SLIPPING AWAY – Decatur quarterback Grayson Muehlstein runs away from a Mineral Wells tackler during the Eagles’ scrimmage Friday. Messenger photo by Mack Thweatt

It was a night of mixed emotions after the Decatur Eagles’ first scrimmage Friday night against Mineral Wells at Eagle Stadium.

With their first action against an opponent other than themselves, the Eagles had a lot of bright spots and a lot of areas of concern.

Decatur head coach Kyle Story says there is still a lot of work to do.

”We saw several good things ,and we saw a lot of areas that we need to improve in,” Story said. “I guess I’m kind of in between as far as my overall assessment. We do know there are a lot of things that we’ve got to get better at.”

Each offense took turns with a five-minute running clock beginning drives from their own 30-yard line. The scrimmage concluded with a live quarter.

Decatur’s first-team defense started the scrimmage and immediately stopped the Ram offense on three downs.

On their next possession Mineral Wells picked up its only score of the night on a 62-yard touchdown run.

“The one run they did pop on us was a three-back formation they hadn’t worked on during the week,” Story said. “We still should have made the play on it. We just didn’t get over there and make a tackle.”

Mineral Wells’ passing game took shape on its third drive. The Rams connected on passes of 37 and 21 yards before their drive stalled at the 1 yard line as time ran out.

Story says the pass defense is a work in progress.

“We’ve got to get better pressure on the quarterback when it is a pass and better coverage on the receivers,” Story said. “We have a long way to go in the passing game.”

The Eagle defense did respond with two forced fumbles on the Rams’ next two possessions.

The Decatur first team offense started off sluggishly, with a turnover on downs and a fumble on its first two possessions.

On the third possession, Jared Durdon broke loose for a 66-yard touchdown run.

The simulated part of the scrimmage would end with an Eagle turnover on downs.

Decatur’s defense dominated the live quarter, forcing punts on all three Ram possessions.

Starting quarterback Grayson Muehlstein struggled before the live quarter going 1-for-6 for 3 yards.

Muehlstein made up for his struggles through the air with an impressive 66-yard touchdown run during the second offensive possession. It would be the only score by either team during the live quarter.

Muehlstein would also get a long one through the air with time running out. He hit Jared Durdon for a 68 yard pass to set up a last second field goal attempt. The 26-yard attempt was missed to end the scrimmage.

TAKE THAT – Decatur’s Oscar Deleija pressures the quarterback during Decatur’s scrimmage against Mineral Wells Friday. Messenger photo by Mack Thweatt