Decatur loses to Mountainburg in benefit scrimmage

Photo by Mike Eckels Alex Lee (5), reserve quarterback for Decatur, hands off to Abraham Cheng (40) during the benefit football scrimmage with the Mountainburg Dragons at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Aug. 23. The Dragons took home the victory, 22 to 0.
Photo by Mike Eckels Alex Lee (5), reserve quarterback for Decatur, hands off to Abraham Cheng (40) during the benefit football scrimmage with the Mountainburg Dragons at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Aug. 23. The Dragons took home the victory, 22 to 0.

DECATUR -- After two months of uncertainty, the Decatur football program finally kicked off its 2016 season with a benefit scrimmage against the Mountainburg Dragons Aug. 23 at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur.

Proceeds of this year's benefit game go to support the Arkansas Activities Association's Castastrophe Fund which provides additional insurance to athletes whose injuries are not covered by personal or school insurance plans.

The Dragons took the opening possession from their 20 yard line. They managed a series of four downs but failed to make a first-down conversion. Decatur allowed them to reset at the 20 yard line and replay the downs. On the third down, the Dragons managed to move the ball for a first down. The Bulldog defense managed to hold the Dragons near the line of scrimmage before taking possession of the football.

Depending upon the coach's discretion, each team would play two or three possessions in a row. The final 15 minutes was played like a normal football game.

The Bulldogs offense, led by quarterback Leng Lee, struggled throughout much of the scrimmage. New center Brandon Coker had trouble snapping the ball to Lee. Fortunately, Lee's quick thinking and speed recovered several fumbles and high snaps and the team was able to execute several running plays. As the game progressed, Coker was able to execute the handoffs with more confidence, enabling Lee to utilize his running backs, Alex Lee and Abraham Cheng, to gain ground.

The Mountainburg offensive unit was able to slip through the Bulldogs defense and cross the goal line for three six-point and two two-point conversion plays to take the win, 22 to 0.

"We had trouble with our running game against Mountainburg," said Shane Holland, Decatur football coach. "This is something we will have to work on before our first regular season game against 4A Berryville on Sept. 2."

Lee tried several unsuccessful pass plays to wide receivers Wyatt Bingham, Jimmy Mendoza, Gary Wood and Caydan Bingham. The ball was either overthrown by Lee or the receivers had a hard time holding on to the ball.

In the latter half of the scrimmage, Holland switched to backup quarterback Alex Lee who executed several successful plays to Cheng. But the Mountainburg defensive line proved too hard to penetrate, and the Bulldogs could never get into the end zone.

"We have a lot of work to do before the Berryville game," said Holland.

In junior high action, Mountainburg managed two touchdowns to defeat Decatur, 6 to 0, in the first 15 minute game and, 6 to 0, in the second.

The Bulldogs will travel east to take on the 4A Berryville Bobcats Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. For a complete Bulldog football schedule, go to decatursd.com/athletics.

Sports on 08/31/2016