With a make-shift offensive line, the Blackhawks moved the ball down the field.
Photos by Drew Terhall | The Daily Advocate
The Blackhawks receivers, like junior Kyle Wehrkamp, made plays and did their job.
The defense had their ups and downs, but didn’t let Lima Perry string together a long drive on them.
By Drew Terhall
Dailyadvocate.com
UNION CITY — The Mississinawa Valley football team had their last scrimmage of the season against Lima Perry on August 16 at home.
The varsity played three quarters against Lima Perry. Lima Perry came away with the win in those three quarters.
The Blackhawks started out well as the offense moved the ball and got close to scoring in Lima Perry territory. Head coach Steven Trobridge said he was happy with how freshman quarterback Caleb Spradling played and his wide receivers played well. With some backups having to play on the offensive line in this game, they had some untimely penalties that kept them off the scoreboard.
“The first two series on offense, we were down getting ready to score. We had two false starts on both of those drives. A second and one turns into a second and six. It changes up what Coach Watson wants to do as an offensive coordinator,” Trobridge said. “Offensively, I think we’re there. We’re clicking. Caleb looked good. As a freshman, I know he’s going to make mistakes at QB at times. He did a heck of a job”
Even with a shuffled offensive line already, they were able to run the ball effectively and give Spradling time to throw. They just couldn’t stay in a rhythm during the drive and were kept out of the endzone.
Defensively, the Blackhawks made their stands and forced some punts during the scrimmage. It was the big plays that hurt the Blackhawks.
Lima Perry scored three touchdowns and all were 25+ yard scores. Trobridge said the team had some good defensive plays, but Lima Perry just made the better offensive play at times diving for a ball for the score.
Trobridge said he will have to go back to the tape and see what small adjustments they have to make. Once those are made, they will be alright.
“We’re not the biggest team. We’re a bend don’t break defense. We get them down and all of those touchdowns were on third and long. We got to fix that up,” Trobridge said.
The team will experience some ups and downs with young players at some key positions. Overall, the team showed some good and showed where they need to improve before their first game at Waynesfield-Goshen.
In the team’s first scrimmage, they had a close lost to New Miami on a two-point conversion and lost by eight to West Carrollton. They did defeat Belmont easily in the same scrimmage.
Trobridge said they need to get off this roller coaster and play more consistent. He is confident with another week of practice, they will be ready for Waynesfield-Goshen.
“I think we’re ready for Waynesfield. I’m not negative on this. We just got to get back to work. Honestly, I believe if we get back to work we’ll get ready to play Waynesfield-Goshen week one,” Trobridge said.
They will take on the Tigers on August 23 on the road at 7 p.m.
Contact Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected].
