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Indians end spring practice on high note, rout Cougars By CLAUDE VINSON
Sports Editor  | Photo by Barry Burleson
Keeper
Byhalia quarterback Kevin Fitzpatrick (15) tries to elude a couple of Coldwater players Thursday. |
Head coach Markeith Washington was all business Thursday evening as he talked about his 2010 Byhalia football team. The
coach said the team will still be short on experience, having about
four seniors on the returning squad. He identified Kevin Fitzpatrick as
the primary signal caller, backed by Marquise Rogers. Pat Malone, who
quarterbacked the team last season, will return but in a different role. “Malone
could see some action under center but his greater role will be that of
utility player,” the coach said. “Wherever or whenever we need a big
play, you will find Malone.” Concerning his
coaching staff, Washington said he has added Germane Johnson as the new
receivers coach. The coaching staff from junior high will be moved up
to join the varsity. They will use the same plays and same system. “This way we’ll have continuity,” he said. On
this day the Indians were closing out spring training with a controlled
scrimmage against Coldwater. The Indians took the field chanting, “What
are we going to feast on today? Cougar meat! What are we going to
drink? Coldwater!” Fitzpatrick started at
quarterback and his first few plays were a bit shaky, but he did have
one completion to Malone before the ball changed directions. The
possessions started without kicks or punts from the 40-yard line. The
Cougars made no progress with their possession.  | Photos by Barry Burleson
Hard to tackle
A Cougar tries to grab hold of Byhalia runner Devonte Norman. |
When
the ball came back to the Indians, Fitzpatrick was still operating from
the shotgun. He used options to get two first downs. The third was a
direct motion snap to Malone. He gained a lot of ground and another
first. Devontae Norman broke out of the backfield and set up the TD
toss to Andrey Collins. The conversion try failed but the Indians were
up 6-0. The Cougars faced a hard-hitting Byhalia
defense and lost the ball on the first play. The Indians made good on
their prophesying chant by scoring quickly on a pass to Malone and a
two-point conversion by Fitzpatrick. The Indians were up 14-0. The
Cougars again sent the ball over on downs. Byhalia was still picking up
long and valuable yards on the legs of Collins. After a penalty,
Collins rushed for another first inside the red zone, but a third
penalty moved them back. A sure TD pass was dropped and a subsequent
pass was picked off by Coldwater at the ten. The
Indian defense stopped the Coldwater offense cold. After a productive
quarterback sneak, Norman skirted left tackle for six. He came right
back for two to make it 22-0. Cordell Anderson
sacked the Cougar quarterback for a huge loss. Deandre Buchanan picked
off the next Cougar aerial and returned it 40 yards. Norman broke out
of the backfield and weaved through heavy traffic for six more to make
it 28-0 with no conversion. The Indians got the
ball back in quick fashion and were moving again when the ball was
bobbled, bounced and pushed until it landed in the end zone for a
safety for the Cougars. And the half ended 28-2.  | Touchdown
Andrey Collins (4) stretches for a touchdown catch. |
Coldwater
would threaten just once in the second half. After having a spectacular
run by Collins nullified on a holding call, the Indians fumbled a few
plays later and a Cougar claimed it and took it to the 5-yard line.
This set up a great opportunity for Byhalia to flex its defense, a
first real test thus far. Even after incurring a holding penalty, the
Indian defense denied the TD. The third quarter ended 28-2. The
Indians went back on the offense again in the fourth. Rogers burned the
Cougars, after a fumble recovery, on a stellar run off of right tackle.
They added two more for 34-2. Later in the same quarter, Lemuel Hardaway put the Indians in scoring position again and Fitzpatrick took it in on a QB sneak. By then the Cougar defense appeared to be completely worn down and the Indians won the game 40-2. Coach Washington said the contest would give them some building blocks for the fall. |
