From left; Jace James of Putnam City North, Jake Doyle of Yukon and David Glidden of Mustang.PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW: WEST METR0 EDITION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2010 SPECIAL SECTION NEWSOK.COM/VARSITY

2 0 1 0VARSITY

PUTNAM CITY NORTH | JACE JAMES ANDTHE PANTHERS ARE GETTING COMFORT-ABLE IN THE SPREAD OFFENSE. PAGE 4

YUKON | JAKE DOYLE AND THE MILLERSARE READY TO MAKE A DEEP PLAYOFFRUN. PAGE 8

MUSTANG | EXCITEMENT IS RUNNING HIGHFOR DAVID GLIDDEN AND THE BRONCOS.PAGE 2

II

MUSTANG — With a newstadium, a major-collegerecruit at wide receiver andan up-and-coming quar-terback, excitement is highonce again in Mustang as itgoes after that elusive goldball.

Though wide receiverDavid Glidden, an Okla-homa State commit, andquarterback Brandon Tay-lor, as well as a variety ofother experienced offen-sive players give the Bron-cos high-scoring potentialonce again, they still havesome holes to fill.

One of those holes mea-sures 6-foot-5 and 305pounds, as the Broncos tryto fill the gap left by thegraduation of currentOklahoma Sooner offen-

sive lineman Bronson Ir-win.

Mustang has a couple ofreturning starters up frontto ease the loss, with leftguard Caleb Schompertand center Elliot Malanca.

“We’re pretty youngright now, but we’re get-ting better every day,”Schompert said. “I thinkwe’ll jell together reallygood and be pretty solid upfront.

“Every year, we just re-load and never have a re-building year. We just keepgoing. We have high expec-tations — always for Mus-tang.”

Glidden is joined at re-ceiver by a variety of play-ers, like Derek Garvin, JonLuckey and Taylor Spark-man, with some otheryoung players looking tocontribute.

It’s nearly impossible to

replace a running back likeDaniel Farrow, but TylerWebster gave the run gamea boost before Farrowstepped in last year andshould hold up well thisyear.

The defense is lookingfor several new starters upfront, but players like Jus-tus Elliot and Zac McKayoffer some experience.Glidden, Luckey, Spark-man and Cale Witter solid-ify the secondary.

“The young guys havepicked up the defense realquick,” Witter said. “I feellike this year, compared tolast year, we’re fartherahead. Our secondary has alot of guys with experiencefrom last year.

“We’ve got a tradition atMustang and we’re here tolive up to it. We’ve all got-ten to the point that we ex-pect it of ourselves.”

Mustang’s hopes highBY SCOTT WRIGHTStaff Writerswright@opubco.com

Mustang’s Brandon Taylor throws the ball against Putnam City North during a2009 game. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

The no-huddle spread isn’ta new offense at Putnam CityNorth anymore, and theteam’s understanding of thesystem could be the biggestdifference as the Panthers tryto surpass last year’s first-round playoff loss.

“It’s a lot easier, because weknow what we’re doing,” re-turning senior quarterbackJace James said. “We knowwhat the coaches are trying toaccomplish. We know what weneed to get done on the field.And it’s a lot easier knowingthat we have guys that haverun the offense before.

“I think we’ll be pretty goodat it.”

James is running the showat quarterback, with two tal-ented running backs at his

side. Sam Wolfe is a speedyback who missed most of lastseason because of a brokencollarbone.

Junior Dre Holman was aworkhorse in Wolfe’s absencelast year, though he suffered aknee injury in early Augustthat could keep him out of thefirst game or two.

Receiver was a strong pointfor the Panthers last year, butonly one experienced player,senior Covin Conrady, is backfrom a unit that included guyslike Antonio Johnson and Dil-lon Schooley.

“Rico Griffin has been apleasant surprise,” James said.“He had to sit out last year af-ter transferring, but he’ll turnsome heads.”

Two starters returned on theoffensive line, led by 6-foot-4,265-pound Daniel Burton, ajunior who was a consistentblocker at right tackle last sea-

son. He’ll be on the left sidethis year.

“It’s been a change,” Burtonsaid of the switch. “It’s kind ofhard to get used to, becauseeverything’s reversed. The leftside of my body was strong lastyear, because I was pushing offwith the left leg every play andnow it’s the opposite. It justtakes a little bit to get used to.”

The Panther defense hassome strength up front withtwin brothers Brad and NateRoss in the front seven, alongwith defensive end Abe Alma-tasem. But the defense willhave some holes to fill on theback end, but they’ve gotplenty of athletes to fill thevoid.

“Not a lot of guys are back,but what we do have is prettyexperienced,” Brad Ross said.“There’s a lot of things we canimprove on, but I think we’ll beOK.”

PC North getting used to spread offenseBY SCOTT WRIGHTStaff Writerswright@opubco.com

Putnam CityNorth’s DreHolman couldmiss the firstgame or twowith a kneeinjury. PHOTO BY

STEVE GOOCH, THEOKLAHOMAN

Cox Communications(Cox 3) and KSBI (Cox 7)are back once again toshowcase some of the tophigh school football gamesthis year. The stations aretelevising a combined 36contests.

Week 1› Thursday, Sept. 2 —Douglass at McGuinness(Cox); Heritage Hall atCasady (KSBI)› Friday, Sept. 3 — Bixby atJenks (Cox); Clinton atWeatherford (KSBI)

Week 2› Thursday, Sept. 9 —Yukon at Edmond Santa Fe(Cox); Del City at NormanNorth (KSBI)› Friday, Sept. 10 — Jenksat Tulsa Union (Cox); Put-nam City North at Mustang(KSBI)

Week 3› Thursday, Sept. 16 —Tulsa Washington at TulsaEast Central (Cox); NormanNorth at Westmoore(KSBI)

› Friday, Sept. 17 — Mus-tang at Bixby (Cox); Ed-mond Santa Fe at MidwestCity (KSBI)

Week 4› Thursday, Sept. 23 — DelCity at Edmond North(Cox)› Friday, Sept. 24 — Clar-emore at Coweta (Cox);Newcastle at Kingfisher(KSBI)

Week 5› Thursday, Sept. 30 —Sapulpa at Southmoore(Cox); Shawnee at Norman(KSBI)› Friday, Oct. 1 — MidwestCity at Putnam City North(Cox); Norman North atYukon (KSBI)

Week 6› Thursday, Oct. 7 — TulsaNOAH at Bethany (Cox);Edmond North at PutnamCity (KSBI)› Friday, Oct. 8 — CasciaHall at Berryhill (Cox); Nor-man at Southmoore (KSBI)

Week 7

› Thursday, Oct. 14 —Norman North at Moore(Cox)› Friday, Oct. 15 — Guthrieat Carl Albert (Cox); Put-nam City at Mustang(KSBI)

Week 8› Thursday, Oct. 21 —Owasso at Bixby (Cox);Jenks at Southmoore(KSBI)› Friday, Oct. 22 — TBA(Cox); El Reno at Guthrie(KSBI)

Week 9› Thursday, Oct. 28 —Norman North at EdmondMemorial (Cox)› Friday, Oct. 29 — BrokenArrow at Jenks (Cox);Muskogee at Norman(KSBI)

Week 10› Thursday, Nov. 4 — Yu-kon at Edmond Memorial(Cox)› Friday, Nov. 5 — TBA(Cox); Midwest City atNorman North (KSBI)

High school football TV schedule

August camp has been al-most the exact oppositefrom last year for PutnamCity as the Pirates try tobuild their way back to aplayoff contender undersecond-year coach JohnWofford.

Last year, Putnam Citycame into camp wonderingwhat its passing gamewould look like as itswitched to a spread offensefrom a power rushing at-tack. And the Pirates knewthe defensive front sevenwould be strong, with sev-eral returning starters inthat group.

Now, the defensive expe-rience is in the secondary,and an established passinggame with quarterback Ca-leb Lee is looking for help

from a rushing attack.“I like the way our offense

is progressing,” Woffordsaid. “We still have a lot ofwork to do, but we feel likewe’re on the right track. Wefeel like we have a lot of guyswho can run the football,which we didn’t have lastyear.

The junior duo of CaseyCurtis and Desmond Tilleylook to lead the way in thebackfield. Tilley, a 5-foot-11,186-pounder, got some ex-perience as a sophomore.Curtis, 5-foot-7, 165pounds, was a regular playeras a slot receiver last seasonand perhaps the team’smost dangerous player withthe ball in his hands.

Together, they give thePirates a good power-quickness combination be-hind an improving offensiveline.

“The run game is coming

along,” Tilley said. “Me andCasey just have to work hardand keep going.

“We’re a good combina-tion and I like having him asa teammate. He’s a goodplayer.”

Lee has some experi-enced receivers like DalinteJohnson, Carson Lynn and afew others who got somegame action last year.

Johnson, Allen Zimmer-man, Cody Minor andDeandre Gray are the mostreliable players on the de-fensive side of the ball

“Those are the guys we’recounting on, that we knowcan play in 6A,” Woffordsaid. “The rest of them, wehave some questions. We’rereplacing a lot of guys upfront, and a lot of guys aregonna have to play bothways.

“But the guys are workinghard. We’ll hang in there.”

PC offense progressing with experienced QB LeeBY SCOTT WRIGHTStaff Writerswright@opubco.com Putnam City

quarterbackCaleb Leescramblesaway from aChoctawdefenderduring a2009 game.

PHOTO BY NATEBILLINGS, THEOKLAHOMAN

ARCHIVE

With El Reno’sRidge Gargasz

You played receiver lastyear. Are you getting morecomfortable at quarter-back?

Yes, I’m very comfortable.We’ve been working on myfoot speed and my armstrength, and that’s reallyhelping. I played quarter-back at Weatherford beforeI moved here. They runmore, so I wasn’t used to somuch of the spread offense.

Was your time at receiv-er helpful in making thetransition to quarterback?

Yes, it helped me under-stand the receiver’s job

better. At first, it’s difficultto understand the routes,but since I was a receiver, Iknow how and where toput the ball, when a guy isgoing to break. It made itmuch easier.

Raymond Little is youronly returning starter atreceiver, but you’ve got anexperienced running backin Devante Moore. Howmuch does it help havingat least a little experiencearound you?

It’s really important. Ray-mond is a good receiver andwe have a lot of sopho-mores that are lookingpretty good. And it’s goodto know I’ve got Devanteback there, because he’s

gotten bigger since lastyear. He’s a hoss now. Hecan run it right up the gutat you and we have someguys up front on the linethat know how to grind itout.

Did the 7-on-7 leaguesover the summer make iteasier for you to be pre-pared for the season?

Playing against otherpeople helps a lot morethan playing against yourown defense. You get tosee different defenses andsee how things change, sothrowing against otherteams helped tremendouslyto get me ready for playinggames.

BY SCOTT WRIGHT

Q&A

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW SECTIONPick up Sunday’s Oklahoman for our 2010 highschool preview section, where you can findschedules for every team in the state and rank-ings for every class.

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With BethanyOL/LB MichaelPaul

How has the offenseprogressed throughoutAugust camp?

We’re starting to cometogether. The offensive lineis coming together. DevinCampbell keeps improvingas a running back, andRyley Claborn is starting totake control of the offenseas our quarterback.

Last year was a toughsituation for Claborn,stepping in as the starterfor the final two games in

place of a senior. How hashe grown as a player?

It was tough. He wasyoung and there was a lotof adversity there, but Ithink he got better from it,just going into a place ofadversity and playing. Hehas that behind him now.

He’s really becoming aleader.

Where do you see thestrength of this team?

The defense. When we’replaying good, that’s ourstrength. Our team speed isgood. We’re all pretty quick.We run a 4-3 and all ourlinebackers are pretty quick.

Expectations are alwayshigh in Bethany thesedays. What do you see inthis team’s future?

We have a pretty toughdistrict, so if we can getthrough that, we should bein a pretty good situation.

BY SCOTT WRIGHT

Q&A

MichaelPaulBetha-nyOL/LB

SECTION PRODUCTION

› Sports editor: Mike Sherman

› Assistant sports editors: Scott Munn, Hayley Riggs, Ryan Sharp and Darla Smith

› Writers: Justin Harper, Robert Przybylo and Scott Wright

› Design: Hayley Riggs

› Cover: Putnam City North’s Jace James, Yukon’s Jake Doyle and Mustang’s David Glid-den. Photo by John Clanton, design by Phillip Baeza

YUKON — Eleven years of frus-tration was wiped away whenthe 2009 Yukon Millers quali-fied for the Class 6A playoffs.

But a lopsided loss to Jenksended the season in Week 11, andthis year’s Millers are past anythought of “just happy to bethere.”

“Last year, our goal was justto make it to the playoffs,” se-nior receiver/linebacker KollinRetter said. “This year is com-pletely different. We want state,nothing else.”

The Millers’ strength appearsto be in its passing game, withjunior quarterback CorbenJones, who threw for more than2,000 yards and rushed formore than 500 as a sophomore.

“Corben’s got a chance to bea pretty good quarterback,”coach Todd Wilson said of his

6-foot-2, 180-pound signal-caller. “He’s very talented andhe’s a pretty good student. Hepays attention. You don’t tellhim something 100 times.When you tell him, he’s got apretty good understanding of it.

“The guys around him arepretty good, too, and they givehim a chance to be even better.”

Jones has a seemingly endlessline of receivers to throw to,with Retter, Kaiden Horn, EricGranado, Derek Deeds, JordanEdwards and tight end JakeDoyle.

Jones’ brother, Terry Jones,returns at running back withhigh hopes for the groundgame.

“Our line is bigger than it’sever been, and they’re quickerthan last year’s line,” he said.“This year is gonna be our bestyear so far. This summer, weworked out harder than we everhave. Everyone’s heads are up.We have more support than ev-

er. We’re fired up about it.”Travis Henning and Lantz

Parks return on the offensiveline, and the coaches have beenpleased with the newcomers aswell.

“We’re trying to establish therun and make the offensive lineknown, instead of being thatquestion mark,” said juniorright tackle Tyler Bush. “We’replaying with a chip on ourshoulder.”

Some key players return inthe defensive front seven, withends Doyle and Andrew Ed-wards, and linebackers JakeHenderson and Carson Math-ews. Many of the offensive skillplayers fill out the rest of thesecondary and linebacker spots.

“We were glad to make it tothe playoffs last year, but ourgoal is to be better than that,”Wilson said. “We’re in a toughdistrict and we’ll battle for aplayoff spot. And I think ourkids feel like we can do that.”

Yukon has sights set on deep playoff runBY SCOTT WRIGHTStaff Writerswright@opubco.com

Yukon quar-terbackCorbenJones threwfor morethan 2,000yards lastseason.

PHOTO BY NATEBILLINGS, THEOKLAHOMAN

BETHANY — The rosternumbers are up, and nowthey’re looking to put somenumbers in the win column atPutnam City West.

The Patriots’ roster hasdoubled in size the last twoseasons as fourth-year coachJohn Jensen and his staff havestarted from scratch in re-building the program.

“Two years ago, we hadabout 30 guys,” senior-to-beRyan Cooper said. “Nowwe’re up to about 70. Peopleare buying into what we’redoing. We have a lot morepotential.”

That potential lies in agroup of seniors with goodleadership abilities and astrong focus on avoiding athird straight 0-10 season.

“We’ve got stronger chem-

istry this year,” receiver An-thony Thomas said. “Wewant to make a difference andstop this losing streak.

“We’ve got Jenks in ourdistrict this year, and we wantthem to be worried about usinstead of us worried aboutthem.”

Ray Young returns at quar-terback, with guys like Tho-mas, Cooper and Tevin Berryat receiver. And the Patriotshave depth at running backwith Corey Thomas andJohnny Smith, among others.

Many of those players willplay both ways, bringinggood athleticism to the de-fensive secondary and line-backer positions. But the of-fensive and defensive linesmust solidify, both in size anddepth.

Key players in the trenchesfor the Pats will be GraysonBuchanon, Bryson Bingman,Zac Yarber, Tyler Louden-

back and Cameron Sisco.“Defensively, we’re break-

ing in a lot of new players,”Jensen said. “On the offen-sive line, we’re replacing a lotof players.

“But our numbers are up.We had 73 kids the first day ofpractice, up from 58 last yearand 36 the year before. Sosomething right is going on,and we’re excited about that.”

And the players’ motiva-tion to stop being thought ofas a doormat is strong.

“Everybody talks about PCWest, saying they’re wackand this and that,” CoreyThomas said. “To me, it’s allabout getting respect. That’show I feel and I hope the restof our players feel that way,too. It’s all about getting re-spect, and to me, a cham-pionship is what will get yourespect. That’s my goal, andhopefully it’s everybodyelse’s.”

PC West numbers, motivation increasingBY SCOTT WRIGHTStaff Writerswright@opubco.com

Putnam City West quarterback Ray Young tries to get past a defenderfrom Deer Creek during an Aug. 19 scrimmage.

PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

There’s only one ques-tion surrounding Millwoodfootball this season: Canthe Falcons finish the job?

With as much or moretalent than anyone they’veplayed the last two sea-sons, Millwood hasn’t wona championship or evenplayed for a gold ball.

And answering thatquestion with a “yes” willmean the Falcons first an-swered the questionsabout their offensive line.

Last year, it was a re-volving door of players cy-cling through as coacheslooked for someone to earnthe job.

“We always have one ortwo guys that are reallygood and three guys we tryto roll in there and figure

out who’s gonna gowhere,” offensive coordi-nator Kevin Cox said. “Wethink we’ve made somestrides this year and foundsome people who can helpus out a lot — maybe even afreshman.”

Davion Pierson, a top-level college prospect, willanchor the offensive line atleft guard in addition to hisduties as one of the pre-mier defensive tackles inthe state. Devin Dobbins,another 300-pounder,moves from center to lefttackle.

Harvey Hightower willalso help the line, whichgives the Falcons a clearpicture of what their of-fensive line will look like.

The value of that can’tbe understated with thetalent the Falcons have atthe skilled positions, withTexas commit Josh Turner

at receiver, along with col-lege prospects BrandonSwindall, Shevin Patton,Mike Cole and quarterbackKevonte Richardson.

Patton and Allan Starksare the top two candidatesfor carries at running backas Millwood tries to re-place Emilio Gatewood, a2,000-yard rusher whomoved to Norman North inthe offseason.

Larry Seals had 183 tack-les at inside linebacker lastyear and will anchor thedefense along with Pier-son. That gives the Falconsa run-stopping threat upfront and tons of speed onthe back end.

“A lot of people are ex-pecting to see a lot ofthings,” Cole said. “Andwe’re gonna show ‘em.That’s what we plan on do-ing. We want that state ti-tle.”

Millwood ready to live up to expectationsBY SCOTT WRIGHTStaff Writerswright@opubco.com

Millwood’s Larry Seals and the rest of the Falcons prepare to take the field beforefacing Kingfisher in the 2009 Class 2A state semifinals in Yukon.

PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

The biggest questionheading into last year forBishop McGuinness was,who would be the quarter-back and how productivewould the offense be?

The first question stillhas to be answered thisseason for the Irish, butthere are no doubts abouthow explosive the offenseis going to be.

If you want any prob-lems, having two solidquarterbacks is one youcan tolerate. That’s exactlywhat coach Kenny Younghas with juniors CamdenTharp and Quinn Shan-bour.

Shanbour won the joblast season but had his sea-son ended early with abroken ankle in the secondweek of the season.

Tharp took the reins,and the Irish remained oneof the top teams in Class4A. Whether it was run-ning or throwing, Tharpmatured immenselythroughout the season.

No matter who ends upwith the job, Young is con-fident the offense will seeboth players on the fieldbecause “they’re two ofour best 11.”

All eyes will be on run-ning back LaRone Rich-ardson. Injuries limited hiseffectiveness last season,but he showed glimpses ofwhat he can do whenhealthy.

Richardson said it tookhim until about March tostart feeling right, and it’sshown as the elusivenessand quickness is back forone of the top backs in thestate.

Jamaal Whitney will bethe top target for Tharp or

Shanbour. Whitney is afreak of an athlete, andYoung said the senior justhas to be more consistentwith his concentration.

“You look at our of-fense, and I don’t see aweakness,” Richardsonsaid. “Quinn or Camden,it doesn’t matter — they’reboth really good at whatthey do.”

Linebackers JameelWhitney (Jamaal’s broth-er) and Jay Lester dom-inated the day defensivelylast year. But with bothgraduated, this year thestrength appears to be onthe line.

Seniors Dakota Leftwichand Nick Callaway willlead the charge. Callawayhad 72 tackles and threesacks, while Leftwich had63 stops and four sacks.

The defense also wel-comes back Danny Kren-ger, who had 57 tackles.

McGuinness back asone of the 4A favoritesBY ROBERT PRZYBYLOStaff Writerbprzybylo@opubco.com

Bishop McGuinnessrunning back La-Rone Richardsonwas limited byinjuries last seasonbut should be backto full speed. PHOTO

BY JOHN CLANTON, THEOKLAHOMAN

Choctaw’s Davisworth a look

Choctaw coach Bill Baysis still in the process oftrying to turn the teamaround, but he has a greatcornerstone to build on.

Senior Hunter Davis isone of the top recruits inthe state and had a fewoffers before committing toTulsa this summer.

Davis should dominate onthe defensive line and willalso see time at tight end.Davis won’t be alone, asrunning back Aaron Four-nier also returns for theYellowjackets.

“We have a lot of goodguys coming back,” Davissaid. “We feel we’re goingto surprise people.”

SMITH HAS LITTLEAXE THINKINGPOSITIVE

To say the last fewmonths have been tryingfor Little Axe is an under-statement. Whether it’sbeen on the field or off, itcertainly hasn’t been dull.

Jason Wheeler wasgoing to be in his first yearas head coach but left inthe summer to take a job inTexas.

Last year’s coach, TonySmith, who helped lead theteam to its best year andfirst playoff appearance,stepped back into thetrenches.

The program is also stilltrying to deal with thetornado that hit the area inMay, but that hasn’t brokentheir spirit.

“We’re going to be outhere every day and do whatwe always do,” senior leaderRobby Dryden said.

NICHOLS BACK FORBETHEL

After some recent suc-cess, including its first play-off appearance, last yearwas a step backward forBethel football.

The program has madeseveral changes. OklahomaCoaches Association Hall of

Famer Eddie Paul is takingover as head coach, whileKevin Nichols is going to becoaching the quarterbacks.

Nichols led the Wildcatsto the playoffs in 2007.

“Eddie asked me, and itwas too good of an oppor-tunity to pass up,” Nicholssaid.

CHA’S BLAIR AFORCE

Christian Heritage Acade-my was a game away fromthe playoffs in 2009, andthe Crusaders haven’t for-gotten that. After an 0-3start, CHA closed out at5-5.

Anchoring John Merrell’steam will be senior line-backer Josh Blair. As ajunior, Blair had 113 tacklesand three sacks.

"This will be his third yearto start for us at lineback-er," Merrell said. "And he’sbigger and stronger thanhe’s ever been. He’s over215 now. He just has tre-mendous desire to be agood football player andhe’s only gotten better andbetter every year."

TUGGLE PACINGHARRAH

The improvement ofHarrah football has been

evident under coach GregWillis. The Panthers havegradually worked their wayup and were 5-5 last sea-son in Class 5A.

Now that Harrah hasdropped to 4A, expecta-tions are even higher. Onebig reason is the return ofrunning back Trey Tuggle.

Tuggle rushed for nearly1,000 yards and eighttouchdowns last year.

Junior wide receiver JakeQueen should also play amuch bigger role this sea-son.

TECUMSEH RELYINGON FOWLER

Nobody thought Tecum-seh was going to win eightgames last year, but GregGeorge’s kids pulled outsome close games andgained confidence through-out the year.

Quarterback Kyle Fowlergrew up as well. The onlything Fowler could be ac-cused of is trying too hard.

To go with his 10 passingtouchdowns, he also had 15interceptions. He was theteam’s top rusher as well,amassing more than 800yards on the ground andadding 12 more touch-downs.

BY ROBERT PRZYBYLO

SOUTH OKC METRO FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Choctaw de-fensive endHunter Daviscommitted toTulsa over thesummer. PHOTO

BY CHRISLANDSBERGER, THE

OKLAHOMAN

Young, Mayfieldpower Jetsoffense

Darius Young sees bigpotential for the WesternHeights offense this seasonas the Jets try to improveon last year’s 2-8 mark.Young, a 5-foot-7, 205-pound junior, powers therun game with returningstarter Kenneth Mayfieldat quarterback.

“The offense should bepretty good with a wholebunch of skill kids and thequarterback coming back,”Young said. “We should beexplosive.”

Two seasons ago, theJets were winless. Youngfeels the team is makingsignificant progress fromyear to year under coachKevin Ball.

“I hope we can be in everygame,” Young said. “Maybewe can go .500 at least, getbetter every year. Maybethis year or next year, makethe playoffs.”

PIEDMONTBACKFIELD COMINGBACK STRONG

Neither the quarterbackor running back in Pied-mont’s offense started allof last year, but both turnedout to be reliable playerswho will anchor an offensewith a lot of experience thisseason.

The Wildcats returned 14starters in all, even with theloss of top receiver KeithVick, who gave up footballbecause of multiple concus-sions.

Cole Davis started thelast five games at quarter-back and continues to im-prove, and he’s joined bytailback Taylor Ashcraft,who rushed for 850 yardsover the final six games ofthe year.

PATTERSON BACKFOR KINGFISHER

Moving up from Class 2Ato 3A, Kingfisher’s expecta-tions haven’t changed. The

Yellowjackets want to beback in the state title game,and this time they want towin it.

A key to getting there willbe quarterback Derek Pat-terson, who has beenhaunted by injuries in hiscareer.

Last year, he played in 11of Kingfisher’s 15 games,throwing for more than2,200 yards with 22 touch-downs and 12 interceptions.He also rushed for 526yards and seven scores.

EAGLES STRONG INTHE TRENCHES

With some key lossesfrom the offensive anddefensive backfields off lastyear’s Class A semifinalist,Hennessey will have a littledifferent look in making themove up to Class 2A.

The strength of the teamwill be up front, with guyslike Trevor Ritz on theoffensive and defensivelines, as well as linebacker

Raul Orosco, the team’sleading tackler last year.

And the most notableplayer in the group is line-man Derrick Luetjen, a6-foot-3, 275-pound seniorwho is being recruited bymultiple NCAA Division Iprograms.

CASHION LOOKINGFOR GOLD BALL

Quarterback/linebackerJeremy Seaton, a 6-foot-4,230-pound senior, can al-most put a Class A team onhis back and carry them tothe playoffs, but if Cashionhopes to surpass last year’s12-1 record and finish off itsrun to the state title, Sea-ton will need help fromthose around him.

He has a pair of returningreceivers in Taylor Cochranand Britt Basler who willbe key pieces to keep theoffense moving, and a goodbattle at running back hastaken shape.

Senior Gerrod Bailey,

6-foot-2, 185 pounds, and5-foot-8, 155-pound sopho-more T.J. Martin will bothbe in line for carries, givingcoach Lynn Shackelfordhigh hopes for 2010.

“I expect that if we canstay healthy, we shouldcompete for a state cham-pionship,” Shackelford said.

CRESCENT’S MUSILA FAMILY MAN

Michael Musil says hehas a big family. He’s notjust referring to his eightbrothers and sisters,though. He’s talking about

his teammates on theCrescent High footballteam.

Musil, who plays lineback-er and will be a senior, isone of five boys in his fam-ily, all of whom have playedfootball at Crescent.

“I think having a bunch ofbrothers at home hashelped me on the footballfield, it’s toughened me up,”he said. “When I wasyounger we’d go outsideand they’d teach me how tocatch the ball and how totackle.”

Musil grew close to hisbrothers growing up, whenthey all slept in the livingroom of the two-bedroom,one-bathroom house hisfamily lived in. Musil’s par-ents had one room, and hissisters had the other.

“In the long run, it wasgood for me,” he said. “Itreminds me to not takeanything for granted. What-ever I do, I’ll always remem-ber where I came from.”

A NEW ADVENTUREFOR SOUTHWESTCOVENANT

For the first time, South-west Covenant’s footballteam will be a part of theOSSAA, and from the start,opposing coaches see themas a potential playoff team.

But coach Bill Martinknows just how tough histeam’s district is, withnames on the schedule likeClass C defending champTimberlake, Covington-Douglas and Deer Creek-Lamont, the team thatended Shattuck’s record93-game winning streak.

“We’re apprehensivelyexcited about it,” Martinsaid with a grin. “The kidsare really excited about itand the school is excitedabout it.

“It could be a really goodseason for us, or we mightfind out just how tough it’sgonna be.”

BY SCOTT WRIGHT AND CORBINHOSLER

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Kingfisher quarterback Derek Patterson has put upsolid numbers but struggled with injuries throughouthis career. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

DariusYoungWest-ernHeightsrunningback

With Casadyjunior RB Garrison Lee

The Casady team wasloaded with seniors lastyear, but that’s not the casethis year. In fact, with onlythree seniors this season,some of the juniors willhave step up. One of themwill be junior Garrison Lee.In addition to his role atrunning back, Lee had 101tackles last year.

What did last year’s‘Redeem Team’ teach youguys?

They were just reallygood guys, on and off thefield. They taught how tobe leaders and how torepresent the school. Welearned how much footballand the success means tothe school.

What’s the biggest dif-ference for you enteringthis year?

I’ve put on a lot of weight.I’ve added 20 pounds sincelast year. I just spent a lot oftime in the weight room,and it came pretty easy. Icould squat 275 pounds lastyear, and now I can do 500.

It’s been incredibly hotfor fall practice. What areyou doing when you’redone?

I’m just trying to rehy-drate and relax. I feel like I’mlosing 10 pounds with eachpractice. I’m getting mystrength back, taking a dipin the pool and relaxing.

You’re not the only ex-pected to be a biggerleader this year, but areyou ready for it?

I am. I definitely feel like Iam. I’ve improved a lot fromlast year, and we have a lotof guys who are going toplay a big role.

The one talent you wishyou had?

I wish I could sing. I don’thave any musical talents atall. I sing all the time, and itjust annoys people. I wouldlove to be able to sing.

BY ROBERT PRZYBYLO

Q&A

Garrison LeeCasady junior running back

› Follow The Oklahoman’s high school coverage on twitter at @HSVarsity

B

BETHANY (3A-3)(Reagan Roof) S 3 Blanchard S 10 at Pauls Valley S 17 at Washington S 23 at John Marshall O 1 SeeWorth Aca. O 7 Tulsa NOAH O 15 Kingfisher O 21 at Centennial O 29 Heritage Hall N 5 at Newcastle

BETHEL (3A-4) (Eddie Paul) S 3 McLoud S 10 at Bridge Creek S 17 Madill S 24 at Perkins O 1 at Keys (Park Hill) O 8 Little Axe O 15 Star Spencer O 21 at Prague O 29 at Chandler N 5 Bristow

BLANCHARD (3A-1) (Jeff Craig) S 3 at Bethany S 10 Lindsay S 17 at Newcastle S 24 at Riverside O 1 Pauls Valley O 8 Tuttle O 15 Weatherford O 21 at Anadarko O 29 at Marlow N 5 Bridge Creek

BRIDGE CREEK (3A-1) (Jerry Wallis) S 3 Elgin S 10 Bethel S 17 Little Axe S 24 Tuttle O 1 at Weatherford O 8 Anadarko O 15 at Marlow O 21 at Kingfisher O 29 Riverside N 5 at Blanchard

C

CAPITOL HILL (5A-2) (Montana Lyons)S 2 Centennial S 10 at U.S. Grant S 17 Southeast S 23 Duncan O 1 at Chickasha O 8 Altus O 15 at Ardmore O 21 at Northwest O 29 Lawton MacArthur N 5 at Durant

CARL ALBERT (5A-1) (Gary Rose) S 3 Tulsa Washington S 10 at Ardmore S 17 at Duncan S 24 at Western Heights O 1 El Reno O 7 at Southeast O 15 Guthrie O 21 Ada O 29 at Deer Creek N 5 Noble

CASADY (IND.) (Koby Scoville) A 27 at FW All Saints S 2 Heritage Hall S 10 Oklahoma Christian S 16 at Houston Kinkaid S 24 Dallas Cistercian O 1 at Dallas Greenhill O 8 Dallas St. Mark’s O 15 at Houston St. John’s O 22 Houston Episcopal O 29 Holland Hall

CASHION (A-2) (Lynn Shackelford) S 3 Yale S 10 Morrison S 17 at Luther S 24 Pioneer O 1 at Crescent O 8 at Watonga O 15 Okeene O 21 at Minco O 29 Wellston N 5 at Hinton

CENTENNIAL (3A-3) (Mark Ryan) S 2 at Capitol Hill S 10 Anadarko S 17 at Northwest S 23 Heritage Hall O 1 at Newcastle O 8 John Marshall O 14 SeeWorth Aca. O 21 Bethany O 29 at Kingfisher N 5 Hennessey

CHANDLER (3A-4) (Neal Bacon) S 2 Stroud S 10 at Kingfisher S 17 Harrah S 24 at Star Spencer O 1 Prague O 8 at Henryetta O 15 Bristow O 21 at Perkins O 29 Bethel N 5 at Little Axe

CHOCTAW (6A-1) (Bill Bays) S 3 Putnam West S 10 Edmond North S 16 at Putnam City S 24 Moore O 1 at Lawton Eisenhower O 7 at Edmond Memorial O 15 Midwest City O 21 at Norman North O 29 Yukon N 5 at Putnam North

CHR. HERITAGE (2A-2) (John Merrell) S 3 Maysville S 10 Lincoln Christian S 17 at Oklahoma Christian S 24 Jones O 1 at Northeast O 8 Konawa O 15 at Millwood O 21 Lexington O 29 at Luther N 5 Crooked Oak

COMMUNITY CHR. (IND.) (Josh Norman) A 28 Sunrise Christian S 3 at Quinton S 10 SeeWorth Aca. S 17 at SW Christian S 24 OKC Patriots

O 1 at Rejoice Christian O 9 Lighthouse Chr.O 15 Destiny Christian O 21 at Life Christian O 29 Windsor Hills

COYLE (C-3) (Shane Weathers) S 3 at Agra S 10 Medford S 17 Ryan S 24 SW Covenant O 1 at DC-Lamont O 8 Timberlake O 15 RiverfieldO 21 Waukomis O 29 at Covington-Douglas N 5 at Carney CRESCENT (A-2) (J.L. Fisher) S 2 at Wynnewood S 10 at Crooked Oak S 17 Perry S 24 at Sayre O 1 Cashion O 8 at Okeene O 15 Minco O 21 at Wellston O 29 Hinton N 5 at Pioneer

CROOKED OAK (2A-2) (Greg Adams) S 3 at St. Mary S 10 Crescent S 17 John Marshall S 24 at Luther O 1 Lexington O 8 Northeast O 15 at Perry O 21 at Millwood O 29 Jones N 5 at Chr. Heritage

D

DAVENPORT (B-2) (John Greenfield) S 3 Dewar S 10 Okla. Christian Aca. S 17 at Fox S 24 Alex O 1 at Macomb O 8 Cyril O 14 at Sasakwa O 22 at Bowlegs O 29 Central Marlow N 5 at Paoli

DEER CREEK (5A-1) (Grant Gower) S 3 at Piedmont S 10 at Shawnee S 17 Tecumseh S 24 at Guthrie O 1 Southeast O 8 at El Reno O 15 Western Heights O 21 at Noble O 29 Carl Albert N 5 Ada

DEL CITY (6A-2) (Nick Warehime) S 3 at Midwest City S 9 at Norman North S 17 Norman S 23 at Edmond North O 1 Putnam City O 7 at Westmoore O 15 Lawton O 21 at Edmond Santa Fe O 29 U.S. Grant N 5 Mustang

DESTINY CHRISTIAN (IND.) (Rusty Stone) A 27 Lawton Christian S 3 SW Covenant S 10 at OKC Patriots S 17 at Windsor Hills S 24 Rejoice Christian S 30 at SW ChristianO 8 Corn Bible O 15 at Community Chr. O 22 Gracemont O 29 Life Christian

DIBBLE (A-5) (Charley North) S 3 Minco S 10 Bray-Doyle S 17 at Wilson S 24 at Wayne O 1 Waurika O 8 Maysville O 15 Elmore City O 21 at Rush Springs O 29 at Stratford N 5 Wynnewood

DOUGLASS (4A-2) (Willis Alexander) S 2 at McGuinness S 11 Millwood S 17 at Star Spencer S 24 Tecumseh O 1 at Santa Fe South O 8 Cushing O 15 at McLoud O 21 at Harrah O 29 Glenpool N 5 Cleveland

E

EDMOND MEMORIAL (6A-1) (Justin Merideth) S 3 Edmond Santa Fe S 10 Stillwater S 17 at Edmond North S 24 Putnam North O 1 at Moore O 7 Choctaw O 15 at Lawton Eisenhower O 21 at Midwest City O 28 Norman North N 5 at Yukon

EDMOND NORTH (6A-2) (Jeremy Dombek) S 2 Southmoore S 10 at Choctaw S 17 Edmond Memorial S 23 Del City O 1 at Mustang O 7 at Putnam City O 15 Westmoore O 21 at Lawton O 29 Edmond Santa Fe N 4 at U.S. Grant

EDMOND SANTA FE (6A-2) (Bruce Gowen) S 3 at Edmond Memorial S 9 Yukon S 17 at Midwest City S 24 at Westmoore O 1 Lawton O 8 Mustang O 15 at U.S. Grant O 21 Del City O 29 at Edmond North N 5 Putnam City

EL RENO (5A-1) (Tom Cobble) S 3 Woodward S 10 at Chickasha S 17 at Elk City S 24 Noble O 1 at Carl Albert O 8 Deer Creek O 15 at Ada O 22 at Guthrie O 29 Southeast N 5 Western Heights

G

GUTHRIE (5A-1) (Rafe Watkins) S 3 Duncan S 10 Ponca City S 17 at Enid S 24 Deer Creek O 1 at Ada O 8 Noble O 15 at Carl Albert O 22 El Reno O 29 at Western Heights N 5 at Southeast

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

SEE SCHEDULES, PAGE 17J

H

HARRAH (4A-2) (Greg Willis) S 3 Western Heights S 10 at Piedmont S 17 at Chandler S 24 Cushing O 1 at McLoud O 8 Tecumseh O 15 at Santa Fe South O 21 Douglass O 29 at Cleveland N 5 Glenpool

HENNESSEY (2A-1) (Shannon Watford) S 3 at Northeast S 10 Jones S 17 Kingfisher S 24 Perry O 1 at Alva O 8 Chisholm O 15 at Oklahoma ChristianO 21 at TonkawaO 29 Watonga N 5 at Centennial

HERITAGE HALL (3A-3) (Andy Bogert) S 2 at Casady S 10 Clinton S 17 at Davis S 23 at Centennial O 1 Tulsa NOAH O 8 Newcastle O 14 John Marshall O 21 SeeWorth Aca. O 29 at Bethany N 5 Kingfisher

J

JOHN MARSHALL (3A-3) (Bruce Troxell) S 3 Northwest S 10 Cache S 17 at Crooked Oak S 23 Bethany O 1 Kingfisher O 8 at Centennial O 14 at Heritage Hall O 22 Newcastle O 29 at Weatherford N 5 SeeWorth Aca.

JONES (2A-2) (Dave Martin) S 3 Perkins S 10 at Hennessey S 17 St. Mary S 24 at Chr. Heritage O 1 at Morris O 8 Millwood O 15 at Lexington O 21 Luther O 29 at Crooked Oak N 5 Northeast

K

KINGFISHER (3A-3) (Jeff Myers) S 3 Watonga S 10 Chandler S 17 at Hennessey S 24 Newcastle O 1 at John Marshall O 8 SeeWorth Aca.

O 15 at Bethany O 21 Bridge Creek O 29 Centennial N 5 at Heritage Hall

L

LEXINGTON (2A-2) (Waymon Scott) S 3 Sulphur S 10 Little Axe (at Noble) S 17 Purcell S 24 Northeast O 1 at Crooked Oak O 8 at Luther O 15 Jones O 21 at Chr. Heritage O 29 at Meeker N 5 Millwood

LIFE CHRISTIAN (IND.) (Loy Hill) A 27 at Boulevard Chr. S 3 at Eagle Point S 10 at Windsor Hills S 17 Lawton Christian S 24 at Riverfield O 2 SW Christian O 8 Rejoice Christian O 15 OKC Patriots O 21 Community Chr. O 29 at Destiny Christian

LITTLE AXE (3A-4) (Tony Smith) S 3 Santa Fe South (at Noble)S 10 Lexington (at Noble)S 17 at Bridge Creek S 24 at Bristow O 1 Perkins O 8 at Bethel O 15 at Okmulgee O 22 at Star Spencer O 29 Prague N 5 Chandler

LUTHER (2A-2) (Scott O’Hara) S 3 Wellston S 10 at St. Mary S 17 Cashion S 24 Crooked Oak O 1 at Millwood O 8 Lexington O 14 at Northeast O 21 at Jones O 29 Chr. Heritage N 5 at Stroud

M

MACOMB (B-2) (Tommy Price) S 3 at Carney S 10 at Bowlegs S 17 Cyril S 24 at Sasakwa O 1 Davenport O 8 at Central Marlow O 14 Paoli O 21 at Okla. Christian Aca.O 29 Fox N 5 at Alex

MCGUINNESS (4A-1) (Kenny Young) S 2 Douglass S 10 Tulsa Kelley S 17 at Millwood S 24 Clinton O 1 at Woodward O 8 Elk City O 15 at Elgin O 21 at Piedmont

O 29 Cache N 5 at Guymon

MCLOUD (4A-2) (Eric Cardin) S 3 at Bethel S 10 at Perkins S 17 Seminole S 24 at Glenpool O 1 Harrah O 8 at Cleveland O 15 Douglass O 21 at Santa Fe South O 29 Tecumseh N 5 Cushing

MEEKER (2A-5) (Mike Hedge) S 3 at Prague S 10 Konawa S 17 Wellston S 24 at Haskell O 1 Okemah O 8 at Stroud O 15 Morris O 21 at Mounds O 29 Lexington N 5 Holdenville

MIDWEST CITY (6A-1) (Steve Huff) S 3 Del City S 10 at Enid S 17 Edmond Santa Fe S 24 Yukon O 1 at Putnam North O 8 Moore O 15 at Choctaw O 21 Edmond Memorial O 29 at Lawton Eisenhower N 5 at Norman North

MILLWOOD (2A-2) (Tony Henry) S 2 Star Spencer S 11 at Douglass S 17 McGuinness S 24 at Alva O 1 Luther O 8 at Jones O 15 Chr. Heritage O 21 Crooked Oak O 28 at Northeast N 5 at Lexington

MINCO (A-2) (Clint Warren) S 3 at Dibble S 10 at Wayne S 17 Apache S 24 Wellston O 1 at Hinton O 8 Pioneer O 15 at Crescent O 21 Cashion O 29 at Okeene N 5 Burns Flat-Dill City

MOORE (6A-1) (Scott Myers) S 3 Westmoore S 10 at Norman S 17 at Southmoore S 24 at Choctaw O 1 Edmond Memorial O 8 at Midwest City O 14 Norman North O 21 at Yukon O 29 Putnam North N 4 Lawton Eisenhower

MUSTANG (6A-2) (Ty Prestidge) S 3 at Yukon S 10 Putnam North S 17 at Bixby S 24 at Lawton O 1 Edmond North O 8 at Edmond Santa Fe

O 15 Putnam City O 22 at U.S. Grant O 29 Westmoore N 5 at Del City

N

NEWCASTLE (3A-3) (Keith Bolles) S 3 at Pauls Valley S 10 at Tuttle S 17 Blanchard S 24 at Kingfisher O 1 Centennial O 8 at Heritage Hall O 15 Tulsa NOAH O 22 at John Marshall O 29 SeeWorth Aca. N 5 Bethany

NOBLE (5A-1) (Steve Barrett) S 3 Tecumseh S 10 at Duncan S 17 Chickasha S 24 at El Reno O 1 Western Heights O 8 at Guthrie O 15 Southeast O 21 Deer Creek O 29 at Ada N 5 at Carl Albert

NORMAN (6A-3) (Greg Nation) S 2 Norman North S 10 Moore S 17 at Del City S 24 at Sapulpa S 30 Shawnee

O 8 at Southmoore O 15 Putnam West O 21 at Broken Arrow O 29 Muskogee N 5 at Jenks

NORMAN NORTH (6A-1) (Lance Manning) S 2 at Norman S 9 Del City S 16 at Westmoore S 24 Lawton Eisenhower O 1 at Yukon O 8 Putnam North O 14 at Moore O 21 Choctaw O 28 at Edmond Memorial N 5 Midwest City

NORTHEAST (2A-2) (Tim Thomas) S 3 Hennessey S 9 at Northwest S 17 at Riverside S 24 at Lexington O 1 Chr. Heritage O 8 at Crooked Oak O 14 Luther O 22 at Oklahoma Christian O 28 Millwood N 5 at Jones

NORTHWEST (5A-2) (Anthony Robinson) S 3 at John Marshall S 9 Northeast S 17 Centennial S 24 Altus O 1 at Ardmore O 8 Duncan O 15 at Chickasha O 21 Capitol Hill O 29 at Durant N 4 at Lawton MacArthur

O

OKLA. CHRISTIAN ACA. (B-2)(Keith Lough) S 3 OKC Patriots S 10 at Davenport S 17 Central Marlow S 24 at Paoli O 1 Bowlegs O 8 Fox O 14 at Alex O 21 Macomb O 29 at Cyril N 5 Sasakwa

OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN (2A-1)(Derek Turner) S 3 Metro Christian S 10 at Casady S 17 Chr. Heritage S 24 at Chisholm O 1 Watonga O 8 at Perry O 15 Hennessey O 22 Northeast O 29 Alva N 5 at Tonkawa

OKC PATRIOTS (IND.) (Jon Sikes) S 3 at Okla. Christian Aca. S 10 Destiny Christian S 17 Rejoice Christian S 24 at Community Chr. O 1 at Lighthouse Chr. O 8 at SW Christian O 15 at Life Christian O 22 Open O 29 at Gracemont N 5 Dallas HSAA

SEE SCHEDULES, PAGE 18J

SCHEDULES

P

PAULS VALLEY (3A-2) (Kevin Foster) S 3 Newcastle S 10 Bethany S 17 at Lindsay S 24 at Plainview O 1 at Blanchard O 8 Dickson O 15 Purcell O 21 at Lone Grove O 29 at Sulphur N 5 Madill

PIEDMONT (4A-1) (Rob Green) S 3 Deer Creek S 10 Harrah S 17 at Western Heights S 24 Elgin O 1 at Clinton O 8 Woodward O 15 at Elk City O 21 McGuinness O 29 at Guymon N 5 at Cache

PURCELL (3A-2) (Mike Wilson) S 3 Lindsay S 10 at Washington S 17 at Lexington S 24 Sulphur O 1 Madill O 8 at Plainview O 15 at Pauls Valley O 21 Dickson O 28 Mustang JV N 5 at Lone Grove

PUTNAM CITY (6A-2) (John Wofford) S 3 at Putnam North S 10 at Putnam West S 16 Choctaw S 23 U.S. Grant O 1 at Del City O 7 Edmond North O 15 at Mustang O 22 at Westmoore O 29 Lawton N 5 at Edmond Santa Fe

PUTNAM NORTH (6A-1) (Bob Wilson) S 3 Putnam City S 10 at Mustang S 17 at Putnam West S 24 at Edmond Memorial O 1 Midwest City O 8 at Norman North O 15 Yukon O 21 Lawton Eisenhower O 29 at Moore N 5 Choctaw

PUTNAM WEST (6A-3) (John Jensen) S 3 at Choctaw S 10 Putnam City S 17 Putnam North S 24 Broken Arrow O 1 at Jenks O 8 Shawnee O 15 at Norman O 21 at Muskogee O 28 Sapulpa N 5 at Southmoore

S

SANTA FE SOUTH (4A-2) (Jerry Braziel) S 3 Little Axe (at Noble)S 10 Riverside S 17 SeeWorth Aca. S 24 at Cleveland O 1 Douglass O 8 at Glenpool O 15 Harrah O 21 McLoud O 29 at Cushing N 5 at Tecumseh

SEEWORTH ACA. (3A-3) (Robert Walker) S 3 at Riverside S 10 at Community Chr. S 17 at Santa Fe South S 24 Open O 1 at Bethany O 8 at Kingfisher O 14 at Centennial O 21 at Heritage Hall O 29 at Newcastle N 5 at John Marshall

SHAWNEE (6A-3) (Billy Brown) S 3 Bartlesville S 10 Deer Creek S 17 at Ponca City S 24 Jenks S 30 at Norman O 8 at Putnam West O 15 Muskogee O 21 at Sapulpa O 29 Southmoore N 5 at Broken Arrow

SOUTHEAST (5A-1) (Michael Branch) S 3 U.S. Grant S 9 Star Spencer S 17 at Capitol Hill S 24 Ada O 1 at Deer Creek O 7 Carl Albert O 15 at Noble O 21 Western Heights O 29 at El Reno N 5 Guthrie

SOUTHMOORE (6A-3) (Chris Jensen) S 2 at Edmond North S 10 at Westmoore S 17 Moore S 24 at Muskogee S 30 Sapulpa O 8 Norman O 15 at Broken Arrow O 21 Jenks O 29 at Shawnee N 5 Putnam West

ST. MARY (2A-3) (Dal Nichols) S 3 Crooked Oak S 10 Luther S 17 at Jones S 24 at Washington O 1 Frederick O 8 at Lindsay O 15 Cordell O 21 Hobart O 29 at Comanche N 5 Walters

STAR SPENCER (3A-4) (Terrell Love) S 2 at Millwood S 9 at Southeast S 17 Douglass S 24 Chandler O 1 Bristow O 8 at Perkins O 15 at Bethel O 22 Little Axe O 29 at Victory Christian N 5 at Prague

SW CHRISTIAN (IND.) (Chuck Peot) A 27 Windsor Hills S 3 at Cherokee S 10 at Chetopa, Kan. S 17 Community Chr. S 24 Lawton Christian S 30 Destiny Christian O 2 at Life Christian O 8 OKC Patriots O 22 at Rejoice Christian O 29 Thackerville

SW COVENANT (C-3) (Bill Martin) S 3 at Destiny Christian S 10 at Waukomis S 17 Covington-Douglas S 24 at Coyle O 1 Carney O 8 at DC-Lamont O 15 Medford O 22 Open O 29 Rejoice Christian N 4 at Timberlake

T

TECUMSEH (4A-2) (Greg George) S 3 at Noble S 10 Seminole S 17 at Deer Creek S 24 at Douglass O 1 Cleveland O 8 at Harrah O 15 Glenpool O 21 Cushing O 29 at McLoud N 5 Santa Fe South

TUTTLE (3A-1) (Phil Koons) S 3 at Cache S 10 Newcastle S 17 Elgin S 24 at Bridge Creek O 1 Riverside O 8 at Blanchard O 15 Open O 21 at Weatherford O 29 Anadarko N 5 Marlow

U

U.S. GRANT (6A-2) (Matt Miller) S 3 at Southeast S 10 Capitol Hill S 17 at Ada S 23 at Putnam City O 1 Westmoore O 7 at Lawton O 15 Edmond Santa Fe O 22 Mustang O 29 at Del City N 4 Edmond North

W

WASHINGTON (2A-3) (Brad Beller) S 2 at Apache S 10 Purcell S 17 Bethany S 24 St. Mary O 1 at Walters O 8 at Comanche O 15 Frederick O 21 at Lindsay O 29 at Cordell N 5 Hobart

WAYNE (A-5) (Brandon Sharp) S 3 at Konawa S 10 Minco S 17 Empire S 24 Dibble O 1 at Maysville O 8 Elmore City O 15 at Rush Springs O 21 Stratford O 29 at Wynnewood N 5 at Ringling

WELLSTON (A-2) (Lloyd Leep) S 3 at Luther S 10 Drumright S 17 at Meeker S 24 at Minco O 1 Carnegie O 8 Hinton O 15 at Pioneer O 21 Crescent O 29 at Cashion N 5 Okeene

WESTERN HTS. (5A-1) (Kevin Ball) S 3 at Harrah S 10 Tulsa Central S 17 Piedmont S 24 Carl Albert O 1 at Noble O 8 Ada O 15 at Deer Creek O 21 at Southeast O 29 Guthrie N 5 at El Reno

WESTMOORE (6A-2) (Billy Langford) S 3 at Moore S 10 Southmoore S 16 Norman North S 24 Edmond Santa Fe O 1 at U.S. Grant O 7 Del City O 15 at Edmond North O 22 Putnam City O 29 at Mustang N 5 at Lawton

WINDSOR HILLS (IND.) (Wes Randall) A 27 at SW Christian S 2 at OSD S 10 Life Christian S 17 Destiny Christian S 24 Eagle Point O 1 Boulevard Chr. O 8 Lawton Christian O 15 at Rejoice Christian O 22 Open O 29 at Community Chr.

Y

YUKON (6A-1) (Todd Wilson) S 3 Mustang S 9 at Edmond Santa Fe S 17 at Stillwater S 24 at Midwest City O 1 Norman North O 8 Lawton Eisenhower O 15 at Putnam North O 21 Moore O 29 at Choctaw N 5 Edmond Memorial

SCHEDULES

MORE SCHEDULES INPREVIEW SECTIONPick up Sunday’s Okla-homan for the full highschool preview section,which contains schedulesfor every high school in thestate.

A lot was said about thisyear’s Heritage Hall juniorclass back when they werefreshmen. The hype didn’tdie down last year as soph-omores.

And with a certain num-ber of them already enter-ing their third year withsignificant playing time,no one is giving them a freepass this season.

After dominating Class2A in 2008, a lot was ex-pected from last year’steam. But the kids hadsome growing pains andcould never maintain thatconsistency.

The difference is alreadyshowing up in this year’spractices. The unit is muchmore crisp, more in sync.

“We’re wondering moreabout what plays to run atthis time than last year,when we were still tryingto line up correctly,” coachAndy Bogert said.

The offense is going torun through junior BarrySanders. After a phenom-enal sophomore year,Sanders knows there willbe even more attentionthis year. He also wel-comes the challenge thatgoes with moving up to 3A.

The Chargers have twosolid quarterbacks in ju-nior Sterling Shepard andsenior Cooper Cloud. Bog-ert said he’s not looking fora competition, but insteadwill plan to use both ofthem depending on the of-fensive package.

One of the biggestchanges is in the leader-ship department. Heritage

didn’t have many seniorslast year, and it showed attimes.

That shouldn’t be thecase as Cloud and some ofthe juniors have steppedup, especially junior tightend Quintaz Struble.

“He’s become a bigleader for us,” Bogert said.“He won’t let people getdown on themselves.”

The receiving gameshould be stronger as ju-nior quarterback-turned-wide receiver Cale Court-ney said he’s a lot morecomfortable now. ShaunTkach had a terrific sum-mer, Bogert said, and addsanother dimension to theteam.

Bogert said the defenseshould be extremely fast,one of his fastest teamsyet. However, size mightbe an issue, Bogert said.

Heritage Hall’s standout class one year smarterBY ROBERT PRZYBYLOStaff Writerbprzybylo@opubco.com

HeritageHall seniorCooperCloud is oneof the Char-gers’ twoquarter-backs. PHOTO

BY BRYAN TERRY,THE OKLAHOMAN