On Thursday, August 10, the Swainsboro Tigers and Northeast Macon Raiders played a scrimmage game. The scoreboard said 15-7, but there are no winners or losers in scrimmage games. With this type of scrimmage, the score is less important than the coaches seeing their team in live action against another team. I'm sure both coaching staffs will evaluate the film, correct errors, and have their teams ready for the first regular season game.
Northeast Macon was a good challenge for Swainsboro. Northeast returned nine starters on offense and seven on defense. They finished with an 8-4 record last year and lost to eventual state runner-up Appling County in the second-round playoffs. Sophomore quarterback Reginald Glover returns to an offense that averaged 38 points per game. Also returning is junior running back Nick Woodford who rushed for 2,700 yards and 40 touchdowns last season.
Northeast has athletes and size on the defensive and offensive lines. Their defensive line made it challenging for Swainsboro to run consistently early in the scrimmage, and their offensive line helped their backs run well early. Northeast was able to hit a few passes and had receivers running open a few times. Running back Nick Woodford broke a long run in Northeast's first possession to get inside the 10-yard line, but penalties moved them back.
Swainsboro scored on a field goal. DeMello Jones picked off a deflected pass and returned it for a touchdown just before halftime. Swainsboro also scored on a fumble return. The Tigers missed a couple of extra-point conversions.
Several Tiger players looked good, but these are a few that stood out to me.
#7 Jylerris Williams is going to be a playmaker on defense. Williams was all over the field. Williams is a junior and was selected to the all-region team last year. Additionally, he has attended summer camps for the past two years with other top players from across the state. Those camps have helped improve his skills and confidence. #8 Jerrod Steward is a major college prospect. Jerrod is big, fast, strong, and aggressive. Jerrod is in his third year starting for the Tigers. #17 Jamarcus Webb and #11 Qin Brown also made plays on defense.
Offensively #51 Kason Palmer stood out with his line play. Bryson Tarver and Jordan Williams had big runs. The Tiger's passing game was a little sporadic, but it gives opposing coaches something to prepare for. #2 Bryson Tarver, #1 Jones and #12 Kason Edenfield played quarterback.
DeMello Jones played receiver, quarterback, and defensive back. Jones showed glimpses of why he is one of the top players in the country.
9th graders #3 Shannon Benjamin, #9 Jabois Smith and #21 Davyhon Williams stood out in their 4th quarter action. Smith will be an interesting player for the Tigers. He is about 6'3 and 190 lbs and very athletic. Smith has the size and speed to play multiple positions on offense and defense. It will be interesting to see how the coaches use him to minimize his inexperience while maximizing his immense talent.
Northeast opens its regular season on Saturday, August 19, against Mary Persons. Swainsboro's first regular season game will be Friday, August 18th, in Metter.
