Vidalia looks to improve on offense against Delhi

Published 12:01 am Friday, September 6, 2013

VIDALIA — Vidalia High School is looking for improvement on offense after being unable to score in their jamboree games against Block and Ferriday high schools Saturday.

As Vidalia is set for its season opener tonight at home against Delhi High School, head coach Gary Parnham Jr. said his team has spent its practice hours this week looking to improve on offense.

“I thought our defense played fairly well,” Parnham said. “Our defense gave up just six points in two quarters, but offensively, we couldn’t get a whole lot going. We’re emphasizing getting a push.”

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Parnham also said his team needed to improve on mental mistakes, including one made on a touchdown given up by the Vikings’ defense against Ferriday. The Trojans’ Dontrell Domino broke a 49-yard touchdown run on the first play of their game against Vidalia, which ended up being the only offensive points the Vikings yielded all night.

“One of the linebackers was out of alignment (on that play),” Parnham said. “We can correct that, and that’s what we need to work on.”

If the Vikings are going to have any success, Parnham said the offensive line would have to improve from what it showed last weekend.

“We need more of a push on the offensive line,” Parnham said. “That, and our conditioning has to improve.”

But Parnham said the conditioning would come with time, as it usually takes several games before players get into “game shape,” he said.

“We’re getting there,” Parnham said. “We’ve played a scrimmage and two quarters, and we’re doing sprint work and more hitting. We have to specifically be well-conditioned more than anyone, because we’ve got a bunch of guys playing both ways.”

One position for the Vikings that’s open for grabs right now is quarterback. Stewart Mallory, who started there in the jamboree, transferred to Trinity Episcopal Day School this week, and Parnham said he was looking at sophomores Cole Cangemi and J.T. Townsend as potential replacements.

“It’s an open competition,” Parnham said. “We picked a couple of guys to handle duties. So far, they’re showing us they can.”

Against Delhi, Parnham said he expects to see a lot of team speed for which his players will have to be able to account.

“They looked a little unorganized in their jamboree game, but that’s to be expected,” Parnham said. “They have a shifty quarterback, and if we don’t contain him and wrap him up, we’re going to be in a bind all night.”

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. today.