Opportunistic Defense, Big-Play Offense Carry South Lakes To Victory Over Hayfield in Scrimmage

By Brian McNicoll

Last year, the South Lakes High football team made three interceptions in its 12-game season. If the team's scrimmages are any indication, they'll make a lot more this year.

Subscribe

The Seahawks had one interception in their intrasquad scrimmage two weeks ago. They had two last week against South County on a day the Stallions otherwise dominated.

And on Thursday against Hayfield at South Lakes, the Seahawks picked off three more, one of which was returned for a touchdown, on the way to a 31-14 victory over the Hawks.

South Lakes scored on its second possession on a 25-yard pass from Christian Wyatt to Nick Picarelli – the combination the Seahawks rode to their 6-6 finish and first-round playoff victory over Yorkton last year.

The two hooked up again on the first possession of the second half when Wyatt hit Picarelli about 10 yards downfield and he maneuvered through the defense all the way to the Hayfield 1-yard line, where James Smith punched it in to make it 14-0.

On South Lakes' next possession, the Hawks got so concerned with Picarelli after yet another 25-yard completion that they left Joshua Dagbe in single coverage. The Seahawks exploited that with a pass down the right sideline to Dagbe for a 27-yard touchdown to go up 21-0.

Hayfield hit a big play – a 42-yard pass down the left sideline – to cut it to 21-7. But the Seahawks responded with a 31-yard field goal from James Marburg, and Riggins Legler stopped in front of a pass over the middle and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown to make it 31-7. Hayfield added a touchdown shortly after on a 73-yard pass, but that series involved reserves on both teams.

South Lakes coach Jason Hescock said Legler is trying to earn a starting spot in the backfield on offense or at middle linebacker on defense and said the big play on Thursday did nothing but help his cause. "He's getting up to speed now," Hescock said. "He's making some Friday night plays."

The series that mattered most was a Hayfield possession early in the scrimmage. The Hawks methodically marched from their 20 to the South Lakes 37. The Seahawks gave ground grudgingly – Hayfield had to convert four third downs on the drive. But South Lakes responded with three sacks in four plays.

"We were able to use our leverage and get to the quarterback a lot better this week," said South Lakes defensive lineman Sebastian Valencia. "But what was really good was the way we were able to bounce back from negative plays. Our confidence is better. We got the momentum and kept it."

Hescock was pleased with the performance of his kicker as well. Marburg took over for Nick Bertoni, who is now kicking at Concord College in West Virginia. Marburg has made limited appearances in the past, but he showed on Thursday why he is the main man now.

Three of his kickoffs bounced at least five yards into the end zone – an automatic touchback in high school football. His field cleared the bar easily, indicating a range of at least 15 yards more.

"The ball sounds a lot better off his foot," Hescock said. "You just hear a different sound. It makes a lot of difference."

Hescock also lauded the play of running back James Smith, who had second straight impressive scrimmage. Smith transferred to South Lakes from Falls Church High last year and then suffered a high ankle sprain and thus didn't get to make a big contribution last year. But this year he is giving the Seahawks an option in the backfield who is both big and fast.

"He's a good runner with good instincts," Hescock said.

Hescock said all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – performed better. The defense gave up two big plays and held the Hawks to just two scores – a far cry from the 11 touchdowns it allowed the previous week at South County (albeit under rules that gave the Stallions the ball at the South Lakes 40 on almost every possession).

"It's like Christmas at the start of the season," Hescock said. "You have all these new presents, and some of them are ready to fit in right away and some need a little more time. I love having a tough scrimmage like we had at South County because it shows us where we need to focus.Now we've worked on some things and we'll continue to work on things as we get ready for Yorktown.

"But we definitely saw some improvement."