Jags hit the field

Westmoore had its first intra-squad scrimmage of the season Saturday. It was a prelude to the four-team round-robin that will take place Thursday at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The differences between the two scrimmages are night and day. Or at least the Jaguar coaching hopes they will be.

“There are a lot of things we need to work on,” Westmoore coach Mike Whaley said. “Had a couple of plays on offense and defense.”

But that is what Whaley said he expected. The first scrimmage is more about getting those first live hits out of the way.

Combined with only four days of practice under their belt and breaking in new offensive players, defense dominated the scrimmage.

“Anytime you are blocking live for the first time, the speed of the game increases,” Whaley said. “It makes it a lot different. It should go like that.”

What stood out the most to the Jags’ coaching staff was the attitude of the upperclassmen.

“I liked how our seniors guys stepped up,” Whaley said.

“They are the ones that have been in the program and know what’s going on. They will lead us. They got after it. The thing that is important is the attitude of those in charge.”

Westmoore will get three days of practice in before traveling to Edmond, where they will scrimmage Edmond Santa Fe, Lawton Eisenhower and Tulsa Union at UCO. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

It will not only give the players a chance to hit someone not in a Jaguar uniform, but also work on critical areas as the countdown to Moore War continues.

“It’s all about timing,” Whaley said. “When you have to do it full speed, that timing is critical. The first thing you want to see is improvement. You have a schedule in your mind where you want to be by Aug. 31. It will be important to perform well Thursday night.”