After months of training and preparation under a new head football coach, the Bradwell Institute Tigers hit Olvey Field at 7:30 tonight for a scrimmage against Wayne County.
The Tigers will start to write a new chapter as head coach Adam Carter debuts his players, many of whom sacrificed their summers in the weight room and at football camps.
“It’s game time … you know, we’ve been beating on each other since late April and early May and now they finally have the opportunity to play against somebody with a different-color jersey,” Carter said. “Now, they are practicing for a reason now ... they have a game coming up … all that work we did over the summer, it is now time to use it.”
The Tigers lead the Yellow Jackets, 2-0, in the series, but Wayne County has developed good talent. Former Yellow Jacket quarterback Greyson Lambert is at Virginia Tech, and current quarterback Malique Jackson recently gave a verbal commitment to Florida State. “Wayne County is a good football team, and they are really talented,” Carter said. “They have a huge offensive and defensive line, and they have skilled players all over the place. This will be a big test for us to be able to be out there and compete with them, and that is what I’m looking for from my guys.”
It is the first competition of the season, so the coach anticipates the boys might make a few mistakes.
“But the beauty of it is we will have two weeks after the scrimmage … those mistakes are hopefully correctable mistakes and not effort mistakes,” Carter said about getting the team ready for the regular-season opener Aug. 30 at Liberty County High School.
Offensive coordinator Christopher Reese said Tiger quarterback LeBaron Anthony has developed into a natural leader for the offense. Quarterbacks coach Frank Troup said the plays are set up so that Anthony quickly can put the ball into the hands of the playmakers.
Carter, who also is the defensive coordinator, said the Tigers are ready to place pressure on Wayne County’s star quarterback using multiple blitz packages in their 3-5-3 defensive alignment.
Carter said the main thing he wants to see tonight is a little spark and fire on the field.
“We are looking for them to go out there and compete … to be able to function in a game like setting and not go crazy when the bullets start flying,” he said. “We want to go out there and be better than we were in the spring and summer.”