Brookwood excels in scrimmage win

Brookwood’s final tuneup before the regular season went about as well as head coach Shane Boggs could have hoped.

His two quarterbacks, Pearce Hightower and Roland Waldrop, directed scoring drives, the offense netted 228 yards and the defense rallied to the football consistently. The Warriors scored a 25-8 scrimmage victory over Pataula Charter Academy Friday night.

“Obviously, we can get better, but we ran to the football, and we tackled well. There were plays where there were 10 guys rallying to the football. I really do think the defense set the tone,” Boggs said. “Obviously, scoring first was big. I thought both quarterbacks did good jobs for us in different ways. They were able to extend plays, which is huge. They make plays when the timing worked out, and they make plays when the pocket breaks down, and that’s part of football today.”

Hightower connected with Seth Boggs for a 3-yard touchdown to start the scoring in the first quarter. After the Panthers took their only lead of the game, following a Brookwood fumble in its own territory, Brookwood turned to some razzle-dazzle to reclaim the lead.

Wide receiver Pearson Taylor took a reverse and connected with a wide open Waldrop down the left sideline for a 45-yard scoring strike and a 15-8 advantage. Kicker Graham Jackson added an uncontested 46-yard field goal, and Waldrop found Sam Yokley in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown strike in the second half to cap the scoring.

Brookwood’s offense looked much different than in years past when the Warriors operated fast with more up-tempo. The offense on Friday was more methodical and huddled on the field. Boggs said the roster makeup dictates more of that offensive philosophy this year.

“We’ve got so many guys playing both ways that I just feel like we’ve got to give ourselves a chance. I’d take 25-8 every daggum time this year,” Boggs said. “It’s not about breaking a bunch of statistical records, it’s about winning football games. I feel like when you have as many guys playing both ways as we do, it might be wise to change the tempo.”

Brookwood’s regular season opener is slated for Friday at Westfield School.