Opening Curtain Next Friday after Final Scrimmage

            Senior Connor Rose using his speed in scrimmage with Orange Grove.

Canyon Lake had their final rehearsal on a Thursday in Cuero when they met Orange Grove at a neutral site for these two schools that are separated by 173 miles.

This rehearsal was a success with no broken legs (acting vernacular) after a short week of practice and an opening scrimmage with Cuero the week before.

       Have a Great Year Hawks!!

Earlier this year, Head Coach Charley Drum stated what would be a key for these past two scrimmages, “We will have to have our younger kids being able to respond to the intensity and speed of the game and how more physical it will be.”

“Question marks going in will be seeing how these bunch of kids react and the scrimmages will answer those questions on how they respond to mistakes,” Coach Drum calculated.

CL did win this scrimmage with a defense that allowed just one score but the Hawk offense was not as sharp compared to their earlier scrimmage with Cuero.

Last year’s defense had several accolades after giving up 18 points a game beating the 2009 defense by 3 points per game. That was accentuated with the most tackles for a loss, most pass break ups, and sacks in Hawk History.

“We knew we would be lethargic with the short week and quick turnaround,” Coach Drum continued. “Now we will concentrate on rest and getting on a normal schedule before the season starts against Marble Falls.”

Jacob Neel and Nathan DeLeon get ready for Opening Act on Friday

Orange Grove will help a Hawk Defense that had a stout season last year, as this team was a pass oriented squad and giving the Hawk Defensive Backs an opportunity to see how they would respond to a more pass oriented offense that will be seen many times during this season.

“Give credit to them (Orange Grove),” Defensive Coordinator Brian Hooper commented. “They hit us in the mouth and we had to force it more in the 2nd half and got a lot of work for our secondary.”

Coach Hooper continued, “Their Quarterback scrambled and made plays so we still have a lot of work to do but we are confident in our team.”

One of those Defensive Backs that had a decent showing was Jacob Neel after a 2 Interception day, at the office.

“With the coverage we were in, it had me playing deep on those throws,” Neel deduced. “But they did play more run that we thought they would.”

On Neel’s thoughts on this scrimmage, “We started off really hitting a wall and were tired but that second half we got our minds together because we were scattered in that first half.”

On Neel and the teams readiness going into the first game this week on Friday, “I’ve been ready since last year to start this season.”

The Hit Man says, ‘Do it Again Hawks!!’

Canyon Lake’s Linebacker Nathan DeLeon has some good hits in both scrimmages that would make the Hit Man for Pest Control Happy!!

“This is better than practice,” DeLeon said responding for a chance to defend against a passing offense. “Honestly we played better last week (Cuero Scrimmage). We were not as prepared and we can play a lot better next week (Marble Falls opener).”

Canyon Lake is replacing one of their largest Senior Classes from last year which will make scrimmages a great learning curve as this team works on togetherness.

“Yeah, we have a lot of new guys and we are still learning a little we were more prepared but I am confident we will get better,” DeLeon finished.

Offensively, Canyon Lake, rotated two QB’s with Junior Brandon Robinson and Sophomore Peyton McMullen alternating snaps during this 2 hour scrimmage.

The offense had dominated for some series and on other possessions having dropped passes and missed assignments. This Hawk team has some players that are still out and now when that Curtain rises next week, all the actors will be ready to recite their lines and hits for a hopeful encore for the Hawk Nation.

Go Hawks!!