After 10 days of blood, sweat and tears, the Spalding High Jaguars football team put a cap on its spring practice sessions with the annual Navy and Silver Scrimmage Football Game Friday afternoon at the SHS football practice field in front of friends, classmates, family and school administrators. The controlled scrimmage (which didn’t have referees) lasted nearly 2 hours and the team, which was split into three groups, ran just about 50 plays.

The Jags have several seniors returning for next season, but they are also loaded with freshmen, sophomores and some juniors.

Spalding head football coach Nick Davis said even though some mistakes were made, he was pleased with how his young squad competed in the game.

“We’re young, but we’ve got guys who are willing to work and willing to learn. We’re learning some new schemes and formations and there’s only so much kids can absorb in just 10 days,” said Davis. “As long as the kids don’t get complacent and work hard every single day, we’ll be fine.”

There was no scoring in the Navy and Silver Game, but several Jags made plays. Monquez Sullivan and Trae Moran performed decently at quarterback — with Moran completing a big pass play late in the game — and running back Brandon “Cornbread” Thomas ran hard when he had his touches. The first-group defense shined the most, as lineman Devontez Carter and linebacker Jake Jeffcoat combined for a sack on a blitz, cornerback Phillip Goodrum snagged two interceptions and linebacker Jevaris Jones made some big hits.

“We were playing Cover 3 early in the game and I was lined up over the top,” said Goodrum, a rising senior. “Once I saw the ball, I went up and grabbed it for the interception. I will try to keep that up during the summer and fall.”

Rising senior outside linebacker Anthony Bush said the defense did a good job of flying to the ball for the most part, but “we still were not where we needed to be all the time.”

“I was so hyped today and that hurt my self-discipline,” said Bush, who will also play on offense next year. “I jumped offsides a few times on defense and the coaches got on me. I’ll do better from now on.”

Davis said he was pleased with several players this spring, including Carter, Jones, Powell Krepps and Garrett Bell. He said Jones has looked good at the “mike” linebacker position and Krepps is doing the best he can at linebacker after coming from the baseball team. He was also high on Jay Westbury’s smooth move from guard to center this spring and the progress Sullivan and Moran have made at quarterback.

Spalding begins its summer practice sessions on July 25.

SPALDING FOOTBALL

Preseason

Date |Opponent

8/17 |Pike Co.

Regular Season

Date |Opponent

8/31 |Lamar Co.

9/7 |Rutland

9/14|OPEN

9/21 |@ Locust Grove

9/27 |Dutchtown

10/5 |@ Upson-Lee *

10/12 |@ Riverdale *

10/19 |@ Jonesboro *

10/26 |North Clayton *

11/2 |Griffin *

11/9 |Region Playoff

* — Region 4-AAAA, Div. B