The Zachary Broncos hosted their first scrimmage of the football season against the E.D. White Cardinals. Head Coach David Brewerton thought that playing against an E.D. White football program that has had a lot of success in the last couple of seasons including three straight semifinal appearances and a state championship appearance in 2020.
“I love going against that type of program early in the season. You know you are going to get a physical brand of football out of them. They are well coached, and they are not going to make a whole bunch of mistakes. It is certainly a big test for us coming out of the blocks. I am pleased with the effort that the guys showed tonight.”
Zachary Head Coach David Brewerton
For both the Broncos and the Cardinals, both teams were working a lot of situations as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams got a certain number of plays during the first portion of the scrimmage. It was a slow start for the Broncos at the beginning of the scrimmage for the offense, but the offense picked it up towards the end in hitting some of the explosive plays including back-to-back touchdowns that ignited that side of the football. After the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams got a lot of work, Zachary and E.D. White’s 1st team went against each other for a quarter. That quarter was won by Zachary by a final score of 14-0.
The Broncos looked sharp on both sides of the ball after a slow start as the Broncos outscored the Cardinals by a combined 48-0 score for the entire scrimmage. What was most impressive to Coach Brewerton was how the defense flew around the football in shutting down a power running attack from the E.D. White Cardinals. Led by Ragin’ Cajuns commit Ethan Veal, the sideline-to-sideline speed was often showed throughout the contest. From both sides of the football, there was a lot to like.
“I like the speed we have on defense. We can really run on defense, and we are going to have to use that this year.”
“Along with Ethan, we got Kam Peterson at inside linebacker. He started 14 games for us last year. We are really experienced in the middle with those two linebackers. It’s a deal where you build the defense around those two linebackers. Our outside linebacker Stetson Bell can really run and he makes great tackles. We got a really good safety over the top in Dillan Durand, who is a little unknown right now, but he is a smart football player back there. He is a smart player that will line up wherever needed be, and he makes plays. I am really anxious to see how that plays out over the course of the season.”
Zachary Head Coach David Brewerton
The Broncos have had a great run of quarterbacks that have all won state championships and have gone to play at the college level starting with Lindsey Scott Jr. and continuing with Keilon Brown, and then, most recently, Eli Holstein. Right now, the Broncos faithful are seeing something that they aren’t used to seeing and that is a quarterback competition. Both Hudson Spangler and Caleb Gonzales got 1st team reps where they both threw touchdowns and ran an efficient offense.
“I think you saw some poise from both of them that maybe we haven’t seen in the past. They were young, and they were backing up Eli. Watching them emerge and mature through the offseason, the summertime, camp, and now in fall, I like some of the poise that I am seeing right now. We have two capable quarterbacks right now, and they are still battling it out right now.”
Zachary Head Coach David Brewerton
No matter who is playing quarterback, the two signal callers will have a great support around them including an experienced offensive line led by Miami offensive tackle commit Kavion Broussard, senior running back Kameron Thomas, and Ragin’ Cajuns wide receiver commit Luke Wisham. However, the depth at the skill players also showed out as Davekio Ruffin and Nate James were tough runners in between the tackles while Wisham, Tyson George, Jonas Hayes, and Kristion Brooks all combined to have five touchdown catches in the scrimmage.
“Offensively, we have an experienced offensive line coming back. I felt good about our running game tonight. Those are the things that we have to do. We have to run the ball effectively and set up our pass stuff.”
“Our returning players, especially on the offensive side of the football, have done a tremendous job in allowing that flow to take place. They are making plays no matter which quarterback is in practice, game situations, etc. They just want the best for our program and are going to help those guys as much as they can whether it is making catches or making plays after they have the ball in their hands. It really gives the quarterbacks confidence to give them the football.”
Zachary Head Coach David Brewerton
It was a good building block for the Zachary Broncos to build upon as they will get another challenge from a talented West Feliciana team led by LSU commit Joel Rogers.
“West Feliciana comes to our place next week. The freshmen play at 5:00. The JV will play at 6:00, and then a varsity game at 7:00. We know what West Feliciana has. They have great players and a big-time recruit. The communities are very close, and we haven’t played them the last two years. Coach Ducote has done a great job. I know what he is going to build over there. Having the opportunity to go up against that program should be a lot of fun.”
Zachary Head Coach David Brewerton
While Coach Brewerton knows that there are some things to sure up in order for the Broncos to contend for another state championship, he also knows that the crowd was already in midseason form.
“I am so proud. We don’t lack for support and they are ready for some football so we are excited.”
Zachary Head Coach David Brewerton
Check out the photo gallery from the Zachary vs. E.D. White scrimmage!
You must be logged in to post a comment.