Purcell Head Coach Aaron Dillard liked what he saw from quarterback Deaken Dobbins in last week’s scrimmage with Harrah and Bethel.

He was also impressed with his defensive line.

“Deaken Dobbins played extremely well at quarterback,” Dillard said.

“He did a good job of running the show. At A back Carter Bennett played really, really well. Devan Martin, Noel Chavez and Boston Knowles played well.

“Boston had a couple of explosive runs,” the coach said. “Christian Kirk at center played well as did our guards Landry Bacon and Gunnar Baker.”

The coach also singled out the pay of tackles Halo DiRienzo and Brian Cazares.

“Our wide receivers blocked well,” the coach said of Oscar Wren, Bodie Meyer and Ty Thoming.

The coach also praised the play of defensive interior linemen Rigo Carrillo, Landry Bacon, Gunnar Baker and Dylan Smith.

“Christian Kirk and Baker played well at inside linebacker,” Dillard said.

“Cash Cook played well and Tyler Clark got an interception. Kaden Pliler continues to make good things happen at linebacker, He’s going to get some playing time.

The Dragons open the 2024 regular season hosting Lindsay this Friday night at 7 p.m.

The Leopards have already played a game, losing to a very talented Pauls Valley squad last week.

“They are a typical Lindsay team,” Dillard said. “They are physical and just shot themselves in the foot against Pauls Valley.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” the coach continued. “Even though they have new offensive and defensive coordinators they still look very familiar in their power spread offense.

“They are very multiple on defense and are fast. It’s going to be a challenge,” he said.

The key for us is to win on third down and get stops and get off the field. Offensively, we have to do what we do and that’s to run right at them.

“If we limit our mistakes we will be in a good place,” Dillard concluded.