Scrimmages getting players ready for football

Havelock football coach Jim Bob Bryant was his animated self on Thursday, roaming the sidelines of Wilbur Sasser Stadium at Havelock High.

The Rams' second-year coach was giving instructions, patting his players on the helmet and joking with his team.

Football regular season is two months away, yet area high school teams are already getting focused for the upcoming campaign.

Thursday was the first day teams hit the field for the 7-on-7 passing league, which pits the squads in 30-minute scrimmages.

"They enjoy it, it's fun for them and it's a good way to get them in shape," Bryant said. "We get a little bit better every week. What I do in passing leagues is try to find depth. We try to find who can be that second- or third-team guy we can count on."

Each week, four teams are assigned to play at one high school, while the other four play at another site for a game of touch football. The league lasts five weeks.

The teams play three 30-minute scrimmages from the 40-yard line. Moving the ball 20 yards constitutes a first down.

The Rams competed against Croatan, East Carteret and White Oak on Thursday.

The league is designed to help teams practice timing routes on offense. The quarterbacks have only four seconds to throw the ball.

On defense, players get to work on their pass-coverage skills.

For Havelock, starting quarterback Danny Webster was at a football camp in Chapel Hill, so the Rams had backup Kemo Richardson running an offense predicated on speed and athleticism.

"It prepares us real good," said William Griffith, Havelock wide receiver and running back. "It's different than going against each other in practice. We know what we are going to do, so when we go against another team, it makes you better because you don't know what they are going to bring."

Although the 7-on-7 scrimmages don't involve contact, it can get competitive and intense.

"It can get real physical," Griffith said. "There are no pads and we are still hitting each other. If you don't play aggressive, then there's no point in playing."

Havelock's first official football practice is set for Aug. 1. The Rams are scheduled to open the season against New Bern Aug. 21 at New Bern.