The Blytheville Chickasaws traveled to Pocahontas on Tuesday night for the AAA benefit game, and beat the host Redskins, 28-6.
The scrimmage gives coaches a chance to see what needs improvements on and what to work on.
Blytheville head coach Ben Fisher says one thing that concerned him was the Chickasaws conditioning.
"Pocahontas tempo'd us early and that got us gassed pretty early, but I think we should have been able to handle it better than we did," said Coach Fisher. "After the 15 plays and we played a real half of football, I was real pleased with our line and Demekko (Clark) and Jalen (Gunby) did well running the ball. I'm more pleased with the way they blocked because we were able to throw the ball."
With Clark coming back after running almost 2,000 yards last year, Coach Fisher said Mekko stood out to him. " Last year he just tried to outrun everybody, but last night he was being patient and setting up his blocks and exploding through the hole," said Fisher.
Coach Fisher added that Mekko only touched the ball a few times and had nearly 100 yards rushing.
Gunby was also a shot of excitement. " He'll run a 100 yards just to get 20 yards," said Coach Fisher of Gunby.
After Terry Northern, former Blytheville quarterback, went down with injury last year Desmond Moore took over the starting role.
"He had one throw that I call a bad throw and we probably threw the ball 18 times or so," said Coach Fisher. "Also I don't remember very many drops either."
The Chickasaws will open their season against the Osceola Seminoals at Haley Field on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
"Everything seemed to be clicking right for us tonight and I hope it does next Friday too," said Coach Fisher on the benefit game.
"Pocahontas and Osceola have a similar scheme so it was good to see that five man front," said Coach Fisher.
jfondren@blythevillecourier.com