Yoemen set for season opener against Mexia

The Yoemen wrapped up pre-season play Thursday night with a visit from the Madisonville Mustangs.

The Yoemen saw a 3-1 advantage during the controlled portion of the scrimmage. During the live quarter Cameron outscored the Mustangs, 13-7. Last week, Cameron also held a 3-1 advantage during the controlled portion before shutting out Lorena 6-0 in the live quarter. 

Yoe Head Coach Tommy Brashear said his team had a good scrimmage against Madisonville.

“They are a team with a lot of speed,” Brashear said. “They were good preparation for next week against Mexia who also has a lot of speed.”

Brashear said he was pleased with his team’s overall effort in the scrimmage and that it was good to get game film where his players can see what they are doing against another team.

“I was pleased overall with our effort,” he said. “We still made some mistakes but we are working on those this week in practice.”

He said the main focus this week will be cleaning up penalties. Saying the Yoemen improved on last week, but there were still too many.

“I think the offense had good timing between our quarterbacks receivers and good pass protection,” he said. “We need to work some on the run game still and blocking. We just need a little more work on the offense.”

He said the defense was looking good and playing hard.

“The first drive from Madisonville went down the field fast and we responded well,” he said. “That was much faster than we get in practice just running against the scout team. They hustled and gave a lot of effort. We just have to keep working on improving.”

Brashear said the Yoemen have a little work to do in all aspects, but his players have been coachable when they make mistakes and that is a good recipe for success heading into the season.

Looking forward to Mexia on Friday, the Yoemen will have a big job to do keeping their double-threat quarterback contained.

Brashear said Mexia’s quarterback Jaden Proctor is a run threat and can throw the ball.

“They run the ball and know how to control the clock,” he said. “They have a very efficient passing game. He is the main man.”

He said Mexia also has a very fast defense and they get to the ball quickly.

“They make mistakes at full speed,” he said. “We will have to do a good job executing plays and our quarterbacks will have to read coverages. The defense will also have to recognize plays and be quick.”

Brashear said his team will do well with a very good first week opponent in Mexia as long as the play good, clean ball.

“We will just have to eliminate turnovers this week to win the game,” Brashear said. “And play clean.” 

The Yoemen will face the Mexia Blackcats on Friday, Aug. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Yoe Field to kick off the 2019 season. They then go into an off week before picking up against Gatesville at home on Sept. 13.