Bulldog scrimmage

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Dawgs prepare for final rehearsal

By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Jasper head football coach Danny Lauve got his first look at his Bulldogs in game action Saturday evening - and he liked what he saw.

While the team showed that it still had room for improvement, the Bulldogs held their own against a tough 4A Port Neches- Groves football squad at the Boneyard.

"We thought it went well," Lauve said. "There were some pieces of the puzzle that started to fall together. It was our first chance to go hard against a good opponent.

"We're still in the process of having some kids grow up a bit but we're young and that is going to take some time," Lauve said. "The scrimmage gave us a good idea of where we are at. All the things we've been telling them they're doing wrong, they will get to see it actually on video now."

Offensively, Lauve and his coaching staff had a chance to see how their young sophomore quarterback William Ellis would fare against a tough Indian defense.

Ellis directed the Bulldogs offensive attack. His speed was put to the test by a fast PN-G defense and a still developing offensive line.

Lauve had the opportunity see where the offensive line was as it is being retooled from last season.

On his first offensive touch of the season, Ellis reeled off a 12-yard run against PN-G. Later during the initial offense drill, Ellis connected with Travon Limbrick on a short screen for a 17-yard gain.

Lauve praised the work of his offensive linemen including senior Marques Johnson and junior Trae Horn.

"The snaps were good considering we struggled all week in practice," Lauve said. "We had some young kids that stepped up and some seniors who really stepped up so that was real good to find that out."

"We were pretty pleased with the way we held onto the ball for the first time being hit by someone else," Lauve said.

The first team offense played 24 plays and then one half of a game.

On the defensive side of the ball, Lauve said he was pleased with the progress of the squad. With the exception of a three long runs, the Indians' offensive attack was held in check most of the evening.

"Those are all things that until you get into a game and see them live, then you start figuring it out," Lauve said. "That is why we play the scrimmages and the non-district games, to figure out what we need to fix by the start of the district season.

Now, Jasper has one more rehearsal before the start of the season.

Jasper will travel to Nederland Friday for their final tuneup before the start of the season Sept. 1 in Livingston against the Lions.

"We're going to play four quarters of football so we're going to see how the kids hold up for four quarters," Lauve said. "As a staff, we thought we were in pretty good shape after we finished with Port Neches-Groves, and we felt pretty good about that.

"Our kids held up pretty good and looked pretty good at the end of the game," Lauve said. "But when you throw in the kicking game and the tempo of the game, then it becomes a little different so we are anxious to see how they hold up this Friday night."

Lauve said he didn't expect any personnel changes this coming week against Nederland.

"I think we will see what we have for another week and give the kids who didn't play well another chance," Lauve said. "We will have to build on that and move on."

Lauve said he has noticed his team has even picked up the intensity in practice.

"We have become more and more physical every day," Lauve said.