HCHS beats Branford in 7-on-7 football

Published 10:30 am Wednesday, June 21, 2017

JASPER — It wasn’t the power running game Hamilton County and Branford normally feature on offense. 

Tuesday’s 7-on-7 workout was all about passing, and senior transfer Alex Scarborough performed well at quarterback for the Trojans while getting accustomed to playing with new teammates.

Scarborough threw five touchdowns as HCHS defeated BHS 30-6.

For Branford, rising junior Jevin Johnson took every snap at quarterback, targeting CJ Pepper on the majority of his passes.

The Buccaneers started with a huge play as Pepper sprinted close to the sideline and hauled in a 40-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the workout. 

BHS couldn’t reach the end zone again in its next six possessions though.     

Four of his Scarborough’s touchdowns went to Melvin Brown, who scored on pass plays of 18, 32, 35 and 40 yards.

Keyvon Webb caught a touchdown on Hamilton County’s first possession. The Trojans completed four short passes on that drive and then went to work on some deep routes with Brown.

Webb also had an interception.

HCHS rotated three quarterbacks with Scarborough seeing the most action. Scarborough attended Suwannee High as a freshman and sophomore, started at Lafayette as a junior, and will now play his final season at Hamilton County.

Branford’s Trevin White played well as a receiver and on defense. White and Dakota Stevens had one interception each for the Bucs. 

JN: What’s it like being with a new team?

AS: I’m having a lot of fun. Being with a new team is a lot of responsibility. We’ve got a lot of people to spread the ball out to this year. 

JN: What’s the biggest key for Hamilton County to be successful this season?

AS: Chemistry and consistency. We’ve got to play together and give it our all every game. 

JN: What’s it like being back with Coach Seth Stebbins?

AS: Coach Stebbins coached me in JV in the ninth grade at Suwannee. He had me playing linebacker. It drove me to play quarterback and get better. 

I really respect him. He’s been honest with me the whole way. I believe he’s going to get me to a good college. 

SD: What are your goals for 7-on-7 workouts?

JJ: It’s exciting to get to work with different schools and see what the competition is like. It’s a building block to see where we can go in the future.

It’s trying to identify our strengths and weaknesses — what routes we can run and what we can take out — and mostly having fun and seeing how we compete. 

SD: Keys for the summer as you prepare into the season? 

JJ: We’re trying to focus on passing the ball — completing shorter routes and a few deep balls here and there. Mostly working on the passing aspect because that’s been something missing.

SD: Who are a few guys you look forward to playing with on offense? 

JJ: We got CJ Pepper. He knows how to use his frame, can go up and catch the deep ball. Dylan White is going to be the focal point of our running game.