Golden Falcons see variety of defenses at scrimmages

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 12, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- The pieces of the puzzle remain scattered.

But second-year Charles B. Aycock head varsity football coach Steve Brooks is starting to develop a vision about this year's team. He got a first-hand look at the Golden Falcons during 21/2-hour scrimmage against perennial power Ayden-Grifton, Hobbton and North Johnston on Monday evening.

Aycock's first-team offense scored four touchdowns combined against North Johnston and Hobbton. The Golden Falcons surrendered five TDs in their live-game skirmish against the Chargers, third-round playoff participants in 2013.

"I thought we competed and played awfully hard," Brooks said. "Ayden-Grifton is a conference champion since the days I was there ... one reason I wanted them to come because I want our kids to see what our program can get to if you work hard.

"We did some good things against North Johnston, they're big, huge up front. We went against some defensive fronts that we've not really worked on in practice. I take a lot of positives from tonight."

Aycock offense

Senior quarterback TJ Morrow and tight end Keyshawn Cobb hooked up for the prettiest play of the night against Hobbton.

Morrow rolled out and threw just behind Cobb in open space. The lanky receiver hauled in the pass at his knees and broke the plane just as two Hobbton defenders sandwiched him at the goal line.

Later in the evening, Brooks might have found a second running back. Senior R'Keesh Greene bullied his way through the Ayden-Grifton tacklers and set up a short-yardage touchdown.

Greene emerged from the pile with the football, shouted and received numerous pats on the helmets from his teammates.

"I thought we blocked well up front at times and we found some depth at running back," Brooks said. "I think the passing game looked OK. Protection, the changes we've made, looked pretty good for the most part tonight.

"TJ looked good because he always works hard."

Golden Falcons' defense

North Johnston and Hobbton saw very little daylight against the Golden Falcons' defense.

Aycock swarmed to the ball and logged at least six sacks during the two controlled scrimmages where each team played 10 downs on offense and 10 downs on defense. Morrow picked off a pair of Hobbton passes.

Senior defensive end Jarrett Scott batted down a pass.

The Wildcats' lone TD was called back due to a penalty.

"Defensively, we made some plays at times," Brooks said. "We're very young over there. Those guys are learning now what varsity football is compared to JV football."

Review the film

Today is an "off" day.

The team will meet to break down film, work on special teams and attempt to get their legs back underneath them.

"We'll take the classroom to the football field, and apply it the next two days when we're back in full gear," Brooks said. "It's great that we were able to film this tonight, really look at it. I told our kids tonight there is nothing that we can't fix.

"We don't have to change what we're doing, we just have to get better at what we're doing."