Rams tune up before Robinson opener
With the season opener against Joe T. Robinson less than two weeks away, Lakeside suited up for its annual Blue and Gold football scrimmage Friday night at Austin Field.
Entering his first year as the starter, quarterback Taylor Gilham showed poise in limited action. The junior completed each of his three pass attempts, including a touchdown to senior Torin Davis.
Gilham also had completions to Keelan Fleming and Richard Gaston, leading the first-team offense on two scoring drives before retreating to the bench.
“It’s a good start for him just to kind of get the jersey on and throw it around,” Lakeside coach Jared McBride said. “It helps so much just to get in a game-like situation. I thought he did well in the few snaps that he had, and I’m looking forward to seeing him through the season.”
Dupree Swanson rumbled for a 24-yard touchdown on his only carry of the night. The senior is coming off a breakout season in which he rushed for 1,494 yards and 23 touchdowns, earning allstate honors.
“We know what he can do; he’s a good, tough runner and he didn’t have anything to prove tonight,” said McBride. “We just wanted to keep him fresh, and we know he’ll be ready.”
Jessieville transfer Sawyer Lamb, in his Lakeside debut, had a key block to spring Davis for the score. The junior was an all-state selection at point guard for the Lions last season, transferring to Lakeside after father Eddie was hired as the school’s new basketball coach.
Lamb is competing with several others at wide receiver as the
Rams look to replace two-time all-state performer and reigning Garland County offensive player of the year Caleb Dean.
Entering his eighth season at the helm, McBride was pleased with his team’s performance despite the toned-down level of competition.
“It was just a little bit of scrimmage; we do this just to see our fans and let everybody get a picture,” McBride said. “We’re ready to see something different. We’ve had a good fall camp, and it’s time to see somebody else.”
Lakeside travels to Sheridan for a benefit game Monday night, McBride expecting the starters to be heavily involved as the team faces one last test before the start of the season.
“We’re going to play our starters and the key fill-ins for an entire half,” he said. “We’ll rotate in the second half, but we’re going to get more snaps this year out of our ones and fill-ins than we have before. It’ll be a good test for us. We just need to get out of our comfort zone, see somebody else and execute the things we’ve been taught.”
Other benefit games Monday include Central Arkansas Christian at Fountain Lake, Lake Hamilton at Cabot and Little Rock Christian at Hot Springs.
Garland County football starts Monday, Aug. 28, with Lakeside against Robinson at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. Sept. 1 openers include Hot Springs at Lake Hamilton, Jessieville at Mountain Pine and Pottsville at Fountain Lake. Following an open date, Cutter Morning Star opens the season Sept. 8 at Mountain Pine.