Football Preview
Football Preview
Football Preview
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Table of
contents
Owasso Rams Preview
New-look stadium awaits fans 4
2018 schedule 5
Ram offense set to retool 6-7
Defense looks for repeat performance 8-9
Job description for Ram special teams 10-11
Breaking down Owasso’s foes in 2018 12-14
Preseason predictions for the Rams 15
Meet the Owasso coaches 16
Q&A with Coach Blankenship 18-20
O
wasso Stadium will look a bit
different to Ram fans this fall.
The 2018 season will be the
first with a brand new video scoreboard
looming above the newly-installed south
end zone seating. The field also will be
surrounded, for the first time ever, by
LED lighting. A fresh layer of FieldTurf
has been put down on the playing sur-
face for good measure.
All of these elements were part of nu-
merous resurfacing projects around OHS
athletics that began over the summer.
The video scoreboard includes a 25’ x
44’ full HD videoboard, along with an up-
dated speaker and sound system. Among
the video scoreboard features include
the capability to show movies and com-
mercials. Fans in the stands will be able Above, This is a
to view pregame and halftime presenta- rendering of the
new videoboard
tions as well as on-the-field interviews
that will be
on the screen. installed at
“Our community will feel proud,” said Owasso Stadium
Owasso Athletic Director Zach Duffield. in time for the
“It will enhance our Friday night atmo- 2018 season.
sphere.” The installation
The new video scoreboard will be in was not com-
use during games. Along with the typical pleted by press
functions of a scoreboard, such as time time.
clock, score, down and distance, the
board will also show in-game action. Left, Here is a
rendering of
“I think the sky is the limit of what
the new-look
you can do with it,” Duffield said. field at Owasso
Speakers will be located within the Stadium.
video scoreboard, which is expected to COURTESY
improve the sound quality throughout PHOTOs
the stadium.
The Stacy Group in Owasso has
handled the architecture and design of This will be the
the video scoreboard. The new project stadium’s third FieldTurf surface install-
is estimated to cost $854,000. Daniels ment since the field was transplanted
Construction will handle the resurfac- from its original grass surface to artifi-
ing project to the stadium, which is part cial turf in 2001.
of a $4.56 million project that includes The Owasso Stadium projects were
resurfacing both the baseball and softball scheduled to be completed prior to Aug.
fields as well as the infield of the high 24, the Rams’ football home opener
school track. against Bentonville West, Arkansas.
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 5
Rams
football
schedule Owasso opens its 2018 season on Aug. 24 at
Date Opponent Time home against Bentonville West. FILE PHOTO
Let’s
play ball!
6 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
Offense
Kuehne, Kirby lone returnees for Rams
T
wo. Will Kuehne and Mario Kirby,
that’s it.
Of Owasso’s 11 starters on the offen-
sive side of the ball that trotted out against
Union in the Class 6A-I state championship
game last December, only Kuehne and Kirby
return for another season with the Rams.
Owasso will be tasked with rebuilding both
its offensive line and receiving corps going
into 2018.
But one area the Rams do not have to
worry about is at quarterback with Kuehne, a
North Texas commit, returning as the trigger
man. Last season, Kuehne (6-1, 190) threw
for nearly 2,800 yards and accounted for
34 touchdowns, his first year orchestrating
Owasso’s offensive attack.
Passing game coordinator Zac Simmonds
has seen Kuehne improve going into this
senior season.
“His overall knowledge of the offense is Kirby
better,” Simmonds said. “He’s going to get to
his second- and third-level reads faster than like his predecessor and record-setting Bryce
last year. He’s a better leader and has more Cabrera, put up big numbers.
confidence.” “It’s just been a joy to see his development
Fellow senior Preston Hendricks (6-2, 185), after coming in August last year,” Owasso
a basketball player for the Rams, will once
coach Bill Blankenship told the Tulsa World
again serve as the backup QB on the depth
of Jacobs. “He kind of was a slow starter
chart.
initially. I think the transition got him and a
Kirby (6-0, 220), a junior, will be one of the
couple minor injuries.”
familiar faces for Kuehne from a season ago.
Jacobs, the younger brother of Alabama
After filling the H-back role last year, Kirby
running back Josh Jacobs, already has offers
figures to line up as a tight end this fall as the
Rams look to use him more in the passing from Tulsa and Memphis.
game. “We’re really excited about what he can do,”
“He’s been changing his body to be more Morsey said. “He’s a home-run threat. He’s
physical in blocking as well,” run-game coor- fast and elusive.”
dinator Justin Morsey said of Kirby. Sophomore Emaud Triplett (5-10, 178) could
Senior Hilton Moseby (6-2, 250) will also be see time at running back. Triplett, whose
called on at tight end in certain situations in stock rose in the coaches eyes throughout the
addition to his defensive duties. spring, adds a physical style with good vision.
The offensive backfield will feature junior Seniors Julian Stoner (5-7, 145) and Ed-
running back Isaiah Jacobs (5-11, 205). De- die Nava (5-8, 150) going into the season as
spite a limited sample size last season after speedy reserves at running back.
coming from Tulsa Central, Jacobs could, After losing the likes of Tyrese Sisson and
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 7
Defense
‘D’ looks to gain from last year’s success
T
he Ram offense grabbed a large chunk
of the headlines during their memora-
ble state championship run a year ago.
Don’t be fooled.
The improvement of Owasso’s defense
played a critical role in transforming the Rams
from possible contenders to standing on top
of the mountain in Class 6AI. Over the final
eight games of the season, Owasso surrendered
more than 16 points one time. Essentially, the
only time the opposition scored more than two
touchdowns in a contest during that eight-
game stretch, all wins by the way, came in a Moseby
60-28 rout of district foe Norman North. the defensive line with seniors Hilton Moseby
The opportunistic Ram ‘D’ also forced an (6-1, 245) and Aiden O’Dell (5-10, 235).
impressive 32 turnovers. Klinck refers to Moseby, at tackle, as “strong
In the first season under coordinator Bobby as an ox” with his 300-pound bench press and
Klinck, Owasso turned in two of its best de- 500-pound squat. Head coach Bill Blankenship
fensive performances in a semifinal win over had his own description of Moseby.
Jenks followed by a title-game victory over “He’s the nucleus of the middle of our
Union. Against the Trojans, Owasso forced six defense. For recruiters, I call him ‘an academy-
turnovers in a 21-0 blanking, its first shutout type player.’ He’s just that guy who does every-
of the season. Two weeks later, the Rams tal- thing right. He’s big enough and fast enough,
lied three takeaways in a 21-14 win and the but he’s not going to blow anybody away with
program’s first gold ball in 43 seasons. his physical attributes, other than that you’re
Armed with four returning starters from going to have a hard time blocking him and
last year’s Ram squad that finally broke up he’s going to make plays against you. That’s
the Jenks-Union monopoly of championship what I saw for years going against Navy and
trophies, Klinck believes clearing that mental Air Force,” Blankeship told the Tulsa World.
hurdle in 2017 will benefit his defense going Klinck said retaining Moseby and O’Dell up
into this fall. front for another season gives Owasso “two
“Our overall attitude and confidence will be strong, tough dudes. We know what we’re go-
one of our strengths,” Klinck said. “Last year ing to get with them.”
we had a lot of athletes and physicality. (This Senior Matt Lor (5-9, 210) and junior Jaden
year) we’re young at some spots but we’re ma- Love (5-9, 250) also could figure into the rota-
ture enough to understand what it takes.” tion at tackle.
That mentality will be tested as the Rams Junior Mario Kirby (6-0, 220), senior
must replace four graduates that went to Caymon Severs (6-0, 200) and junior Haydon
play at the Division I level. Courte Alexander Grant (6-2, 175) are prime candidates to occupy
(Arkansas), Wayne Jones III (Kansas State), the end positions. Severs, who had quite a bit
Carson Kropp (Oklahoma State) and Josh Proc- of playing time last season, also will be used at
tor (Ohio State) were key pieces to the defense the viper position, which allows him to move
a year ago. between end and outside linebacker.
Two of the four returning starters come in One familiar name that will return at
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 9
linebacker is senior KeJuan Hay (6-1, 215). highly-touted college prospects on the defen-
While not a returning starter, Hay was in the sive side.
mix for the Rams a year ago and had a sack Blankenship told the Tulsa World of Mayber-
and fumble recovery in the season-opening ry, “He’s probably our most improved. Duece
win against Jenks. came in as a talent, but didn’t really have the
With scholarship offers from Missouri State, maturity and work ethic as a sophomore. He
South Dakota State, Texas State and Arkansas- just kind of played and was in the right place
Pine Bluff, Klinck believes Hay, who has shined at the right time to make plays. He has really
throughout the offseason, is poised to be one of blossomed. He is at his best when the competi-
his top performers in the fall. tion is the best.”
“Hay is going to stand out this year,” Klinck Fellow junior Omarr Barker (5-9, 150) looks
said. “He’s going to make a lot of plays. He just to man the opposite corner spot.
explodes on the field.” At free safety, Adams was clutch for the
Fellow senior, Jaden Thomason (5-9, 180), Rams a season ago at safety with two intercep-
looks to be a top candidate for the other line- tions in the semifinal win over Jenks and the
backer spot. The intuitive Thomason returns game-clinching interception at the goal line
after being hampered by injuries a season ago. against Union in the title game.
Junior Kuper Sparks (5-7, 200) also could see Senior Ryan Chase, junior Cole Creekmore
time at linebacker. and Gage Laney could also see time at the free
The other two returning starters on defense safety spot.
reside in the Ram secondary, juniors Dawson Sophomore Emaud Triplett has come on
Adams (5-11, 180) and Duece Mayberry (6-0, during the spring and figures to push for a
173). starting job at strong safety. Hay will also slide
After grabbing six interceptions a year ago over to strong safety, on occasion, from his
at cornerback, Mayberry is one of the most linebacker spot.
10 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
Week 5 Week 6
Edmond North Huskies Norman North Timberwolves
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 28 When: 7 p.m., Oct. 4
Where: Owasso Stadium Where: Harve Collins Stadium, Norman
Head coach: Tanner Roof Head coach: Justin Jones
2017 record: 3-7 overall, 2-5 in District 6AI-2. 2017 record: 7-4 overall, 5-2 in District 6AI-2.
All-time series vs. Owasso: 2-3 overall. Lost to Broken Arrow, 31-28, in the first round of
Last meeting: Cabrera scored five TDs and racked the 6AI playoffs.
up more than 240 total yards as the Rams used a All-time series vs. Owasso: 2-3 overall.
28-point second half to win going away, 42-14, in Last meeting: The Rams churned out more
the regular season finale. The Rams finished with than 600 yards of offense and the defense gained
442 yards of offense. Proctor and Duece Mayberry momentum as the game wore on as they forced
each had interceptions for the Owasso defense. two turnovers, including a Courtre Alexander
Scouting Edmond North: Roof begins his first fumble recovery as Owasso won 60-28 last season
season as the Huskies’ head coach. He served as in Norman.
Edmond Memorial’s offensive coordinator last Scouting Norman North: Jones begins his first
year… The Huskies struggled find consistency but season with the Timberwolves after spending the
showed flashes of offensive firepower a season past seven seasons as the head coach at Bishop
ago as they put up 112 points over a three-game McGuinness…North will also be led by a new quar-
period against District 6AI-2 foes Mustang, terback with a familiar last name. Junior Jacob
Putnam City North and Moore…Senior RB Blake Switzer (6-3, 175), grandson of former OU legend-
Minnick (5-8, 225) returns from injury in the ary coach Barry Switzer, will take over as North’s
backfield. Junior Jake Cheap (6-4, 190) could be signal caller. The 2020 Sooner recruit had success
a top receiving weapon after hauling in 20 recep- in limited varsity time a season ago…Known for
tions last season…Defensively, Edmond North their high-powered offense, the Timberwolves
returns senior linebackers Cade Prosak (6-0, 205) averaged more than 41 points per game in 2017.
and Jake McCoy (6-2, 210), a tandem that com- Their 28-point outing against Owasso tied for their
bined for more than 100 tackles a season ago. lowest scoring game of the season.
14 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
Week 7
Southmoore SaberCats
When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 12 (Homecoming)
Where: Owasso Stadium
Head coach: Jeremy Stark
2017 record: 0-10 overall, 0-7 in District 6AI-2.
All-Time Series vs. Owasso: 2-2 overall.
Last meeting: Many of the starters played just
a half as the Rams rolled to a 48-2 victory over
the SaberCats in Moore in 2017. Cabrera scored
3 TDs on nine touches while Josh Proctor and
Grant Vanlandingham also found the endzone as
Owasso scored five of the first six times it touched
the ball and never looked back.
Scouting Southmoore: The SaberCats look to Owasso hosts Mustang for Senior Night on Oct.
bounce back after an uncharacteristically tough 18. file photo
season in which they did not win a game…New
offensive coordinator Ty Prestidge will look to lead and went on to a 52-6 romp over Moore last
pump some life into a unit that mustered just 83 year at home. Bryce Cabrera ran for 194 yards
points during all of 2017…Southmoore does have and 4 TDs and Will Kuehne used up just two
eight returning starters on offense, including quarters in throwing for 175 yards and two scores.
senior receiver Corbin Padgett (6-2, 185). Scouting Moore: Despite Owasso’s dominating
victory over Moore a season ago, the Lions went
Week 8 on to make the first postseason appearance in 12
Mustang Broncos years and gaining some momentum. The Lions
When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 18 (Senior Night) have nine wins over the past two seasons, the
Where: Owasso Stadium highest win total for the program since the 2004-
Head coach: Jeremy Dombek 05 campaigns…Moore expects big things from
junior QB Daniel Hishaw (6-0, 205), who ran for
2017 record: 5-5 overall, 3-4 in District 6AI-2. 250 yards and 5 TDs in a victory over Norman a
All-time series vs. Owasso: 3-1 overall. year ago…The Lion defense has experience with
Last meeting: The Rams jumped out to a 42-14 eight returning starters this fall.
halftime lead and never looked back in a 63-41
rout in the District 6AI-2 opener at Owasso Sta- Week 10
dium. QB Will Kuehne threw for 264 yards and 4 Putnam City North Panthers
TDs in the first half alone. The Ram defense came When: 7 p.m., Nov. 2
up with several big plays, including two INTs Where: Putnam City Stadium, Warr Acres
from Duece Mayberry. Head coach: Ryan Laverty
Scouting Mustang: The Broncos were absent 2017 record: 3-7 overall, 2-5 in District 6AI-2.
from the postseason last year, a rarity for the
All-time series vs. Owasso: 0-4 overall.
program…Mustang looks to get back on track in
2018 and hopes new offensive coordinator and Last meeting: Nine different Rams had rushing
former Oklahoma State quarterback Aso Pogi can attempts as the team finished with 258 yards on
provide a spark. Pogi was the offensive coordina- the ground as they throttled Putnam City North,
tor at John Marshall last season and helped the 55-10, last season at home. Owasso scored on
program average more than 40 points per game its first four offensive possessions to take a 28-0
and a Class 3A state title run. lead. The Ram defense limited to Panthers to 19
yards on 14 carries in the first half and surren-
Week 9 dered just 80 passing yards all night.
Moore Lions Scouting Putnam City North: Seven starters
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 26 return on offense for the Panthers, including
Where: Moore Schools Stadium, Moore junior QB Aaron Norment (5-10, 190). Last season
Head coach: Brad Hill Norment set a school record with 399 yards of
total offense in a 41-38 win over Edmond North.
2017 record: 4-7 overall, 3-4 in District 6AI-2. The old record of 372 yards was held by Heisman
Lost to Jenks, 49-16, in first round of 6AI playoffs. Trophy winner and former Oklahoma quar-
All-time series vs. Owasso: 3-3 overall. terback Sam Bradford…The PC North defense
Last meeting: The Ram defense forced six turn- brings back nine starters, including Division I
overs, including two interceptions from reserve prospects NG Juan Macedo (6-0, 250) and LB
Cole Creekmoore, as they grabbed a 42-0 halftime Will Taylor (6-3, 240).
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 15
coaches
Rams
Staff Antonio
Graham
Associate Head
Bill
Blankenship
Head Football Coach
Coach/Defensive
Backs Coach
Tim
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Q&A
with Ram head coach
Bill Blankenship
O
wasso Head Coach Bill Blanken-
ship sat down with Reporter Sports
Editor Shawn Hein prior to fall
practice for a Q&A session. Here are some
of the topics they covered.
Q: After winning the state title in your first
year, what can you do to top that?
A: Well, you can’t. A pretty good friend of
mine that has a pretty good sense of humor, he
was out in Wyoming and coming back when
he heard we’d won the state title. He sent me a Owasso head coach Bill Blankenship begins
text and he said ‘should you decide to remain his second season leading the Rams.
in coaching, let it be known that the best you
can do next year is go sideways.’ That’s pretty Q: You won consecutive state titles at Union
accurate. so what’s the difference in chasing a state title
The thing we love about the success is now and defending one?
it becomes a real thing to these guys. It’s not A: When you’re defending, you’re going to
just ‘hey, we want to win state.’ Now they know get everybody’s best shot. I think it’s bogus,
what it looks like, what it feels like, what it but you can make a case that Jenks didn’t see
tastes like. But, it’s a lot harder to stay there it coming. Owasso was 3-7 the year before,
than it is to get there. Not to mention you take so maybe (Jenks) was looking past us (in last
Josh Proctor, Wayne Jones, Courtre Alexander year’s season opener). Then you get one against
and Carson Kropp and all those receivers and BA and you play Union close. And you’re like
offensive linemen that we’re missing. Well, still ‘ok.’
that glass ceiling has been broken, that door By the end of the year, we’re getting every-
has been kicked in and they at least know what body’s best. But, in the beginning of the year,
it feels like. And it gives us a shot. maybe not.
We’re going to be really young but, if we can When you’re getting everybody’s best, you
put something together and stay in it, I think have to bring it at a higher level every game be-
we’ve got a shot to really be competitive this cause there’s no chance of a letdown. Norman
year. And we’ve got really good young players North’s going to give you their best shot. Mus-
coming. So they’d better keep us down this tang’s going to give you their best shot. They
year because we’re going to get it going. won’t look at you as one of the team’s they’ve
Q: What carry over effect have you seen got to beat. No, (Owasso) is the defending state
since winning the state title? champion. That’s a big feather in their cap if
they can get one against you now.
A: The work ethic. That’s hard to be tangible
with but our offseason was way better than last Q: What are the biggest differences in the
year’s offseason. The guys that were backup program from when you took over until now?
players (this year) are working much harder A: The biggest change is, and I think it was
than they guys that were backup players last a slow change, we had guys last year that
year. because of whatever had happened to them
I think we have even more credibility. Once before were easily discouraged. So, (last
you’ve hoisted that trophy, your world changes. summer) when we were in passing league and
And you see what’s possible. somebody would catch a ball or make a play
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 19
against them, you could just visibly see their roasted. It’s not winning or losing in 7-on-7 for
shoulders drop. And I’m talking about even the me. It’s about competing and learning and get-
good players. ting better. And I vividly remember playing in
They had talent but they were just beat up one of those early tournaments and we’re play-
with injuries and it had been a tough year or ing Coweta. They’re just catching bombs on us,
two. Those guys had not had a lot of success. treating us like we’re some 2A team out there.
So, something in your brain says ‘here it goes Our guys shoulders are just dropping and it’s
again. Here it goes again.’ It is the hardest just disgusting. Later on, we go to the Shiloh
thing to put failure behind you and go play the tournament and it began. If you make a mis-
next play, go play the next play, go play the next take, do it again. If you get an interference call,
play. It’s easy for us to talk about as coaches, so what. Do it again. And they kind of bowed
but it’s hard to do. up and started doing it again. Well, we had
But we saw that happen very visibly amongst enough success. We got in the winner’s bracket
our team to where, by the end of the year, it and we won several games. We didn’t win it,
was the other team making those mistakes at by any stretch. But they began to see that, if
the end. Even though we had given up plays, you keep fighting, a lot of times, you come out
we could put it behind us and make the next winning in the end. That was one of the big
play. That’s a tough thing to continue but I moments.
like the way we’re training right now because I The first game against Jenks was huge. We
think they’re getting that. But every player has got rolling and everything went perfect. I don’t
to learn that for themselves. think our guys realized it. We probably couldn’t
Q: Was there a point last year where you saw do that again in 10 tries. But it gave them a
that change take place? belief.
Then, when we played Union (during the
A: There were a couple of key points.
regular season), I don’t think they really
The first time we saw it was at the 7-on-7
believed we were going to go there and win.
tournament in Shiloh Christian (Arkansas).
But we were still standing and an overtime
We had gone to another 7-on-7 tournament
earlier in the summer and we were just getting » See Q&A, 20
20 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
» Q&A, from 19
game in the end and had opportunities to win.
I think (the team) actually left there strangely
encouraged. They thought ‘ok, now we’ve seen
all these teams. And we can do this.’
It was just moments along the way.
I tell people a lot the Norman North game
was huge because, for the first time, we were
going against somebody really good on offense
and we just changed our whole mentality and
went straight physical. We started playing
physical defense, our offensive line took charge
of the game. We started running the ball. Those
are the things you have to do at playoff time.
I even told our players and coaches afterward
‘that’s the first time all year I thought we had
what it takes to win a championship.’
Now, that doesn’t mean you’re going to do it.
But you’ve at least got to have what it takes. Owasso’s Will Kuehne and coach Bill Blanken-
Q: Is the program where you thought it ship hug after the Rams’ 21-14 win over Union
would be when you took over on Jan. 6, 2017? in the Class 6AI state championship game last
A: No, with all honesty, I think we’re way December. FIle photo
ahead. If you gave us truth serum, I don’t think Q: What are you most interested to see out of
any of us coaches thought we were going to your team going into this year?
win a state championship. Now, we thought we A: How we handle adversity. We’ve got three
could. We thought we had the pieces. really tough openers. The sooner that we get
But, man, I’ve been doing this a long time. past the fact that we’re not last year’s team and
I had really hoped we would really win some we need to get our own identity. We’ve got to
big games and get our guys believing we would figure out who those guys are and what are we
compete. Then, hopefully, in the next two or going to be good at.
three years, we would get there and try to If we can overcome some adversity early, I
knock that door down. think that’ll set the tone for our season. There
I had no illusions of championships when I is no way to sugarcoat it. We’re going to be re-
came here. They had losing seasons, back-to- ally young. And young guys make mistakes. We
back, before I came here. Now, the year before have a real learning curve. If we can get past
they had gotten a lot of guys hurt and there it, I think we can be pretty good going into late
were a lot of reasons for that. But, still I just in the season. If we slump our shoulders, it’s
didn’t think so. going to be a tough year.
The one thing I did think and now sounds
prophetic is when I was introduced to the team Q: During the offseason, you had mentioned
in the weight room on the day I got hired, in a story from the Tulsa World you have at
we looked better, way better, than I thought least three more seasons at Owasso before
we would just looking at them. We had big you start contemplating retirement. Has
guys. We had athletic guys. I told them, and I anything changed since then?
don’t think a lot of people thought I was being A: No, not really. People have put a little too
sincere, ‘I don’t remember having a team at much on that. It’s a very practical three years
Union that looked the part any more than this and it’s all about teacher retirement. The teach-
team did. er retirement system is based on your highest
When we had linemen (at Union), we didn’t average salary over a three-year period. Begin-
have the skill guys. When we had skill guys, ning this year, my salary is competitive with
we didn’t have the linemen. When I came the other coaches in this area. That would by
(to Owasso), we had a bunch of big offensive far be my highest three years, way more than
linemen-looking dudes. And we had some (ath- I ever had at Union or anywhere just because
letic) guys that looked like Wayne Jones and that is what’s happened. It’s just a real practical
Josh Proctor. I thought ‘I don’t know. But we thing. I’d be crazy to not at least wait for those
ought to be able to coach these guys.’ three years before I do anything else.
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 21
Offense
Collinsville hopes health equals success
I
njuries and youth proved to be road
blocks in Collinsville returning to the
postseason in 2017.
Among those banged up a year ago were
Oklahoma State commit Grayson Boomer
(6-6, 230) and quarterback Cole Dugger (6-1,
170). Boomer’s health began to take a tough
turn when he suffered a grade-three shoulder
separation during the summer followed by
a nagging hamstring injury. Dugger’s season
ended prematurely when he suffered a bro-
ken left wrist in the district opener against
Bishop Kelley and Collinsville was without
its top two quarterbacks on the depth chart
by midseason.
“Last year was tough,” said Cardinals
coach Kevin Jones. “We were kind of one-
dimensional the second half of the season.
“We were real competitive. We were just real
inexperienced.”
Boomer and Dugger return with a clean
bill of health as two of Collinsville’s eight
returning starters on offense and led by a Boomer
set of skill players capable of lighting up the
scoreboard. paign, figures to be showcased on offense,
Dugger, the junior signal caller, will or- defense and special teams.
chestrate the offense following an offseason “He’s probably the best pure athlete on our
in which he grew a couple of inches and put team,” Jones said. “He’s pretty special. We’re
on about 30-35 pounds over the past year. excited about getting him the ball and letting
“He’s come a million miles since last fall, him do some things.”
just physically,” Jones said. “He’s got a great Senior Cale Hutchens (5-11, 170) is another
pocket presence. The ball is coming off his solid receiving option to go along with junior
hand with so much more velocity. He looks Kolten Allphin (5-9, 160).
like a totally different kid.” At running back, the Cardinals could fea-
The right-handed gunslinger will look for ture a three-headed monster behind Dugger.
Boomer, who could move around in and out Senior Jake Tuttle will lead the way in
of the backfield this season. Jones said his the backfield. Tuttle, a move-in from Rejoice
imposing tight end will end up playing a role Christian prior to last season, has ran for
similar to what he will take on next fall in more than 1,700 yards tallied 23 total touch-
Stillwater. downs the last two years and has a an offer
A potential breakout star this season for from the Ivy League’s Brown University.
Collinsville could be senior receiver and “He’s a dandy, a really good running back,”
three-year starter Walker Roberts (6-0, 170).
Roberts, who had a strong sophomore cam- » See Offense, 22
22 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
Defense
Cardinal ‘D’ looks to flex muscle
A
fter losing just seven seniors to All-District acco-
graduation last spring the Col- lades, returns on the
linsville defense figures to benefit outside while junior
from a wealth of experience and quality Brayden Burd and
depth returning for the fall. Kenlee Hall will sort
The Cardinals bring back seven start- out the action at
ers to a unit that gave up just 147 points middle linebacker.
in 2017, the fewest allowed of any team in In the secondary,
District 5A-4. seniors Walker Rob-
Armed with that experience, Collinsville Carney erts (6-0, 170) and
head coach Kevin Jones expects to see his Malcolm Tillman
defense once again pose a stiff challenge to both return. Roberts will occupy a corner
an opposing offense. One of the reasons for spot while Tillman will roam the defensive
his enthusiasm is the depth he can utilize at backfield at safety. Junior Kolten Allphin (5-
a number of key positions. 9, 160) looks to line up at free safety.
“The thing I’m most excited about is While the more experienced Cardinals
we’ve got more depth than maybe we’ve garner much of the preseason hype, Jones
ever had, definitely as much as we had the said several others will make a name for
year we went to the finals (in 2015),” Jones themselves as 2018 progresses.
said. “It just makes you so much better in
practice when you’re practicing against
good players.
“We tell our team good teams have good
players that are not even on the field. We’ve
got to have more than 11. That’s the differ-
ence between pretty good and real good,
when you’ve got depth.”
Leading the way up front will be senior
nose guard Adam Carney (6-2, 230). Carney,
who could play on both sides of the line,
has impressed coaches with his physical
ability and demeanor.
“He’s had an amazing offseason,” Jones
said of Carney. “He’s definitely the strongest
kid on our team. He’s a good, hard-working,
blue-collar kid.”
Senior Grayson Boomer (6-6, 230) will
again make life miserable for opposing of-
fenses with his large frame at defensive end.
Fellow senior Tres Sexton also figures in the
mix at end.
Behind Boomer, Carney and Sexton will
be a veteran group of linebackers.
Senior Jake Tuttle (5-10, 200), who has
24 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 25
Cardinals
football
schedule
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 31 OOLOGAH 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Bartlesville 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Ponca City 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Claremore* 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 TULSA MEMORIAL* 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Tahlequah* 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 EAST CENTRAL* 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Pryor* 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 SKIATOOK* 7 p.m.
Nov. 1 at Will Rogers* 7 p.m.
*-District 5A-4 game
Go
Cardinals!
28 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
2018 predictions
for Collinsville
B
elow are predictions for Class 5A
and District 5A-4, according to
VYPE Oklahoma Pigskin Preview
magazine.
Class 5A District 5A-4
1. Carl Albert 1. Collinsville
2. Bishop 2. Skiatook
McGuinness 3. Tahlequah
3. Ardmore 4. Claremore
4. Bishop Kelley 5. Pryor
5. Lawton Mac 6. East Central
6. Guthrie 7. Tulsa Memorial
7. Collinsville 8. Will Rogers
8. Skiatook
9. Coweta
10. Ada
Go
o lll i n sv i ll e !
C
Eagles
eagles
football
schedule
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 31 at Crossings Christian 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 KIEFER 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Haskell 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Oklahoma Union* 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 FAIRLAND 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 KETCHUM* 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Quapaw* 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 COMMERCE* 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Afton* 7 p.m.
Nov. 2 COLCORD* 7 p.m.
*-District A-6 game
Offense
Eagles’ backfield adds another weapon
R
ejoice Christian’s offense has piled
up the points and yardage over the
last couple of seasons. Running back
Andrew Crow played a key role in making that
happen.
The scary thing for Eagles’ opponents in 2018
is that Crow (6-0, 170), now a senior, will have
help in the backfield.
Along with Crow, who has ran for nearly
2,000 yards the past two years, Rejoice added
senior move-in Dillon Hair (5-9, 170) in the
offseason. Hair, also a senior and who played on
the Eagles’ baseball team in the spring, tallied
more than 1,000 yards on the ground the last
two seasons at Lincoln Christian.
The addition of Hair allows the Eagles some
flexibility with Crow. Rejoice head coach Brent
Marley has experimented with Crow at receiver
during team camp at NEO during the summer.
Crow responded by claiming Camper of the
Week honors, primarily because of his effective-
ness as a wide out.
“We just have more explosive depth at run- Henson
ning back,” Marley said. “It’s like when the years
when OU had (Samaje) Perine and (Joe) Mixon. targets like All-Stater Matt Nicholson, who has
You really don’t care who’s out there.” since graduated. Instead, Walker looks to dis-
Look for junior Nate Anderson (5-9, 185) and perse his throws amongst a talented, but mostly
sophomore Hunter Jennings to get some carries unproven group of receivers that enters fall
in the backfield as well as the Eagles look to use camp without an established go-to weapon.
more two-back formations. “This year the receivers are smaller across the
Crow is one of six returning starters on of- board. So we all have to step up,” Walker said.
fense for the Eagles. Another is junior quarter- “The wide receivers have to run a better route. I
back Riley Walker (5-11, 160). Walker threw for have to put the ball on them even better.”
2,127 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, his Senior Brock Henson is the most prolific
first atop the depth chart, despite missing time. returning to the mix. Henson caught nearly 400
Marley said he noticed significant improve- yards of passes last season and, Marley believes,
ment in Walker in the offseason. could be in line for a breakout season.
“Riley’s done a great job,” Marley said in June “He’s one of those guys that could be a top
during passing league. “He’s still got things he priority for other teams to stop,” Marley said.
needs to work on. We talk to him all the time Juniors Gage Barham and Cole Hill (5-8, 160),
about getting rid of the ball quicker. He’s mak- who could be the fastest player on the team,
ing the right reads.” are other potential targets. Juniors Caden Ward
One significant adjustment for Walker will be (6-2, 205), Clint Hurst and sophomore Grady
his receiving corps. James (5-5, 136) could all see time in the slot.
No longer are the likes of large imposing Another name to watch for is senior Reece
Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview 33
Defense
Talented linebackers lead Rejoice ‘D’
I
f healthy, the Rejoice Christian linebackers
could be a scary bunch for any foe in Class
A this fall.
The Eagles return athletic veterans Nate
Anderson (5-9, 185) and Clint Hurst (6-0, 190)
and add a couple of more new additions that
figure to make instant impacts. Add in some
solid depth and head coach Brent Marley
believes his backers could be the foundation a
defense built on its 3-3 base formation.
“That should be one of our strengths,
especially at outside (linebacker),” Marley said.
“We’ve got some guys that can run.”
One of the top returnees is Anderson at the
weak side spot. He led Rejoice with 122 total
tackles last year as a sophomore. Anderson’s
knack for finding the football was also evident
in his nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two
Hurst fumble recoveries, one interception and a
35 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
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Owasso Reporter | August 2018 football preview
37
Go
soccer team, could be kicking options as well.
In the return game, senior Andrew Crow (6-
0, 180) averaged better than 16 yards on kickoff
Eagles!
returns. Senior Brock Henson, junior Cole Hill
(5-8, 160) and Gage Barham each saw time
returning kicks, as did Anderson and Hurst.
38 football preview August 2018 | Owasso Reporter
Player to Watch
Roman Lockney to the time he has
spent in the weight
5-8, 170 room and an ag-
NG, SR gressive mindset on
Rejoice Christian the field. He’s also a
Chances are Roman Lockney has heard or student of the game.
seen every type of reaction when somebody looks Lockney said he en-
at him, then glances back at the Rejoice Christian joys watching film on
roster. Lockney the opponent to learn
The Eagles senior will line up at nose guard their weaknesses and
this season, just as he did last year. Lockney has pick up tips from other defensive linemen.
proven his worth to coach Brent Marley and the “It’s about explosion and watching their steps,”
rest of the staff. He caused havoc for opposing he said. “I watch on film how their center and
offenses and finished with 40 tackles a year ago. guards work together and how their tackles
What makes fans, teammates, foes and op- work. I watch a lot of film, study up their move-
posing coaches take notice is when they realize ments.”
Lockney does his damage despite standing just Lockney said he also likes to watch some of
5-foot-8 and 170 pounds. the top defensive lines in college football, like
“I get that all the time,” Lockney said. “But I Clemson.
love it because everybody underestimates me and “They’re the best d-line in the nation,” he said.
how good I am.” “I like to see what they do, even though I’m not
Lockney attributes his success in the trenches 6-6 and 340.”
HERE’S TO
A GREAT
2018
SEASON!
Family
Owned
Since
1966