Warriors building up confidence

Little Rock Hall hasn't won a game since 2011, yet it oozes optimism and perhaps for good reason.

The Warriors met Little Rock Catholic for a scrimmage at War Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night. Spirits seemed high for a team that lost 10 games last season by an average of 31.1 points. Hall's current losing streak stands at 19. Only a 6-6 tie with North Pulaski in the 2014 season-opener breaks the Warriors' five-year run of futility.

Coach Tim Scarborough, about to begin his fourth season at Hall, sounds confident that a turnaround is at hand.

"We have some leaders out here that are really helping us out," he said. "When I first got here, they were ninth-graders, and now they're determined to leave Hall with some wins. That's driven them in the offseason to get the younger guys to follow along. When I first got here, we didn't have that sort of leadership."

Last season, Hall was in the 6A-South Conference but was placed in the 6A-East for the 2016-2018 cycle. Pine Bluff, the 6A state champions in 2015, also moved to the East, but Hall will face two conference opponents this season that won a total of three games in 2015. Furthermore, it opens its season with nonconference games against two opponents that won a total of two games in 2015.

"We're looking for some success early," Scarborough said. "If we can get that, then with their focus and determination, I think we'll have something there."

"We're in a conference where we have a chance to compete," senior quarterback Jaden McGraw said. "We're in a very good position."

Though Hall failed to score in two quarters in the scrimmage Tuesday, a handful of offensive sparks were evident, and its defense held Catholic to a touchdown and an extra point in a half the Rockets won, 9-0. Catholic also scored a safety two plays after senior Hall defensive back Keshaun Johnson intercepted a pass and was tackled near the Rockets' end zone.

"Our defense has done a great job," Scarborough said. "They've really looked good. We had a few missed tackles, but those are things we can show them on film that we can learn from. Overall, I feel very good about where our defense is right now."

McGraw completed 4 of 9 passes for 24 yards in limited time. He had the look of a leader as players gathered around him on the sideline.

"He's one that doesn't get rattled," Scarborough said. "He's a smart kid. He actually watches film and wants to learn from his mistakes. He wants to be a perfectionist. That can be good and bad, because sometimes he does get down on himself a little bit. But as far as being a leader, he has that kind of poise."

McGraw said that Hall quarterbacks coach Zach Nance has helped him feel settled for his second season as his team's starter.

"He's helped me a lot with my field vision," McGraw said. "He's got me looking the safeties off and making sure I go through my progressions in the right way."

"Coach Nance has done a tremendous job with him," Scarborough said. "The kids took to Coach Nance right off, and that's definitely helped us having his expertise."

Scarborough said junior fullback/linebacker Caezar Warren, who rushed for 14 yards on one carry against Catholic, should help on offense and defense.

For the time being, Warren leads Hall's early optimism

"I've been here three years and we haven't won a game, but we're going to win this year," Warren said. "I guarantee we're going to win some games this year."

Sports on 08/25/2016