Preseason football jamboree energizes Rock Bridge

JEFFERSON CITY — The ghosts of seasons past could not dampen the spirits of the Rock Bridge football team.

The Bruins, along with Hickman, Jefferson City and Lebanon, played in a four-way scrimmage jamboree that the Jays hosted Friday at Adkins Stadum. Each team played the other in a round-robin of 12 offensive and defensive plays, with two games on the field at a time. 

"It's a chance to get out here and see where we're at," Rock Bridge defensive coordinator Justin Conyers said.

After practicing among themselves for two weeks, Conyers said the jamboree was a great opportunity for the Bruins "to see someone else, hit someone different."

For two years in a row, the Rock Bridge team has fallen short of its goals, and it closed out the 2008 season with a 1-9 record. But Bruins head coach A.J. Ofodile said his team has an opportunity to be competitive in 2009. 

"We are trying to find ourselves in our program," he said. "We are pleased with the players' approach to working together and on the field."

Rock Bridge first successfully battled Jefferson City, then took on rival Hickman. 

On the first play against Hickman, the Bruins' Shawn Rush, Jr. blasted through several attempted tackles for a 40-yard touchdown run to set the tone for the rest of the round. Brad Troyer ran for another touchdown on the second play and Sheldon Gerau scored on the fifth.

The energy from the win over Hickman carried through the rest of the jamboree and spilled out of the huddle as the last scrimmage against Lebanon High School ended. 

With hands and helmets in the air, the Bruins players shouted together "1... 2... 3... redemption, baby!"

Rock Bridge opens the season at 7 p.m. next Friday at Lee's Summit North.