Cascade fullback Tyler Carter drags a Fairview defender across the goal line during Friday afternoon's scrimmage in Wartrace. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Cascade strapped up for its first scrimmage of the summer against a "big, physical" Fairview team in Wartrace on Friday afternoon with a hefty crowd standing along the fences.

The Yellowjackets finished behind a pair of Top 10 teams in Region 6-2A a season ago and lost in the opening round of the playoffs 14-0 to Camden.

Coach Kenny Parker appeared somewhat pleased with certain aspects of his team's performance but sees vast amounts of room for improvement.

"Our effort was there at times but we've still got some work to do," he said. "We're counting on a lot of kids that really haven't had to step up and play varsity football.

"It didn't look good today. That's the way it goes sometimes. It makes us have to work harder on Monday."

With a miniscule number of starters returning from last year's Champions that went 10-2, the search is on to find 15 starters to fill voids all over the field.

"Still looking. We ain't there yet," Parker said. "We feel like we've got the kids and they're working hard."

In an effort to get some of the cobwebs worked out of the offenses, only base packages on defense were allowed. Blitz calls had to be shelved.

That was probably best for the Orange and Black who are working their way into a 3-3-5 alignment.

"We've got a brand new defense and we're trying to get the kinks out," Parker said. "Our kids are excited about it, but us as coaches, we're learning it. It's something we've never run before. We feel like it's going to help us."

After a few days of rain, the playing surface on Cascade's practice field was "goofy and mushy and all." Thus, they didn't put in much of their offense that gains yardage outside the hash marks.

"We've got to get our playmakers on the edge," Parker said. "Our forte's going to be our speed. We're not going to be real big up front."

The Champs face Forrest in a jamboree in Chapel Hill on Aug. 16. Also competing in an exhibition matchup are Eagleville and Nashville Christian.