By John R. Schirmer
News-Leader staff
The Nashville Scrappers wrapped up their second week of fall camp with a scrimmage Friday morning, Aug. 12, at Scrapper Stadium.
So far, “It’s going good,” Coach Mike Volarvich said of the Scrappers’ fall practice.
The scrimmage Friday morning marked the second one of fall camp.
“We saw some really good things,” Volarvich said. “I’m happy with our running back situation. We have a couple of really explosive players, Darius Hopkins and Trent Harris. They’re having a really good fall camp.”
Volarvich said he is “happy with our offensive line. We have three returning starters who are really good players. There are a couple of guys rotating the other two spots.”
On defense, “Several guys have made plays. We have some new guys who really fly around to the ball.”
After two weeks of fall camp, “I like our team as a whole, as far as work ethic and sense of being a team,” Volarvich said. “We have a bunch of guys who know what it takes to win. On the field, in the weight room and in meetings, they’ve been really good.”
Volarvich said there are some things for the Scrappers to work on as they continue to prepare for the season opener Sept. 2 at Hope.
“We have some guys who don’t have a lot of game experience. There are some good players in this sophomore class and junior class. There’s some inconsistency, but inconsistency comes with youth. Repetitions fix all of that. We’ll get them in game situations against good players.”
School started Monday in the Nashville district, and with the first day of class came some “distractions,” Volarvich said. “They’re back in class, new grade level, new schedule. We’ll keep working the way we’ve worked.”
The Orange and Black Back-to-School Bash will be Friday night at Scrapper Stadium. “It’s a good chance to get out under the lights. This will be their first taste of a game-like atmosphere. It’s good for the families and community to come out.”
Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Admission will be $2.
The junior Scrappers will kick off at 7 p.m., followed by player introductions, cheerleader and band introductions and performances, and the senior high scrimmage.
“I’m looking forward to the Bash. Last year was my first one. It’s a great experience for the whole school and community to have a pre-season kickoff and get excited for the season,” Volarvich said.
After the Bash, the Scrappers’ next chance to hit the field will be Thursday, Aug. 25, when they scrimmage El Dorado at Southern Arkansas University.
“That will be more like a game-type week. So far, it’s been our defense against our offense and our offense against our defense,” Volarvich said. For the El Dorado scrimmage, “We’l start to introduce some different formations that we have to get ready for during the course of the year.”
The Scrappers will “keep working and keep getting better every day,” Volarvich said.
