The Jeff Roberts era at Choctaw County got off to a good start when the Chargers outscored Pontotoc 17-14 in a preseason scrimmage. The actual season begins Friday when Choctaw County hosts Independence.
“I couldn't ask for a better effort,” the first-year head coach said. “The defense came out on fire. They had a quick three-and-out, then another three-and-out. The offense started to click about halfway through the first quarter. We had two really good long runs.”
The runs were by quarterback Tylan Carter and running back Dicenzo Miller. Trace Beard booted a field goad for the winning margin.
“He's a good kicker. That's nice to have, Roberts said. “We had a few hiccups, but nothing that isn't fixable.”
On defense, he said cornerback Ques McNeal, with an interception, and linebacker Preston Lindsay played well.
Independence, a 3A school like Choctaw County, is coming off a 5-7 season (Choctaw County was 8-4). Roberts knows Independence coach Richard Russo and holds him in high regard. “I think they will be a well-coached team. They are going to play hard. They are going to be coached up to do what they are supposed to do.”
Independence is led by junior quarterback Kylan Garrett and junior defensive back Quae Shorty. Garrett totaled 948 yards and 17 touchdowns running and passing last year. Shorty earned all state honors with eight interceptions, 55 tackles and three blocked field goal attempts.
“It's a cliché, but the key is going to be who controls the line of scrimmage,” Roberts said. “Who will not allow the big run and who can break the big run.”
The scrimmage was Roberts' first experience as a head coach. He experienced some pregame nerves, but not about the scrimmage itself. “I have never been nervous about a game.”
It was the little things that worried him, like making sure the ball boys had enough balls and there were sufficient water bottles. “Those things were going through my mind. I wanted to make sure we didn't go out there not knowing what we were doing.”
