Ted LePage wanted to see his team in a complete football setting before the season kicks off next week.
The Jefferson City Jays head coach wasn't sure a more traditional Jamboree was the best way to do that.
"We really want to get the game experience more than just the Jamboree experience," LePage said after the Jays wrapped up an intersquad scrimmage Friday under the lights at Adkins Stadium. "We got video of a game-like situation with our players amped-up so we can really grade and watch film and all coaches and players can get better."
Jefferson City's No. 1 offense ran 50 plays, 16 against the Jays' top defense. The event also implemented all aspects of special teams before ending with goal-line plays.
Players said they received more benefits by competing in the scrimmage, which included a full officiating crew.
"We get a lot more reps, we're able to simulate our home pre-game (routine) before we actually have a home game, which is great," senior linebacker Paul Harris said. "This really prepares you for what it's actually going to be like in a game situation."
Zach Bond, Dennis Barnes and Izaya Sands all had interceptions to help lead the way for the Jays' defense, one of the biggest highlights of the evening.
That was OK with LePage, who has compiled a 60-28 record in eight seasons at Jefferson City.
"I think our defense is playing at a very high level and a very intense level," LePage said. "Any time you have a defense highlight a scrimmage, that means your defense is playing very well. By this time, our offense and defense know each other, so now it's just a battle of will."
The Jays' No. 1 defense allowed just one touchdown - a 30-yard pass from second-string quarterback J.T. Bohlken to Adam Huff early in the contest.
"We had really great moments and a few hiccups here and there," Harris said. "But overall I'd say it was a pretty fun night for our defense. I liked our intensity, I like the plays that guys were making that we didn't make in practice. It really seemed like we were in a game."
Isaac Roling got his first start at quarterback and completed 9-of-17 passes for 91 yards. The senior threw for one touchdown and one interception.
"I struggled a bit at first," Roling said. "I started to pick it up as the offense started to pick it up. We started to call plays faster, started moving faster. I think that helped us catch the defense off-guard a little more."
Bohlken and sophomore Gunner See also took some snaps under center for the first string behind Roling, who completed 5-of-6 passes for 98 yards last season as a backup to Gabe Marcantonio.
"We want to see everybody work in because right now we're a work in progress at the quarterback position," LePage said. "We understand Isaac has a firm hold on it, but we also have to see what J.T. and Gunner can do in those particular spots."
After a slow start, Roling started to find his stride during the first string's fifth offensive series, completing three straight passes during the drive, which was capped off with a 32-yard touchdown to Daniel Ellinger.
"One of my points with Isaac was the tempo," LePage said. "When Isaac is so cognizant with his approach to the game, when he had time, he was going through too many scenarios. When we started going faster with our tempo, he just came up, reacted, threw and ran the offense and was very effective from that standpoint."
Elijah Pittman and Denzel Brooks split time at running back for the Jays, who host McCluer North on Friday in the season opener. Pittman got most of the carries early, before going to the sideline after taking a hit on his shoulder.
"He got a little ding on his shoulder, so we pulled him out as a precaution," LePage said. "Denzel is the changeup back, can really scoot. As physical as our defense is, there's not a lot of holes to run in and I thought they fought for a couple of extra yards every once in a while."
Jake Pridgin was one of Roling's favorite targets Friday after leading the team with 28 catches for 284 yards and six touchdowns last season. The senior also punched in a score from 5 yards out during a goal-line formation late in the scrimmage.
Bohlken proved to be an asset with his arm and his leg. The junior hit a field goal from 30 yards out, before ending the night with a 52-yard boot that went right between the uprights.
"We can do so much with him as a kicker and punter," LePage said. "He can do more things with the football than a lot of people that I've ever coached, so we're going to use him in a lot of different ways. We feel like if we can get to the 35 (yard line) we can get three points.
"That's one of our main goals is to try to get to that 35-yard line because J.T. is good enough to put it in from 50."