Broncos Are Ready
To prepare for the 2011 Bronco football season, the Broncos played in two scrimmages. During a scrimmage, the sub-varsity players wear their practice jerseys. This year the varsity players wore jerseys with numbers, but the jersey numbers are not the ones that they will wear once the season starts.
The Broncos played the Llano Yellow Jackets in Llano on August 13. This was a controlled scrimmage where the coaches from both teams were on the field providing instant instruction to the players. At Llano, the Freshman and JV teams ran 20 offensive plays and 20 defensive plays.
It was hard to keep track of scoring since the Freshman and JV were playing at the same time. To the best of my knowledge, the Freshman scored four touchdowns and allowed two. One of the Freshman’s touchdowns was scored on a bruising run up the middle by Elijah Cross. Scott Gonzalez scored on a broken field quarterback keeper for the JV.
The Varsity scored four touchdowns, but one may have been called back. Dallas Payne scored twice. He scored on a short run on the spread version of the flanker reverse. Imoni Cross and Payne also combined for an option play that covered about 70 yards. Clayton Parks completed a touchdown pass to Davis Jimenez. Parks also completed a long pass to Word Hudson to give the Broncos a first and goal. Edward Garza got the score on a run up the middle.
The defense looked very sharp. Freshman Elijah Cross and Junior Blake Esparza had sacks.
The Varsity ran 48 offensive plays: 20 passes and 28 runs. The Broncos had 331 yards of offense with 164 yards rushing and 167 yards passing.
Last Thursday, the Broncos traveled to Grape Creek for their final scrimmage with the Bangs Dragons. The Freshman scored their first touchdown on their third play. Brett Castillo ran off tackle for about 15 yards and was tackled at the one. Andres Acevedo got the touchdown on the quarterback delayed keeper. On the second drive, Acevedo scrambled for a nice gain. Elijah Cross gained more yardage leaving the touchdown for Acevedo on the quarterback keeper. Castillo scored the last Freshman touchdown.
The only score for the JV Broncos came on a long pass from Scott Gonzales to a wide receiver.
During the controlled portion of the varsity action, Bangs started on offense. On their first play, they gained 24 yards on a running play and a first down. During the remainder of their 60 offensive plays, they made only one other first down. On four of their drives, they lost yardage. The Bronco defense was playing at mid-season form.
When the Broncos were on offense, they were able to move the ball well, but two promising drives ended on interceptions. The Broncos got their only touchdown on a pass from Imoni Cross to Dallas Payne. The play covered about 40 yards with the speedy Payne doing most of the work.
During the live quarter, the Bronco defense held the Dragons to only one first down. Imoni Cross exhibited his broken field running abilities as he three times scrambled for big plays. Cadesman Pope had a big defensive play as he knocked down a Bangs’ pass from his defensive end position. On offense he caught two passes for critical gains. Edward Garza scored the only touchdown during the live quarter on a 15-yard run. Kade Wimberley kicked the PAT.
During the overtime simulation, Cross scrambled for an apparent touchdown, but it was called back for holding. Facing third and 24, Cross scrambled his way to the open field and threw to Word Hudson for a 14 yard gain. On fourth down, he passed to Pope who caught the ball short of the first down. He refused to go down and drug the defenders for enough yardage for the first down. Once again, Garza got the touchdown on a 13 yard run. This time the PAT was wide right.
When Bangs went on offense, it looked like the Bronco defense was going to have it too easy. On third and long, a sack was judged to be a roughing the passer penalty instead. This gave the Dragons a first and goal from the eight yardline. After three plays, the Dragons had gained three yards. On fourth down, Damon Evans sacked the quarterback ending the overtime.
This Friday at 7:30, the Broncos hit the field for real playing host to the Brady Bulldogs. Come out and support the Broncos.