Impressions from Amat’s Blue/Gold scrimmage …

First of all, there were more fans at the scrimmage than most teams in the area get for a regular-season home game. You Amat people are sick, but I like it!

Anyway, there was lots to say about Friday night. I will give you my impressions and you can also listen to coach Steve Hagerty’s thoughts.

Offense: Guess what, Nine was under center and Jalen Moore started at tailback. Moore got the bulk of the carries with the first-team offense. Adam Sanchez started at one receiver, but Wallace Gonzalez did not come in until the third play. That could just be a package thing. Brock Booth started at tight end and looked good physically, but didn’t get any balls thrown his way. The line looked big enough, but not necessarily big.

Nine didn’t get to totally unveil his wheels for obvious reasons, but he did have a nice dash toward the pylon that ended with him getting rocked at the end of the play. Didn’t see who hit him, but Hagerty had to cringe … and then the red jersey came on next time he was out there..

The highlights offensively were about a 50-yard run by Moore and a nice fade from Nine to Wallace G. for about an eight-yard touchdown. That play is going to be nearly automatic for Amat. There’s just no guarding Wallace G. on jump balls.

Is there a home-run hitter on Amat’s offense? It would probably have to be Sanchez, if there is. I didn’t see last year’s team, but I assume Darien Johnson was the home-run threat.

Lastly, sophomore running back Dionza Blue is back at Amat and he was working with the second team. Hear me now and believe me later, that kid could be your next big-time back at Amat. And I do mean big time. He was holding his own while running with the back-ups against the first-team defense (I think it was first team). I understand he needs to get cleared by CIF and if he does, watch out.

Defense: Amat looks small, but tough. They fly around well enough and hit even better. I would be worried about this unit against some of the bigger PAC-5 schools … especially ones that have some skill to go with their size.

Defensive end Julian Gener looks like he’s going to have a huge season. He was coming off the edge with ease and even picked off one of Nine’s passes and took it to the house, but that’s because Nine didn’t really try to tackle him. Aaron Bowens looks good, too. Austin Lacy got a little bit of time.

Overall, what Hagerty says in the video is spot on. There’s no secret to Amat’s formula and it seems partly by design and partly necessity, the Lancers are going to try and play smart and take advantage of situations when they arise, and with that staff, they’ll be able to find those situations.