Despite giving up two scores to none in the spring’s scrimmage at Lenoir City on May 13, Tommy Bunch knew he was in a good spot.
In his first look at his new team against someone else, Bunch and his staff were happy with what they saw. Several younger players stepped into roles on offense and defense while the returning veterans handled their new responsibilities.
“I learned about some specific players that I had wondered if they could help us or not. That question was answered,” Bunch said, “We have some younger guys that are going to be able to step into major roles and also be some role players for us.”
Both teams had two 10-play drives with their starters on the field before a 10-play drive with the second string.
“Our kids competed hard as a team. We came out from the start and played very aggressive defense. Offensively, I felt we had success doing what we wanted to do,” Bunch said. “I wish we had sustained that a little better, our second drive especially.”
Competitions ahead of the scrimmage saw 20 minutes of 7-on-7 work and board and pass drills for the linemen.
“We really got after it in the board drill part of the scrimmage. We really showed out in that aspect,” Bunch added.
The Wildcats looked to establish a power run game behind rising senior Brayden Westfield. Westfield hit a long of 25 while consistently having plus-two, -three and -four-yard gains.
“We really wanted to show what we want our identity to be and we want our identity to be a team that is going to run the football,” Bunch said. “Brayden Westfield gives us that opportunity.”
While last year’s starter, Nolan Dacus, is with the baseball team, Isaiah Stiles has taken the reps at quarterback this spring and ran read options in the scrimmage.
“Isaiah did a fantastic job of filling that role in the spring and he got a lot better. He is somebody that can be in there and get reps and your team is not going to fall off,” Bunch said. “He threw the ball well last night. And he is a kid we expect to get some big-time receiver reps and defensive reps in the secondary come this fall.”
Ty Fitch and Codi James also received touches out of the backfield.
“(Fitch) is a player that has a great motor. I think he is starting to see things a lot better,” Bunch added. “All of the guys who touched the ball ran the ball hard and fell forward.”
In the pass game, rising sophomore and basketball standout Hunter Daffron was heavily involved in the passing game.
“He is going to be able to give us an explosive weapon in the offensive game and perimeter game,” Bunch said.
Sweetwater also worked the ball to Zayvien Gary on quick slants.
Sweetwater looked at different names on the offensive line, including Ayden Steffa and rising senior Lucas Stamey.
“Lucas really did a good job. It was good to see him competing with someone else who is a big kid at competing at a high level,” Bunch said.
Stamey pancaked Lenoir City’s standout in the pre-scrimmage drills.
Steffa competed on both sides of the line, standing out at nose guard.
“He is a big kid and he played aggressively. He penetrated the line of scrimmage and had a really good like,” Bunch said.
Since the team began working on April 24, Sweetwater’s staff has focused on going to the football - that was on display Monday.
“The main point of emphasis is run to the football. We may mess up a gap responsibility, but we are going to do it full speed,” Bunch said. “I was really pleased with how we played defensively. Our defense played good from start to finish — good assignment football and relentless pursuit towards the ball.”
The Wildcats forced three fumbles, recovering two.
“It was good to see most of them get their first live high school action. They grew up a lot and that experience is going to pay dividends for us as we go into the summer and the fall,” Bunch added.
Fitch capped off a strong spring at outside linebacker with his performance. James tallied a number of significant reps on defense.
Landon Murphy was physical alongside seniors Silas Brown and Westfield as inside linebackers. Landen Gentry and Steffa turned heads on the line.
Gary did well at corner while Stiles and Dominic Yoemans competed strongly as safeties.
“He is a kid that likes to hit you and if you like to hit we will find a place on the field,” Bunch said.
Sweetwater will take a couple of weeks before reconvening after Labor Day with a gut-check style day put on by the National Guard.
“That is going to be our main focus from the start of the summer workouts until dead periods. We are going to get in shape and we are going to learn to play together as a team,” Bunch said. “I don’t care what we are running on offense or defense, if we are not a team and a brotherhood we are not going to win football games.
“We have made great strides towards getting that right since mid-January. When we get back from dead period, we will look at the Xs and Os.”
During the summer, a freshman class of around 30 players will boost the roster to near 70 names.
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