Chester County faced a tougher test in its second scrimmage of the preseason and responded with a 23-15 win over Jackson Central-Merry.
The Eagles were able to run the ball against a physical JCM defense, but missed tackles and breakdowns in coverage gave coach Dewond Johnson plenty to work on before next week’s jamboree.
“We were better,” Johnson said. “Better competition, and our kids rose to it, and we played better. We just have to clean up some stuff. I want us to be more consistent and just be more physical.”
Chester County struck first on a long touchdown run, but a fumble inside the JCM red zone led to the Cougars tying the score at 7. A busted coverage allowed a receiver to get behind the defense and tightrope the sideline into the end zone.
Johnson said the breakdown came from players thinking they were in different coverages.
“We’ve got to clean that communication up,” he said.
The Eagles answered on the following drive. On fourth down, the quarterback handled a low snap and handed the ball to Isaiah Armstrong, who fought forward for about five yards to keep the possession alive. Chester County finished the drive with a 30+ yard field goal from Brayden Harrison to take a 10-7 lead.
The teams spent the latter part of the scrimmage working from the 20-yard line. Chester County scored and later added another touchdown on a fourth-down run.
The Eagle defense forced a turnover during the red-zone period and knocked away a fourth-down pass in the end zone. JCM scored late and added a two-point conversion for the final margin.
Johnson was encouraged by the offense’s ability to run against a physical opponent. He said the offensive line is coming together, although the Eagles still need to develop depth and become more consistent in the passing game.
“Right now, we’re taking baby steps,” Johnson said. “We still have time, but I want to see us get better every week.”
Chester County will face defending Class 3A state champion Martin Westview in next week’s jamboree.
