Tuesday, April 23, 2024
TD CATCH: Gus Hamlin snags a pass from Austin Jinkerson. The big wide receiver put the Pirates' into the end zone with a big catch late in the scrimmage's live action.
SOPHOMORE: Running back Jadon Rogers had several shifty runs and also ran north to south.
DOUBLE TEAM: Granbury's offensive lineman worked hard to give quarterback Austin Jinkerson time to pass the ball.
GET IT RIGHT: Coach Chad Zschiesche calls out for players to get their formation correct.
BRUISER: Braydon Olthoff is a starter on the defensive line and he's also expected to play a vital role at running back.
IN CONTROL: Senior quarterback Austin Jinkerson looks down field for an open receiver.
EVERMAN -- Granbury dominated the final 20 minutes of its scrimmage against Everman at J.E. Marr Stadium Friday night.
The Pirates got a 27-yard field goal from Drew Hamilton before Austin Jinkerson hooked up with Gus Hamlin on a 55-yard scoring pass to salt away a 9-0 score in the frame.
It was a flip-flop from Granbury’s performance in the prior scripted scrimmage action where the Pirates were guilty of missed assignments, some poor tackling, and a slight lack of energy that head coach Chad Zschiesche was quick to point out to his players.
“At first, I saw some things that concerned me,” Zschiesche said. “Then, all of a sudden, we realized this scrimmage stuff is over. That we weren’t going to go three plays and start over, it was let’s go play an actual football game.”
To the casual eye, the scripted portion of the scrimmage appeared to be dominated by Everman’s offense, but the Bulldogs second-team offense was loaded.
“Through no fault of their own, Everman doesn’t have any second-team offensive lineman,” Zschiesche said. “And they have some monsters out there. What a great football team.”
The Pirates’ second-team defense gave up several long scoring plays where Everman’s offensive line gave its quarterback opportunities when they spotted blown assignments.
The turning point came shortly before the live 20-minutes of action when Tate Baker interrupted an Everman pass play that Gus Hamlin hauled in for an interception, and it fired up the Granbury sideline.
The pick was just the beginning of some of Hamlin’s highlights as he snagged a long pass from Jinkerson to set up Hamilton’s boot through the uprights for the Pirates’ first score of the evening.
Sophomore running back Jadon Rogers had several impressive runs in the scripted action and pounded the interior and right side of the defense in the live-action that softened up the Bulldogs’ defense, making way for Hamlin’s second-biggest catch of the evening.
A fumble recovery by Dustin Jones set up Hamlin’s best reception of the evening. Jinkerson found the big wide receiver, and Hamlin wasn’t going to be denied the end zone.
“I looked back and saw Austin loft the ball to me, and I could see the cornerback behind me when I went up for the ball,” Hamlin said. “I had a little more left in the tank than I thought I had.”
Like any good coach who wants more, Zschiesche feels Hamlin still has more to give.
“Gus made some great plays tonight,” Zschiesche said. “Wait till he’s in full physical shape, and we aren’t running him around from one side to the other all the time. He’s a good player. He’s big time.”
The Pirates running backs didn’t get into the end zone, but Rogers, Ryan Baker, and Braydon Olthoff all had some impressive runs against a nasty defense.
“We are young at running back, and they (Rogers and Baker) ran hard and held onto the football,” Zschiesche said. “Braydon Olthoff (a senior) got lots of repetitions during the scripted part, and he is going to be a vital part of our offense.”
Olthoff is also a vital part of Granbury’s defense, where he was a constant force as he kept harassing the Everman quarterbacks. He also came up with a huge tackle for a loss of six yards.
Granbury’s field general managed a good game despite often playing under heavy pressure. Jinkerson’s ability to make plays and stay healthy is critical to the Pirates having a successful season. Coaches have constantly been reminding their senior signal-caller that he needs to make sound decisions.
Pirate defensive lineman Brooks Pearce put an explanation point Granbury's performance for the night with a thunderous sack that ended any chance of Everman getting into the end zone.
“There are some things we need to work on, but I am tickled with where we are now,” Zschiesche said.
Granbury will now turn its attention to hosting Stephenville next Friday at 7 p.m. at Pirate Stadium.
Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 Ext. 231
