One last test before the real thing

Area teams hit the field for the final scrimmages last Thursday night.
This week, the lights come on for real.
Marlow will host Lone Grove, Bray-Doyle travels to Elmore City and Central High is on the road at Mt. View-Gotebo.
First, the coaches reflect.
It wasn’t a fluke.
Following the Outlaws’ mastery at Pauls Valley, Marlow showed it is a team on the rise against Lindsay, a team that was picked by district coaches to finish atop its district in Class 2A.
“We came in with two goals,” said head coach Jeremy Gage. “The first was to play harder than Lindsay. The second was to be the most physical team on the field. I think we accomplished those goals.”
Beyond the goals of the team were the coaches’ concerns about the defense.
“The offense was really clicking last week at Pauls Valley, but were had some concerns with the defense.
“I will be real honest. We were impressed with the defense,” the coach added. “They played a lot better. Our tackling was much better than it was the previous week.”
Though many fans didn’t make the trip to Pauls Valley last week, Gage noted that the thoughts after the scrimmage from the crowd were that of surprise of how well the Outlaws looked against the Leopards.
“We welcome that,” Gage said. “We want people in this community to have high expectations for us. That is a good thing for this program.”
Gage said most of the starting spots are now nailed down, as the Outlaws made the turn to the first game week.
“We are going to play the best 11 guys every week,” Gage said. “We are constantly evaluating because we film the practices. It is only fair to put the best 11 on the field.”
The Bronchos completed the scrimmage season without the services of their first-string center, quarterback and tailback last Thursday in Cement.
That didn’t stop Central High from having success.
“We are to the point that if we go and play Mt. View-Gotebo, we believe we have a good chance of winning,” said asst. coach Mark Perry. “If we don’t go and give our best effort, we won’t win.”
The Bronchos lost the services of sophomore center Jarrett Sparks on Aug. 13, when he was injured during the first day of pads. His injury – to his right leg – will keep him off the field until the end of the regular season.
Perry said Grant Tomlinson has stepped in to fill the void.
“When you get Grant mad, he plays well,” Perry said.
The focus of the second and final scrimmage was the offensive line, which was not made easier as Cement sent six defenders on each play.
That, however, allowed freshman quarterback Cade Taylor the opportunity to get some reps in on the Broncho passing game.
“Cement made our line work, and sometimes Cade paid the price,” Perry said. “Cade was nervous, but did a good job, and Jeremy Russell was a good target all night.”
Starting quarterback Kyler Newton was out with an injury to his throwing hand, but Perry said that he would be ready for Mt. View Friday night.
Tailback Ashton Wright was also out with a wrist injury, but should be ready for the regular season. Bryce Spencer filled in for Wright at the scrimmage.
The Donkeys were on the road for their final preparations for the regular season scrimmaging Riverside and Walters in Blue Devil country.
By all accounts, head coach Warren Butler was pleased with his team’s performance, especially comparing it to the previous week’s performance.
Butler reported that the Donkeys scored the lone touchdown of the night, and quarterback Jesse Barton completed three lengthy passes, including a pass to Flint Wilson of 90 yards.
The Donkeys continued to receive good line play with Butler spotlighting the efforts of Aaron Price, Greg Perez and Chris Womack.