Spring football games this week

Published 11:45 pm Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Preparations for the 2013 football season continue, and fans of several local schools will get a chance to see their teams in action over the next week as clubs have their spring games.

Three teams are having their spring contests tomorrow, and all are at home.

Franklinton battles Loranger with the second teamers beginning at 6 p.m. and starters beginning about 6:30.

Bowling Green is facing Silliman with junior varsity set for 6 p.m. and varsity going at 7.

Varnado hosts Archbishop Hannan at 6:30.

Last season, Franklinton finished with a 6-5 record and made the Class 4A state playoffs but lost in the opening round to LaGrange, 33-6.

Loranger made the regional round of the Class 3A playoffs last year as the fourth seed, but lost to 13th seeded Jennings, 20-19.

The Demons’ scrimmage, which has a $5 admission price, starts with the second team offenses and defenses battling for eight plays each. Then the teams move into special teams with field goals, followed by punts versus punt returners.

Then it’s offense against defense with three offensive series each. Things wrap up with a pair of eight-minute quarters.

Demons’ coach Shane Smith said it’s a chance to learn how things they’ve seen at practice play out.

“You want to find out who’s ready to play on the varsity level,” Smith said. “We want to get into how the kids execute our offensive and defensive schemes. We want to find our kids’ strengths and weaknesses are. Anytime you go on the field, an evaluation occurs. All of the different fundamental skills you have at different positions, we’re going to be grading. Every day you spend out there, you learn a little more about that kid. You want to play to your strengths and protect your weaknesses.”

At Varnado, the Wildcats are looking to reach the playoffs. Last year VHS finished with a 1-9 record. They are facing Hannan, which made the Class 1A postseason as the No. 22 seed. The Hawks lost 24-7 against 11th seeded White Castle.

The scrimmage, which has a $5 admission price, features 15 offensive and defensive plays for the varsity, followed by the same format except with 10 plays for the JV. They’ll do some red zone stuff before going into 7-on-7 and finishing it up with a live game situation for 12 minutes.

Scott Shaffett, who will be entering his second year this season, said he’s looking forward to it.

“We’ve got most of our starters back,” Shaffett said. “Everybody pretty much knows the system. Right now it’s just a matter of getting better. It’ll be good to see where the returning starters are and who’s ready to step up. We’ve also good group coming in, and I’m excited about seeing our incoming ninth-graders.”

Shaffett added Hannan will be good competition.

“They’ve got a lot of starters back,” Shaffett said. “Their quarterback is back, and he’s been starting since eighth grade. He’s a true five-year starter and a college prospect.”

At Bowling Green, the Buccaneers are attempting to reach the Class AA playoffs in the MAIS after missing out last year with a 4-5 record.

Bowling Green coach Carmon Moore said the format would be discussed when Silliman arrives.

He said for spring games he always tries to get a really good opponent. Silliman made the postseason last year but lost to Trinity Episcopal, 27-12.

“Silliman will be strong this year,” Moore said. “We have to look at our younger guys to help us from the depth standpoint. I want to find out if the guys that relieve our starters can play. We’ll be filming, so we’ll get a chance to look and learn from this.

“We’re going against a real good team. They only lost one guy on the defensive side of the ball, and they have most of their offensive starters back. We’ve had a real good spring. I’ve told our players that if we do well, don’t get too excited, but if we don’t do well, don’t get too down. A lot will change between now and the season.”

Pine and Bogalusa spring games will be featured in an upcoming edition.