Wildcats looking good

David Norton

Sports Editor

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If the Wildcats’ scrimmage on Tuesday was any indication of the season to come, Clovis football should be better than just pretty good.

Staff photo: Dave Norton

Clovis assistant coach Drew Hatley talks to the defensive unit on the sidelines during Tuesday's home scrimmage against Roswell at Leon Williams Stadium.

Keep in mind this was just a scrimmage against a 5A school, but Roswell High School is coming off a 7-5 season — tied with 2011 for its best campaign since its first year out of the same district from Clovis. That year the Coyotes went 10-3 and won the 2000 Class 4A title.

“It’s a decent gauge,” Clovis head coach Eric Roanhaus said of the Coyotes. “Their kids are well trained, well coached and well drilled. They run their option game well. We just have to get better at picking up things.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Clovis not only managed to hold Roswell to only a handful of big-yardage plays, but forced almost half a dozen fumbles while recovering one for a touchdown in the opening minutes of play.

“I thought our defense set the tone early, scoring on that first drive,” said Roanhaus. “For most of the game our defense did a great job. They broke a play here and there, but I was really pleased with the defensive team.”

The offense looked just as sharp for their part, pounding the ball up the middle for big chunks of yardage with Micah Gray carrying it, followed by junior Seth Lopez using his quickness to either find small gaps or race to the edge.

The takeaway isn’t a shocker — Clovis plans a run-heavy offense.

“Good runs, but we have to get where we block better,” Roanhaus said. “We’ve got to block, and we didn't block very well tonight. We went to the right places sometimes, just didn't use the right technique,” said Roanhuas.

While blocking did look like an area that needs some improvement, quarterback Sebastian Roanhaus handle things well, not only throwing for two touchdowns, but picking up some big yardage with his feet.

His favorite target thus far, the 6-foot-4 wideout Lane Kelley, showed signs of some good chemistry between the two. Both touchdowns thrown were to Kelley and on the same route, with the taller receiver taking advantage of his shorter coverage on a pair of jump balls in the back of the end zone.

Clovis, which is coming off a 7-4 campaign following four consecutive 6-6 seasons, visits Hobbs Aug. 26 to open the season.