MIDDLEBURG - Of course in a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage, the object is to fine-tune the passing game. At Middleburg High, behind senior quarterback Dalton Motes, who showed off his aerial arsenal, the Broncos hosted an equally adept Andrew Jackson High passing attack on Wednesday, June 24.

"It is a passing scrimmage with no running game to speak of, except for a fake handoff and maybe wheel routes out of the backfield," said Middleburg coach Ryan Wolfe, "But what we saw today was a good selection of routes, catches and decisions from both ends - quarterback and receivers. Dalton has now probably started his first full varsity scrimmage after getting three games at the end of last year behind Mason Bacus. He was cool and calm on his feet."

Wolfe was cognizant that his offense is built around historically strong running backs creating opportunities.

"You know our game is built off our running game with play action," Wolfe said. "We want to get the ball in space and let our athletes do what they do."

Early in the scrimmage, Jackson quarterback Hans Price, who is a larger and taller pocket quarterback with recent seasons at First Coast and Impact Christian Academy, sliced and diced for some impressive 25-plus-yard scores and passing gains.

"We have solid athletes that can play in the secondary, and we just have to find the right fit for the right defense," Wolfe said. "They were good out there, no doubt, but I saw a good aggressive defense and good reaction to the ball after catches. The ones they broke, that's something that we'll address before the season."

Jackson struck first with a looping 40-yard scoring pass, but Motes answered right back almost shot-for-shot against the athletic Jackson secondary. Jackson also scored a second time within the allotted 10 plays for each offense set.

"Except for a couple of late throws and drops, I think we scored at will," Wolfe said. "We gave up some deep balls but to throw a 50-yard pass, you have to have the time to set up that throw."

Wide out C.J. Williams made the most of his opportunities, with a handful of under routes that Williams used his speed to turn into extra yards. Sophomore Ravi Elliott also impressed, Wolfe said.

Out of the backfield, running back Braydon Ventura caught some passes.

With new transfer linebacker Ty Streets (from Fleming Island) joining returning linebacker Mason Peevy (knee injury last season), the Broncos' defense had a solid linebacker crew with Blake Mulanax on one side and Kellen Blackburn on the other. Peevy reminded Broncos' defensive fans of his prowess with a picture perfect tackle over the middle that got some protests, but, in the end, there was no harm, so no foul was called.

"He's ready to go, we've kept him away from side to side movement in practice," Wolfe said.

In the secondary, safety Darrick Marshall is the anchor that includes Alex Rodriguez and Jaden Williams.

"We have the pieces. Now we have to fill the holes with the right guys," Wolfe said. "We know the top 11, we just have to put those 11 in the right spots."

For Motes, taking the reigns of the Broncos offense and being a team leader, the task of moving the ball will be made easier with the receivers.

"I've been to quarterback camps at UCF, UF, Georgia Southern and Pittsburg this summer," Motes said. "They told me I had good balance, good movement after the snap, and that I should work on quicker moves and decisions. We roll out a lot here, so I'm working on running and reading."