Don’t blame Noxapater football coach Casey Orr if he left spring football with a smile on his face.
The Tigers wrapped up spring football practice on Thursday with a pair of two-quarter scrimmages with Booneville and South Pontotoc.
“We knew going in that we were going to have our work cut out for us,” Orr said. “We missed some assignments and made some mistakes but I couldn’t be more proud of our effort and intensity. I thought our offensive and defensive lines were as good as anybody’s there.”
The Tigers opened up the night against Booneville and started with a bang.
“We got a pick six on the first play of the game,” Orr said. “K.D. Carter, who is going to be a freshman, stepped in front of a slant pass and took it to the house. That set the tone of the game for us. Then we got the ball and drove on them pretty good. We were trying out a new offense and were able to run the ball on them. I thought for only two weeks of practice, we played as good as we could play.”
Orr said Chase Ray scored the Tigers’ other touchdown while the defense only gave up one touchdown to take a 14-7 win.
\“The only score we gave up was to one of their big, tall wide receivers who has committed to USM,” Orr said. “We were right there and in position to make the play and the kid just went up and made a play. I can’t complain about that.”
Against South Pontotoc, the Tigers tied 0-0.
“We had our chances in that game,” Orr said. “We turned it over on downs inside of their 10. We had a kid open in the end zone on the last possession with about 15 seconds left. We threw a fade that got intercepted. I don’t think they ever crossed the 50-yard line. Booneville and South Pontotoc each beat East Webster and I thought we outplayed them and was really pleased with that.”
Orr said he only dressed 24 players but it didn’t make a difference.
“One of our top linemen didn’t play,” Orr said. “We only dressed 24 players and I think we played 17 kids so we don’t have a lot of depth. Out of our first 11, I will match them up with anybody. If we can get some breaks and keep those guys healthy through an entire season, I think we will be OK.”
Orr said the Tigers will start summer weight lifting after Memorial Day.
“We’ve got to get bigger and stronger,” Orr said. “I think the kids are excited about the upcoming season and that makes the summer weight lifting go a lot easier. We just need a few more bodies to work with.”
