By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s first crack at an opposing football team comes Saturday morning.
The Del Rio Rams freshmen, junior varsity and varsity teams will be in action at Gustafson Stadium when they take on the John Jay Mustangs beginning at 10 a.m.
Del Rio will wear white jerseys while Jay will wear blue.
Quarterbacks will be protected at all times, and all turnovers will be blown dead meaning no pick sixes or fumbles returned for scores.
The freshmen and JV teams will take the field first with each team starting at opposite 40-yard lines. The teams will have seven-play rotations against their counterparts.
The varsity teams take the field at 11:30 a.m., but they will do things a little differently in their scrimmage.
The teams will start at the 35-yard line. First team offense will get seven plays then the first team defense will get seven plays. Second team offense will take the field next for seven plays followed by second team defense. That pattern will continue for three rotations.
First downs can be achieved and teams must use all four downs within 15 yards of the end zone. There will not be any kicking during the rotations.
Once that period is complete, then comes the one quarter of play. The 12-minute period is like that of an actual real game quarter. The only differences are no kickoffs, no rushing on punts, field goals or point after tries, and score will not be kept.
Jay is picked to finish eighth in District 29-6A by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine. They were 4-6 last season and 2-6 in district. While this scrimmage had been on the schedule since before practice began last week, Del Rio head coach Rod Taylor had informed his players that there was possibility it could be a tri-scrimmage featuring the Rams, Jay and Midland Legacy, formerly Midland Lee. However, Legacy decided not to take part in the scrimmage.
Del Rio will be a part of a three-team scrimmage next Friday when they host Ft. Stockton and Eagle Pass C.C. Winn beginning at 5 p.m. at Walter Levermann Ram Stadium.
That scrimmage will be the final preseason tune-up for the Rams as they are set to open the season Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium against the Roosevelt Rough Riders.
Del Rio’s first home game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. against Leander.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
