2019 Huskies look promising in scrimmage; to open Friday at home

The 2019 edition of the Pawhuska Huskies football team looked promising in scrimmage action last Friday, as they tuned up for their opener Aug. 30.

The game was to have been on the road, but it has been moved. The opening game will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Ormond Beach Memorial Stadium versus Kellyville. The Kellyville Ponies defeated Pawhuska a year ago, 36-20, behind a powerful ground attack.

Pawhuska head coach Matt Hennesy said last Friday night, during the Pioneer Woman Classic scrimmage versus Nowata High School and Tulsa Union’s sophomores that he was looking for better intensity after a break in play for his team. The Huskies defeated the Union sophomores, 14-0, in a shortened 16-minute scrimmage game. Pawhuska then had a break before facing Nowata.

“Our nemesis last year was the third quarter,” Hennesy said. “We’ve got to fix our third-quarter woes, or it’ll be a long year.”

The Huskies returned to the turf and defeated Nowata 21-9 in a their second 16-minute scrimmage game of the evening, and Hennesy said he was pleased with what he saw.

“Yes, much better, the kids played hard all night,” Hennesy said. “Lots of things to work on, but we got everything out of the scrimmage we wanted … lots of reps and no injuries.”

Early in the scrimmage game versus the Union sophomores, Pawhuska quarterback Bryce Drummond and his receivers appeared a little off on their timing, but Hennesy was pleased with the team’s effort on the ground. As that scrimmage game continued, the passing game improved.

During an unofficiated period of play before the scrimmage games, Drummond and receiver Cade McNeil hooked up on a couple of long completions that showed the possibility of things to come. Kevin Davis made a strong showing as a back, scoring three times in the pregame scrimmage period. Tre Harper also made a strong showing on the defensive side of the ball, picking off a couple of passes.

Pawhuska had a few of its anticipated regular players out during the Friday scrimmage. Easton Kirk, a senior who was a standout a year ago, was nursing an injured hand. Linemen Dylan Doyal and Jesse Carr were also out for the evening. Hennesy indicated he anticipates all of them will be back for the Kellyville game.

The only injured player expected to be out for an extended period is Pawhuska’s new nose tackle, Jamar Goff, who at 6 feet 5 inches tall and 315 pounds has the size to be an impact player.

Hennesy said Goff suffered a foot injury in a four-wheeler accident that required surgery. The surgery went well, and the coach said he thinks Goff may be back in five to six weeks.

The Huskies are scheduled to play most of their games at home this season. Their only road games will be at Morrison, Tonkawa and Hominy. Pawhuska will play its first three game — versus Kellyville, Oklahoma Union and Woodland — at home. All home start times are 7 p.m.