Monday, August 18, 2008
(Last modified: 2008-08-18 11:24:33)
 
Author: Corbitt Hollingsworth

The Sequoyah Chiefs went in to Tuesday evening’s scrimmage against Coalfield looking to improve in several areas.
Coaches were looking for improvements in the offensive consistency, defense, and overall play in the Chiefs.

While the team showed improvement in each of those areas on its way to a 13-0 win over the Yellow Jackets, the team’s increase in aggression was one that pleased head coach Bill Satterfield.
Several small skirmishes broke out between the Chiefs and Yellow Jackets during the course of the scrimmage. Play was even stopped for a little more than five minutes at one point to allow both teams to settle down.

And while Satterfield wasn’t happy with the fights, he was happy to see his team respond when pushed.
“I told them it’s good to see what you’re going to do when somebody stands up and hits you in the nose,” said Satterfield. “Things were a little dicey. We had to get things in perspective, but I was glad to see them respond. That’s probably been the best effort as far as being aggressive that I’ve seen so far this fall, so that was good. Our kids kept their composure and turned it up a notch.”
The Chiefs also turned it up a notch on both sides of the ball in their second scrimmage.
Sequoyah showed the ability to grind out yards on long, sustained drives and also the ability to score quickly on big plays.

Sequoyah’s defense shut down a Coalfield offense that gave many different formations as the Yellow Jackets never made it beyond the Sequoyah 30 yard line.
“Coach (Steve) Berrong and coach (Jim) Sharp have been doing a really good job with the defense, working on our stunts and alignments and making good calls. The biggest thing is the kids are playing a little more enthusiastic and putting a little more zip with it,” said Satterfield.

Coalfield gained only 60 yards in three drives, with 40 of those yards coming on the first drive.
Sequoyah started the scrimmage on offense and looked shaky early. Quarterback Elisha Moser was intercepted on the second play, but the Chiefs kept possession of the ball.
Each team was given three free plays to start the drive before down and distance was kept.
After airing it out on the first possession in the scrimmage against Harriman, the Chiefs stuck the ground game and churned out yards behind Jacob White.

White gained 30 yards on four carries, plus 15 more on a pass reception, to get Sequoyah in scoring position. Moser ran in from five yards out for the game’s first score.
Coalfield gashed Sequoyah for yards early in its first series, but the Sequoyah defense forced a turnover on downs to stop the Yellow Jackets.
The Chiefs again marched towards the end zone, aided by two unsportsmanlike penalties by the Yellow Jackets.

However, the drive did not result in points as officials ruled the Chiefs fumbled on the goal line and Coalfield recovered.
That drive was interrupted when a Coalfield player suffered a leg injury and the game was stopped for nearly 25 minutes.
Sequoyah could not find the end zone again until the final drive of the scrimmage when Nick Carson went 63 yards for a touchdown. Shane Breeden tacked on the extra point to give Sequoyah a 13-0 lead.
The Chiefs’ defense stood tall once more, pushing Coalfield back on its final drive and preserving the win.

The Sequoyah second-string also collected a win, with the Chiefs collecting one touchdown and Coalfield being shut out. 
Sequoyah was scheduled to be involved in a four-way scrimmage Thursday at Loudon, which is expected to be their biggest test of the preseason.

The Chiefs will play in the first quarter of tonight’s Loudon Jamboree against Meigs County.

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