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First-Teamers Shine For Prairie View
Lightning Cuts Short Team’s Annual Scrimmage
BY DAVID WOLMAN, DAVIDWOLMAN@MICONEWS.COM
Thunderstorms rolled into the area, cutting short Prairie View’s annual green-white scrimmage Thursday, limiting the varsity players to six series.
In that short amount of time, however, Prairie View’s first-team players left a solid impression on the fans and head coach Murray Zogg, showing they were ready for Friday’s season opener at Tonganoxie.
The green squad, made up of first-team players, scored all three times it had the ball, defeating the white team 20-0.
Zogg said the offensive line was big question mark heading into the season.
While they were going against their own teammates, players who they work with in practice, Zogg was impressed with the big holes the linemen opened for their running backs.
In the green team’s initial drive, Estevan Davis burst through a big hole in the middle, shed off a would-be tackler and ran down the left sideline for a 61-yard touchdown.
“I think (the offensive line) played well,” Zogg said. “Our biggest weakness last year is that we didn’t start very well in all of our games. It took a full quarter until all of our guys started to play. They came after it out of the get-go tonight.”
Senior quarterback Nathan Sommer, who is now the full-time starter after splitting time with Ty Burgoon last season, looked comfortable handing the offense. On the green team’s second drive, he hooked up with Bronson Moylan on an 18-yard pass. Senior fullback Robert Brocker then broke through the hole for a 52-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
“The offense was clicking well,” Zogg said. “The guys were running well in the open field. I was impressed with the intensity and played hard. I hope that’s what we’re going to see this year.”
Sommer displayed his athletic ability on the green’s team next drive. He rolled to his left, but a breakdown in protection forced him to scramble to his right. Recognizing that he was close to rumbling past the line of scrimmage, he and Davis hooked up on a 32-yard pass play before Sommer reached the marker. A tackler grasped onto Davis’ left leg, but Davis eventually broke free and ran in for a touchdown.
“Estevan did a nice job because he’s a blocker on that play — it’s a play-action,” Zogg said. “He recognized the scramble, and it was a great job by Nathan seeing him and not being selfish.”
Davis is a first-year starting running back who might turn some heads this season and provide another weapon in both the backfield and passing game.
“He got some playing time last season, but this is his first year starting,” Zogg said. “I’m expecting big things out of him.”
Moylan and Devon Minckley showed their ability on the defensive side of the ball. Moylan jumped a receiver’s route and hauled in an interception on the left sideline.
Minckley, meanwhile, led the Frontier League Lower Division in sacks last season with nine. On Thursday, he showed why he might be among the leaders in the Pioneer League in that category again this season. On one play, he burst from the edge and took down the white-team quarterback.
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In that short amount of time, however, Prairie View’s first-team players left a solid impression on the fans and head coach Murray Zogg, showing they were ready for Friday’s season opener at Tonganoxie.
The green squad, made up of first-team players, scored all three times it had the ball, defeating the white team 20-0.
Zogg said the offensive line was big question mark heading into the season.
While they were going against their own teammates, players who they work with in practice, Zogg was impressed with the big holes the linemen opened for their running backs.
In the green team’s initial drive, Estevan Davis burst through a big hole in the middle, shed off a would-be tackler and ran down the left sideline for a 61-yard touchdown.
“I think (the offensive line) played well,” Zogg said. “Our biggest weakness last year is that we didn’t start very well in all of our games. It took a full quarter until all of our guys started to play. They came after it out of the get-go tonight.”
Senior quarterback Nathan Sommer, who is now the full-time starter after splitting time with Ty Burgoon last season, looked comfortable handing the offense. On the green team’s second drive, he hooked up with Bronson Moylan on an 18-yard pass. Senior fullback Robert Brocker then broke through the hole for a 52-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
“The offense was clicking well,” Zogg said. “The guys were running well in the open field. I was impressed with the intensity and played hard. I hope that’s what we’re going to see this year.”
Sommer displayed his athletic ability on the green’s team next drive. He rolled to his left, but a breakdown in protection forced him to scramble to his right. Recognizing that he was close to rumbling past the line of scrimmage, he and Davis hooked up on a 32-yard pass play before Sommer reached the marker. A tackler grasped onto Davis’ left leg, but Davis eventually broke free and ran in for a touchdown.
“Estevan did a nice job because he’s a blocker on that play — it’s a play-action,” Zogg said. “He recognized the scramble, and it was a great job by Nathan seeing him and not being selfish.”
Davis is a first-year starting running back who might turn some heads this season and provide another weapon in both the backfield and passing game.
“He got some playing time last season, but this is his first year starting,” Zogg said. “I’m expecting big things out of him.”
Moylan and Devon Minckley showed their ability on the defensive side of the ball. Moylan jumped a receiver’s route and hauled in an interception on the left sideline.
Minckley, meanwhile, led the Frontier League Lower Division in sacks last season with nine. On Thursday, he showed why he might be among the leaders in the Pioneer League in that category again this season. On one play, he burst from the edge and took down the white-team quarterback.