Camp Confidential: Panthers feeling good after high-energy scrimmage

DR. PHILLIPS — The energy was high on the field at Bill Spoone Stadium as the Dr. Phillips Panthers wrapped up their second week of practice with a scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 14.

Though the temperature was hot and the opponents were teammates, head coach Rodney Wells made sure to cultivate a game-like atmosphere to get his team ready for its preseason game this Friday Aug. 21 against Jones at home.

“It’s everything — I always talk about atmosphere and I always say it’s contagious,” Wells said. “So we practice with energy, we lift weights with energy — everything we do is energy and high-tempo. That’s just a way of life around here.”

The scrimmage itself, the team’s second of the fall camp so far, was a success.

“Today was just about situations; third-and-long, third-and-short, fourth down, first-and-10,” Wells said. “It was much better than the one we had last week. Much more clean with people knowing their assignments a lot better.”

Part of the incentive for players to bring it during a midday scrimmage in mid-August is Wells’ philosophy that good play be rewarded. Even though many of the starting roles may be locked up by returners, Wells said that newcomers or players that have shown marked improvement will nonetheless be rewarded for strong play on Friday nights.

“There’s a lot of young players out here that can make plays,” Wells said. “We talk a lot about being above the line — if they’re above the line and above the expectations, we’re going to find a way to get them on the field. I think we do a good job of rewarding the young guys, even if they’re not starters.”

The Panthers will play the Tigers in their preseason contest at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 on the same field as they wrapped their scrimmage on. After that contest, Dr. Phillips will begin its brutal regular season slate that includes Wekiva, Lake Mary, West Orange, Apopka, Mainland and Oakland, respectively, as the Panthers’ first six opponents.

Knowing what lies ahead, Wells said that he was happy — but not satisfied — with how the scrimmage went.

“It’s a challenge … everybody is going to play their best game versus DP and we have the most quality opponents around Central Florida,” Wells said. “We’ve still got a long way to go but it was better than last week.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].