CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M football team wrapped-up its first week of two-a-days with an inter-squad scrimmage, which was held Saturday morning at the practice fields at Buffalo Sports Park.
“We got out there today and got to see where we are right now,” head coach Don Carthel said. “I thought the kicking game and special teams were sound for the first time around. With Ramon Lopez at center, I think we are in great shape in extra points and punts and with Van Voris (Kevin) and Sergio (Castillo) kicking and punting. I think the kicking game is going to be really solid.”
In the kicking game, junior Sergio Castillo, Jr., (La Joya, Texas/La Joya HS) went 1 for 2 in field goals making from 42 and missing just left from 53 yards, while senior Kevin Van Voris (Elizabeth, Colo./Elizabeth HS) connected on his only field goal attempt from 37 yards and two punts for 38 and 46 yards, respectively.
“I thought the defense pretty well dominated the line of scrimmage,” Carthel said. “I thought they ran around and hit and we had trouble opening holes and running the football so I was really pleased with the defense.”
Redshirt freshman linebacker Christian McBride and redshirt freshman defensive back Chris Ceazer (Bryan, Texas/A&M Consolidated HS) each had five tackles to lead the defense, while junior defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks (San Leandro, Calif./Sacramento City CC) had one tackle and three sacks to lead the team. Sophomore defensive back Torian Oakley (Spring Texas, Spring HS), redshirt freshman defensive back Anthony Hayes (Allen, Texas/Allen HS) and junior defensive back Chris Metcalf (Compton, Calif./Cerritos JC) each had an interception in the scrimmage.
“I think the secondary played really well,” Carthel added. “I was really tickled with our young corners, I thought they tackled well, were on receivers and played the ball really well…got some picks when they needed and made some plays.”
The Buffaloes used three quarterbacks in the scrimmage as juniors Dustin Vaughan (Corpus Christi, Texas/Calallen HS) and Luke Halpin (Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite HS) saw the most action, while sophomore David Lehocky (Albuquerque, N.M./Volcano Vista HS) had some reps, too.
Vaughan went 5 for 12 with two interceptions and 80 yards, while Halpin was a team-best 11 for 20 with one interception and 85 yards. Lehocky went 3 for 6 for 11 yards. On the ground the Buffs were led by redshirt freshman Geremy Alridge (Dallas, Texas/North Dallas HS) who had four carries for 17 yards, while Vaughan was second in rushing with two carries for 14 yards.
Through the air, Halpin connected with junior wide receiver Sean Morris (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach CC) for a 45-yard pass, while newcomer Jeff Luvulo (Cottonwood, Utah/Cerritos JC) led the team with two catches for 48 yards. Senior running back Khiry Robinson (Temple, Texas/Blinn JC) had four catches for 24 yards out of the backfield and junior wide receiver Jace Jackson (Sulphur Springs, Texas/Sam Houston State) had two catches for 20 yards.
“Jeff (Luvulo) is a tight end we brought in, and I though he had a really good game and looked really good,” Carthel said. “The offensive line I thought held up well in the first unit, the second was a little sluggish, which is usual at this point, but they will get better.”
The Buffaloes will scrimmage one more time in preparation for the Thurs., Aug. 30, season-opener at No. 6 Colorado State-Pueblo. The scrimmage will take place Thurs., Aug. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the practice fields.
