Tigers win jamboree

By Dustin Kent

Published: May 17, 2008

The Graceville Tigers concluded their spring football season with a 14-7 win over Holmes County Thursday night in Vernon in a preseason jamboree.

The Tigers and Blue Devils played the first half of the jamboree, with Vernon topping Chipley 14-6 in the second half.

Graceville went up 14-0 in the first quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run by Leron Hoover, followed by a short option keeper for a score by Justin Miles.

Holmes County countered with a 50-yard touchdown run with just under three minutes left in the second quarter.

The Blue Devils had one last opportunity to tie the game with a drive into Graceville territory in the closing seconds, but the Tigers came up with an interception at their own 35-yard line and ran out the clock.

“It was a pretty good night,” Graceville coach Todd Wertenberger said after the game. “We had too many turnovers, but everything else was good.

“We moved it well and stopped them pretty well except for one play. Other than that long run, we were right there with them the whole game.”

The Tigers fumbled twice and threw a pair of interceptions in the game.

Graceville dressed 35 players for the game, though Wertenberger said he expected about 27 or 28 for varsity come fall.

The coach, who will start his third season with the Tigers in the fall, said he was just happy to still have his team intact after spring practice.

“As a coach, you’re always glad to just make it through the spring without any serious injuries,” Wertenberger said. “I do think we’ve gotten a lot stronger this year. It’s evident that the kids have seen that the weight room is working.”

The Tigers are coming off of an 8-4 season in 2007 and have to replace its all-time leading rusher in the graduating J.J. Laster.

Hoover, Graceville’s starting fullback, Antrelle Wright and Treyshaun White all shared ballcarrying duties Thursday night, as well as Miles from the quarterback position.

Miles, who started his career with the Tigers as a wide receiver, assumes the quarterbacking duties with the graduation of Lee Steverson.

Wertenberger said that even though he liked his team’s depth at quarterback, there was no doubt about who the starter would be.

“No question, we’re a better team with Justin Miles at quarterback,” he said. “I actually think we’re further along with our offense at this time than we were last season.”

Wertenberger said that even beyond his team’s health, he felt it was a successful spring.

“Any time you come out with a win over Bonifay, it’s a good spring,” the coach said. “Spring is as good a time as any to replace our seniors and we had some leaders step up.

“We’re looking forward to a good season.”