GENTRY -- The Pioneers got off to a slow start during Friday's scrimmage against the visiting Elks of Elkins, finishing the practice matchup, down 32-16.
The Elks completed drives in both the first and second quarters, picking up two touchdowns and accompanying two-point conversions in each quarter, making it 32-0 before the end of the half. The Pioneers scored one touchdown and conversion late in the second quarter and the other on a long run in the third.
Though the Pioneers were unable to make up the first-half deficit, they did hold the Elks scoreless in the second half and their offense adjusted to move the football.
"We didn't play well, but there were some bright spots," said Gentry's new head coach, Paul Ernest. "CJ Taylor scored on a 3-yard run with 0:00 remaining in the second quarter, Jon Faulkenberry completed the two-point conversion pass to Jake Faulkenberry. In the third quarter, Jon Faulkenberry scored on an 80-yard run, and Dillon Matthews ran the two-point conversion."
"We started seven sophomores and took some lumps trying to get acclimated to the speed of the game. Elkins brought pressure all night and we didn't handle it well," Ernest said. "It was not the start I was wanting to the season and we have some work to do, but I believe these kids will respond."
Ernest said he needed to do a better job of putting Gentry's young players in positions to be successful.
"It was a scrimmage game and we found out a lot about our team." Ernest said.
Sports on 09/02/2015