The Mason High School varsity football team was in action on Thursday, Aug. 19 for a home scrimmage at the Puncherdome vs. Blanco High School. Both the Punchers and visiting Panthers got their players plenty of valuable reps on offense and defense in anticipation of the regular season opening this week.
Mason’s offense was able to sustain drives both on the ground and through the air. Punchers’ junior quarterback Ivan Wofford was able to make plays with his legs, notably finding senior wide receiver, Spencer Morris, while throwing on the run for a nice gain.
The Punchers’ plethora of running backs look very much up to speed as seniors Hayden Harding, Jaden Scantlin, Blake Lewis, and Derek Ontiveroz got carries throughout the night. Sophomore running back Ryne Todd also had some solid runs, especially one in which he got to the outside and scored on a touchdown scamper to the left.
The defense looked very good for most of the night, especially against Blanco’s rushing attack. Many running plays were stopped for a very minimal gain or blown up in the backfield thanks to a strong push from the front seven. However, the Mason defense is going to need to limit the long pass plays from giving much more life to opposing offense’s drives.
After the scrimmage was completed, Mason’s varsity football squad was introduced in numerical order for Meet the Punchers; followed by an auction. The introductions were especially helpful since it was difficult to identify a lot of players while wearing their numberless scrimmage jerseys.
Under third-year head coach Michael McLeod, this up-and-coming Mason team will look to build on its 8-5 record from 2020 and hopefully make a deep run in the 2A-1 playoffs.
The Punchers will travel at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27 to battle with the Indians of Comanche High School in the opener for both teams. Mason will look to avenge last season’s hard-fought 14-0 loss at home to Comanche.
Be sure to check out next week’s edition of the Mason County News for more updates on Punchers and Cowgirls varsity athletics. Sports editor Andrew Salmi can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by cell phone at (818) 645-1115.
