Dyer County travels to JCS for second scrimmage

Dyer County's Jamin Gauldin looks to avoid a would-be tackler during the Choctaws' second scrimmage of the preseason on Thursday evening at Jackson Christian School.

Photo/Jason Peevyhouse

By JASON PEEVYHOUSE

Sports Editor

Dyer County wrapped up the scrimmage portion of the 2024 preseason with a trip down Highway 412 to Jackson Christian School to take on the Eagles.

A group of Dyer County defenders swarms an Eagle ballcarrier.

Photo/Jason Peevyhouse

After the 90-minute scrimmage wrapped up in Jackson, Dyer County Head Coach David Whittle shared his thoughts on his team's performance.

“I thought we lacked some discipline today – that was the main thing,” Whittle explained. “I thought we had some guys who the adversity got to them a little bit.

“But, it's a learning experience. That's what I told them. We came down here to scrimmage against a good football team but you let some adversity get to you.”

Whittle was quick to add that he also saw some good things during the scrimmage with Jackson Christian School.

“I thought Jamin Gauldin played well,” the Dyer County head coach said of his senior defensive back and receiver. “And, I thought defensively, without giving up the big play, we played pretty well.”

Whittle added the Choctaws did struggle up front offensively.

“I don't think we responded very well,” Whittle explained. “And, I don't think our backs ran the ball very well. Those guys will be challenged next week.”

As is the case moving through the preseason towards the Week 1 opener on Aug. 23, Whittle said the goal is to continue to get better.

“This was a scrimmage game,” Whittle added. “Just like last week when I told them we played pretty well, we're still 0-0. And we're still 0-0 here.

“That's why you have scrimmage games. To work on stuff. Find guys, find depth and to improve. It's amazing – the more you play football, the better you get. The more reps you get the better.”

Dyer County's head coach added the Eagles were able to give the Choctaws a totally different look from what the orange and white saw against Munford last Friday.

“They do a lot of things offensively,” Whittle said of the Eagles. “They move a lot and have a lot of different guys going different places.

“They have a quarterback who can sling it. They've got some guys that have a lot of speed and can really move.”

Dyer County will close out the preseason on Friday, Aug. 16 when the Choctaws make the short trip over to Dyersburg to take on Lake County in the annual STAR Physical Therapy-West Tennessee Bone and Joint Clinic High School Football Jamboree. The Choctaw open the regular season at home on Aug. 23 when they take on Dyersburg.