The Brownwood Lions’ second and final scrimmage of the preseason is usually considered a dress rehearsal for the season opener, but with the rash of injuries head coach Sammy Burnett’s squad has suffered since last week’s scrimmage, the evening may resemble more of an open tryout.
The Class 4A Division I preseason No. 7 Lions visit the No. 22 Alvarado Indians Thursday night, with the varsity set to take the field at 7 p.m. after the subvarsities work on opposite ends of the stadium at 5:30 p.m.
The Lions, however, will be without at least five key contributors during varsity competition.
“For us right now, it’s next man up,” Burnett said. “We’ve brought up several kids from the junior varsity that will play in both scrimmages. They’re going to get some plays with the ones on varsity because we’ve got to get some eyes on some kids. We’re already being decimated by injuries. We’re plagued by injuries more right now than we were all last year or the year before. They are key players on our football team and we’re trying to find the next man up to step in and fill those roles. We’re thin as it is numbers-wise, we don’t have the numbers to continue to lose kids.”
Burnett said the list of those wounded include defensive tackle/tight end Weston Wolf with an AC joint separation that may keep him out up to five weeks; the lone returning starter on the offensive line, Aidan Packheiser, who missed practice most of the week with a knee issue; linebacker/running back Case Burnett who suffered a broken arm; linebacker/fullback Robbie Robinson, who had a knee flare up in practice Wednesday; and tight end Aiden Driskill, who broke a bone in his leg in the Argyle Liberty Christian scrimmage and will miss six to eight weeks.
As unfortunate as the injuries are, opportunities are available that may not have otherwise existed for other players to turn the heads of the coaching staff.
“We for sure have a couple of linemen from the JV that are going to get a hard look because we have to know if they can do it,” said Burnett, as the offensive front was overhauled in practice prior to last week’s scrimmage. “We don’t want to be put them in a position to not be successful, so it’s difficult and tough for coaches. We have a lot of decisions to make, and we do have some time to make those, but it’s going to be crucial that we get them on film and get a true evaluation of what they can do.”
Regarding what Burnett and the rest of the coaching staff want to see from the Lions Thursday night, he said, “We have to continue to grow. Kids are working hard in practice every day and you couldn’t ask more of our kids. They’re trying to fix the things that we’re doing wrong, and a lot of it this time of year is technique and how we’re doing things, linemen especially in terms of steps, the right distance, the right direction and making sure our hands are right. And with receivers, we tell them on a good night you may get five or six touches, so what are you doing the other 80 plays? They have to become extremely good blockers as well. We always want to be physical, we always want to play fast, that’s a given. We pride ourselves on being a very physical, fast playing team.”
The varsity scrimmage format will consist of a controlled portion with 10 plays each for the first-team offenses and defenses, then eight plays apiece for the second-team units, followed by eight more plays for the starters on each side of the ball. A live quarter will follow, and potentially additional work, as was the case against Argyle Liberty Christian.
“If we decide after that quarter we need more touches we may add some time on the clock,” Burnett said.
The Lions will not be scheming Alvarado, which returns nine offensive and seven defensive starters from a 7-5 playoff team a year ago, and is the preseason favorite to win District 6-4A Division I, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
Quarterback Cardea Collier passed for 2,820 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 1,097 yards and 20 scores a year ago, running back Marcus Belton ran for 703 yards and three scores and finished with 711 receiving yards and four trips to the end zone, and safety J.D. Clampitt led the defense with 103 tackles and four sacks.
“Alvarado is a true dark horse in Region II, a food football program that’s got it rolling right now,” Burnett said. “This is one of their special classes. Their quarterback is a very good runner and throws the ball well. They have a couple of receivers that go get it. They’re really good up front with their offensive and defensive lines, that’s a strong suit for them right now. They’re going to be a worthy opponent and I think that’s a team that could come out of it and win Region II to be honest.”