Area football coaches busy evaluating scrimmage video

While the first week of football practice is always a busy time, most coaches will admit that an even more hectic time is the day after their first scrimmage and when you are a coaching staff that will play this week, Saturday was an especially busy day.

Coaches worked to grade the video and see where the bright spots were or where more attention to details would be needed come Monday.

The five big-school programs in Comanche County—Lawton High, Eisenhower, MacArthur, Cache and Elgin—had scrimmages either Thursday or Friday and early Saturday morning the coaching staffs were busy evaluating video and seeing just how their players responded after three busy weeks of practice in sizzling temperatures. Conditioning is always a concern but with most teams practicing early in the morning or under the lights at night, there will probably be more work in conditioning drills this week as the first games begin across the state.

Week Zero as its known, is normally filled with a handful of games but this season there are 14 games featuring area teams, by far the most we’ve seen in past years.

One of the first games of the season is expected to draw one of the largest crowds as Elgin comes to Cameron Stadium to face MacArthur in a battle of teams that are expected to be among the highest ranked clubs in their classes. Kickoff is still scheduled for 7 p.m. as temperatures seem to be dropping to the mid-90s in the latest long-range forecast but the coaches and athletic officials at both schools are expected to evaluate the game time again mid-week.

In addition to large fan bases from both Mac and Elgin, expect a large number of coaches to be on hand to get a look at the two teams as well.

Friday’s schedule is headlined by the annual Lawton High-Eisenhower battle at Cameron Stadium as the Lorenzo Williams era begins at LHS. However, the Wolverines will face a stern test from the Eagles who return a host of offensive starters including running back Rashaud Hurts, explosive wide receiver/slot back Serrie Sheridan and quarterback Charlie Trachte.

Other games of high interest Friday include Altus at Ardmore, Bridge Creek at Duncan, Marlow at North Rock Creek, Wilson at Apache and an eight-man battle between Cyril and Mt. View-Gotebo at Mt. View.

Other Friday games include the following: Anadarko at Lone Grove, S&S Consolidated at Comanche, Central High at Bray-Doyle, Paoli at Grandfield, Snyder at Seiling and Temple at Fox.

The only other Thursday game besides the Elgin-Mac game has Empire heading to Canadian, Texas, for its season opener.