Arcanum hosts eight teams in 7 on 7 scrimmage

Arcanum sophomore quarterback Daniel O'Donnell set up to throw a pass again New Bremen Thursday in a
7-on-7 passing scrimmage at Arcanum. The Trojans went 3-2 in the scrimmage. CNO photos by George Starks

Arcanum hosts eight teams in 7 on 7 scrimmage
By George Starks

ARCANUM- Arcanum coach TJ Powers welcomed in eight teams from around the area Thursday for a huge seven on seven passing scrimmage.

Locally, the scrimmage saw Ansonia and Randolph Eastern Indiana taking part in the drill that laster four hours with each team getting five scrimmages in.

On the day, the Trojans were 3-2 with the Indians going 2-3 and Ansonia 0-5.

Powers and Union City coach Keith Malloy were positive with what they saw.

“Overall, I’m pleased,” said Powers. “It was a little bit different today because the other two seven on sevens we didn’t keep score but today we did so there was a little bit of added pressure and that was good. Going 3-2 is nothing to be ashamed of. I was a little disappointed against New Bremen. We played them better a couple of weeks ago so I’m a little disappointed with that scrimmage but overall, I am pleased.”

Powers pointed out one big area his kids needed to improve on.

“I think our mental toughness lacks a little,” Powers admitted. “We need to respond better to adversity when something bad happens. A few bad things happened against New Bremen because they were getting behind us a little bit.”

A year ago, Daniel O’Donnell was playing in a back-up role at quarterback. Now, he’s the leader at that position and Powers praised him.

“Daniel is leaps and bounds ahead of last year,” said Powers. “He’s gaining more confidence but he still needs to work on getting rid of the ball on time, especially throwing to the left. We have to be able to throw the ball to both sides. He is becoming a good leader on the field.”

According to Powers, he is looking to be a 60/40 passing team (60 percent run).
For Malloy and the Tribe, things looked good in a 2-3 performance.

“I liked what I saw today, I think we’re in good shape,” said Malloy. “Last year we went 7-4 and I think we will be right there again this year. Today, we were able to move the ball but I think we are going to be a running team more than a passing team. I saw a lot of good things from the passing game today. My receivers ran their routs well but I think we have a lot of work to do defensively. That will come around as we get into two-a-days.”

Malloy like what he saw at the QB position as well.

“Our quarterback is a junior and that’s Taylor Moore,” said Malloy. “He played junior varsity last year but he’s really improved and honed his skills. He has a very strong arm but we’ve got to make sure he accurate.”

For long tome Ansonia coach Eugene Hoening, the day wasn’t nearly as prosperous for his Tigers.

“We are a young, inexperienced team,” said the Tigers coach. “We were able to run some short routes but we need to be able to run a couple of play action passes. We have to be consistent on both sides of the ball. There were times when we looked good and a lot of times when we didn’t look great.”

With two-a-days right around the corner, all teams are gearing up for their season openers.

Arcanum will host Preble Shawnee while Ansonia will welcome Belmont on Aug. 31.

A week before that, Union City will travel to Tri-High then return home a week later to host Mississinawa Valley in the Hawks season opener.