Patriots Spar at Jamboree



Zach Hershberger Walks a Tightrope
 Down the Sideline After a Catch

The Christ Prep Patriots traveled to Bethany, Mo. last night to compete in a four team pre-season football jamboree.  The round-robin scrimmages afforded the Patriots the opportunity to test their skills against live and unfamiliar competition in a game-like format.

CPA coaches and players gave themselves mixed reviews at the conclusion of the competition. Although the evening highlighted some Patriot strengths, it also revealed some areas in need of improvement. And as the coaches discussed, acquiring a better understanding of the team's strengths and weaknesses is exactly the purpose of participating in such pre-season jamborees.

The jamboree format allows each team to run 12 offensive and 12 defensive plays against each of the other three opponents. No special teams play takes place during the scrimmages so each team runs its plays until they've completed the 12. A score, turnover, or failure to get a first down returns the ball to the offensive starting point--the 40 yard line.

Although score is not kept during the jamboree, the general consensus was that the Patriots outplayed the Maysville Wolverines, but were generally outplayed by the Trenton and South Harrison squads--both the Bulldogs.  Overall, the Patriots certainly showed some bright spots against all three of their opponents, especially given the fact that only 17 players suited out for CPA, a decided disadvantage in Trenton's early evening heat and humidity.

Some statistices from the Jamboree...CPA rushed for 49 yards on 12 carries. Jesse Mann led the way with 41 of those yards carrying six times. Timothy Finley was six for 22 yards passing for 144 yards and three touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. Zach Hershberger had four receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Jack Layman had one reception for 40 yards and a touchdown while Chance McCoy added another reception for 15 yards. Defensively, Jesse Mann led the way for the Patriots. Mann had five tackles and three assists while forcing and recovering a fumble and sacking the quarterback once. Zach Hersberger followed with six tackles.

Scroll down to view some photos and videos of the evening.

I sure hope my parents get here in time
to take me to Pizza Hut!