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08-19-2005, 01:45 AM
Wylie looks impressive in scrimmage at Brownwood
By Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 19, 2005
Wylie High School quarterback Case Keenum made a statement Thursday night. The Bulldogs are back.
The senior state-champion quarterback marched his team right down the field on the opening drive of Thursday's scrimmage at Brownwood High School. He accounted for 58 yards on the opening touchdown drive, all without even throwing the ball.
The second time on the field, though, wasn't quite as successful for the Bulldogs.
After moving the ball well inside Brownwood territory, Keenum was intercepted by Britton Maxwell.
With time running out in the first of two 15-minute periods, and with the Lions inside the Wylie five yard-line thanks to several missed tackles, Brownwood tailback Jamal Organ slipped into the end zone as the horn sounded.
Wylie answered with another impressive drive, highlighted by a 30-yard pass from Keenum to receiver Gary Edwards. Keenum then hit Jacob Jennings in the end zone to make the score 14-7.
Brownwood answered with a 40-yard pass play on first down and then scored four plays later to tie the score at 14. It was the same score the two teams had when the scrimmage ended.
But let's be realistic - this was just a scrimmage. And like all scrimmages, the final score couldn't have been less meaningful. After all, neither team wanted to show much of its playbook with coaches from both schools' first-week opponents in the stands, notebooks in hands. What is important, though, is what can be taken from the live action:
Wylie's offense will score at will.
Michael Kiger is gone, but little else has left from Wylie's championship-caliber group of skill players. Keenum and Edwards are as talented a duo as a team can have in 3A, if not any classification. Combine those two with running back Cody Howdeshell, and the currently injured Trent Morris with a capable offensive line looking to prove itself, and you've got the recipe for plenty of points.
Gary Edwards is a playmaker.
Edwards will be the fastest player on the field in every game the Bulldogs play this season. The junior is listed as a receiver, but he will make plenty of plays at running back and as a kick returner.
''We've got to make sure that we get Gary on the field and we get him some touches,'' coach Hugh Sandifer said. ''He's not the kind of back that we can give him 20 carries a game, but that'll be our job, to use his versatility on offense.''
Edwards showed just that kind versatility Thursday, with his touchdown run and a 30-yard reception.
Case Keenum will make plenty of plays without throwing the ball.
Keenum ran for 90 yards Thursday, and that was only in two quarters with a continuous clock. His ability to throw the deep ball will spread defenses out, allowing him to take off.
''He has that ability, especially on drop-back passes, to be a dual threat and take off and run and make some yardage,'' Sandifer said. ''He made some big runs and some big conversions for us tonight.''
Jared Robertson can dominate opposing offenses.
With Robertson, a nose guard, breathing down the center's neck, Brownwood botched seven snaps on Thursday - and that was before he even hit anybody. Robertson is stronger than he was last season when he was named to the All-State team, and this year he's playing for a scholarship in addition to a state title.
Depth will plague Wylie.
Wylie's second-team offense didn't take the field in Thursday's scrimmage, but it did in the teams' pre-scrimmage live action. In one 20-play set, Wylie's second-team offense threw two interceptions and could only manage 12 total yards.
''We've got to have some guys step up at the two's,'' Sandifer said. ''We struggled offensively tonight with our second string.''
The preseason is over for Wylie, as Thursday's scrimmage was the team's last tune-up before the season begins next Friday against San Angelo Lake View. There is no doubt the team isn't in mid-season form, but the Bulldogs are showing flashes - and that means this could just be another special season.
Contact sports writer Jason Weddle at weddlej@reporternews.com or 676-6771.
By Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 19, 2005
Wylie High School quarterback Case Keenum made a statement Thursday night. The Bulldogs are back.
The senior state-champion quarterback marched his team right down the field on the opening drive of Thursday's scrimmage at Brownwood High School. He accounted for 58 yards on the opening touchdown drive, all without even throwing the ball.
The second time on the field, though, wasn't quite as successful for the Bulldogs.
After moving the ball well inside Brownwood territory, Keenum was intercepted by Britton Maxwell.
With time running out in the first of two 15-minute periods, and with the Lions inside the Wylie five yard-line thanks to several missed tackles, Brownwood tailback Jamal Organ slipped into the end zone as the horn sounded.
Wylie answered with another impressive drive, highlighted by a 30-yard pass from Keenum to receiver Gary Edwards. Keenum then hit Jacob Jennings in the end zone to make the score 14-7.
Brownwood answered with a 40-yard pass play on first down and then scored four plays later to tie the score at 14. It was the same score the two teams had when the scrimmage ended.
But let's be realistic - this was just a scrimmage. And like all scrimmages, the final score couldn't have been less meaningful. After all, neither team wanted to show much of its playbook with coaches from both schools' first-week opponents in the stands, notebooks in hands. What is important, though, is what can be taken from the live action:
Wylie's offense will score at will.
Michael Kiger is gone, but little else has left from Wylie's championship-caliber group of skill players. Keenum and Edwards are as talented a duo as a team can have in 3A, if not any classification. Combine those two with running back Cody Howdeshell, and the currently injured Trent Morris with a capable offensive line looking to prove itself, and you've got the recipe for plenty of points.
Gary Edwards is a playmaker.
Edwards will be the fastest player on the field in every game the Bulldogs play this season. The junior is listed as a receiver, but he will make plenty of plays at running back and as a kick returner.
''We've got to make sure that we get Gary on the field and we get him some touches,'' coach Hugh Sandifer said. ''He's not the kind of back that we can give him 20 carries a game, but that'll be our job, to use his versatility on offense.''
Edwards showed just that kind versatility Thursday, with his touchdown run and a 30-yard reception.
Case Keenum will make plenty of plays without throwing the ball.
Keenum ran for 90 yards Thursday, and that was only in two quarters with a continuous clock. His ability to throw the deep ball will spread defenses out, allowing him to take off.
''He has that ability, especially on drop-back passes, to be a dual threat and take off and run and make some yardage,'' Sandifer said. ''He made some big runs and some big conversions for us tonight.''
Jared Robertson can dominate opposing offenses.
With Robertson, a nose guard, breathing down the center's neck, Brownwood botched seven snaps on Thursday - and that was before he even hit anybody. Robertson is stronger than he was last season when he was named to the All-State team, and this year he's playing for a scholarship in addition to a state title.
Depth will plague Wylie.
Wylie's second-team offense didn't take the field in Thursday's scrimmage, but it did in the teams' pre-scrimmage live action. In one 20-play set, Wylie's second-team offense threw two interceptions and could only manage 12 total yards.
''We've got to have some guys step up at the two's,'' Sandifer said. ''We struggled offensively tonight with our second string.''
The preseason is over for Wylie, as Thursday's scrimmage was the team's last tune-up before the season begins next Friday against San Angelo Lake View. There is no doubt the team isn't in mid-season form, but the Bulldogs are showing flashes - and that means this could just be another special season.
Contact sports writer Jason Weddle at weddlej@reporternews.com or 676-6771.