SPRINGDALE — Springdale High football coach Shane Patrick had plenty of questions that he wanted answered Tuesday night with his team’s preseason scrimmage.
The second-year coach was curious as to how his young and inexperienced players would react to game-like situations and if junior quarterback Will Whatley could make sharp throws.
Patrick came away from the scrimmages against Siloam Springs and Rogers High feeling positive about several aspects of his team, including their ability to score.
Springdale defeated Siloam Springs 17-7 in its first 15-minute scrimmage before beating Rogers 14-6 in Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
Patrick said he was especially pleased with his skilled players, including senior running backs Rahmon Taylor and KD Jones, who combined for three touchdowns.
In Springdale’s first possession against Siloam Springs, Jones had a 56-yard run down the right side of the field to set up a 1-yard touchdown run for Taylor.
“We have enough skilled guys to get everyone involved, that’s what our scheme is built around,” Patrick said. “We have a lot of guys who can make things happen and we saw that.”
After senior kicker Christian Garcia hit a 33-yard field goal late against the Panthers, Whatley completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to senior Tony Dennis, who missed last season with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Springdale defensive coordinator Eric Middleton liked how his players got to the ball and made tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Some of the biggest hits came from senior safety Kevin Martinez and junior defensive line Jesus Leon.
Middleton said his players lack size, but have plenty of speed in every position to be successful this fall.
“We’ve really set out and focused on running to the football,” Middleton said. “We made some mistakes, particularly in the secondary, but that’s why you (scrimmage).”
Siloam Springs scored its only touchdown when quarterback Braden Pippen threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Austin Van Poucke.
Against Rogers, the Red’Dogs scored on the third play of the game after Taylor had three consecutive carries. His first attempt went for 59 yards before scoring an 11-yard touchdown.
Jones later had a 60-yard touchdown run to secure the victory for Springdale.
“We’re playing hard, we’re excited about what we’re doing, but we’re fixing to get tested on a run in the next several weeks,” Patrick said. “That’s going to let us know what we’re made of.”
Springdale opens its season against Little Rock Catholic on Sept. 1 at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium.