Published: August 25, 2008 01:31 am            

Dawgs’ ‘D’ already in shutdown mode

If Saturday was any indication, Navarro’s defense is more than ready to start the 2008 season.

Navarro’s defense did not allow a touchdown in any drill, situational action or a two-quarter live play as the Bulldogs faced defending Southwest Junior College Football Conference regular season champion Kilgore.

In Navarro’s final prep for next Saturday’s season-opener at Coffeyville, Kan., the offense also had its share outstanding moments. Running back Justin Sturns had a pair of long runs during the live scrimmage period. Starting quarterback Andre Bevil fired a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kevin Diles and kicker Gabriel Elizondo boomed a 36-yard field goal for a 10-0 Bulldog edge.

“When the lights came on, the guys were ready to play,” said Navarro coach Nick Bobeck, whose team had to withstand a rain delay and did not make it back to Corsicana until after midnight. “I was really, really proud of the way the guys came out and gave a really, really great effort.”

The Navarro defensive line, which often has defensive tackles Justin Williams and Ray Kibbles playing alongside each other, were regular visitors in the Kilgore backfield in the scrimmage. And newcomer Justin Smith, who arrived on campus over a week later than his teammates, has quickly made up for lost time at linebacker. Smith, a freshman who will patrol the middle for the Navarro defense, has made a quick impact.

“He’s a player,” Bobeck said of Smith. “He’s already shown that he’s an awfully instinctive player who could be a great value to our defense.”

Two other freshmen have jumped to the forefront of the depth chart and showed well against Kilgore. Cornerback-safety Darrelle Raven, a teammate of Kibbles at Alief Hastings, and cornerback Anthony Brown, have solidified themselves as regulars in the secondary. Brown had an interception that would have gone for a touchdown in a regular game, Bobeck said.

“Guys like Raven and Brown played well, just like most everyone else on the defensive side of the ball,” Bobeck said. “Overall, I think we really played well on defense. We had 10 or 11 hats on the football on every play. It was fun to watch us to play.”

The offense was equally entertaining. The Bulldogs took their first drive in the two-quarter scrimmage quickly downfield, ending in the Bevil-to-Diles hookup. Bevil’s progression from last year to this fall was evident on the play. He checked off his first two receivers before finding Bevil behind the safety over the middle.

Running back William Powell broke off a pair of long third-down runs. Backmate Justin Sturns had an even more impressive scrimmage on offense, rambling for a 47-yard run on third and seven.

“He could also have had a 77-yard touchdown run if we had pitched the ball on a triple option play,” Bobeck said.

With school starting Monday, Navarro’s practice schedule will shift to late afternoon/evening as the Bulldogs prep for the Coffeyville opener. Navarro will leave Friday for Oklahoma City. After a brief walk-through at the University of Central Oklahoma, Navarro will make the trip’s final leg for the 7 p.m. match with their Kansas brethren.

“We’re in good shape going into that first game,” Bobeck said. “Now, it’s a matter of figuring out what Coffeyville is going to do and get prepared to play.”

        

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