The Garden Grove Bulldogs Junior Mighty Mite squad played its first scrimmage of the season on last week at Garden Grove Park.
The Bulldogs played a Santa Ana Pop Warner squad in a 10 offensive play format scrimmage game. Each team has possession of the ball for 10 plays regardless if the team scores a touchdown. Once those 10 are up, possession switches and the other team gets its shot on offense.
No score was kept at the scrimmage, but players showed off their skills and got to feel the intensity of a live game.
The Garden Grove Bulldogs Junior Mighty Mite squad played its first scrimmage of the season on last week at Garden Grove Park.
The Bulldogs played a Santa Ana Pop Warner squad in a 10 offensive play format scrimmage game. Each team has possession of the ball for 10 plays regardless if the team scores a touchdown. Once those 10 are up, possession switches and the other team gets its shot on offense.
No score was kept at the scrimmage, but players showed off their skills and got to feel the intensity of a live game.
“The scrimmage is just a way for the coaches to get a good look at their offense and defense,” said Tom Goode, president of the Bulldogs. “It’s about further developing your players to get them ready for a real game.”
The Bulldogs displayed great speed, comfortable organization and productive teamwork during the scrimmage. It looked like whenever Garden Grove was on defense, a swarm of blue helmets surrounded the unfortunate Santa Ana ballcarrier.
Led by coach LaRue Carr, the Bulldogs’ performance displayed just how well of a job the coaching staff has done so far.
“I got to give it up to the coaches. The coaches have really got the kids prepared early,” said Goode. “It’s great to see how well they did with how little time they had to prepare.”
Where the Bulldogs shined the brightest was when they had possession of the football on offense. Their speed and organization led to many running plays resulting in touchdowns.
Bulldogs’ Quaid Carr, the coach’s son, and Jude Nelson, whose father is a pastor at a local Calvary Chapel, both led the team in most running gains.
Nelson brushed off two tacklers on one occasion to score for the Bulldogs. Nelson’s speed and great blocking by his teammates up the field opened a lane for him on the right side. He was met with diving defenders, but Nelson showed off his strength and left the defenders in his wake.
Carr also displayed strength and speed on the football field during the scrimmage. His agility helped him get around tackles, but Carr also had enough strength to hold off a tackler or two, and get himself a touchdown. On one play, Carr skipped by defenders and ran down a wide open left field to score his first touchdown of the game.
“They did a fantastic job,” said Goode. “They’re going to be a pretty good football team this year.”
The Bulldogs have been practicing all summer for their upcoming season. Their first scrimmage was impressive, and many parents tallied a score that resulted in the Bulldogs favor, even if no official score was kept.
Many players who are hungry for live action will have these scrimmages to look forward to. However, these scrimmage games are only the beginning for the Bulldogs.
On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the other Bulldogs squads get their first shot at some scrimmage action. All the scrimmages and practices are held at Garden Grove park.
The league’s opening day is Aug. 23 with opening ceremonies beginning at 9 am.
