At field level, it was difficult to pick up Ardmore’s starting running back in the swarm of jerseys ... until Andra Brown sprinted to open grass.
The senior started what was a speedy display for Ardmore against Noble on Friday, taking the second play from scrimmage 75 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers had the big play working time and time again in a controlled scrimmage against their former district rival at Noble Stadium.
“We started really good and at the end we got lax,” Brown said. “We’ll fix that. We wanted to go out and give a good first impression.”
The Tigers did just that. In its first preseason action against another team, Ardmore scored twice in its first four touches. Regardless of scoring, each team was allowed to run roughly nine to 10 plays on offense before alternating sides of the ball. On the Tigers’ fourth play on offense, quarterback Trey Cohee broke outside for a 47-yard score.
Before that, Cohee hit Reggie Thompson for a 27-yard gain.
That was the precursor to a long night for Noble and long gains for Ardmore. On the second play of Ardmore’s second offensive turn, Levonte Douglas scored on an 75-yard run. Travis Galbreath added a goalline TD on the same offensive rotation to complete the scoring.
Noble rushed for a 60-yard TD on its second offensive set, its only score of the night.
“Ardmore’s a really talented team,” Noble coach Steve Barrett said. “On some outside plays we were in position, we’ve just got to learn to tackle in space and continue to gang tackle. “It was a great learning experience, a great opportunity to make improvements and keep getting better every week.”
Ardmore’s defense allowed Noble little breathing room. The Tigers forced three fumbles and an interception but left turnover opportunities on the field. Besides Dee Williamson’s interception, the Tigers had their shots at several more picks. Some went through hands, some just weren’t located.
“When you get a chance at a turnover you’ve gotta make those plays,” defensive coordinator Josh Newby said. “But I can’t gripe with the kids’ hustle. If we get those things improved, it’ll give us a good shot versus Ada.”
“We have a chance to be really good on defense,” Ardmore coach Larry McBroom said. “The secondary did a good job of defending the deep pass and the defense at times swarmed the ball well. And up front, the offensive line did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage.”
The offensive line held up well for Cohee. The senior was on target, passing for 55 yards and completing 3-of-6 passes, two of which were tipped at the line. On Ardmore’s second offensive set, Travis Galbreath hit Thompson down the Ardmore sideline for a 31-yard completion, setting up Galbreath’s stretch over the goalline.
“It was some athletic display as far as quickness and speed,” McBroom said. “It was a good beginning, a very good beginning.”
Erik K. Horne
221-6522
