The main parking lot at Junction City High School was full, as were side lots and parallel parking spots on streets near the senior high Friday night.

That has not normally been in the case in the past for preseason scrimmages, but a new format drew the people to Al Simpler Stadium and the Shenk Gym in substantial numbers.

The football scrimmages included the Junior Jays, middle school seventh and eighth grade teams, and the high school varsity squad. Future Blue Jay activities were also part of the evening. In addition the volleyball team scrimmaged in the Shenk Gym. It made it tough to find a parking place.

Blue Jay Head Football Coach Randall Zimmerman stated there were quite a few people in attendance. “That was neat. That’s what we wanted, to get a lot of people out here, and get the kids in front of them, and try to get them used to a Friday night game like that.”

Zimmerman thought his varsity defense was tough. “Those guys really get to the ball. They line up right. They communicate well.”  He saw some bright spots on offense. ” Obviously we’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to work on. I think that first group is understanding the pace we want to play at. We just need to play a little faster on that side of the ball. “The Blue Jays open the season at Highland Park next Friday.

In volleyball Lady Jay Head Coach Megan Parks thought her setters on the varsity did a good job and were consistent. “The team thought that our serve receive was good, so that’s a plus. Our setters were consistent. They ran things. I really like how they’re developing as leaders and running the court.”