The defense is ahead of the offense after two weeks of football practice, and that's not a big surprise, according to Siloam Springs football coach Bryan Ross.
The Panthers wrapped up their first two weeks of fall camp on Friday morning with a two-hour practice, including an extended period of scrimmaging.
The offense hit a big play early when senior wide receiver J.D. Horn took a screen pass for a long touchdown, but after that the Panthers' defense settled in and stood its ground.
"I thought the defense really got after us," Ross said. "It's the best day I've seen them have. On the offensive side we've still got a ways to go. Two weeks in, the defense should be ahead of the offense. It will continue to gel."
Ross gave credit to the defensive line for controlling the line of scrimmage and blowing up plays in the backfield.
"The defensive front really played well and got after us," he said.
Regarding the one home run the offense hit with the screen play to Horn, Ross said there is big play potential with the Panthers' group of wide receivers.
"Hopefully he (Horn) and Cade (Miller) and Quan (Sorrells) give us the potential to take a screen and turn it into a big play," Ross said. "That's a good thing to see."
With the start of the school year on Monday, the Panthers' varsity practices will now switch to the afternoons.
"It's good to get on that regular schedule," Ross said. "The only issue we really have is we have to start dealing with the heat. If it becomes a problem then we'll have to adjust."
The Panthers will lift weights on Monday and Wednesday mornings and start practices off in the afternoon with film work before heading out on to the field.
The Panthers will practice all week, and on Aug. 25 of next week they'll play in an Arkansas Activities Association benefit scrimmage at Springdale Har-Ber. Class 7A schools Bentonville and North Little Rock also will participate in the scrimmage.
The scrimmage will include varsity and junior varsity periods. A detailed schedule of scrimmage will be available closer to the date.
"We're two weeks in," Ross said. "I think we're about where we need to be. And hopefully we continue to make improvements leading up to our scrimmage."
NOTES: Senior wide receiver/cornerback Kormah Dorko rolled an ankle during the Friday scrimmage, but Ross thought he should be OK. "You just worry about injuries when you really turn it up like this," Ross said.
Sports on 08/14/2016