McLoud offense on track

The McLoud offense made the most of its 24 plays during a final tune-up Thursday night in a scrimmage at Meeker. Despite a shaky start, an incomplete pass and a lost fumble on the first two plays, the Redskins amassed 350 yards of total offense, including 204 through the air.
Leading the way for head coach Eric Cardin and McLoud was the passing combination of senior quarterback Waylon Moore to senior wide receiver Cody Ferrell.  The two hooked up twice for 120 yards and two scores. 
Cardin’s goal for this scrimmage was to stay healthy after an injury-plagued 2007 season in which the Redskins lost nine starters. “We got what we wanted out of it and everyone’s healthy for our first game,” Cardin said.
Senior Cody Phipps led the ground attack for McLoud with 95 yards on 8 carries. Also contributing to the rushing game was senior Bobby Wiley, who provided the night’s longest run from scrimmage with a 33-yard effort.
Despite McLoud’s 146 rushing yards on only 13 attempts, Cardin said, “We could have run the ball a little better.”
For Meeker, which limped into the scrimmage having already lost junior starting quarterback Ryan Langer to a broken ankle, big plays were not as abundant. The Bulldogs totaled 67 yards on 17 carries and completed 1 of 7 passes for 2 yards and 2 interceptions.
Senior Dayton Gambrell paced the Bulldogs with 40 yards on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Jones added a 25-yard run, while filling in for Langer.
 Even though Meeker’s statistics were not as impressive as their 4-A counterpart, head coach Mike Hedge remained positive, “We’re ready; we’re okay. We still have young kids who need to grow up a little, but they played well.”
Meeker’s first test of the 2008 regular season will come next Friday night as they travel to Maysville.
A road game at Harrah will be McLoud’s inaugural game this season. Kickoffs for both games are slated for 7:30.