Purcell will host Harrah and Bethel tonight starting at 6 p.m. for a three-way scrimmage at Conger Field.

Having a year in coach Aaron Dillard’s system under their belts, the Dragons are ahead of where they were this time last year.

That’s the word from Dillard.

“We’re way ahead of where we were a year ago,” he said after last week’s scrimmage at CCS.

“We’ve got quite a few guys that can carry the ball and our offensive line played well,” he continued.

“Our defense made a lot of good things happen. There are a lot more positives than negatives this year.”

The coach singled out the play of Carter Bennett, Boston Knowles, Casey Billingsley.

“They did a really good job and up front Dylan Smith took a big step forward. Christian Kirk played really well at center. Cooper Selman is a young guy that looked good and Cash Cook made a good move and caught a deep ball for a touchdown.”

On the defensive side of the ball the coach liked what he saw from cornerback from Oscar Wren.

“He played really well,” Dillard said. “Landry Bacon, Gunner Baker and Rigo Carrillo all played well in the defensive line.”

Dillard calls his linebacker group one of the best units on the team.

“As a whole they are really good,” he confirmed.

Dillard was referring to Billingsley, Knowles, Kirk and Noel Chavez.

“Those four guys are really athletic,” the coach said. “Kaden Pliler got some reps at Mike linebacker and looked really good. That’s a deep unit.”

Deaken Dobbins received high marks at free safety. He supported in the run game and deflected a couple of passes.

“Bodie Meyer had a good game opposite Oscar at corner and Cooper Selman and Cash Cook are getting better and better at safety. They are improving rapidly,” Dillard said.

The coach said his team will be looking to “clean some things up” in the scrimmage with Harrah and Bethel.

Last week CCS was pass happy while this week Harrah will line up and play smash mouth football.

“They will try to run the ball right down your throat,” Dillard said. “I want to see how we accept the challenge in a different dimension,” he said.

Also, both Harrah and Bethel will be in odd fronts on defense.

“It’ll be good for our kids to see something different,” he said.

“Overall last week was a good scrimmage. I’m pleased with where we are,” he concluded.