By Kev Moyé
News-Times Staff
NORPHLET – At the conclusion of a benefit scrimmage between Smackover and Parkers Chapel, the score was tied 6-6.
But the two head coaches had vastly differing viewpoints on how their teams performed.
One coach was happy and optimistic about the way his squad competed.
“In a scrimmage, you’re going to have some missed assignments and alignments. But we saw a lot of good things,” Parkers Chapel Coach James Housdan said. “I thought the kids played with a lot of effort, energy and a lot of hustle. We had guys get tired but we had some twos step in and help us make plays.”
Meanwhile, the other coach was vexed and passionately challenged his team to perform as they’re capable of.
“The first half was very ugly for us. We shot ourselves in the foot. I don’t think we competed in the first half,” Smackover Coach Brian Strickland said. “We got a wake-up call at halftime and we came out and competed well in the second half. But we shot ourselves in the foot.
“We stopped ourselves twice. But I just didn’t think we competed well in the first half. We were out of sink. We’re going to get that corrected (today).”
In essence, this contest pitting two Union County programs was filled with miscues.
Nonetheless, both teams dominated different portions of the game.
Parkers Chapel attained a lead with 1:42 left in the first quarter when running back Dezmon Jackson flashed his immense skill-set.
The senior located a hole in the Buckaroo defense and quickly exploded down the sideline for a 61-yard touchdown.
“That’s what we’re accustomed to seeing,” Housdan stated. “This being his senior year with the ability he has, that’s what we’re looking for; to give him opportunities to make plays like that.”
The point after was no good, leaving the score 6-0 in favor of the Trojans.
“On that long run, we just missed some tackles along the sideline,” Strickland said of Jackson’s tote.
In the second period, neither team scored as the Trojans carried their 6-0 lead into the intermission.
During the second half, both the third and fourth quarters were played under a running clock.
Now competing with a sense of urgency, the Buckaroo defense twice created turnovers in the third quarter.
Omari Wilbourn picked off a pass. Later in the third, Tyrek Rucks recovered a fumble.
However, Smackover was unable to take advantage of the turnovers. The Trojan defense held the Buckaroos in check as Smackover failed to score in the third period.
“Defensively, I feel like we’re in a good spot,” Housdan said. “We did a lot of bending but not breaking.”
Strickland was blunt when referencing his offense. “Offensively, we got some areas we have to get corrected – quick,” he acknowledged.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Smackover was on the verge of finally making its way into the end zone.
However, a fumble undermined the Bucks’ hopes of scoring. PC hopped on the ball ending the Smackover scoring threat on the 10-yard-line.
“That was Jacoby Edwards who made the fumble recovery. That’s a sophomore making a play,” Housdan said. “That was a really important play.”
But Smackover’s defense didn’t allow PC to go on a long drive. The Trojans were quickly forced to punt the ball with slightly over a minute left on the clock.
“I liked the way the (defense) played. That’s the way I expected the defense to start the game,” Strickland said.
“Early, we seemed to be moving in slow motion. But in the second half we got after it. That’s how I expect them to be.”
The Buckaroos finally got on the board when Bryce Lockhart completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Malik Boone.
Suddenly, with under 50 seconds left, Smackover was in position to claim the lead. But the point after was no good.
“They scored late against us,” Housdan said. “We had some new guys in the game getting reps, and that’s not going to happen down the road.”
With reserve players from both teams on the field, Smackover responded how Strickland hoped it would.
“Parkers Chapel gave us the ball with just over a minute left. It gave us an opportunity to stick it in the end zone late,” Strickland said.
“We had a chance to win. I wanted to see our kicker kick and see what we have to work on with our extra point team.”
The missed point after resulted in the score remaining 6-6.
Soon after, time ran out as this affair ended in a tie.
“I like what I saw,” Housdan said. “We definitely have some things to clean up. And we’ll work to get better.”
A visibly frustrated Strickland is focused on making immediate improvements.
“We ran some plays tonight in some situations we will probably not run at other times. But we wanted to see guys on film and see some blocking on different things,” he said. “We got out of the scrimmage what we needed. But we have to give a better effort. We have to give a better effort for a full four quarters.”