The Gilmer Bobcats football team held its annual “Purple and White” fall scrimmage. Unlike the spring game, where score is kept and there are two separate teams, the fall scrimmage is less formal and features the offense and defense battling against one another.

Tyler Bertolini breaks a lon TD run
(Photo by LT Melton)

The scrimmage began with the Bobcats treating the pregame with true game day preparation, the specialists (kickers and return men) came out to warm up a few minutes before the team began the pregame stretch. After the brief stretch period, the offense walked through plays, while the defense did the pregame “thud” tackle drills. The kickoff team was called into action first, practicing several kickoffs against no return team.

As for the Purple And White game, it began with the defense, wearing yellow penny jerseys (there was no purple jerseys featured in the “Purple and White” Game) forcing and recovering a fumble on the first play from scrimmage. It was a good sign for a defense that will be going into the fall season looking to replace five senior linebackers.

The offense came back with a long drive of its own, followed by Tyler Bertolini, breaking a long touchdown scamper. The offense, led by quarterback Marlen Hensley, who is returning after breaking his collar bone last season, will feature eight players with starting experience.

The coaches made sure throughout that the team stayed hydrated and managed the heat. With the recent deaths of high school football players due to heat related conditions, football coaches everywhere are on high alert.

Kickoff team readies itself
(Photo by LT Melton)