Gilmer Spring Football Outlook

Team FYN Sports

The Gilmer Bobcats’ football team ended the spring season with its annual “Purple and White”Game. The white team won the defensive battle 7-0 when Austin Sprayberry recorded a sack on fourth and 10, ending the purple’s night, like the credits came on after an episode of “Barney.” The White team was led by quarterback, Marlen Hensley, coming off a collar bone injury suffered last season, and running back Cameron Kephart, who worked the wishbone offense. They hammered the purple defense so much so that the purple team had one short lived offensive possession in the entire third quarter.

(Photo by LT Melton)

The lone score of the game came in the second quarter when Tyler Bertolini scored on a fullback dive. The score came after a Kephart touchdown was nullified due to penalty and Connor Webber, of the purple team, was called for pass interference to give the white team a first a goal.

Coach Wesley Tankersley has high hopes for the offensive backfield that he will be using during the upcoming 2011 season.

“Although we lose a great running back in Jacob Teague I feel that we have a stronger overall unit at (fullback) and slot back this season. The return of starting (quarterback) Marlen Hensley, from a collarbone break, will be a big positive this season. Colt Henderson and Tyler Bertolini are doing a really good job at fullback so far.”

More from Spring Scrimmage
(Photo by LT Melton)

The Bobcats will return eight starters on offense including, wide receivers, Ryan Lowery and Connor Webber. Tankersley spoke highly of his receiving core.

“We will have two good targets to throw to this year, in Ryan Lowery and Conner Webber, who both were our most outstanding (wide receivers) last year,” Tankersley said.

Lowery had a crowd pleasing grab in the back of the end zone, during the spring game, for the white team; however, he was unable to secure a foot in bounds.

The Gilmer defense will have to replace five seniors at the linebacker position, which has lead to a schematic change designed to take advantage of the talent on hand.

“Defensively we have to replace 5 senior linebackers, which has caused us to change our defensive philosophy a bit. Jason Dover, Ethan Totherow, and Austin Cole will be names that you here a bunch at (linebacker) this season. Defensive ends Derrick Greene, and Clay McClure, will be the focus of the defense; as they will make a lot of plays this season. In the secondary, returning starters, Colt Henderson and Cameron Kephart will provide improved secondary play. Corner Will Ward has emerged as the 3rd Starter in the secondary. Senior Joey ray will also play a big role on defense when he returns from injury.”

JV’s Provide Half-Time Entertainment
(Photo by LT Melton)

Webber, and his purple defensive back mate, Will Ward, had several defensive pass break ups during the spring game. McClure was also active on defense, recording a tackle for a loss on a key fourth down stop for the purple team.

Sprayberry was the defensive star for the white team, with the aforementioned game sealing sack, as well as a batted pass in the back field. Ryan Lowery also ended the purple team’s sole offensive possession of the third quarter, with an interception of Corey Waters, who rotated at quarterback with Webber. The pick came on the second play of the second half.

The future bobcats were the halftime show with the ninth graders and junior varsity players allowed to showcase their ability during the half time break of the game. The defense was dominant, as it recorded a fumble recovery on the first play of the scrimmage. A few plays later Issac Chastain, had sack deep in the offensive backfield, and then later recovered yet another fumble.

The White team was able to control virtually the entire second half with a punishing ground game, led by fullback Tyler Bertolini, who continued to gash the middle of the purple defense through out the game.

The purple defense was able to step up in the final minute, when what seemed like the entire defense stopped Hensley in the backfield on third down. Webber picked off Hensley on fourth and four with 34.8 seconds left in the game, giving the purple team some hope; however, the first two passes of the drive were defended by Drew Morgan, and Cameron Kephart, respectively, and Sprayberry ended the game with the third down sack.

Post Game
(Photo by LT Melton)

The special teams was less than stellar on the day, as kicker, Manny Lopez, missed all of his field goal attempts on the day.

With so many returning starters on offense and the youth movement on defense, Tankersley feels that the defensive improvements made will be the key to his team’s success.

“If we can keep everyone healthy and improve on the defensive side of the ball over the summer we will be competitive in region 7AAA.”

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