By Whit McGee
After a very compelling 2020 campaign, the Minden Crimson Tide football program looked to get in some good reps to start the 2021 campaign on the right track in Friday’s scrimmage at Benton.
Minden’s veteran coach, Spencer Heard, thinks the Crimson Tide did just that, stating, “it was very positive, I thought both sides got some good looks.”
Minden and Benton ran their first-string offenses for 12 snaps and their second-string offenses for 10 snaps. They also squared off in one 12-minute regulation-style period, which the Tide won 2-0, holding the only scoring play thanks to a Tigers snap over the head, resulting in a safety.
Heading the list of players Heard spotlighted for good performances were Tyrese Lane, Kentravion Lister, Jaylin Williams, and Andrew Cooper.
Heard complimented the Tide’s offensive front five.
“Collectively our O-line did a good job,” he said. “They looked pretty in sync.”
Minden may have started with a few jitters but as the Tide got comfortable, they became more effective both defensively and offensively.
There is room for improvement, as always. The MHS team that reached the state quarterfinals last fall did so by steadily getting better and correcting mistakes each week.
“We had some opportunities throughout the game where if we executed, we could have made some big plays,” said Heard.
Looking ahead to practice next week in preparation for next Friday night’s jamboree, Heard said players could expect a “typical week with a little more game-planning.”
In the jamboree, Minden will face both the Homer Pelicans and Haynesville Golden Tornado for one quarter each next Friday, Aug. 27 at Haynesville’s Alton “Red” Franklin Stadium.
Photo: by Danny McGee.
