Bigger tests ahead for KHS football

Things went mostly as expected when Kingfisher and Casady hooked up last Friday for the first football scrimmage of the year.

“I’d say that’s about right,” head coach Jeff Myers said of the annual trip to Oklahoma City to take on the private-schooled Cyclones.

“We saw some things we liked and some things we need to work on,” Myers continued. “It was a typical first scrimmage. The most important thing to us is that we came out healthy.”

The scrimmage was set up to pit the KHS JV offense against Casady’s JV defense for 12 snaps and then Casady’s JV offense against Kingfisher’s JV defense for 12.

That was followed by the varsity squads going against one another for 24 snaps.

After 24 more JV plays, the teams played two quarters in a game-like situation.

That’s where Kingfisher truly dominated, outscoring Casady 27-0.

Jarret Birdwell scored two touchdowns, one on a pick-six and another on a long reception from quarterback Cade Stephenson.

Stephenson also connected with Keaton Abercrombie for a long touchdown.

Caleb Dick scored Kingfisher’s other touchdown on a running play.

“Our starters did as well as expected, but we also found out who can come in and serve a good role as a backup,” said Micah Nall, who is entering his seventh season as Kingfisher’s offensive coordinator.  

“We were able to practice many different schemes that will benefit us early in the season.”

Both Nall and Myers agreed there were areas in which to improve.

Myers pointed out three fumbles and an interception.

“Ball security is definitely something we need to improve on,” Myers said.

“Playing the half game with the officials calling penalties exposed a thing or two we need to clean up which is good this time of year,” added Nall.

“Other than those things, it was a typical scrimmage where the kids got lots of snaps and we accomplished what we needed to look at.”

It was also agreed that this week’s tune-up will provide coaches and players a better understanding of how the team is progressing ahead of the Sept. 6 opener against Tuttle.

KHS travels to Clinton Thursday to take on the Red Tornadoes and Alva.

The scrimmage begins at 6 p.m.

“I’m curious to see what we do this Thursday,” Myers said. “It will definitely be a bigger test for us.”