Cardinals football see progress in first mini-scrimmge of 2023

Photo By: Michael Hanich
Camden Fairview wide receiver Jaylen Goodwin catches a touchdown pass in the scrimmage on Wednesday.
Photo By: Michael Hanich Camden Fairview wide receiver Jaylen Goodwin catches a touchdown pass in the scrimmage on Wednesday.

The Camden Fairview Cardinals are putting in serious effort to build their team into a state title contender in the upcoming football season.

On Wednesday, May 10, the Cardinals held their first mini-scrimmage to evaluate how much players have developed through the offseason and one full week of spring training.

Neither rain nor shine could stop the Cardinals from getting through this scrimmage. The team had their first three groups go on the field with the first-team offense going against the first-team defense through the majority of the practice.

In the first drive of the scrimmage, the Cardinals' defense flew to the ball, as they were not afraid to attack the line of scrimmage and the experienced offensive line. The offense tried to get junior Darrell "Juney" Atkins set up with a solid rhythm to his receivers, but the defensive backs were alert and aggressive. Atkins did connect with senior wide receiver Jaylen Goodwin for a solid 19-year pass.

In the first drive for the second-team offense and defense, the defense once again was quick to attack the ball as they shut down the interior run game. On the fourth play of the drive, senior wide receiver Jabauree Lockhart (also the starting safety on defense) caught 25-yard deep pass from senior quarterback Grant Jeffus. The following play, junior wide receiver William Henton took a jet sweep run to the outside for a 40-yard touchdown play.

The following drive was the first chance for the third-team offense and the third-team defense. Sophomore defensive tackle J'Son Moten made it difficult for the offense to run the ball or make passes up the middle. On the sixth play of the drive, sophomore Ladarion Rabion picked off junior quarterback Xavier McHenry. The ball was returned for a 55-yard pick-six.

The Cardinals saw a more balanced play from both sides of the ball when the starters came back onto the field. The first-team defensive line and linebackers got more penetration at the line of scrimmage to suppress the run game, and held the offense to 31 yards on eight run plays highlighted by a 15-yard run from sophomore running back Travion Kendrix. Junior defensive lineman Terrell Wilson and junior linebacker DeJuan Wesley each accounted for a tackle for loss. The drive resulted in an excellent pass to the corner of the end zone from Atkins to Goodwin on tight coverage.

The teams then had to contend with heavy rain that lasted through five drives. This allowed the offenses to work on their push at the line of scrimmage. During this portion of practice, senior defensive end Xzayvion Morris accounted for two sacks against the first-team offensive line.

In the final drive for the second-team groups, Jeffus was able to throw a pass to the far sidelines to Lockhart, who was able to take the short pass for an explosive 75-yard touchdown play.

Finally, the Cardinals installed one more drive for their first-team units in a red-zone setting. The last two plays of the practice were 11-yard touchdown passes from Atkins to junior slot receiver Trent Haygood and senior tight end Caleb Tate.

Atkins completed 12-of-20 of his passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns as he was calm under pressure and found ways to get the ball to his receivers. There were four keys drops by the receivers, with two being potential touchdowns until they were dropped. Goodwin had a solid performance, despite two drops, by catching three receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. Haygood, who was double-teamed consistently by the defense, caught two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown.

Lockhart had a solid performance on both sides of the ball. He accounted for three and a half total tackles on the first-team defense and caught two receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown on the second-team offense. Morris accounted for a team-high two sacks. Wesley accounted for four total tackles and two tackles for loss.

This scrimmage gave the Cardinals' coaching staff a chance to see potential from role players and elevate their status on the team. Goodwin looked comfortable as the Cardinals' key weapon on the outside while Lockhart looked like he could be a starter on both sides of the ball. Atkins looked composed in and out of the pocket and he looks like a player that can easily take the Cardinals' offense far.

  photo  Photo By: Michael Hanich Camden Fairview defensive end Xzayvion Morris gets set for a play in the scrimmage on Wednesday.
 
 
  photo  Photo By: Michael Hanich Camden Fairview quarterback Darrell "Juney" Atkins prepares to throw the ball in the scrimmage on Wednesday.
 
 
  photo  Photo By: Michael Hanich Camden Fairview defensive back Jabauree Lockhart (left) and wide receiver Jaylen Goodwin prepare for a play in the scrimmage on Wednesday.
 
 

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