Columbia scrimmage

[Saggy Aggie]

Anybody got some info?

[Roughneck93]

Scrimmage started earlier then scheduled so I missed a little in the beginning.

Columbia 4 TD's Willowridge 0

All scores came from Columbia's first team offense.

Offense looked good. Oline needs some polishing but I was pleased with their performance for it being the first scrimmage.

Looks like the Necks will have a nice stable of running backs this year. Had a handful of backs rotating in the backfield and each one looked impressive.

Kesee was sharp and accurate throwing the ball, did have a few drops by the WRs. One of the scores came via the air...about 40 yards.

Defensively, Willowridge couldn't get anything going. Our DEs had pressure on the QB the entire scrimmage. Necks gave up a few runs up the middle but overall a good job by the D.

We'll have a better idea of what the Necks have in next week's scrimmage vs Wharton. I won't be able to make that one though....

[Scoop27]

Should be a good scrimmage with Wharton next week

[Saggy Aggie]

Scrimmage started earlier then scheduled so I missed a little in the beginning.

Columbia 4 TD's Willowridge 0

All scores came from Columbia's first team offense.

Offense looked good. Oline needs some polishing but I was pleased with their performance for it being the first scrimmage.

Looks like the Necks will have a nice stable of running backs this year. Had a handful of backs rotating in the backfield and each one looked impressive.

Kesee was sharp and accurate throwing the ball, did have a few drops by the WRs. One of the scores came via the air...about 40 yards.

Defensively, Willowridge couldn't get anything going. Our DEs had pressure on the QB the entire scrimmage. Necks gave up a few runs up the middle but overall a good job by the D.

We'll have a better idea of what the Necks have in next week's scrimmage vs Wharton. I won't be able to make that one though....

Thanks for the info 93

[Roughneck93]

Should be a good scrimmage with Wharton next week

You going?

Gonna need a recap.

[Roughneck93]

Roughnecks counting on experience

By JOEL LUNA joel.luna@thefacts.com | Posted: Monday, August 18, 2014 2:00 am

WEST COLUMBIA — Eleven starters return for the Columbia Roughnecks, but they have some experience with many sophomores getting playing time last year.

“We always feel good going in, but especially this year because we played so many young kids last year,” Columbia football coach Randy Lynch said. “I feel like we put together a competitive program and now it is time to step up. They’ve bought in to what we are trying to do and we go in with the same offense, but have changed up defense somewhat.”

There are four offensive returners, including senior quarterback Jarius Kesee. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder threw for more than 1,000 yards last season and will be looking to improve on that.

“He’s improved a lot over the last year and is taking more control of the offense,” Lynch said. “He is reading the defenses a lot better and his passing game has improved. Jarius will also be more involved in the run game this year. He could have had a lot more passing yards, but for so many years this has been a run-oriented offense. He’s improved on his accuracy and this year has a good corps of receivers.

“They were quite young last year, and we still have quite a young ball club,” he said. “There are a lot of juniors on offense especially, but they are working hard in practice to improve.”

With Kesee pretty much entrenched under center, the run game was quite successful in 2013 as junior Dakarius Bell ran for 1,852 yards with 24 touchdowns on 274 carries. Lynch is hoping that work load will be alleviated this year.

“We are going to get some people around him and we will go back to a running back committee,” Lynch said. “Brandon Harris will move from wide receiver to running back and Zedrick White will also get some carries. Although White primarily will play in the secondary, we are just trying to keep Bell fresher. He took some punishment last year, and had some hard carries. Harris is taller and faster.”

Senior Eugene Sims will be the punishing fullback for the Roughnecks this season. While there’s some experience in the backfield, the offensive line will start from scratch.

“The one kid that was returning decided not to play,” Lynch said.

Some of those lining up front will be Justin Hampson, Will Halliburton, Mason Durham, Tristen Reeves, Marcus Farris with Steve Perkins at tight end.

“A big surprise for us at camp is Tristen Vasquez, who is a strong kid and will fight it out with Hampson for the center spot,” Lynch said. “Farris was mostly a defensive lineman last year, but has been brought over for depth.”

Kesee’s targets this season will be seniors Jayson Faith and Jarron Freeman, along with juniors Richard Hooper and Caylon Fletcher.

“Richard is not very big and did not play last year, but is catching the ball well in practice,” Lynch said. “Caylon is a big addition for us who came from the JV and Jayson is a 6-foot-5 target, who along with Cyle Riggins, will be just part of a rotating system. Kesee is getting used to them and they are all getting better each day.”

The defense returns seven starters, including defensive ends Dennis Moody (6-foot-2, 225) and Michael French (6-foot-3, 220). A couple of juniors will take up the middle tackle positions in Stephen Brown and Austin Martinez.

“The defense looked good last night in our scrimmage and many of these guys were sophomores,” Lynch said. “We also have two returning linebackers in Kade Finley, who will line up in the middle and Hunter Grayson who returns to his strong-side position and sophomore Justin Pugh will be the other outside linebacker.”

Kalen Williams and Freeman will man the corners, with White and Harris at safety and strong safety.

On special teams, Jacob Comer returns as the kicker with junior Nick Solis backing him up. Faith and Pugh will share punting duties.

“We’ve gained some experience and some depth,” Lynch said. “This team can go all day long and some of these kids will play both ways. But one thing is that every week every job is open.”

District 12-4A Division I will not be a cakewalk for the Roughnecks with El Campo, Brazosport, Bay City, Stafford and Needville in the mix.

“It is going to be a challenge, and for quite some time we’ve been in the big school division but now are in the small division,” Lynch said. “El Campo just played for a state championship a couple of years ago and they could be the district favorite. Brazosport has always been a battle for us and they have some talented kids, and Bay City we used to play them in nondistrict action.

“Stafford was second in our district last year and Needville is going through a different system and Mike (Giles) will bring some light to that program. It is a very big challenge for us this year.”

After scrimmaging at Wharton on Friday, the Roughnecks open the regular season Aug. 29 at Griggs Field against Halletsville.

http://thefacts.com/sports/article_c4bd9ec1-c819-5b53-8d26-6fc8049695a0.html

[Roughneck93]

A few pics from the scrimmage.

From The Facts....

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/thefacts.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/a4/0a4468b3-f73d-5240-a0ba-e244c4cd27bb/53f2450617058.image.jpg
Kalen Fletcher catches the ball for a touchdown during a scrimmage against Fort Bend Willowridge at Columbia’s Griggs Field in West Columbia.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/thefacts.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/2e/42e90dda-0a1d-50ff-9fb7-a46a2c7d109e/53f245070ec70.image.jpg
Brandon Harris dodges the Fort Bend Willowridge defense during a scrimmage Friday at Columbia’s Griggs field in West Columbia.

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/thefacts.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/bd/9bdda7a8-fca8-5686-8ae0-4d7bd1b7567a/53f2450752b76.image.jpg
Jarus Kesee totes the ball during a scrimmage against Fort Bend Willowridge Friday at Columbia High School in West Columbia.

http://thefacts.com/sports/article_c4bd9ec1-c819-5b53-8d26-6fc8049695a0.html

[Necked]

I like the idea of getting Brandon Harris more touches by moving him to RB. Did he have a knee brace on like last year?

[Roughneck93]

I like the idea of getting Brandon Harris more touches by moving him to RB. Did he have a knee brace on like last year?

No knee brace. He ran like he was 100% healthy.

[Necked]

Awsome! Going to be a strong backfield.

[Scoop27]

Are you going to the scrimmage in Wharton on Friday?
I'm planning on attending-Varsity will probably start around 7 p.m.

[Roughneck93]

Are you going to the scrimmage in Wharton on Friday?
I'm planning on attending-Varsity will probably start around 7 p.m.

I won't make it. Give us a recap Scoop.

[Dub-C]

Hey Scoop, what's your opinion when they went to live quarters? Don't think those Wharton boys was excepting that.

[speedbump]

Hey Scoop, what's your opinion when they went to live quarters? Don't think those Wharton boys was excepting that.

So what happened?

[Dub-C]

Wharton during controlled scrimmage kept rolling there first team back in on Columbia's 2nd team. So they looked very dominate. Bwhen they went 1's on 1's it was a different story during the live quarters. It turned out to be more of battle 2-2 on TD's.

[SHSBulldog00]

Wharton during controlled scrimmage kept rolling there first team back in on Columbia's 2nd team. So they looked very dominate. Bwhen they went 1's on 1's it was a different story during the live quarters. It turned out to be more of battle 2-2 on TD's.

Is Wharton not as strong as some think or is WC stronger than expected?

[Dub-C]

A little of both I suspect.

[Saggy Aggie]

I think just based on all the skill players for Columbia coming back, the necks should be much better

[Scoop27]

Didn't make it to the scrimmage in Wharton but talked to a few folks that went said it was pretty evenly played. The Tigers will have their work cut out for them when the open the season on Friday on the road against Cuero

[Saggy Aggie]

Good to hear. Hopefully that means both of these teams are going to be strong this year

[WhartonTigers]

Wharton during controlled scrimmage kept rolling there first team back in on Columbia's 2nd team. So they looked very dominate. Bwhen they went 1's on 1's it was a different story during the live quarters. It turned out to be more of battle 2-2 on TD's.

Wharton first team was not in on the twos, most of the guys on the second team were sophmores and freshman, especially at linebacker and in the secondary.. But during game situation Columbia stepped up and competed very well against the speed....Columbia's QB will be a force this year

[Dub-C]

Wharton first team was not in on the twos, most of the guys on the second team were sophmores and freshman, especially at linebacker and in the secondary.. But during game situation Columbia stepped up and competed very well against the speed....Columbia's QB will be a force this year

Didn't Wharton wear numbers?

[Dogs_21]

The people on the texas2A site seem to think that this is a weak West Columbia team that wont give Halletsville a fight. I think they will see how good the Roughnecks are friday night. Necks by 10z

[Saggy Aggie]

I think I've decided I'll be there Friday