Intensity up, but Nederland prevails in tuneup
Brooks' hopes remain high for season
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER JUNIOR DANTE ROLLINS (25) leads a host of Dawg defensive defenders as they chase down a Nederland running back during last Friday's scrimmage. Jasper opens its season Friday, Aug. 31 when they host the Livingston Lions at the Bone Yard starting at 7:30 p.m.

Jasper Head Football Coach Thomas Brooks has said all along that he just wanted to see his Bulldogs improve with each passing week.

The Dawgs did just that last Friday during a home scrimmage with the Nederland Bulldogs.

Jasper may have lost the controlled portion of the scrimmage 10-6, but the Dawgs played inspired defense throughout the scrimmage and came away impressing the Jasper head man.

"I thought we were able to be physical with Nederland," Brooks said. "We did practice on Nederland's style of play until Wednesday (of the scrimmage week) because we had been working on Livingston all week long. On Wednesday, we crammed in their offense and defense so after we adjusted to what Nederland was doing offensively, I thought we did a good job."

Nederland scored the first time via the aid of a long pass play that led to a two-yard scoring run.

"I think we started to put some pressure on their quarterback and they decided to take him out of the scrimmage," Brooks said. "They had planned on playing him the entire scrimmage but he was getting hit too much."

Brooks said the contest underscored the importance of getting pressure on the quarterback. The Dawgs will employ a man-to-man defense in the secondary so getting pressure on the quarterback is vital to any success.

"We started putting pressure on the quarterback in the second quarter and you started seeing a difference there," Brooks said. "Our kids were tired at first but then they wanted to keep playing so I was real proud of that. I wanted to see them run around and hustle and who didn't mind getting hit and who could deliver them.

"I thought we got a lot out of the scrimmage, especially going against a team like Nederland," Brooks said. "You know they have a good program that has been to the playoffs for 11 years in a row. I was real pleased with the effort."

With the lack of preparation on Nederland's defensive schemes, Jasper's offense sputtered at times

before finally getting its legs under them.

"It made it a little tough on the blocking," Brooks said. "But we did go out and play and play hard and at full speed."

Brooks praised the work of quarterback Cameron Stubblefield and his passing against Nederland. In fact, Jasper scored during the controlled scrimmage on a 35-yard scoring strike from Stubblefield to Aaron Garrett.

Brooks also praised the work of senior Malcolm Bronson during the scrimmage. Bronson collected some key passes during the scrimmage and also played on defense as well.

"I think once the season starts we will be able to pass the ball and run the ball effectively," Brooks said. "People are not going to be able to put eight people in the box to try to stop the run. We will be able to throw the football."

Brook said Octavious Rawls and Landis McBride starred running the ball against Nederland.

"I was really impressed with Octavious and I saw some flashes of Landis when he caught the ball out of the backfield and made some guys miss," Brooks said. "He missed all of last season with an injury so you see him getting back to old Landis that we know."

Defensively, Brooks praised the efforts of linemen Michael Crowell, Carlos Carter, Trae Horn and Cliff Mitchell.

"I thought those guys put pressure on the quarterback and our linebackers played a lot better than they did against PN-G," Brooks said. "AJ Bronson and Dante Rollins did a super job but the most improvement was in the defensive secondary."

Brooks said that during PN-G scrimmage, receivers were able to get deep against Jasper's secondary but that was not the case against Nederland.

"Nederland caught one long pass and that was it," Brooks said. "With Malcolm having to go both ways, it was really tough but we plan on remedying that this week."

Brooks said the plan is to work someone else into Bronson's defensive position to give the senior rest for the offensive side of the ball. Darren Beavers has been penciled in as a defensive starter in place of Bronson.

"We have too many players who can play so we shouldn't have to start guys both ways," Brooks said. "We have the talent to be able to do that. When you get to the third and fourth quarter, you won't be as tired and people won't be able to wear us down - we'll still be fresh."

Brooks praised cornerbacks Dominique Bailey and Tim Cauley for their work as well as safeties Xavier Mays and William Brooks.

"I think it is coming together," Brooks said. "It's just a matter of believing and getting the pride in Jasper football back again."

But is Brooks pleased with where the Dawgs are?

"I still see some things that we still have a lot of work to do on," Brooks said. "I think we are heading in the right direction and we definitely haven't peaked yet. We are far from that. The kids have great attitudes about wanting to get better and be successful this year."