Smoking For Jesus football’s defensive scheme showcases the Eagles’ natural speed
A mix-up in dates forced the Smoking For Jesus Ministry School football team to wait another week to scrimmage an opponent. The Eagles will get their opportunity when they face the Austin Royals and Not Your Ordinary School at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at 2001 N. Denney Fort Blvd. in Round Rock.
“The boys are ready to hit someone other than themselves,” head coach Charles Frazier, Sr. said. “It gave us an extra week to get some plays down and know our assignments. The Austin Royals and Not Your Ordinary School will feel the brunt of it. (My players) are really, really ready. They’re going to come out and really show everybody we’re ready to make this run.”
The Eagles won back-to-back state championships of the Texas Christian Athletic League after playing for the title three times. But they made the move to the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations at the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
Frazier added former Faith Academy of Marble Falls head coach Russell Roberts to the staff as the offensive coordinator during the offseason. Boo Maxwell returns as the defensive coordinator and isn’t resting on what the team has already accomplished, the head coach said.
“Offensive coordinators are going to have a hard time predicting our defense,” Frazier said. “You never see it until it’s too late. He stepped up more. They’re going to be a tough defense. Our speed is a killer – we definitely have speed.”
Frazier said the defensive scheme accentuates the Eagles’ quickness and ability to close on the ball carrier.
“With our scheme, they can get to the ball,” he said. “They’re small, but they’re going to hit you. When they get to the ball, they’re going to wrap you up. We don’t give a lot of time for a play to develop. You have to be faster for the play to get going. We want to keep that pressure on the quarterback. We’re definitely bringing in the speed part and getting them there and getting it done.”
The Eagles open the 2022 season by welcoming Cherokee at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, to their home field, 1804 RR 2342 in Burnet.
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