James Clemens gets in on action at East Limestone

Jaylin Ware makes a catch between two Tanner defenders in 7 on 7 action (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)

MADISON- James Clemens football coaches used a 7-on-7 passing tournament at East Limestone to get some work in for young players who will fill backup roles for the team when the season starts. Some players showed they are ready for playing time on the varsity.

Among players having a good day were receivers Jaylin Ware, Austin McGee, Eris Skelton, tight end Collin Brown, and on defense Torolla Walker.

Walker has played receiver on varsity the last two seasons. He is getting a look at cornerback and had two interceptions in a win over Tanner.

The quarterback competition between Jamil Muhammed and Jackson Nowlin continued as both players saw action Friday.

Muhammed quarterbacked the team to a win over East Limestone to start the day. Then Nowlin took over for a game against Tanner. Nowlin threw touchdown passes to Eris Skelton and Austin McGee as he consistently worked the clock with short completions for field position.

Receivers coach Don Hill called plays as head coach Wade Waldrop watched and gave input.

Jackson Nowlin

“We’re coaching them up on every throw. They have to go through progressions and their reads,” Waldrop said of the quarterbacks.

The passing tournament also affords coaches training in communicating plays and formations to the quarterbacks.

“Seven on seven is fun for all the kids,” Waldrop said. “There’s no linemen so you can get a false sense of who you are quick. We’ve got to keep it in perspective. Our young guys have done a good job. This is their second passing tournament.”

Missing were Jets starters such as Kyriq McDonald, Monty Rice, Immanuel Wilder, and Devan Atkinson.

Waldrop expects the younger players to “play hard, play with the technique, make the reads and progressions you are supposed to on Friday game nights. They should play hard and get after it. Everything we do here we want to translate to games.”

Waldrop said the quarterback race is a long process and it’s still too early to make any decision. He is working the quarterbacks with both squads.

They have played at a passing tournament at Samford with the starters and and still have one in Chattanooga.

“The experience they have within our offense is so minimal compared to Heath who knew the offense like a coach. Now our job is to get these guys to that point where they know it and can operate it with their eyes closed. It’s going well. They are getting better.”

On the day, the Jets team went 3-2 defeating Clements then losing to Jemison High (Huntsville) in semifinals.

Teams have two weeks left before practice starts officially on August 1.