Friday Night lights at Blue Springs South

Dion Clisso/PrepsKC

By Dion Clisso PrepsKC Managing Editor
Posted: August 20, 2011 - 9:37 AM



It was just controlled scrimmage but the Jamboree Friday night at Blue Springs South had the feel of a real Friday night.

The Jaguars hosted Truman, Fort Osage and Park Hill in a Jamboree with each team getting 18 offensive and defensive plays against two teams.

Blue Springs South matched up against Park Hill in the first session and Truman in the second session. The Jaguars got a chance to break in many new starters especially on the offensive and defensive lines.

South coach Greg Oder saw some good things from his team and he said the Jamboree is a valuable tool especially for young players.

“It’s the first game stuff and there are officials there, there’s a crowd and lights and another team,” Oder said. “Before when we didn’t do one it kind of gets that first-game confusion out of the way so it is good.

“We haven’t looked at the film but when we executed we looked good and when we didn’t it looked bad. That’s how it is against everybody. Obviously we have a lot to improve on. There were too many balls on the ground and too many penalties. It will look different when you look at the film. We had some nice plays and some bonehead plays.”

Fort Osage returns experience on both sides of the ball and the Jamboree gave the Indians a chance to hit somebody other than teammates. Fort Osage lined up against Truman in the first session and then Park Hill in the second session.

Indians’ senior linebacker Ryan Stick said it was nice to get some time under game-like conditions.

“It was real fun and we get to see how everyone looks,” Stick said. “It’s kind of fun to get out here and hit someone else for a change.

“This was a learning experience and the coaches got some feedback. Our hard work needs to pay off once game-time comes. This is kind of a reality check.”

The game-like conditions suited Fort Osage coach Ryan Schartz. He brings an experienced team into the season with 14 returning starters and said this was good but they still need to work on some things even though the overall experience was a positive.

“All-in all real well,” Schartz said. “We had some penalties on the defensive line. We can get that cleaned up hopefully.

“With all of the contact days it’s not as big of a deal to come out and hit somebody else right before the season starts. But the kids get to come out and play under the lights and sometimes the kids go crazy when they get to hit somebody under the lights so that part is pretty good.”

Truman got to see two of the better teams in the Metro in its two scrimmages. The Patriots opened with Fort Osage and then faced off with Blue Springs South. Truman coach Jeff Floyd said his team has been working hard since the end of last season and that work is starting to pay dividends.

“We didn’t wait until August 8 to try to get better,” Floyd said. “We had a good offseason with good participation by our athletes. We had a good had a good winter a good spring, a really good summer and camp has gone well for us. We are trying the thing around. Part of it is an attitude shift and a confidence deal.

“It makes it tough when you are going against one of the top 6A programs in the state and one of the top 5A programs in the state. But we came down against Blue Springs South and settled down a little bit and played much better defensively. The offense played better on both sides.”


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