6A-4 Team-By-Team Breakdowns

Choctaw Yellowjackets Head Coach: Bill Bays 2007 Record: 1-9 (1-6) Offensive Formation - Multiple Set Defensive Formation - 4 - 3 2008 Schedule: Sept. 5th Putnam City Sept. 12th Carl Albert Sept. 18th at Putnam City North Sept. 26th at U.S. Grant Oct. 3rd Ponca City Oct. 10th at Enid Oct. 16th Tulsa Union Oct. 24th at Owasso Oct. 31st Stillwater Nov. 7th at Yukon WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: The Yellowjackets stumbled last season finishing the year with a 1-9 record. New for 2008 is head coach Bill Bays who comes in with a fresh outlook on the team and what they're capable of. The new multiple set, one back and two back offenses will create match-up problems for opposing defenses. Returning running back Ryan Coble is a durable back the team will ride all season. Last year he played behind a trio of backs, now he steps into the role of starter. Big match-ups early in the schedule could get this team off to a slow start, but don't expect a repeat of last year. You should see a team in a rebuilding year surprise a few people and keep the record around .500. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Defense and special teams gave up 282 points to opponents last season. With new members on the coaching staff and a new 4-3 scheme on defense expect to see an improvement in the points against category. Watch for John Staples and Josh Franzoni to come in and start on both the offensive and defensive lines. Improvements will be necessary in the secondary to compete against the spread offenses the Yellowjackets will see against teams like Tulsa Union, Stillwater and Owasso. The serves of Chris Doss are lost to graduation which leaves a big hole, but the Yellowjackets have several younger players waiting for their opportunity to step and show their worth. COACHES QUOTE: "We need to work on the mental aspect of the game. We need to change the mind set of the players and be sound in what we do. We're going to play hard, we're not going to be complicated or try to trick a lot of people. Let our players play and go hard from start to finish. That's our philosophy." - Head coach Bill Bays Enid Plainsmen Head Coach: Tommy Parker 2007 RECORD: 5-5 OFFENSIVE FORMATION Multiple DEFENSIVE FORMATION 4-3 2008 Schedule: 9/5 @ Sand Springs 9/12 Sapulpa 9/19 Bartlesville 9/26 Owasso 10/3 @ Stillwater 10/10 Choctaw 10/16 @ Yukon 10/24 U.S. Grant 10/31 @ Ponca City 11/7 @ Union WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Enid will hope to improve on last year's finish and it returns several key players with good experience under first-year head coach Tommy Parker. Quarterback Clint Chelf (Sr.) is back under center after a productive junior campaign in which he completed 117-of-244 passes for 1,534 yards and 13 touchdowns. Chelf also provided good success in the ground game. He is the leading returning rusher with 695 yards on 116 carries. Chelf averaged 6.0 yards per carry and added eight touchdowns on the ground. Although the Plainsmen must replace Ky'Ale Lloyd at the running back position, they do return tailback Dylan Nave (Sr.), who rushed 74 times for 388 yards with six touchdwons. Nave also finished with 19 catches for 119 yards. Seth Sturgeon (Sr.) returns at wide receiver after finishing 2007 with 40 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns. Enid will need to find a replacement for the departed Bob Burlson, who had 18 grabs for 321 yards and a pair of touchdowns last year. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: The Enid defense finished in the middle of the pack in Class 6A last season as far as total yards allowed. The Plainsmen gave up 271.4 yards a contest - 148.8 of those on the ground and 122.6 through the air. They were near the bottom in points allowed as opposing offenses averaged 26.1 points per game. NEED TO KNOW: Former head coach Tom Cobble is taking over coaching duties at El Reno. Austin Box, considered the most prolific player from Enid in years, is a redshirt freshman at Oklahoma and is expected to make contributions to the Sooners in 2008 as a linebacker. Owasso Rams Head Coach: Bill Patterson 2007 Record: 8-2 (5-2) Lost to Midwest City in quarterfinals. O-Formation Spread D-Formation 3-3 Stack 2008 Schedule: Sept. 5 Muskogee Sept. 12 at Broken Arrow Sept. 19 Jenks Sept. 26 at Enid Oct. 3 Union Oct. 10 at U.S. Grant Oct. 16 Ponca City Oct. 24 Choctaw Oct. 31 at Yukon Nov. 7 at Stillwater WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: The Rams have questions to answer at quarterback. Senior Drake Allen (6-foot, 170) and sophomore Joe Lindsay (6-1, 180) will battle it out for that starting role. In the Rams multiple set offense the quarterback needs to have the ability to run the ball and pass. The quarterback might have the best offensive line in all of Oklahoma for protection. Returning starters Brandon Webb (6-4, 275) and Gavin Howard (6-5, 265) will anchor a tremendous group that also includes the strongest guy on the team, Blaine Gerhart (5-11, 275) who will play center. Junior tackle Trent Spurgeon (6-8, 250) has great foot work and will protect the backside of the quarterback. The wide receiving core is solid as well. Nick Rosa set a school record last year with 47 receptions and John Goodlet should start opposite him Rosa. Dennison, Texas product Matt Logsdan (6-1, 170) should provide needed depth. Jaquess Washington (5-11, 165) will handle the duties at running back. His elusiveness and speed makes him one of the top backs in the state. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: With major concerns with the secondary at safety and corner back, the Ram defense will depend heavily on middle linebacker Jake Bray for big stops and turnovers. Free safety Aaron Coleman (6-foot, 175) started every game his sophomore season and his pass defending ability is crucial to the success of the defense. Defensive lineman Zach Collar may be the best guy you haven't heard of yet. He will anchor the line in the 3-3 stack defense. Absent is the kicking game. The Rams must find a kicker and punter this off-season. COACHES QUOTE: "We talked a great deal about the realignment, it's going to force us to travel more, but we know we can still play great teams like Jenks, Muskogee and Broken Arrow in the pre-season. That will help us prepare for district play." -Head coach Bill Patterson Ponca City Wildcats Head Coach: Bo Hannaford 2007 Record: 3-7 (1-6) Offensive Formation: Multiple Defensive Formation: 4-3 2008 Schedule: Sept. 5th at Sapulpa Sept. 12th Bartlesville Sept. 19th Sand Springs Sept. 26th Yukon Oct. 3rd at Choctaw Oct. 10th Stillwater Oct. 17th at Owasso Oct. 24th at Union Oct. 31st Enid Nov. 7th at U.S. Grant WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: The offense runs through quarterback Adam Schultz (6-foot-4, 210). Last season Schultz passed for over 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 500. Schultz is bigger this season and should improve statistically as well. Nic Miller (5-foot-8, 190) may be the guy to take the starting job at tailback, but head coach Bo Hannaford expects a big battle at the position this year. Up front the Wildcats feature a couple of guy with tons of experience in senior Dane Beathard (5-foot-10, 240) and Jace Hodges (6-foot, 255). This offense lead by coordinator Josh Nation can move the football and put up points, but the tailback position is a big question mark. In order to make a move toward being a playoff team the tailback position must solidified. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Senior leadership will come in the form of 6-foot 240 pound Terrance Banner. Tough and durable, Banner is a strong D-lineman who forces offenses to account for his whereabouts on every play. Sophomore standout Blake Bean will get the nod at defensive end. Bean started last season as a freshman and could also see time at linebacker. The biggest area for improvement is the secondary. Several guys in the secondary graduated so the young guns for the Wildcats will have the opportunity to step up and make a name for themselves. Senior defensive end Parker Loffleholz (6-foot-3, 220) will have a big presence up front for defensive coordinator Rob Fry. COACHES QUOTE: "We'll have some battles at the defensive line, linebacker, running back and secondary positions. We're in a tough district with Tulsa Union, Owasso and Stillwater. We've improved our size and toughness and expect solid leadership from Schultz." Stillwater Pioneers Head Coach: Rusty Atkins 2007 Record: 6-5 (4-3) Lost to Jenks in first round Offensive formation: I formation Defensive formation: 4-3 2008 Schedule: Sept. 5 at Bartlesville Sept. 12 at Sand Springs Sept. 19 Sapulpa Sept. 26 at Union Oct. 3 Enid (H) Oct. 10 at Ponca City Oct. 16 U.S. Grant Oct. 24 Yukon Oct. 31 at Choctaw Nov. 7 Owasso WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Senior tailback Chris Perry (5-10, 190) is a load to bring down and one of the state best wrestlers. His toughness and great balance helps to make him one of the toughest running backs in the state. At quarterback, senior Tyler Beckman (6-foot, 200) has a good arm and makes smart decisions. The entire offensive line returns with 6-foot-2, 290 pound senior Justin Stanley and 6-foot-1, 210 pound senior Kevin Emde. Also returning is Dustin Cowens (6-foot, 220 SR), Abe Eastman (6-2, 265 SR), Zac Curtis (6-2, 235 JR) and Dan Clark (6-1, 225 JR). This line is experienced and seasoned. It may not be the biggest line in the district, but it's the most experienced. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Senior linebacker Kendall Hughes (5-9, 200) is a leader on defense and should become rack up the tackles this season. Defensive lineman Earl Sparrow (5-11, 240) can play the inside position as good as anyone. Kale Gaden (6-foot, 175 SR) is a solid defensive back who can cover the speedy receivers. At defensive end is Josiah Woodard (6-3, 210 JR) who comes into the season with high expectations. Woodard needs to lock down one side of the football field and force teams to run away from him. COACH'S QUOTE: "We will try to be aggressive and disciplined in all that we do and if we are to have success, we'll need to stay away from injuries. This group of athletes is focused on winning the district championship and going deep into the playoffs."- Head Coach Rusty Atkins SCHOOL NAME: Union Redskins HEAD COACH: Kirk Fridrich 2007 RECORD: 13-1 (Lost to Jenks in state championship) OFFENSIVE FORMATION: Multiple DEFENSIVE FORMATION: 3-3-5 2008 Schedule: 9/5 @Broken Arrow 9/12 Jenks - Tuttle Stadium 9/19 @Muskogee 9/26 Stillwater 10/3 @Owasso 10/10 Yukon 10/16 @Choctaw 10/24 Ponca City 10/31 U.S. Grant 11/7 Enid WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Union's offense will start with senior standout running back Jeremy Smith (5-10, 197). Smith, who has verbally committed to Oklahoma State, rushed for 1,748 yards on 256 carries as a junior. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry and finished with 20 touchdowns on the ground. Smith also had 11 catches for 75 yards and another score. Replacing quarterback Brandon Rogers will be Union's biggest challenge. Rogers threw for 2,449 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2007. The Redskins do return their top two receivers from a season ago in senior speedster Anthony Foster (5-10, 175) and senior Tracy Moore (6-3, 205). Foster had 45 catches for 799 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior, while Moore finished with 45 receptions for 638 yards and five scores. Foster is being recruited by Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Kansas State, among others, while Moore is being looked at as a tight end by the same schools, including Oklahoma. Brian DeShane (6-3, 280, SR.) and senior Garrett Fugett (5-11, 278) will anchor the offensive line. DeShane has verbally committed to Tulsa. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Defensively, the Redskins will have to replace their two leading tacklers with the departure of both Luke Olson (team-high 115 tackles) and linebacker Kevin Baker (107). Union has three returning starters in the secondary. Senior cornerback Randy Stanley (5-8, 160) returns after recording 54 tackles and a team-best six interceptions in 2007. Joining Stanley in the defensive backfield are senior free safety Howard Scarborough (5-8, 140) and senior strong safety Daniel Hauser (6-0, 180). Scarborough finished with 15 tackles last season, while Hauser had 73 stops and one interception. The defense, which will line up in the 3-3-5, will be inexperienced compared to what the Redskins have coming back on the offensive side of the ball so look for the offense to lead the way until the defense settles in. NEED TO KNOW: Union's three state championships have come over the last six years. The Redskins dropped a 42-24 decision to Jenks in the 2007 6A state championship game. Union defeated its rival 43-42 in overtime during the second week of the regular season. COACHES SPEAK: "We do return a solid group of starters on both sides of the ball and look forward to continuing to build our team with a good group of juniors that received lots of playing time last year. We will rely on a strong offensive performance early on to allow the many new faces on defense to gain experience before district play." - Head coach Kirk Fridrich U. S. Grant Generals Head Coach: Mark Ackerman 2007 Record: 0-10 2008 Schedule: 9/5 @Southeast 9/12 Capitol Hill 9/19 @Northeast 9/26 Choctaw 10/3 @Yukon 10/11 Owasso 10/17 @Stillwater 10/24 @Enid 10/31 @Union 11/7 Ponca City WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: The younger players for the Generals have another year under their belts and that could translate into some wins. Returning starter Jermaine Lambert should get the nod at quarterback. One of his targets will be senior tight end/wide receiver Eli Rivera. Last season Rivera averaged over 11 yards per catch. At tailback the Generals have several options. Juniors DeonTay Turner and TeyShawn Johnson are the two favorites heading into the season, but senior running back LaQuan Young is solid at the position as well. Fullback and returning starter Chase Holmes should see time in the backfield and have a few carries in short yardage situations. The wide receiving corps is wide open as well. Junior Miles Fikes and senior Isidro Arreola are the two best receivers on the team along with Shane Love. Also watch punter Fernando Avila who averaged 31 yards per kick last season. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: A solid group of linebackers returns for the 2008 season. Domingo Chavez recorded 88 solo tackles last season and Corey Milligan accounted for 63 tackles and two sacks. The secondary will need sophomore Alex Levescy and junior Christoph'e Allen to play extremely well in this district of high-powered offenses. Also look for junior Anthony DiGregorio, junior Dustin Smith and senior Luis Alvarado to have major impacts on defense. Sophomore L.T. Newhouse will find a home on the defensive side as well. Last season this team was terrible against the run, they look to change that in 08 and start turning this program around. NEED TO KNOW: U.S. Grant left district 1 for district 4. That means they no longer have to play the big boys on the East side, but trade them for the big boys on the west side. However, many coaches feel they can compete in district 4 and climb out of the cellar this season. Yukon Millers Head coach: Todd Wilson 2007 Record: 5-5 (2-5) Offensive Formation: I-Formation Defensive Formation: 4-3 2008 Schedule: Sept. 5th Mustang Sept. 11th @ Putnam City West Sept. 18th @ Edmond North Sept. 26th @ Ponca City Oct. 3rd U.S. Grant Oct. 10th @ Union Oct. 16th Enid Oct. 24th @ Stillwater Oct. 31st Owasso Nov. 7th Choctaw WHO TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: The Millers have lots of holes to fill. Quarterback is a big question leading into the start of practice. Senior Jared King took a few snaps last season, but hasn't secured the job yet. Junior tailback Brandon Banta should see significant time at the position. On the line is Joe Yost who will also play defense. The Millers have a couple of receivers they expect to make a difference this season. Seniors Jordan Corn and Kenny Garcia are expected to see an increase in playing time. The Millers have talent, but in district 4 they might be a little undersized. WHO TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: The secondary for the Millers should be there strong point. Kody Hopwood gets the start at corner. Last season he accounted for 42 tackles and one interception. The senior has good speed and covers well. Corn and Garcia should also see time in the secondary. Seth Bowerman could play linebacker or defensive end. In 07 he racked up 83 tackles and two sacks. Bowerman is very talented and hits like freight train. Mike Thomas is another player the coaching staff is placing high expectations on. The senior recorded 39 tackles as a junior. At safety a number of guys are battling for the spot, one to watch is senior Tucker Hubble. Hubble should play the wide-out spot on offense. NEED TO KNOW: Yukon has a chance to surprise some people, but in order for that to happen they need to stay healthy and really work together as a team. District 4 in 6A is tough. Union and Stillwater make for tough road games and you can't leave out Owasso.