RCHS, Wadley offenses shine

Although the Randolph County Tigers and the Wadley Bulldogs weren’t able to finish their spring jamboree game, the Tigers and Dogs got a good look at what the teams might look like come fall.

After playing approximately 19 minutes in the first of three scheduled two-quarter games involving Wadley, Randolph County and Woodland, the Randolph County Tigers got the best of the Wadley Bulldogs, 7-0.

Randolph County head coach Rick Coleman said the biggest improvement he saw from last season to the end of the spring sessions was the offense, particularly the performance of the line.

“Our offensive line has improved a lot,” Coleman said. “We were looking to have two or three more kids play on the line, but we weren’t able to get them in. We feel like we’ve got some that can do well.”

Randolph County’s improved prowess on offense was displayed by its ability to move the ball almost at will against Wadley.

The Tigers’ first and only score of the game came on a 15-yard dash courtesy of Trey Peavey, a speedy running back who will help take some of the load off returning tailback starter, Dwayne Childs.

Childs and Peavey chewed up big yardage play after play on the opening drive, culminating in Peavey’s touchdown.

“He made a good run, cutting inside and outside,” Coleman said. “We had good blocking on the perimeter.”

In addition to Randolph County’s successful rushing attack against Wadley, the Tigers were successful in the passing game as well.

Casey Carpenter, filling in for last year’s starter, Drew Benefield, had a solid day under center.

“Casey had a great game playing quarterback,” Coleman said. “He stepped up in the pocket and threw the ball when he had to.”

As far as a potential quarterback controversy between Benefield and Carpenter this fall, Coleman said that there will be some competition, but both players know they can help the team at different positions.

“He’s going to get a chance,” Coleman said. “We feel like Drew has played well last year and Casey understands that. He’s ready to play anywhere to help us win.”

Randolph County’s ability to move the ball revealed a big area in need of improvement for the Wadley Bulldogs.

“I was extremely pleased with the offense and the defense was very poor,” Wadley head coach Randy Sparks said. “I take full responsibility for the lack of defense. We didn’t work on it very much. They just didn’t receive the repetitions they needed.”

Much of that is largely due to Wadley’s trouble in putting together a suitable scout offense for the defense to practice against.

Sparks said some of the major problems with the defense against Randolph County were incorrect alignments, with the linebackers playing too close to the line and improper rotation in the secondary with pass coverage.

“It’s all things we can correct though,” Sparks said.

Although the defense didn’t play up to normal Bulldog expectations, the offense found plenty of success.

“I know we moved the ball extremely well,” Sparks said. “Our first drive was a nice 70-yard drive.”

That drive resulted in the Bulldogs crossing the goal line, but it was called back on a holding penalty.

“The line did a good job,” Sparks said. “There were a couple of times we didn’t block the backside like we should have, but overall it was a good job.”

New starting quarterback for the Bulldogs, Ryan Siskey, had a solid day as well.

“He was pretty much on the money with all of his throws,” Sparks said. “I think he only had one incompletion.”

Sparks said his main goal for the jamboree was to get some of the inexperienced players on the roster a chance to play in a game atmosphere. And although the weather shortened that playing time, there was progress.

“We were able to get some repetitions for guys that just haven’t played before,” Sparks said. “When you put nine new people on either side of the ball and show up, it’s a good sign.”

For Randolph County, the defensive side of the ball is where improvements will have to be made as well.

“Defensively, we have to understand where we need to be and play good team defense,” Coleman said. “If we get our linebackers and linemen making their reads, I think we’ll be fine.”

The Woodland Bobcats were unable to get any of their scheduled scrimmages in against Wadley or Randolph County because of the weather.

The scrimmages will not be made up because of the AHSAA’s rules on spring practice. Teams are allowed only 10 days of practice including the spring game, which left Woodland without an opponent with Randolph County and Wadley using their tenth days.