JACKSON County coach Billy Kirk has seen a lot of spring football in 15 years of coaching, but this, he concluded, was unique.
Over 700 fans filed into the stands at Panther Stadium Saturday night and Jackson County rewarded them with a 48-31 slugfest in the Red and Black spring game won by the Red.
“It was unbelievable,” said Kirk, whose team is coming off a 4-6 year. “That’s the most physical spring game I’ve seen in 15 years.”
Local teams (Jackson County, East Jackson and Jefferson) have completed their spring football sessions and each hopes that the 10-day practice season will help jump-start their 2011 season.
Kirk, whose Panthers were the only local team to host a spring game, felt his program generated some offseason energy with a hard-hitting four quarters of intrasquad football. For Kirk, the spring game capped not only a spirited spring football session, but a well-attended one as well. One hundred four Panthers suited up for the spring game, with several enjoying standout nights.
Xavier Harper, Dustin Scott and Daivon Ledford all had big games offensively, while Jalen Banks played “very well” at quarterback, and Kyle Daniel “did some good things” under center, according to Kirk.
One of Jackson County’s goals entering spring was to find depth, and Kirk said that several players signaled their arrival.
“We wanted to be two-deep at every position on offense, and I think we did that,” Kirk said, noting that the Panthers were even three deep at some spots.
But the spring game wasn’t all about offense despite the high score (the defense was limited to base schemes with no blitzes).
Garrett Holt, who snagged five interceptions last year, had “killer hits” at free safety, while newcomer Nick Corse had two pass break-ups, an interception and a fumble recovery.
“This is a kid who had never played before,” Kirk said.
Meanwhile, Andy Williams racked up 13 tackles in two and a half quarters.
Kirk is quick to point out that none of this matters until August but is proud of what his program has done to this point. Now, Jackson County must wait until Aug. 26 to play an actual opponent when it faces Johnson-Gainesville.
“It’s amazing,” said Kirk, who enters his fifth year at Jackson County. “I’m excited about our kids. I can hardly wait.”
Meanwhile, after one spring session, new East Jackson coach Brian Smith thinks his team could lineup right now and play a football game if needed. Not a good one, necessarily, but one in which it could get by with the base knowledge implemented in 10 spring practices.
“It wouldn’t be a great one but we could lineup and play because we’ve got different phases in,” said Smith, who comes to East Jackson via Hebron Christian Academy.
“Offensively, we can run it, we can throw it, we can sprint out, we can sit in the pocket, we can do all those things. We’ve got enough things in now that we could play a ball game. We’ll just build on it all summer long.”
East Jackson, coming off a 3-7 season under former coach Frank Caputo, wrapped up an efficient first spring under Smith last Wednesday without a full-blown spring game, but with a scrimmage. Around 70 players participated.
“It went well,” said Smith, who is installing a no-huddle, spread offense. “I was pleased. The kids worked hard. I think they established a good pace everyday in practice, a good work ethic. I thought our kids improved everyday.”
Smith said linebacker Caleb Hardy has emerged as the Eagles’ clear-cut leader heading into the summer months.
“Caleb Hardy did a great job for us,” Smith said, “and provided a lot of leadership on defense and really worked hard. He was very physical and hopefully, he’ll continue to provide that leadership this fall for us … He was our leader.”
Smith now moves into summer mode after having been on the job since April 1. “Everybody has been great to me,” Smith said. “We’re excited and trying to get through exams and trying to get through graduation and get the summer going, so we’re excited about everything going on.”
East Jackson kicks the season off Aug. 26 at White County.
At Jefferson, T. McFerrin rolls into his 37th year as a head coach and third at Jefferson following a 6-4 campaign.
The Dragons, who had 80 players participate in workouts, concluded spring practice Tuesday with a very controlled scrimmage on the practice field.
Among other things, McFerrin was pleased with some of the younger Dragons’ exploits this spring. The coach pointed to players like Tristan Jackson, Tyler Bowen, Tyler Cole, Kody McDonald and Donnie Hatfield who are using the spring to make their case for varsity minutes in 2011.
“We’re going have some sophomores that are going to have to play for us, so they’ll have to grow up in a hurry,” McFerrin said.
Jefferson also moved some of its more established players around. Carson Newman switched from linebacker to defensive end and enjoyed an “outstanding spring,” McFerrin said.
“He’s made a whole lot of plays,” McFerrin said.
Cole Givens, a standout receiver, took snaps at tailback during the spring as the Dragons look to use him at both positions this fall. Jefferson also wanted to give Drequn Sewell, who played tailback last year, a long look at that position.
“He’s had a good spring,” McFerrin said.
Meanwhile, standout quarterback Bryant Shirreffs was his usual dependable self as he embarks on his junior season.
“He’s had a good spring, but we expected that,” McFerrin said.
The spring session also gave Jefferson a chance to get on the practice field and hit everyday, something that’s limited during the fall.
Jefferson kicks the season off Aug. 26 against longstanding rival Commerce.
“We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve got the summer to work on our passing game and our defense,” McFerrin said.
