By JACOB MOORE, for The Democrat
Brown County football fans got their first look at the 2021 squad when the Monrovia Bulldogs visited for a scrimmage Aug. 13.
In some ways, not much has changed. The spread offense is similar to that of recent seasons, and with 13 seniors on the roster, many familiar names return.
But Friday’s gridiron action marked a number of firsts for the Eagles. For Colton Sample, it was his first taste of competition as a head coach after taking over for the retired Randy Minniear. It also was the debut for the team’s new 4-2-5 defensive scheme.
“It was a bit of a surprise to me when (Minniear) told me he was retiring. You almost expected him to do it forever,” Sample said. He’s excited to take over, as becoming a head coach had been a career goal of his.
Scrimmages differ from games in many ways, but the most fundamental would be not keeping score. Rather than trying to win, the goal for both teams at a scrimmage is to learn what’s working and what needs improvement before beginning regular season play the next week.
To ensure an eagle-eye view of the team, field position and the number of plays for each team are predetermined. In Brown County and Monrovia’s case, each varsity team ran 15 plays from their own 35-yard line, followed by 10 plays from the opponent’s 10-yard line, and then 12 plays from the opponent’s 35-yard line. That was followed by two eight-play sessions for non-starting players.
In the event of a score, a turnover, or a failure to convert on fourth down, the ball would simply be returned to yard line on which that series began.
As for on-field performance, there were ups and downs.
“It’s about what I expected,” Sample said after the game. “Some things worked and other things need work.”
On-field highlights for the Eagles included junior Garrett Braden outjumping a Bulldog defender to snag a 30-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Seth Oliphant, a five-yard touchdown run by senior running back Wanblee Roux, and a five-yard quarterback keeper by Oliphant that resulted in a score.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ newly installed defense is a work in progress. “We have new guys in new positions,” said Defensive Coordinator Jay Myers.
Monrovia featured a power running offense with option elements. On many plays, Monrovia quarterback Eli Wagner had the option of handing off to one of two running backs or keeping the ball himself.
“Reading the option was definitely difficult,” senior running back/safety Kody Walsh said after the game. During the second round of plays — when each team started with first and goal at the opponent’s 10-yard line — the Bulldogs scored six touchdowns in 10 plays.
Ironically, given Monrovia’s strong running game, many of these scores came on passes. “The run was working so well, (Eagle defensive backs) got off our man sometimes,” said wide receiver and secondary coach Don Hamrick. “We’ll have to clean that up.”
On the positive side defensively, the Eagles kept the Bulldogs out of the end zone during the initial 15-play series and senior wide receiver/cornerback Ethan Voland intercepted a Monrovia pass.
Brown County’s first regular season opponent is Owen Valley. The last game between the teams ended with a score more fit for a baseball game. On a rainy night in 2019, the Eagles scored a safety and a late-game 27-yard touchdown reception by now-senior Malachi Nickels to top the Patriots 9-8.
There are a lot of unknowns about Owen Valley. After a 3-7 campaign last year, the Patriots also have a new head coach in Rob Gibson. Unlike Sample — who served on Minniear’s staff as offensive coordinator — Gibson was not previously on staff at Owen Valley. “We won’t know what to expect until we see tape of their scrimmage,” Sample said.
Brown County kicks off regular-season play on Friday, Aug. 20. The Eagles will migrate west to take on the Owen Valley Patriots at 7 p.m.
