Sports

White blots out Blue 13-6 in spirited scrimmage August 22, 2008 - No reporter cited

Dewayne Holloway
Sports Editor

DIERKS- The Dierks faithful were treated to their first taste of Outlaw football for the 2008 season when the Outlaws faced off against one another Tuesday, August 19, in their annual Blue-White game.

Coaches David Bennett and John Hall officiated the game, while Coach Shane Walston coached the Blue team amd Coach Jeff Tipton coached the White team.

The scrimmage didn’t follow any formal format, with both teams controlling the ball until they couldn’t convert a first down, scored a touchdown or lost a turnover. They played three periods, with the White team coming out on top by a score of 13-6.

The Blue team was led by seniors Drew Walston at quarterback, Chase Mitchell at wide reciever and newcomer John Alverado at running back.

D. Walston led the Blue team down the field in their first possession, scoring in seven plays. The Blue team focused on the run during their first possession, running the ball five of the seven plays from scrimmage.

Alverado was highlighted on the first play with a run to the left side of the field for a five-yard gain, followed by D. Walston who moved the chains on the next play with a quarterback keeper.

D. Walston and Mitchell gave the fans a glimpse of what lies ahead for the season, with a 49 yard pass that brought the Blue team inside the ten yard line.

The White team’s defense looked to be ready, holding the Blue team to only one yard for the first three plays, but D. Walston powered his way through the defense to score the first Outlaw touchdown of 2008. The Blue team took a 6-0 lead with D. Walston missing the PAT.

The White team’s offense took the ball for the first time with Junior quarterback Cody Stapp and Seniors David Bray at running back and Casey Simmons at wide receiver leading the charge.

The Blue team’s defense looked strong, holding the White team running game to -7 yards for the first two plays, before taking the ball back on a Dustin Bissell interception.

The White offense stepped onto the field after Jacob Dinger recovered a fumble and took full advantage of the opportunity, taking the lead 7-6.

Stapp turned to the air, throwing six consecutive passes - the highlight being a 40 yard pass to Bray to put them inside the Blue ten yard line.

Bray finished the job on the ground scoring the tying touchdown and taking the lead with the PAT.

Defense ruled at the start of the second period with the White team losing the ball on a second down fumble and the Blue team turning the ball over on downs.

Bray got his reps in on the White team’s second round of offense, turning in six carries for 25 yards.

The White team was able to convert two fourth downs during the series, but eventually turned the ball over on downs to end a long 17-play drive without scoring.

D. Walston led the Blue team down the field in their second possession of the period with nine pass plays. Mitchell was on the receiving end of four of them for 28 yards, but the highlight of the series was a 37 yard completion to junior Bissell that brought the ball down to the White two yard line.

The White defense proved that offense wasn’t the only strength on the team, when they not only held the Blue team, but pushed them back to the 20 yard line before regaining possession on downs.

The third period was not good for the Blue team with them taking the opening series and going four and out.

The run game looked to be the strength of the White offense with them running the ball eight of 13 plays, with Stapp scoring their second touchdown of the night from the Blue two yard line to increase their lead to 13-6.

The Blue offense had one last chance to tie the game, but was unable to deliver with Stapp intercepting a pass to end the game.

Both quarterbacks looked good in the scrimmage at times, with D. Walston and Stapp both completing ten passes while throwing for one interception each.

Both quarterbacks had a rushing touchdown as well.

Mitchell was the leading receiver for both teams with six catches for 84 yards, followed by Simmons with six catches for 52 yards. Bray had three catches for 48 yards, Bissell had two for 40 yards and Justin Johnson had one for eight yards.

The running game shows promise with Bray taking 13 carries for 65 yards and Alverado, 58 yards on 13.

The defense looked strong with Justin Johnson and Briar Morrow showing some strength on the inside, along with Lain Janes and Dinger.

Bissell and Stapp both recorded interceptions as they provided security in the defensive backfield.

Dierks will play Mountain Pine Monday, August 25, at Dierks in a scrimmage game with both the Junior and Senior High teams playing. The Junior High starta at 6 p.m.

The season opener will be against Fouke at Dierks September 5.

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