Chapter 19: Intra-squad Scrimmage
The spring training camp has ended—or rather, it's about to end.
Three weeks flew by in the blink of an eye, filled with a mix of learning and training, making each day feel productive and busy. Before anyone could really notice, the camp had reached its final days.
Today, the much-anticipated intra-squad scrimmage between the starters and substitutes is about to kick off.
Following today's scrimmage, the team will evaluate the lessons learned. Then, next Sunday, the final warm-up game will officially conclude the training camp.
Despite this being an internal scrimmage, it's treated with the same excitement and importance as a real game. The entire town has turned out in full force, celebrating this game like a festive party—and perhaps with even more joy than usual. After all, this is a game between teammates; both sides are part of the same family. So, rather than worrying about winning or losing, the fans are more excited to see their children take the field.
Thus, it's a full-blown celebration: beer, popcorn, horns, jerseys, and cheer sticks. The whole town is buzzing with a wild and ecstatic atmosphere.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!
Remember the Rose Bowl, we will be crowned!
Aim for victory, full speed ahead!
You are the pride of Dixie football, Roll Tide, let the storm roar! Roar!"
The song echoes through the air above Bryant-Denny Stadium, a chorus of thousands creating waves of energy that ripple across the field.
Unbelievable—this is just a scrimmage, right?
Standing on the sidelines and glancing around, the stadium feels endless, packed with faces beaming with joy and excitement. Fans wave all kinds of cheering gear, the sea of red jerseys forming a massive tide.
This is the power of a home field.
Lance could feel his pulse quickening, his blood surging with excitement.
The game hadn't even started yet, but the energy was already palpable. He felt himself blending into the crowd, becoming just one more voice in the ocean of fans, adding to the thunderous roar.
Of course, it was still a scrimmage. Though the stadium wasn't completely full, with around 70,000 people filling the 100,000-seat capacity, it felt packed. Even the air seemed thick with anticipation.
"For us, this is the start of the season and the beginning of a new year. No matter what happened last season, it's in the past; no matter what's going on in life, today marks the start of a new chapter."
The voice came from Clark.
Lance turned to him, "Us?"
Clark grinned, "Yeah, us. I'm part of the Crimson Tide too." Players and fans, they were all one.
With a quick leap, Clark smiled widely, "The game's about to start. See you on the field."
Clark could barely contain his excitement as he jogged onto the field. Even though this wasn't an official game, not even an external scrimmage, it was still the first time Clark would represent the Crimson Tide in front of an audience.
Last year, Clark had been a fifth-string backup, and not even intra-squad scrimmages allowed him to play. But this year was different. He'd finally get his chance to step onto the field for the main team.
Today's game between the starters and substitutes had Jacob and Clark lined up as the main team's running backs, while Lance—after just three weeks of playing football—and three-star high school recruit BJ Emmons would be running backs for the substitutes.
Clark was beyond thrilled. Since Coach Saban announced the rosters, Clark had been walking on air, constantly grinning like a fool. To him, it didn't matter whether he was on the starting lineup or the backups—as long as he could wear the Crimson Tide jersey and take the field, it was a dream come true.
"Look!"
"There's my son! Oh my God, that's Ronnie!"
"He looks so small."
"Haha, hahaha."
"It's him, that's him, number 44."
In the stands, Tyree Clark couldn't hide his excitement, shouting to everyone around him, worried they wouldn't see his tiny son on the field—on this massive 100,000-seat stadium, the players really did look like matchsticks from the stands.
Next to him, Danny Clark rolled his eyes in embarrassment, slumping down in his seat as his dad loudly called attention to his brother. "This is just a scrimmage, dad, no need to make such a big deal," he thought.
But Tyree didn't care.
"Ronnie!"
"Hey, Ronnie!"
Alone, like a fool, he shouted his son's name, even though his voice was quickly swallowed up by the noise of the stadium. It didn't matter; he kept yelling.
Then, the game began—
The starters got the ball first on offense, with the substitutes taking the field on defense.
Since this was a scrimmage, neither team had their coaches calling plays. Everything was up to the players.
In real games, the head coach typically handles pre-game strategy, but in-game play-calling varies. Many head coaches call plays themselves, though they often focus on either offense or defense depending on their strengths. Very few head coaches manage both sides of the ball.
Most teams have separate offensive and defensive coordinators to help with in-game play-calling. There are even teams where the head coach leaves all play-calling to the coordinators.
The reason is simple—football tactics are incredibly complex, and with the game changing every second, it's like commanding a battlefield. The general always needs strong advisors.
Today, Coach Saban would not be calling plays. This scrimmage was a test of the players' understanding and execution of tactics. It was a chance to evaluate the results of the spring training camp.
The starters' first drive ended in disappointment. They managed one first down but then struggled as the substitutes' defense applied relentless pressure.
Alabama's offense is strong, but their defense is even stronger. Head coach Nick Saban, a former defensive back during his playing days, has always had a unique understanding of defense.
As for the offense?
Saban has never been known as a quarterback whisperer, so he relies heavily on offensive coordinator Burns to develop the ground game, which opens up the rest of the playbook. Their game plan is solid and practical.
It's no wonder that since 2007, despite Alabama's incredible success, they haven't produced a standout quarterback. But they've consistently developed top-tier running backs, and their defense has been their crown jewel.
From the start, the substitutes' defense gave young Hurts—still a high school senior—a harsh lesson.
Scrimmages may feel like practice, but the intensity is on another level.
Hurts, though talented, was still raw after only a few weeks in spring camp. He hadn't fully adjusted to the speed and strength of NCAA football.
With no open receivers in the short passing game, Hurts panicked, unable to read the defensive coverage and find an opening.
As a result, he held onto the ball too long, forcing his offensive line to bear the brunt of the defense's pressure. The pocket collapsed repeatedly, and the relentless pressure from the substitutes' defense eventually caused the starters to fail on three straight downs.
Reluctantly, on fourth down, the starters had no choice but to punt.
What did that mean?
The substitutes were getting the ball, and Lance was stepping onto the field with his teammates.
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