Marble Falls football using scrimmages to learn now for titles later

The Leander Glenn Grizzlies gave the Marble Falls High School football team exactly what it needed to finish the second week of fall training camp Aug. 12.

That’s according to head coach Brian Herman.

“It was a solid start to our scrimmages,” he said. “We have some depth challenges in our rotation, so we had kids playing in back-to-back series. We saw some good positives and things we need to work on. Glenn was supremely talented.”

That included sophomore running back Dejuan Duggar, who stands 6 feet 2 inches and runs a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. He scored twice on long runs to the end zone when the offensive line opened holes up the middle as part of Glenn’s version of the slot-T offense.

Glenn’s No. 2 offense also scored twice. All of the Grizzlies’ touchdowns came during the controlled portion of the scrimmage when each team put their starters and reserves on both sides of the ball to go against each other. In addition, each unit was guaranteed around 10 plays each, no matter the down or distance to get a first down.

But when the live portion of the scrimmage began, where each starting offense got the ball on the opponent’s 35-yard line, the Mustangs were dominant.

Marble Falls needed only four plays to score en route to earning 2 first downs. Its defense didn’t allow a first down.

Herman explained the mindset was different for the control and live portions.

“We run plays we need to see on film to get better,” he said of the controlled portion. “I think (our newcomers) got a little wide-eyed (while playing on the varsity for the first time). in the live period, they responded really well.”

He also pointed out the Mustangs won the turnover battle.

“I thought we did a really good job of protecting the football,” he said. “If we’re disciplined and controlled, we’ll be fine.”

The coach understands when one team scores, the other wants to answer back immediately. Still, he added, the Mustangs are in a scrimmage for a reason, and his goal isn’t to win a scrimmage. He wants to see his players compete at their best while perhaps playing in a position that’s new to them or with teammates they’re still getting to know. And Herman is asking for patience as coaches continue to evaluate and make decisions on what’s best for the team.

“When it’s time to put a game plan in place that will give us the best chance to be successful, we’ll be fine,” he said. “We’re starting on the process of determining where we’re headed. I thought we did some good things offensively and defensively. At times we didn’t put it all together. They have to trust the process. We are purposeful and intentional. We are using scrimmages as a learning tool. We’re trying to get better to win championships later.”

Herman noted the opponent also tested the subvarsities, too.

“I was really energized by our freshmen and junior varsity,” he said. “I saw some exciting things from them. The JV was very successful. There were lapses, and some of that had to do with depth. I saw some real positives with kids in new positions. I was blown away by our freshmen. I saw some amazing improvement, and I’m excited for them.”

The Mustangs’ final scrimmage is against Leander High Friday, Aug. 19, at Bible Stadium, 3301 S. Bagdad in Leander. The freshmen and junior varsity play at 5 p.m. with the varsity at 6:30 p.m. 

Fans can Meet the Mustangs at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive. 

Marble Falls opens the 2022 season against Pflugerville Connally at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at The Pfield, 1440 W. Pecan St. in Pflugerville. 

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