Interesting scrimmages right around the corner

It is still almost three weeks until the games start counting for real. But many area teams have already started strapping on the pads and soon those teams will begin pairing off in preseason scrimmages. The old cliché says that scrimmages don’t mean anything and that is true to some extent. But there are things coaches and fans can learn from these early scrimmages. Scrimmages offer fans a preview of how teams are shaping up for the coming season. They provide the athletes with their first chance to test themselves against a “real” opponent. And it allows coaches to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their teams and get those competitive juices flowing.

Area scrimmages begin in earnest on August 15th and continue through the 22nd. There are several interesting matchups around the area. Here is a list of some of my favorites:

Tatum @ Daingerfield (August 15th):

Daingerfield is coming off a 2A state title in 2008. They are returning a bevy of talent at the offensive skilled positions. The Tigers also return 7 starters on defense and will feature a stingy defensive secondary. But there are questions to be answered. Daingerfield must replace all five starters on the offensive line. The Tigers also must replace 3 all-state performers on defense including the linebacking duo of Carl Moore and Julius Hurndon. Who will be the leader of the defense?

Tatum had a run of three state title game appearances come to an abrupt end as they returned to the 3A ranks. Tatum went 5-6 including 2-3 in district but still managed to make the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. Tatum returns 17 starters and 26 lettermen (the most in their district). B.J. Allen is a stud on both sides of the ball. Coach Andy Evans will try to find a way to improve a defense that gave up 34 points a game in 2008. Does Tatum have enough to make a run in the 3A playoffs?

This is a great cross-classification matchup.

Jefferson @ Liberty Eylau (August 15th):

Jefferson has four D1 prospects including defensive end Clarence Lee. The Bulldogs beat White Oak in the first round of the playoffs last year and gave Arp a close game. Many “experts” are high on the Bulldogs in 2009. Do the Bulldogs have a shot at unseating the Daingerfield Tigers as district champs?

Liberty Eylau missed the playoffs in 2008. But the Leopards are the coaches’ pick to win the district in 2009. Are the Leopards really the best team in district 16-3A?

Another matchup pitting a 2A team against a 3A team.

Arp @ Chapel Hill (August 20th):

Arp begins the season ranked #2 in 2A after losing to an eventual state finalist team each of the last two years. Arp returns 13 starters including all-state safety Lavocheya Cooper. But the Tigers must replace quarterback Will Allen and all-state linebacker Garrett Williams. Is this the year for the Tigers?

Chapel Hill has made the playoffs each of the last three years. In 2008, they finished 4-1 in district 17-3A. But can the Bulldogs replace runningback Matthew Tucker? Where will the offensive production come from?

Yet another cross-classification scrimmage that should test both teams.

Troup @ Van (August 20th):

Two teams that return nearly everybody. Troup will contend for a playoff spot in 19-2A. Van looks to make a deep run in the 3A playoffs. Van will have an opportunity to showcase their new state of the art stadium.

Carthage @ Whitehouse (August 21st):

Carthage is coming off a 3A state championship. They must replace SiDarius Blackshire and Dwight Smith. But the Bulldogs still have one of the best offensive lines in East Texas. Can Carthage reload on offense?

Whitehouse is favored to win district 14-4A. The Wildcats return a ton of talent including Trey Metoyer. Preston Conder takes over at quarterback for Brady Attaway. The offense should be explosive. But can the defense improve enough to give the Wildcats a chance in the playoffs?

Longview @ John Tyler (August 21st):

Longview is everybody’s pick to win the 4A state championship. Aaron Johnson, Tyler McCray and company look to get it going.

John Tyler has a chance to win the district 11-5A title. The Lions’ Ashton Dorsey is one of the best defensive tackles in the country.

A good scrimmage between two former district rivals.