‘Lander Coach Robbie Turbyfill is quietly making his mark on the Cloudland football program. Saturday night’s idea was just another stepping stone for the coach on returning the ‘Landers to past glory.
Turbyfill’s Highlanders wrapped up two successful weeks of spring practice with the first annual Blue and Gold game at Orr Field on Saturday night. The entire Cloudland team was divided equally into the Blue and Gold teams as the Blue team took a 27-7 victory.
“I thought the whole spring went well,” Turbyfill said. “I thought this was a great way to end spring practice. I thought both teams played hard out there tonight, and I thought the Gold had their opportunities but they just kind of threw it away with some interceptions and fumbles. I think this is something we can build on for the season because we can learn from our mistakes in this game like situation.”
Neither team had an advantage or treated the game as just an ordinary scrimmage as bragging rights were on the line. The Blue team struck first with trickery as Seth Houstma caught a halfback pass from Trey Hitchew, then outran the Gold’s defense to the end zone on their opening drive. Blue’s two-point conversion was incomplete. Blue team produced a turnover on Gold’s opening possession, but couldn’t capitalize as they turned the ball over on downs. On the ensuing Gold drive, Hitechew intercepted Seth Miller’s pass and rumbled to the end zone to give Blue a 12-0 lead.
Right before the half, Blue drove down the field, but was unable to score as the Gold squad forced a turnover at the one year line with 19 seconds left in the half keeping the Blue lead to 12 at the half.
The second half didn’t go much better for the Gold team as they fumbled the opening kickoff and the Blue team recovered at midfield. Later in the quarter, Chris Stevens put the Blue team back on the board as he recovered another Gold fumble and scrambled 40 some yards. A unique formation helped Blue scored on a two point conversion to take a 20-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
Miller’s Gold team finally got going in the fourth with key runs by Morgan and Tony Chambers. Miller scrambled into the end zone to give the Gold their first points of the night, and Kevin Stevens, who handled kicking duties for both teams, hit the extra point for the Gold.
On the ensuing kickoff, Gold’s attempted onside kick was picked up by Stevens and he outraced everyone into the end zone to add to the Blue total. With the extra point, it gave Blue a 27-7 lead which was the final score. The game was called with around seven minutes remaining due to lighting associated with an approaching storm.
Stevens was named the Defensive Player of the game, while Hitechew received the Offensive Player of the game honors.
The Blue and Gold game was well attended by a large and vocal group of ‘Lander supporte
rs, including part of the Marching Highlander band.
“I think it was great that all the fans showed up,” Turbyfill said. “I think it is something that we can build on over the years because we are hoping to have this thing year after year. Hopefully, next year it will be bigger and better.”
For the ‘Landers, spring practice was a valuable learning tool where players were put into the roles they can expect to play next season. Turbyfill was pleased with what he saw this spring and the work that his players put in.
“I feel we are a lot more physical this year then we have been,” Turbyfill said. “I feel like we have some kids who stick their head in there and go with it. I am real proud of them and their great effort through the whole spring.”
In addition to the Blue and Gold game, the ‘Landers also scrimmaged South Greene during the spring. While the start of the season is three months away, the ‘Landers will continue to work hard to improve for the start of the 2009 season.
