The Rosepine Eagles meet up with the rival Merryville Panthers at Keener Cagle Stadium at 5 p.m. Thursday.
But veteran Rosepine head coach Johnny Cryer isn't worried about the rivalry. He's not really concerned about Merryville or even winning a scrimmage.
His main concern is to come out of this scrimmage without any major injuries, while also looking at a number of players in key positions.
"It's a good thing we'll be able to hit someone else for a change and look at what we can do against someone other than ourselves," he said. "We're not going to get real complicated. We'll run our base stuff and look at a lot of kids. We need to execute and not get anyone hurt."
The Eagles, who finished the 2009 campaign with a 9-2 record, know all to well about injuries, losing several players a year ago for an extended time, including returning starter Brandon Russell, who missed eight full games with a shoulder problem.
Two of the top three backs — seniors Klint White and Gary Suydam — played with injuries for the latter part of the season. White dealt with a broken foot over the last three weeks, while Suydam suffered a knee injury, which led to eventual surgery.
Suydam, White and Russell, along with nine other seniors, will get their share of reps, but look for Cryer to utilize many younger players to see what they are capable of.
"We are going to give our younger players a chance to prove themselves, to see what they can do," Cryer said. "We need to see what our young players at receiver can do, which means Klint will have to throw it some and test that arm of his."
Cryer is also concerned with his players up front, on both offense and defense. There are a number of youngsters vying for positions, but they have yet to separate themselves from the pack.
Cryer is hoping this scrimmage will clarify who the starters may be up front.
"One of the things we really need to look at is our offensive line," he said. "We have about eight or nine kids fighting for those spots and we are looking for someone to take charge. Same thing on our defensive front."
The first-team players are expected to get about 35 plays in on both sides of the ball, while the second unit should be out on the field for around 20 plays.
"I'm looking to see how well we execute, you know, to see how we do against some competition," Cryer said. "In scrimmages and jamborees, you don't necessarily scheme for the other team. You really just look at your players and try to figure out where they will be best suited to play."
The Eagles will wrap up preseason activities on the road as well on Aug. 27 at the Pickering Jamboree, where they will face the Red Devils and Hamilton Christian.
Rosepine opens the season with three of its first four games on the road, beginning with a journey on Sept. 3 to face the Rayne Wolves.
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The Rosepine Eagles meet up with the rival Merryville Panthers at Keener Cagle Stadium at 5 p.m. Thursday.
But veteran Rosepine head coach Johnny Cryer isn't worried about the rivalry. He's not really concerned about Merryville or even winning a scrimmage.
His main concern is to come out of this scrimmage without any major injuries, while also looking at a number of players in key positions.
"It's a good thing we'll be able to hit someone else for a change and look at what we can do against someone other than ourselves," he said. "We're not going to get real complicated. We'll run our base stuff and look at a lot of kids. We need to execute and not get anyone hurt."
The Eagles, who finished the 2009 campaign with a 9-2 record, know all to well about injuries, losing several players a year ago for an extended time, including returning starter Brandon Russell, who missed eight full games with a shoulder problem.
Two of the top three backs — seniors Klint White and Gary Suydam — played with injuries for the latter part of the season. White dealt with a broken foot over the last three weeks, while Suydam suffered a knee injury, which led to eventual surgery.
Suydam, White and Russell, along with nine other seniors, will get their share of reps, but look for Cryer to utilize many younger players to see what they are capable of.
"We are going to give our younger players a chance to prove themselves, to see what they can do," Cryer said. "We need to see what our young players at receiver can do, which means Klint will have to throw it some and test that arm of his."
Cryer is also concerned with his players up front, on both offense and defense. There are a number of youngsters vying for positions, but they have yet to separate themselves from the pack.
Cryer is hoping this scrimmage will clarify who the starters may be up front.
"One of the things we really need to look at is our offensive line," he said. "We have about eight or nine kids fighting for those spots and we are looking for someone to take charge. Same thing on our defensive front."
The first-team players are expected to get about 35 plays in on both sides of the ball, while the second unit should be out on the field for around 20 plays.
"I'm looking to see how well we execute, you know, to see how we do against some competition," Cryer said. "In scrimmages and jamborees, you don't necessarily scheme for the other team. You really just look at your players and try to figure out where they will be best suited to play."
The Eagles will wrap up preseason activities on the road as well on Aug. 27 at the Pickering Jamboree, where they will face the Red Devils and Hamilton Christian.
Rosepine opens the season with three of its first four games on the road, beginning with a journey on Sept. 3 to face the Rayne Wolves.
