FORT WORTH, Texas – Two shifty moves sprung freshman Jordan Griffin for a 21-yard scoring dash to finish the Blue-Gold spring game at a sun-splashed Farrington Field on Saturday.
 
Griffin (New Orleans, La), a cat-quick freshman, took a pitch and headed off left tackle. He cut right and then veered left through a seam at the hash marks before bolting through a diving, attempted tackle by Geary Jones (Scurry, Tx). The touchdown was set up by a 32-yard pass over the middle from Donovan Isom (Destrehan, La) to Collier Ricks (LaPlace, La). Two plays later Griffin tallied with his crowd-pleasing run.
 
A slimmed down Isom was in charge throughout the day. Playing for both Team Blue while splitting time with Avery Childs (Fort Worth, Tx), he was swift afoot in the pocket, evading the rush and displayed acceleration and vision during several big gainers. Early whistles meant to protect quarterbacks, prematurely halted two break-away jaunts into the secondary.
 
He feathered a 30-yard TD pass to Erik Mims (Dayton, Oh) in the first quarter to hang six on the scoreboard. Mims got a stride beyond coverage on the right flank. Isom lofted a spiral over his outside shoulder and after momentarily bobbling the ball, Mims grabbed it as he crashed over the goal near the pylon.
 
Childs and Isom led the offenses for both split squads, with both exhibiting poise, making good reads and avoiding turnovers. The passing attack for each had a measure of success, though the defensive charge was perhaps the most pleasant aspect of the 90-minute scrimmage.
 
Defensive Coordinator Paul Duckworth found several areas to like about the play of his unit, primarily their focus. "Our guys paid attention to details and their eyes were disciplined," he said, a reference to being where they were supposed to and not "getting out of position."
 
He mentioned the secondary for making several pass breakups. Chris Vernon (Keller, Tx), a freshman, made two, stripping the ball away from Brandon Rolfe (Lewisville, Tx) after he nearly hauled in a 45-yarder from Isom, and dropped an interception after breaking early on a ball thrown in the left flat.
Duckworth cited a couple of players for rising up and making plays, including D-lineman Brandon Robinson-Baylor, and linebacker Juan Galvan (Ft. Worth).
 
Third year head coach Joe Prud'Homme found the play of the defense to be the highlight. "I liked the effort of the defense," he said, "especially the way they swarmed to the ball." Twice they held on fourth down against runs.
He pointed to the play of Vernon, a natural cornerback who played safety during the exhibition. "He looked good and has an inspiring story to go along with it."
 
Defensive back Chance Carroll (New Orleans, La), linebacker Kendrick Anderson (Liberty, Ms) and D-lineman Parker Turley (Mansfield, Tx) were also pointed out for turning heads.
Offensively he said both quarterbacks did well.
 
Asked about his 20-pound weight loss, Isom said he felt well. "I feel faster, like I did as a freshman," he said. "Our strength and conditioning coaches are due the credit. They are serious about what they do.
 
"I liked the efficiency of our offense more and I know I have a better grasp of things after a year in the system."
 
The Ice Man spoke well of the play of the running backs and the offensive line, whom he credited for busting their butts during the spring. He offered several names of backs as examples, including Trey Jackson (Texarkana, Tx), J'eon Burnett (Fort Worth, Tx), Davonte Mitchell-Dixon (San Antonio, Tx), David Allen (Monroe, La) and Griffin.
 
Isom was also high on backup QB Childs. "He had some good moments last year," he continued. "I am very comfortable going into the season with him. He has developed and has more confidence," something that can be said of many returners.
 
The spring game was relatively injury free, though one player hurt what was believed to be a collarbone.
 
Texas Wesleyan, who went 2-6 in the Sooner Athletic Conference of the NAIA, report back to camp in August. The Rams host NCAA DIII Southwestern University (6-4 in 2018) in a scrimmage at Farrington on Aug. 24 before the regular season opener at No. 4 Kansas Wesleyan, 13-1 a year ago.
Halfway through the Blue-Gold event the team individually introduced this year's class of recruits.