The 2006 Collierville football team took the field at Arlington High School last Friday night against the home team Tigers and came away with a 7-6 victory.

While the game was just one quarter in length head coach Paul Cox came away impressed with his offense, especially quarterback Derek Pacileo and kicker Jeremy Adair who are both making the transition from other sports back to the football field.

Pacileo was a starting guard on the basketball squad and Adair was a defender on the soccer team.

“The offense looked good and that part of the game was very sound,” Cox remarked.

“What we came away with (in the case of Pacileo and Adair) was a lot game experience for people that didn’t have any. I was very pleased with that. Overall I was pleased with the play of the new kids, both Pacileo and Adair and the offensive line.”

Getting the ball first at their own 35-yardline, Pacileo guided the Dragons on a nine play 65-yard drive that was capped off by a 13-yard touchdown run by Jason Goins.

Pacileo was the key as he showed the ability to scramble that seems to be a trait of all Dragon quarterbacks.

“Derek is going to get better and better as the season goes along I don’t think there’s any question about that. He’s going to be a good quarterback,” Cox said.

Pacileo said that he has grown accustom to his teammates on the offense and that they are comfortable with him also.

“I have known some of these guys since middle school and we all have a great friendship outside of football,” Pacileo.

The offensive line led by Joe White, Tyler Hammers, Nathan Ring and Michael Mancini opened holes that led to gains of seven yards or more on seven of Collierville’s 13 rushing attempts.

“The line blocked well and I knew where my linemen were so I knew where the holes would open,” Goins said of his touchdown run.

“I was really happy with the line’s play on the first drive,” said offensive lineman Nathan Ring.

The defense was led by strong play from Harrison Bizzell, Eric Smith and Tyler Hammers early in Arlington’s only drive. When the Tigers did get inside the Dragon 10-yard line the defense tightened even stronger behind plays from Laine Halfacre and Mancini.

The Tigers scored on a fourth down play but missed the extra point that left the game at 7-6.