MAVS WORKING TOWARD BLUE-WHITE SCRIMMAGE

Southside football coach Jeff Williams and his staff have adjusted to a couple of anomalies this month — the fact that school starts much earlier than the regular season. The Mavericks practiced Monday morning in an effort to fine-tune some things heading into the 2019 opener Sept. 6 against Bentonville West. “We put a bunch of things in over the summer, and some of that from spring practice carried over, too,” Williams said. “We feel like we have everybody in the right position and right spot right now. We’re just trying to create some depth, and in this league, you better have some depth or you’re going to be in trouble.” The Mavericks, 6-6 a year ago, have plenty of defensive holdovers from last season. But the offense is a work in progress. Quarterbacks Parker Wehunt and Blaine Stites have an experienced back to hand the ball in Johntarrius Washington. But beyond that, the Mavericks lost their entire receiving corps to graduation. “The receivers, those guys were here for two years, and now they’re gone,” Williams said. “We have to spend more time working on our timing, just throwing and catching, and as an offense as a whole.” Defense is a far different story. The Mavs have eight players who were on the field in their final game of the 2018 season. Senior Jeremiah Van Hook and junior Landen Chaffey are among the key holdovers. “They know what they’re doing; you see them playing fast because it’s their second year in the scheme,” Williams said. “We had eight underclassmen on the field in our last game last year. Defensively, we’re a lot further ahead than we are offensively. (But) that’s usually about everybody in America this time of year.” Williams said the team’s revamped offensive line has some experience coming back, which is always crucial. Junior Marlon Briggs (5-foot-11, 330 pounds) and Alvin Truong (5-10, 250) both played 12 games in 2018. Junior Joshua Waldrep (6-0, 250) will start at guard opposite Troung. Senior Angel Mares (6-0, 215) has been plugged in at right tackle, Williams said. Jayquan Minner (5-11, 241) and Creed Nally (6-1, 280) will alternate at left tackle, offensive line coach Tadd Stewart said. Senior Trey Moore (6-0, 315) will also see time on the offensive line, Stewart said. Everything is leading up to the Mavericks’ Blue-White scrimmage, which is slated for Aug. 16. “It’s a good chance for our student body to get out and get a look at us,” Williams said. “I think it’s neat to go through the lights and do warmups and do some things you need to do. It’s kind of a weird summer, because school’s moved up a week and football has been moved back a week. We’re adjusting to everything.”

MAVS WORKING TOWARD BLUE-WHITE SCRIMMAGE

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 8/6/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Brian D. Sanderford