Execution highlight of Fort Scott scrimmage

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- If nothing else this season, Fort Scott High School head football coach will have his team executing plays to the utmost of their ability.

The No. 1 offense looked especially crisp in Friday night's Red & White Scrimmage at Frary Field, keeping mistakes at a minimum as they scored on both of the drives that they were allowed to run in full. When the No. 1 defense had its turn at the end of the game, the No. 2 offense didn't stand much of a chance against the swarming Tiger varsity.

"We had kids execute well," Campbell said. "The message we've been preaching is playing hard and having fun. I think our kids are starting to understand how hard you gotta play if you want to compete at a high level."

Quarterback Trevor Swim hit Griffin Knopp from 42 yards out to cap the No. 1's first possession with a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Johnathan Stark was given the opportunity to handle the chores in the latter part of the second possession and scored himself on a 6-yard keeper.

Most of the Tigers got in as only about five or six players were held out due to injuries. However, that game some of the reserves time with the No. 1 units that could pay off later in the season.

"We had a few guys dinged up who couldn't play," Campbell said. "Drew Bryant was unable to go tonight, so Nick Allen stepped in and a did a good job. At times, we tell the kids that they're one play away from being a starter. And we had some guys step in and do a nice job tonight. We tried to develop a little bit of depth. Overall, I thought the effort was good."

The No. 1 defense allowed only 25 yards on 15 plays when it was their turn. The defense allowed zero or negative yards on nine of those plays.

"We had some guys run around hard," Campbell said, "We're trying to get 11 guys confident on defense so that when the ball is snapped, there's no hesitation. Defense is about going full speed and going hard to the ball. Everyone talks about tackling. Well, if you get seven or eight guys to the ball, tackling becomes a lot easier than if you're trying to get a guy one-on-one."

Swim completed 2 of 4 passes for 40 yards while Stark was 4 of 7 for 60 yards. Knopp caught 3 passes for 47 yards.

Jason Thorpe led all rushers with 48 yards on 6 carries. Jaret Thorpe added 39 yards on just 3 rushes.

The freshmen opened the scrimmage and the No. 1 offense scored on it's first two plays and three of its first four. Jash Pytlowany, who finished with 176 yards on 5 carries, scored on an 80-yard run on the very first play and an 82-yard run on the fourth play. Quarterback Zach Denton scored on an 80-yard keeper on the second play of the scrimmage.

Denton also three a touchdown pass, a 41-yarder to Jonathan Allen to end the No. 1's final possession.

Pytlowany added a third score when he went over from 2 yards out while playing on the No. 2 offense.

Denton rushed for 87 yards and also completed 6 of 9 passes for 123 yards. Allen caught 2 for 60 yards and Zach Wheeler caught 2 for 36 yards.

The Tiger varsity opens the season with a Southeast Kansas League game against Labette County next Friday at 7 p.m. in Altamont, Kan.

"We'll come back Monday and put together a scouting report on what we can against Labette County," Campbell said. "They have a new coach this year. I know they'll do some things differently. But you kind of have an idea of what to expect. We'll watch some film on Monday, have a full practice on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, pre-game on Thursday and then load the bus and go see what we've got Friday night."

The JV and freshmen teams will play LCHS at Frary Field on Sept. 6.