At top, sophomore Slaton Hierrholzer looks for some yardage in the Brook Hill scrimmage this past Saturday. Above, senior, running back Zachary Cool breaks loose for some big yardage against the Mustangs of Overton in the Brook Hill football scrimmage. BULLARD - The Brook Hill Guard appears to be ready to make it four district titles in as many years after thrashing Overton in a scrimmage this past Saturday morning.

Defensively, The Guard gave in to a total 60 yards, and four first downs.

Making a big change in position, and more of a difference on the field was the play of Matt Ruark.

A linebacker last season, Ruark made the switch to nose guard for the sake of his team, and Ruark proved to be a force for the Mustangs to stop in the scrimmage.

Once The Guard got their hands on the ball offensively, Tyler Baker and crew picked up right where they left off last year with big numbers, and long scoring plays.

Baker threw for 136 yards and two touchdowns, going 10-of-11 for the scrimmage..

Both touchdown tosses went to Jeremey Chappelle who finished the day with six catches for 93 yards.

(Banner Staff photos by Paul Dickey) Eight different receivers were used by Baker, and back-ups, J.B. Moss, and Travis Pirtle.

The three signal callers combined for 15-of-19 in completions and racked up 197 yards in the air.

The running attack was well dispersed also, running up 222 yards on the ground for a 419-60 advantage in total yards for the scrimmage.

"I was excited about our play on both sides of the ball," said Brook Hill first-year coach, Terry Pirtle said. "We did not make many mental mistakes and the offense looked pretty crisp.

"I'd have to say that the coaches and I are happy with where we are early on, and we seem to be progressing nicely and on pace," Pirtle added. "Sometimes I have to gear myself down and get back to the fundamentals of the game, but our offense is further along than at this point than last year, and the defense has really been getting to the ball and playing with a lot of intensity."

The Guard will play host to Cayuga on Thursday night in their final scrimmage of the season before the regular season opens up against Hawkins in the Tyler Classic at All Saints Field, Aug. 28 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff slated.

Thirty-nine players are on the varisty with plenty of all-district and all-state nominees back for another year.

Baker was the district MVP last season, making all-district at quarterback and safety. Baker was also allstate bth ways for the Guard.

Jeremey Chappelle was a ditto with the two-way honors and all-state kudos at wide receiver and linebacker.

A formidable line of returnees are also back with two-way star, Talen Harris, highly recruited, Heath Dickey, and Justin Northcutt all return with honors under their belts.

A plethora of running back combos can be mixed in with running backs, Jamel Bell, Zachary Cool, A.J. Minter, Cory Scheel, Ross Lee and other underclassmen.

"This next week we will get a little bit better of an idea of where we are at right now when we line up with Cayuga on Thursday," Pirtle said. "They have one of the best running backs in the state, and a returning state runner-up team with a lot to prove, and they will be coming after us," Pirtle added. "Just as long as we improve, and get better."