Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Stealing the Show: Broncos defense wins big in spring showcase
By Andrew Snyder, asnyder@starlocalnews.com
With all-state running back Bryan Driskell sidelined with a pulled hamstring, the McKinney Boyd offense struggled to find its rhythm Thursday in a 47-23 loss to the defense in the team's annual spring game.
“Hats off to the defense,” said Don Drake, Boyd head coach. “I thought they played really, really well. I think that's probably the best overall performance they've put together in the entire spring, to be honest with you.”
The Broncos began the spring with plenty of questions on defense, foremost of which was who would step up to fill the void left by graduating seniors and defensive linemen Jamal Palmer, who will play for Baylor next season, and Jackson Dennis.
Fann is a recent defensive convert who is progressing nicely.
“Last year he worked at receiver all year long,” Drake said. “This year we flipped him to defense to play safety in spring practice and he's coming on.”
Markham put his veteran status on display by keeping active in the running and passing game. His performance included an interception and the more gritty task of cutting short the Broncos’ rushing attack.
“He made some tackles for 2-yard gains that as a safety, that's great to see,” Drake said. “You like your guy to get in on the run game and make tackles.”
The defense picked up points on three-and-outs, stops, turnovers, sacks and tackles for loss. The offense was awarded points for first downs, point-after attempts, touchdowns, field goals and two-point conversions.
The offense picked up the bulk of its points on 13 first downs, which counted for one point apiece. The game's only touchdown came on a pass from returning quarterback Curtis Ladd as time expired, and a field goal from Patrick Ladd in the second quarter rounded out the score.
“I'm not worried about us offensively by any means,” Drake said. “Not at all, because I've seen over the course of the last 15 days what we've been able to do. I see a whole lot of upside. Obviously that wasn't real visible tonight in the game, I get that, but there's a whole lot of upside.”
The Broncos offense still looks to be in good shape heading into the fall, as the leading rusher, Driskell, and starting quarterback from last season are returning. Driskell could have played in the spring game, but he was held out as a precautionary measure. No reason to risk a player that rushed for 2,000 yards and scored 30 touchdowns.
Accordingly, the spring game was a deceptive end to a practice schedule that saw quality production from both sides of the ball. The defense didn't dominate the whole way through, but with the offense missing its best player Thursday, they lived up to the circumstances.
“I thought that we had a really good spring,” Drake said. “It was a lot of back-and-forth. I thought our offensive production really overall in spring practice was pretty good. I thought we got a lot better and made a lot of improvements. I was really pleased with our spring.”
The Broncos are coming off an 8-3 season that saw them make the playoffs for the second time in as many years before being eliminated by state semifinalist Skyline, 31-8, in the opening round. Keeping up their recent success will be more of a challenge this year, as they'll be joined by a new set of opponents in District10-5A when Allen, Plano Senior, Plano East, Plano West and McKinney move in.
How the Broncos defense will fare in that environment is still up in the air, but Thursday was a promising precursor.
“I'm really encouraged defensively, because we've got some young kids stepping into roles for the first time and I thought those guys played pretty well tonight,” Drake said. “That was encouraging. That was good to see.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
