Guymon-Texhoma scrimmage show one coach his team’s progress and another where work is needed

August 25, 2012

Guymon’s Coby Martin (82) tries to get around a Sunray defender during a football scrimmage at Texhoma last night. Guymon, Texhoma and Sunray, Texas, met in the preseason scrimmage. Staff photo/John Plestina

TEXHOMA—A three-way scrimmage last night showed Texhoma head coach Aaron Witten that the Red Devils are ready for the football season, now just days away. On the other hand, the scrimmage was a reminder for Guymon head coach Bryan Ballard that the Tigers still need work with just five days remaining before the season opener.
“We played really well,” Witten said.
“I thought the defense played real well, especially in the first series against Sunray. The offense scored three touchdowns against Guymon and one on Sunray. I thought they ran the ball well. I thought they threw the ball well. It was a good scrimmage,” he said.
Witten praised the younger players including the junior varsity for playing well.
“Nate Knitig had a couple of good catches for us. The whole line played well,” he said.
Ballard was less optimistic after seeing the Tigers up against two other teams.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Ballard said after he told the Tigers to get on the bus for the trip back to Guymon and rest to prepare themselves for a lot more work in the coming days.
“We played the way we practiced all week — not very good,” he said.
While Ballard was not pleased with the Tigers’ performance against Texhoma and Sunray, he remained confident that the team will be alright.
“We’ve got to keep going. We’re trying to stay positive,” Ballard said.
Guymon opens the season at Kingfisher Thursday night and host Liberal, Kan., Sept. 7.
Texhoma opens the season at Gruver, Texas, on Sept. 7.
The Guymon and Texhoma junior variety squads will play at Texhoma Thursday at 6:30 p.m.