Washington, Van Buren happy with Friday scrimmages

MUSCATINE - Friday was a night some area schools were able to simulate gamelike conditions for their football squads. An added bonus is the chance to line up and hit somebody different from one's own teammates.

Van Buren County hosted Albia for a scrimmage and Washington traveled to Muscatine.

According to the head coaches, the scrimmages went great for all teams with nothing but positive things to say after.

'I think it was a very positive experience for the community to be able to come back to campus and have a fun experience,” VBC coach Brian Johnson said.

Teams were able to get film of most of their players and that will help in evaluating playing time.

'The Demons played great,” Washington head coach James Harris said. 'I was very pleased.”

VBC does not have a game this Friday so underclassmen have had more of a chance to show their potential.

'A few younger guys opened our eyes for us (Friday), so it's been a positive situation, but it's definitely going to make that final decision harder,” Johnson said. 'It might also make me look at having more positions be subbing positions than I'm use to, which with a small team might be a very positive issue.”

Johnson is starting his second year as head coach and 'totally demolished” how things had been run, including the practice schedule, what they did during practice, the offensive and defensive schemes, and even special teams.

'I knew it was a lot, but it was needed. The guys that went through that are now seeing the benefits. This team has some awesome leaders and put in the hard work that it takes while also being willing to change.”

Washington offensive coordinator Don Miksch is working on adjustments to his offense with a different quarterback and his skill set and new players along the line.

'Coach Miksch got through his offensive script and saw everything he wanted to,” Harris said. 'Our offensive line took a step forward and did a good job initiating contact and changing the line of scrimmage.”

Harris is the defensive coordinator for the Demons.

'Defensively, I thought we executed well at all three levels,” he said. 'I was impressed with our eight D-lineman, and our secondary did an excellent job.”

Harris said he discovered some things he didn't already know and streamed-lined some coach-to-on-field-player communications.

Johnson is excited about the improvement in the Warriors.

'Our district teams are definitely going to notice an improvement from VBC. We hope and wish for every team to have a healthy season,”