The Chilton County Tigers wrapped up the first spring practice under new football coach Tal Morrison with a scrimmage on May 19.

The roster was divided into two groups with players wearing blue and orange jerseys. The quarterbacks wore red no-contact jerseys.

Morrison wants to win the line of scrimmage by establishing the run and Cameron Wright did just that with several tough runs in the first quarter before busting through for a touchdown and a score for the blue team.

However the orange defense tightened up and made a defensive stop at the end of the first quarter and shortly after Devontae Robinson broke down the right sideline for 70 yards and well into the red zone.

ShiKeem Laister hit Brody Smitherman in the flat and he wound up bouncing off would-be tacklers and reached the ball over the goal line while carrying defenders.

The game was tied at 6-all at the halftime break.

“With four coaches [short staffed], we haven’t really had the opportunity to teach the skills and the technique that we want them to have in a lot of these areas, so the effort and the scheme of things was what we were looking for.”

The connection between Laister and Smitherman struck again for a 50-yard touchdown that Smitherman caught and turned up field.

Laister also scored on the ground during the scrimmage, turning what appeared to be a busted play into a positive one.

As the game wore on Phebian Taylor began to get more touches in the backfield. He used quickness to pick his way through the line of scrimmage and consistently find positive yards.

Taylor iced the game with a 45-yard touchdown run after reaching the corner and finding room to run down the left side.

According to Morrison, the defense has been ahead of the offense for much of the spring, but that was turned around during the scrimmage.

“I think they came out with a little chip on their shoulder and wanted to show something,” Morrison said.

Xavier Trimble was able to find success at times providing penetration and definitely appeared to make his presence known up front as a member of the orange team.

“I thought he did a decent job of it today,” Morrison said.

Jarrett Ricks and Laister split time at quarterback. Rick will be a senior next season, while Laister will be a sophomore.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball, and we knew that going in,” Morrison said.