For Lumberjack coach, scrimmage standoff holds promise

The Patterson Lumb-erjacks concluded their first week of spring football practice Friday with an intrasquad scrimmage at Lumberjack Stadium.
The first-team offense scored two touchdowns and had success in the passing game, while the first-team defense shut down the Lumberjacks’ running game.
Patterson Coach Zach Lochard said he has some athletes who are smart, quick and strong.
“When we’re constantly bashing and going against each other, sometimes a stalemate is a good thing for me as a head coach,” he said.
Lochard said the Lumberjacks are eager to face an opponent, but they look at facing each other “as sharpening our ax every day.”
The first team, as well as the junior varsity, competed for almost an hour Friday in an officiated event. The offenses started series at their own 20-yard line, and there were no special teams.
Junior-to-be Caylon Davis led the Lumb-erjacks’ offense. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown. He also added a 2-yard touchdown run.
“He has always been someone who all of our team looks up to,” Lochard said. “They call him QB1. He is just a machine in his preparation and work ethic every day. He’s somebody who wins weight room competitions constantly, and the guys really look to him, and he’s always finding a way to get better.”
Incoming senior Tylon Walton led the Lumberjacks’ receiving corps with two catches for 64 yards and one touchdown, while junior-to-be Josiah Jennings was right behind with a 60-yard reception.
On defense, the Lumberjacks held the offense to 11 carries for 0 yards. They were aided by a few bad snaps.
In junior varsity action, Patterson incoming freshman Courtney Williams had an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second-team work.
Senior-to-be Drake Dinger added two interceptions in the junior varsity portion.
Patterson will continue practice this week before concluding spring football with a scrimmage at Cecilia at 6 p.m. Saturday.