Teams 'air it out' during joint workout

Ross Johnson

Published Wednesday, July 30, 2008

If there is such a thing as an aerial circus on a football field, last Thursday night may have been the definition of one during a passing workout at Horseshoe Bend School.

Dadeville and Handley high schools joined the Generals at the ‘round robin’ practice, but no score was kept. It was a way for the teams to practice against other competition, and Horseshoe Bend and Dadeville had a worthy opponent in Handley.

“They were big, athletic, and had a lot of good skill payers,” said Generals head coach Jason Franklin. “Their best quality was their speed, though.”

Handley and its “game-changing” quarterback were able to pass at will against both teams throughout most of the night, despite the Tigers’ I-formation philosophy.

Franklin thought the Generals held up well against the Class 4A team.

“They are a speedy team, and we can’t give them a lot of time to react after the ball is snapped,” Franklin said. “After their first few drives we calmed down and made some plays.”

Although his team struggled against Handley, Franklin thought the Generals improved against the rival Tigers since the July 8 passing workout in Dadeville.

“We’re spreading the ball around better,” Franklin said. “We’re improving our spacing and running better routes.”

Dadeville head coach Richard White was also encouraged with his team’s performance against both Horseshoe Bend and Handley.

“We executed a lot better than before,” White said. “Our quarterbacks and wide receivers understand the concepts a lot better.”

White said the Tigers aren’t ready for a game yet, but are on their way to becoming a more complete football team.

Horseshoe Bend visits Dadeville Oct. 30. Neither team plays Handley in 2008.