Diboll Defeats Tatum In Scrimmage

[KFDM COOP]

Saturday, August 23, 2008

The Diboll Lumberjacks completed their preseason schedule with a final tune-up against Tatum Friday night at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin, and at least two things became perfectly clear by the end of the scrimmage.

Quarterback Jacolby Spencer is going to be one exciting player to watch, and the 'Jack defense will be nowhere near as porous as in 2007.

Spencer scored on a 37-yard scamper in Diboll's first offensive possession to go with a couple of 30-plus yard passes to 'Jack teammates: a 31-yarder to Nicholas Cortines, who made a beauty of a diving catch; and a 36-yard alley-oop to the 6'5" Antonio Johnson later in the practice game. Overall, Spencer totaled 83 yards from scrimmage while seeing limited action.

Defensively, the Lumberjacks were able to hold the Eagles scoreless over Tatum's first five possessions. Diboll, displaying overall team speed and quickness to the ball, gave up runs of 17 and 13 yards and forced three Tatum turnovers, but didn't allow their opponents anywhere near the end zone until later in the scrimmage. Linebacker Adrian Vasquez had a sack and several tackles for losses and Kenneth Curry added a sack on Tatum's sixth possession.

Tatum managed to post a score late on a penalty-aided drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown plunge. That was the best the Eagles could do against the 'Jacks' first-team defense.

And while both teams attempted to work out the kinks in time for the opening game, Diboll's Spencer put on an exciting athletic display. On his scoring run, the highly mobile Spencer – who spent most of the night rolling out looking for targets downfield – saw daylight in the middle of the field and sprinted through the Eagle defense for the 37-yard score. Spencer also managed to connect on his first three passing attempts before throwing an interception to kill his streak.

Diboll will open the regular season Friday in Kirbyville against the Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.