Brooks 'impressed' with Dawgs initial performance
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan JASPER HEAD FOOTBALL COACH THOMAS BROOKS liked what he saw during Jasper's first scrimmage with Port-Neches Groves last Friday,Aug. 17.The Dawgs came away with a 2-1 win in the game portion of the scrimmage.

The first steps in the second Thomas Brooks era at Jasper High School were taken last Saturday on the field at Port Neches-Groves.

Jasper came away with a 2-1 scoring advantage in the game scrimmage but, according to Brooks, came away with an improved winning attitude.

"We wanted to find out who was going to run and who was going to hit and I think we found that out," Brooks said. "It was great coming home after the game and see the guys pumped up after playing that game. They liked the feeling and I told them with more practice, we could have more of this.

"We were going up against a PN-G team that has a lot of pride," Brooks said. "We wanted to be physical. That is the one thing we want people to remember about Jasper football and that is being physical and aggressive."

Jasper threw the football extensively in their first offensive possession. Brooks said he was impressed with starting quarterback Cameron Stubblefield who directed the Dawgs down the field for a score on their first drive.

Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan RIGHT AFTER THEIR SUCCESSFUL scrimmage against Port Neches-Groves, the Bulldogs took to the practice fields looking to improve their skills. Jasper will take on Nederland this Friday at The Bone Yard in their final scrimmage before opening the season against the Livingston Lions.

Jasper's first score came on a Stubblefield-to- Malcolm Bronson scoring strike.

"We made it look pretty easy - it was scary," Brooks said. "Cameron threw the ball real well and we had good pass protection as he didn't have to worry about any pass rush.

"Anytime you don't have to worry about those defensive linemen coming in it allows you to focus on the receivers and that's a lot better," Brooks said.

Offensively, Brooks said he was looking for proper execution on the called plays. He said offensive coordinator Ty Quick has installed multiple formations for the Bulldogs this year but against PN-G, Jasper remained in a basic set.

"We just really wanted to see who could block, who could run the football and who could catch," Brooks said. "Keep the focus and execute our game plan."

In the backfield, senior Landis McBride anchored the starting backfield along with junior Octavious Rawls, A.J. Bronson and Dante Rollins. Brandon McQueen and Kaddaroe Rawls were held out of the PN-G scrimmage due to injuries.

"I was really impressed with the offensive line," Brooks said. "They were making some holes up there."

On the defensive side of the ball, Brooks said his squad was equally impressive.

"We ran to the football real well," Brooks said.

It was so impressive that the Dawgs only allowed one first down in the first 15 plays ran off by PN-G.

"We really swarmed the football and I was really impressed with that," Brooks said. "That's why we preach get to the football because one guy might miss but the rest of them are coming.

"We want to be able to take a picture with everybody in the frame," Brooks said. "We want to be physical and if you do those things, you will have success."

Brooks pointed to the play of Cliff Mitchell and Michael Crowell as standouts on the defensive side of the ball.

Brooks said senior Trae Horn and junior linebackers Dante Rollins and A.J. Bronson shined as well.

"This is Dante's first year at linebacker," Brooks said of the junior who played defensive end last year. "We moved him to linebacker so he can use his speed and run and make tackles all over the field."

Rollins led Jasper with 10 tackles during the scrimmage.

Brooks also credited the work of safeties Malcolm Bronson, William Brooks and Xavier Mays and cornerbacks Ryan Bronson, McBride, Dominque Bailey and Tim Cauley as having good games.

"They got behind us a couple of times and there are still some techniques that need to be worked on," Brooks said. "They got behind us three times and that's pretty good considering we play manto man defense with the talent they have."

Jasper held a 2-0 lead for the majority of the scrimmage before PN-G scored on their final possession of the evening.

"Everybody wanted the shutout but when you play teams with pride, they are not going to let you come in and shut them out," Brooks said.