Published: August 20, 2008 11:10 pm            

Tigers look to answer questions in scrimmage

There weren’t any “Beat Forney” rally cries heard from the Tigers’ coaching staff this week in anticipation of Friday night’s first and only pre-season scrimmage.

With a week remaining until next Thursday’s season opener at West Mesquite, the focus for Dave Henigan and his staff has been on getting better.

“We’re not focusing on Forney,” Henigan said. “We want to play well and answer some question marks.”

Henigan offered insight into three areas he will pay special attention to during Friday night’s dress rehearsal in Forney:

1.The Tigers’ young offensive line

Tyler Wigfall was on varsity last year and got some playing time. After that it is mostly linemen who will go up against an opposing varsity defensive player for the first time in their high school careers.

“I want to see how they perform against other people,” Henigan said.

The Tigers are supposed to have more size on the offensive line, so there is promise. But to get the group to play up to its maximum potential, the coaching staff will want the offensive line grading out as high as possible.

Getting that first film on the new group against Forney will help in the building process.

2.Checking out the sophomore linebackers

Ike Hunter and Martin Davis have solidified themselves as starters.

Now can they consistently make plays?

The Tigers weren’t good against the run last year, allowing 171 yards per game. That’s not going to get it done against Waxahachie and Ennis.

Having the chance to build a defense around these two sophomores for the next three years could be the kind of lift the Tigers need to get out of the doldrums of a 10-11 record the last two seasons.

3.Battle at cornerback

Henigan said three players are fighting for a starting position at corner: Desmond White, Calvin Glover and Robert Atkinson.

Atkinson won’t play in Friday’s scrimmage because of a quadriceps injury. That could give White and Glover a leg up.

One thing is certain: West Mesquite’s improved passing game should test the Tigers’ inexperienced cornerbacks.

Briefly: Henigan said he is looking forward to the scrimmage after a difficult week of practices. “We battled weather and lightning,” Henigan said. “We had a to modify all of our workouts.” … Another thing Henigan said he wants to see Friday is his special teams. There will be some simulations for the kicking game which usually are done toward the end of scrimmages … Henigan said Wednesday afternoon that he was still waiting to talk to Forney coach Kevin Rush to discuss exactly how the scrimmage will go

        

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