Lions' scrimmage becomes contrast in styles
August 17, 2008

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- Greenville’s football scrimmage against Sulphur Springs on Saturday morning at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium was a stark contrast in styles of offense.

Sulphur Springs’ spread offense featured the passing of returning all-state quarterback Tyrik Rollison, who was 18-of-25 for 285 yards and one touchdown.

Greenville countered with the running of quarterback Alton Dennis (13-102, 2 TDs) and tailback Dakieston Williams (20-102, 1 TD).

Sulphur Springs, which was a 9-2 playoff team last season, wound up with a 4-3 advantage in touchdowns and a 431-279 advantage in total yards though the Lions outscored the Wildcats 2-1 in two live quarters. Greenville was 3-7 last season.

“I’m very pleased with the kids’ effort,” said Jim Phillips, making his first appearance as the Lions’ head coach.

Phillips said the Lions did some things well “but we’re still a long way off.”

The scrimmage was planned for Sulphur Springs but was moved to Greenville’s synthetic turf because of wet conditions at Gerald Prim Stadium.

Greenville went first on offense and wasted no time establishing its running game with a 70-yard, 11-play touchdown drive. Dennis got the drive moving with a 34-yard run. The 215-pound Williams pounded out gains of 4, 8, and 4 yards before Dennis scored on a 6-yard bootleg keep.

Greenville’s second offense managed 51 yards in eight plays.

Sulphur Springs’ first offense then lined up with Rollison, the quarterback, wearing a protected red jersey, something standard in practices but highly unusual in scrimmages against other opponents. The officials were quick on the whistle to protect Rollison from injury. Greenville’s quarterbacks were not protected by a special jersey.

Rollison, without facing a fierce pass rush, went 4-for-4 passing for 42 yards on the Wildcats’ first drive and dashed 30 yards for a touchdown through a defense that seemed confused over whether it was allowed to tackle the Sulphur Springs quarterback or not. Rollison’s touchdown scamper followed two successive keepers halted by quick whistles.

The Wildcats’ second offense went 70 yards in 10 plays capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by the second-team quarterback.

Neither Greenville’s first or second offenses could get much going on their second possessions as the Lions’ first team managed only 24 yards in eight plays and the second team finished with a minus four in eight.

Sulphur Springs’ first offense rolled up 88 yards on its next series and probably would have scored with a 29-yard touchdown pass but a quick whistle ended the action while Rollison was throwing the football.

The Wildcats’ second offense drove 70 yards in nine plays, scoring on a 24-yard run.

Both teams worked on punts and extra points before going live for two quarters.

The Lions drove 79 yards in 14 plays for a touchdown topped off by Williams’ 4-yard touchdown burst. Dennis, who scrambled 24 yards for one touchdown, had one possible touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone waved off by the officials, who ruled the receiver was out of bounds.

Greenville’s defense kept Rollison and company in check for the Wildcats’ first two possessions of the live action before the Wildcats covered 70 yards in eight plays, including Rollison’s 31-yard touchdown strike.

Greenville answered with a 70-yard, four-play drive. Williams rambled 20 yards before Dennis scored on a 54-yard run that included a nice fake on a would-be tackler.

Rollison hooked up with one of his receivers on a 46-yard completion before the running clock ran out on the Wildcats, who were perched on Greenville’s 13-yard line.

Phillips, who coached 18 seasons at Waller, praised Rollison and the Wildcats.

“He’s the best I’ve seen in a while,” said Phillips. “He’s going to make things happen.

“They were a good football team. They throw it around. That’s the kind of guy you want in a spread offense,” said the Lions’ coach.

Greenville’s next scrimmage is scheduled for Friday night at home against McKinney. The Lions’ season opener is set for Aug. 29 at Forney.