MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii -- A football scrimmage here pitted the Camp Smith Raiders, 2006 champions against their rivals, Combat Service Support Group 3, the 2005 league champions, Aug. 24, to test each other’s weaknesses and strengths for the upcoming season.
Raiders head coach Carson Peapealalo, was confident in his team before the match started.
“This should be a good opportunity for the new players and give them a chance to put out,” said Carson.
Rob Walston, in his first year as head coach for the Warriors, also had high hopes for his team saying it should be an interesting scrimmage.
“We have a lot of new faces and we’re a well-rounded team, but we’re pretty consistent,” said Walston. “We have speedy [running] backs and good receivers.”
The teams played four quarters and each team’s offense was given three series of downs to score a touchdown, starting on their own 20-yard line.
Although there was no score kept in the scrimmage, both teams fought for yards and touchdowns while the coaches evaluated their players’ performances.
A scrimmage is an opportunity for coaches to learn about their players and how they will react in a real-game situation, said Noel Demello, the Raiders defensive coach.
After many hard-hitting series, the teams were given a short, five-minute break to rest and discuss their strategies.
“We’re looking pretty good out there, but the ‘D’ line needs to control their line more,” said Carson. “They’re pursuing too much.”
Both coaches agreed the scrimmage was not about winning or losing. It was about preparing themselves for the season.
“We have a long way to go, but their doing well and doing what their told,” said Walston. “They’ve had some miscues but I’m proud of them.”
CSSG-3 will start the season off against the Marine Aircraft Group 24 Bandits at Pop Warner Field, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 5. Camp Smith’s first game is against the Headquarters Battalion Warriors at Pop Warner Field, MCBH, Sept. 6.