| That's not my analysis of the game, Friday's festivities opened with a weight lifting competition and the defense pumped more iron than the offense in six out of eight head-to-head challenges. On the field, the two squads were pretty equally matched, but the Blue Team (defense) did come out on top of the overall competition by a 49-43 margin.
After the weight lifting, an officials crew was brought in and the Blue took on the White (offense) in a 7-on-7 passing competition. On the first play, an official got caught up in a play on the sideline and was knocked down. Not a good sign for the Patriots but, the official got up and play resumed.
The White made up some ground in the passing competition, coming out of it trailing 8-12. Running back Keeyon Dixon had three receptions and receiver Jamal Hall had two, including one for a touchdown. Junior QB Galen Bennett threw the TD pass.
He took most of the snaps both in the 7-on-7 and in the actual 30-minute game. Sophomore Malik Wheeler also lined up behind center some.
Next was a kicking competition. Josh Hall gave the White its first lead of the competition with three field goals, including one from 40 yards. It gave the White a 14-13 advantage. Then Diego Lazaazo hit two field goals, including a 45 yarder, for a 19-14 Blue advantage. Hall had the more accurate leg on the night and showed more potential on kickoffs. However, Lazaazo had a better delivery on PATs and had the longest field goal.
The evening closed with the actual inter-club scrimmage that should have left the estimated 300 fans who attended feeling good about the Patriots' 2008 prospects.
Bennett is as fast and elusive as ever. He ran for a 50-yard TD and threw for a 50-plus yard TD to Jamal Hall. Sophomore Michael Sellers and junior Daishaun Middleton also broke off some nice runs Friday Middleton had a 10-yard TD. Nick Brown had a 70-yard TD run.
Linebacker Geno Porter showed he's a juggernaut whether he's on the weight bench or behind the defensive line. He and fellow linebacker Tim Brown both had a sack and several tackles. Lineman Antonio Guy had two sacks. Defensive back Drake Britton had two breakups and Dexter Montgomery had an interception.
The Patriots have good size all around and are hoping to reep the benefits of being able to wear pads this spring. This is the first time the high school league has allowed football players to suit up for spring contact drills.
"I think it is a great help to us," Patriots coach Steve LaPrad said. "It allows us to do a better job evaluating the players. How are you supposed to evaluate a football player if there is not blocking and tackling. That's like asking someone to evaluate a tennis player, but not giving the player a racket. Overall, I saw a lot of good things the last two weeks. We do still have some holes to repair, but it was a good spring practice."
| 
