"We told our kids right now we are looking for effort and hustle and playing physical football. Several kids showed us they were ready to play that type of football."
The squad went 14-0 against the Blue Devil varsity squad.
And the Tigers future looks bright as the junior varsity Tigers took the field. Despite giving up two touchdowns to the JV Blue Devils, the Tigers' JV quarterback Nick Smith did well. Aaron Barnes and Robert Augustin carried the ball well for positive yardage and Clauddis Donikens displayed talent as a linebacker.
The combined scrimmage ended in a 14-14 tie.
"We played pretty good, but we still have some problems to iron out," Walsh said. "That is why we scrimmage two weeks before the regular season. It gives us time to work on those things and come Monday we go back to the drawing board."
The Bradwell Tigers open the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at home against Glynn Academy. Tickets are $7 at the gate. The game is scheduled to be broadcast live on WOAH 106.3 FM.
"Any time that you end up on the upside on something like this you feel pretty good," Tiger coach Jim Walsh said about his varsity squad's performance. "But there was still a lot of mistakes on both sides of the ball."
Starting quarterback Wilson Brown showed his knee is not a factor in his playing skills, completing three passes and running for yardage in the three eight-minute quarters he played.
Twins DeMario and DeAnte Day also displayed their athletic speed, keeping the Blue Devils on their toes to try to catch them. DeAnte Day ended the night with two interceptions, one he took back more than 20-yards. It would have been a touchdown but the Tigers drew a flag.
"He would have scored, but we got a clipping penalty," Walsh said about Day's second interception."
DeMario Day, Alec Velasco and Ronald Joseph showed they have ball skills with pass receptions offensively.
The Days brothers, Manuel Crum, Shaquille Russell, Joseph and Ja'Shan Thomas shined on the Tigers' defense.
Walsh said the defense ran to the ball well, but mistakes are still issues he thinks the Tigers need to work on. He said with only two weeks of practice he knew the game would look sloppy.
Sheldon Barnes proved he has strong legs as the powerhouse running back barreled through opponents, scoring both touchdowns.
"He proved himself last year as a sophomore," Walsh said about his running back. "He's not afraid of hitting it up in there."
Kicker David Miller was two for two in point after attempts, but did have a field goal try blocked by the Blue Devils. His only punt in the game was in the last quarter and it had significant hang time and distance.
DeMario Day took the snaps toward the end of the game and while his first two plays were off, he quickly composed himself and found the game groove.
A big factor last season was the Tigers' inability to stay healthy in physical games. Despite a collision between Brandon Armstrong and Joseph, who were going for an interception, the scrimmage went relatively injury free for the Tigers. Joseph was able to walk off the field a little winded. Armstrong needed help getting off the field, but it appeared to be a temporary issue.
"They both got the wind knocked out of them," Walsh said.
"We told our kids right now we are looking for effort and hustle and playing physical football. Several kids showed us they were ready to play that type of football."
The squad went 14-0 against the Blue Devil varsity squad.
And the Tigers future looks bright as the junior varsity Tigers took the field. Despite giving up two touchdowns to the JV Blue Devils, the Tigers' JV quarterback Nick Smith did well. Aaron Barnes and Robert Augustin carried the ball well for positive yardage and Clauddis Donikens displayed talent as a linebacker.
The combined scrimmage ended in a 14-14 tie.
"We played pretty good, but we still have some problems to iron out," Walsh said. "That is why we scrimmage two weeks before the regular season. It gives us time to work on those things and come Monday we go back to the drawing board."
The Bradwell Tigers open the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at home against Glynn Academy. Tickets are $7 at the gate. The game is scheduled to be broadcast live on WOAH 106.3 FM.