Westfield and DeMatha held their annual scrimmage this afternoon after being rained out last night. It went about as I expected when you have a good public school team facing a nationally ranked private school powerhouse.
The two teams did the normal 10 plays per team in the first "half", running 10 plays for each team's first string offense and defense, then 10 plays for the second string offense and defense. WF's first team offense moved the ball a little, then some penalties and DM defensive pressure pushed them back. When DM went on offense, WF was able to get a pick that killed the DM drive. The 2nd string WF offense fared a bit better moving the ball, but was unable to score in their 10 plays. DM did better, getting a long TD to give DM a 1 score to zero score lead at the half.
The second "half" was game-like (but with only static KOs and punts). Both teams started the second half with their first strings in the game, but as the half went on each team began working in more and more subs. WF managed one early scoring drive and scored on a long pass play when the receiver adjusted back for the ball. DM scored a total of five times, 3 or 4 times against second stringers (I don't recall all the scores exactly, and after the first series or two the teams used liberal subs to get a look at a lot of players). You could see the superior size, speed, and athleticism of DM start to have an effect on WF.
Overall, having only 8-9 days of practice, I think this young WF team acquitted themselves very well. If today was any indication, more than half the WF starters will be SOs or JRs, including just about all the skill positions. Depending on the offensive set WF could have as many as 8-9 underclassmen on offense on any given play. I have been following this team since the year after the school opened and I don't recall ever having seen such a young WF team (with the possible exception of the first varsity year in 2001). If they learn from today and next week's scrimmage against MD power Quince Orchard, and continue to improve, these Bulldogs will certainly be in the region mix this year - and with a young team should be well prepared for next year as well.
The two teams did the normal 10 plays per team in the first "half", running 10 plays for each team's first string offense and defense, then 10 plays for the second string offense and defense. WF's first team offense moved the ball a little, then some penalties and DM defensive pressure pushed them back. When DM went on offense, WF was able to get a pick that killed the DM drive. The 2nd string WF offense fared a bit better moving the ball, but was unable to score in their 10 plays. DM did better, getting a long TD to give DM a 1 score to zero score lead at the half.
The second "half" was game-like (but with only static KOs and punts). Both teams started the second half with their first strings in the game, but as the half went on each team began working in more and more subs. WF managed one early scoring drive and scored on a long pass play when the receiver adjusted back for the ball. DM scored a total of five times, 3 or 4 times against second stringers (I don't recall all the scores exactly, and after the first series or two the teams used liberal subs to get a look at a lot of players). You could see the superior size, speed, and athleticism of DM start to have an effect on WF.
Overall, having only 8-9 days of practice, I think this young WF team acquitted themselves very well. If today was any indication, more than half the WF starters will be SOs or JRs, including just about all the skill positions. Depending on the offensive set WF could have as many as 8-9 underclassmen on offense on any given play. I have been following this team since the year after the school opened and I don't recall ever having seen such a young WF team (with the possible exception of the first varsity year in 2001). If they learn from today and next week's scrimmage against MD power Quince Orchard, and continue to improve, these Bulldogs will certainly be in the region mix this year - and with a young team should be well prepared for next year as well.
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