Blue Jays, Warriors battle in scrimmage
y Jamie Anfenson-Comeau
OAKDALE – Blue Jay fans got an early preview of the upcoming football season Tuesday evening, as St. Edmund played a spring scrimmage match against the Oakdale Warriors.
The scrimmage match, a yearly tradition, gave coaches of both teams the opportunity to stand on the field and observe their players close up, as the offense and defense of the first and second teams took turns attempting various plays.
It allowed the coaches the opportunity to try different players in different positions, and get an early look at what their strengths and weaknesses were.
Although no official score was kept, both teams managed to score at least one touchdown.
“They did a good job. Our big guys, they’re putting everything together like we need to have it right now. We’re real inconsistent with our blocking, but we’re lacking two or three big guys in the middle, two tackles and a center,” Blue Jays Head Coach Tom Andrus said in his post-game comments.
Andrus said he was particularly impressed with the performance of his backfield.
“Marshall (Arabie) has done an extremely good job coming in from being a wide receiver to being quarterback; he threw the ball well. He runs pretty good, and it gives us a little added advantage with his quickness.”
“(Edward) Turk; we’ve got a good blocking back in him; he can run the ball, only thing is, we’ve got to teach him to hold onto it,” Andrus added.
The Jays’ main weakness seemed to be in the inexperience of their defensive blocking.
“We’re real inconsistent with our blocking, but we’re lacking two or three big guys in the middle, two tackles and a center,” Andrus said.
“Overall, the performance was good for spring. We’ve only had 15 days, and we didn’t get our full 15 in, but what we did get in, it was worthwhile.
“Our young kids’ve just got to get into the system, and they’ll get it by the time we get ready to play in the fall.”
The 2008 Blue Jay season kicks off with the Opelousas Jamboree at Donald Gardner Stadium on Aug. 28.
The regular season begins with a nondistrict home game against Sacred Heart of Ville Platte on Sept. 5.