Pads are popping, helmets are crashing, muscles are aching, whistles are blowing, and sweat is slinging. Does all of this sound familiar? This is a clear indication that high school football is now in full gear both figuratively and literally.
With the passage of 7 on 7 passing camps, teams began full-contact, live action this past week. While most teams have already completed a full week of full-contact practice, many teams have completed a scrimmage against an opposing team.
TSSAA mandates that teams must practice three days in full-contact mode before facing an opposing team in a scrimmage. For the most part, these scrimmages are modified from actual game-like situations. They focus more on a team’s offense and defense with each team getting a series of plays. The offense can get a first down, but even if they don’t in the traditional sense, within four downs, then they can still possess the ball based upon a pre-determined amount (usually ten plays).
These scrimmages are designed more for the coaches to evaluate their personnel rather than planning out the “x’s and o’s” strategy of a regular season game.
Besides the coaches getting a close look at the progress of the team, this is a valuable time for referees to get some valuable experience officiating before the regular season starts. Most coaches choose to have the scrimmage loosely officiated.
The Gordonsville Tigers traveled to Smithville this past Friday night to scrimmage Dekalb County High School (pictures enclosed). They will be hosting Livingston Academy this coming Friday night (August 7) for their second scrimmage of the pre-season.
Smith County High School scrimmaged White County also this past Friday night. They will also be hosting a scrimmage this Friday night against Clay County.
Smith County Insider will be bringing unprecedented coverage of both Gordonsville and Smith County Football this fall. Check back with us as we bring more coverage of both programs’ preseason activities.
