High school football makes its triumphant return this Friday, as Glenbrook hits the road to begin the MAIS regular season.
The Apaches are fresh off a split in two jamboree games at Louisiana-Monroe’s Malone Stadium. Glenbrook defeated Union Christian in their first contest 8-6 thanks to a Cade Clemons scoop and score and a Marshall Meek two-point conversion run. The Apaches fell 14-0 in game two to Prairie View Academy.
First-year head coach of the Apaches Ronnie Powell, like most coaches, saw some things he liked and some things he didn’t in the abbreviated action last Friday.
“Our group has been together really for one week of practice,” Powell said. “We stayed basic on offense and defense, just hoping to find out what we can and can’t do; our blocking was not very good and neither was our tackling, but we have more time to work on that. The bad news is we have a pretty tough opponent this weekend, but we’re going to make a major jump.”
Powell praised the play of Clemons, who scored the Apaches only touchdown, Meek, who scored the two-point try and played good defense, Nick Moses in the trenches and Parker Christy’s blocking and tackling stood out at fullback/linebacker.
Clinton Christian is the first of two trips to Mississippi to start the season for Glenbrook.
The second comes at Wilkinson County Christian Academy next week.
Powell heaped praise on the CCA Warriors ahead of Friday’s opener, noting what stood out to him on film.
“They’re four-wide most of the time and like to run a read or lead option,” Powell said. “The QB is very good. He’s a good running back and thrower; they have some speed out wide and their running back is small, but quick. When any of them see an opening, they take it. They have four big guys up front that probably weigh about 250 a piece. It’s going to be a big test.”
Powell said he’s going to shuffle the lineup around this week in practice to try and put his guys in the best spots to succeed.
Glenbrook will be aided by the return of Da’maza Robinson, a two-year starter at wide receiver and cornerback for the Apaches who spent his summer in Dallas with family.
Another newcomer, Hayden White, stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 300 pounds. Powell said he hopes White can help bolster the Apaches’ interior, although he hasn’t played football in a couple of years.
“We’re going to practice hard this week,” Powell said. “We’re going to get on the field and move some things around, try and cure what needs to be cured and hopefully go get a win on Friday.”
The Apaches and Warriors will put toe to leather and begin football season Friday at 7 p.m.