Farmington Football Gets Spring Tuneup

COACH ADAMS PLEASED WITH TAILBACK DEPTH

FARMINGTON -- The Cardinals' spring football scrimmage didn't go exactly as scripted.

"We fumbled the quarterback-center exchange six times," said Farmington coach Mike Adams. "We looked like we were nervous. It was our first time playing in front of a crowd."

Two of the four players vying for the starting quarterback job did not participate in either spring practices or the scrimmage on May 16. Senior Jake Oskey was on a family trip while sophomore Eric Hill was one of several players who suited up on the Cardinals' baseball team and missed spring football.

That left quarterback duties to sophomore Seth Swain and junior Trey Waggle -- the brother of graduated senior, Brice Waggle, who started the past two seasons at quarterback.

"We did some good things," Adams said. "Seth did a good job for a sophomore. He made some good throws; He just made some mental mistakes."

The most positive news was elsewhere in the backfield with juniors Caleb Williams and Javan Jowers at tailback. Two sophomores, Reid Turner and Dimariae Donovan, also showed promise. Two baseball players, seniors Blake Putnam and Trenton McChristian, combined for 38 carries for 240 yards last season and should help as well.

Williams, who broke several school track records this spring, rushed 16 times for 98 yards a year ago behind starter Justice Hobbs, who graduated after leading the 5A-West with 1,537 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns last fall.

"We feel really good about our tailback position," Adams said. "Caleb has really good speed and showed it on about a 70-yard run for a touchdown on a cutback.

"Javan is probably our best zone runner. He did a good job and made some cuts. He didn't have a long run, but had several 10-, 12- and 15-yard runs.

"And our two sophomores had their moments. They've both got good speed."

They'll run behind an offensive line that's being built around Tanner Barnes, the lone returning starter up front who can play either tackle position.

On the other side of the line, senior Justin Clark is getting looks from small colleges from inside and outside of the state.

"He played defensive end last year and played well, but he stepped inside at three-technique [defensive tackle] and he's a guy that's looked very good," Adams said.

Junior Skyler Montez is a returning starter at free safety, but was slowed this spring after dislocating his patella late in basketball season.

Rhett Rominger is a sophomore who should help at linebacker as well as fullback.

"He had a good spring and proved that he's ready to help us," Adams said.

For the second straight summer, Farmington will work out in pads on Monday nights against two other teams, including Gravette.

"That's been a lot better than 7-on-7 [passing leagues]," Adams said. "We're able to get 11 bodies against 11 bodies and we're not leaving half of our team out -- Our linemen."

The Cardinals, which won their final two games last season to finish 5-5 overall and tie for fourth in conference play with a 3-4 record, open 2016 against nonconference rival Prairie Grove on Sept. 2.

Farmington defeated the Tigers 28-12 in last year's season opener.

Sports on 05/25/2016