Football Previews

The Memorial Chargers will try to erase a sub par 2006 season. The offense will be buoyed by four returning starters on the line. Daniel Roso (5-foot-10, 275) anchors the line at center. He is flanked by experienced linemen John Davidson (6-foot-1, 225), Evan Wilson (6-foot-1, 280) and Bobby Brown (5-foot-8, 265). This cohesive unit looks to create opportunities for new starters at each and every skill position. Tyler Simms (6-foot-1, 186) and Kyle Wilson (5-foot-10, 155) are competing for the starting quarterback position. Wilson has a slight edge in experience whereas the left-handed Simms was recently praised by Josh Heupel at an OU quarterback camp. On defense, look for a change in philosophy. Stopping the run was problematic a year ago. The unit will compensate by bringing more players in the box. Free safety Cody Gorman (6-foot-1, 175) is a player to keep an eye on. His sprinter speed and 4.4 GPA have colleges salivating. The same traits have offensive coordinators distressed. He led the team with seven picks last year. Plugging the gaps at Sam linebacker is Sean Murphy (5-foot-11, 185). With only four returning starters on this defensive side of the ball, much of the game day pressures will fall on the shoulder pads of these two. Youthful inexperience can be a blessing in disguise. The Chargers will rely on top-end team speed to create mismatches on both sides of the ball. Sixteen of the players also run track. A lack of girth by the offensive linemen dictates the offensive game plan. Shotgun formations and four or five receiver sets will attempt to create opportunities on the edges. The team is charged up for a showdown with Bishop Kelley on opening night. The Bixby Spartans defense is the foundation of the team. Attack, attack and attack some more is the motto. Beau Bentley (5-foot-11, 200), Jacob Inbody (5-foot-11, 180) and Calvin Sanders (5-foot-11, 180) cover sideline-to-sideline from the linebacker positions. The trio can change the game in an instant. The constant assault on the opponents' offense leaves the defensive backs on an island at times. Cornerbacks Heath Thompson (6-foot-1, 190) and Tyler McGrew (5-foot-10, 160) look to compensate by shutting down the receiver across from them. Free safety Dalton Irvin (6-foot, 185) is the last line of defense. Other teams talk about applying defensive pressure but the Spartans actually bring the heat. Four quarterbacks are competing for the opening spot. Senior Ryan Williams (6-foot-1, 185) played receiver last season. He was the backup signal caller as well. Look for the Spartans to employ a solid ground attack. Dalton Irvin plays both ways. He is the returning tailback and will split time with Ramsey Payne (6-foot, 190). Three returning starters on the line include Kendall Peterson (5-foot-10, 240), Trey Stead (6-foot-3, 270) and Ethan Powell (6-foot-4, 250). The I-formation will be the bread and butter set. Tight ends Greg Brown (6-foot-3, 225) and Kyle Bayles (6-foot-1, 230) are multi-talented. Both can create holes in the running game and big plays in the passing attack. The much ballyhooed "Defense Wins Championships" will be put to the test by this squad. The Spartans look to minimize turnovers as well as create a few of their own. Field position and special teams play are keys to their success. Will Maxwell (6-foot-2, 180) handles punting and kicking duties at the highest level. The sky is the limit for the Spartans. They have gone undefeated in conference play two years in a row. Is this the year they capture the elusive 5A State Title? The Coweta Tigers return a total of 17 starters from a season ago. Eight of those returnees are on the offensive side of the ball. With the loss of their starting QB, the team will ride tailback Matt Kilgore (5-foot-8, 170). Kilgore rushed for 1,400 yards and added an additional 200 receiving yards. The leading candidate for the vacant starting quarterback position is senior Jacob Poplin (6-foot-2, 180). He was the starting safety last year and backup quarterback before breaking his leg in the second game of the year. Four returning linemen solidify what should be an exciting unit. The defensive side of the ball welcomes back nine starters from a year ago. The leader on defense is without question Amos Cherry (5-foot-10, 220). The high-motored Cherry racked up 186 tackles last season. Three-year returning starter at cornerback Brandon Voss (5-foot-8, 165) looks to control his side of the field. The D-line returns intact. Blake Dirteater (6-foot-1, 280) has started since his freshman year. He's played in 24 football games. Keith Obney (6-foot-2, 235) is a four-year starter and pass rush specialist. The pieces are in place for a solid defensive campaign. Losing only a linebacker and a safety bodes well for the unit. The Tigers are one of the most battle tested teams in 5A. A solid seven win season last year sets the tone for greater goals this time around. The team looks to rally around their new quarterback. They will rely on a rock solid defense. One of the team goals is to practice during the Thanksgiving holiday. This of course means their sights are set on marching past the second round of post-season play. For the first time since 1999, Bishop Kelley has a returning starter at the quarterback position. Tommy Kelley (6-foot, 175) is the unquestioned leader and improved vastly as the season progressed last year. He may have to find time in the pocket playing behind an offensive line with no returning starters. Kelley will look to sure-handed receiver Jack Dowdell (6-foot-4, 195) for big plays in the passing game. They plan to run a more balanced attack featuring a run first offensive game plan. Senior tailback Cory Sloan (5-foot-9, 190) will help fill the void left by starter Cameron Craig (5-foot-9, 170) who blew his knee out playing soccer earlier this year. Tough-guy fullback Daniel Levine (5-foot-10, 200) will clear defenders from the path of his tailback. It may take a few games for the offensive unit to gel on the field. The defensive side of the ball is stacked with nine returning starters. Linebackers John Murell (5-foot-10, 200) and Trevor Parks (5-foot-8, 190) lead the unit. Murell is the last of four brothers to play for the Comets. Cornerback Chase Brookover (5-foot-7, 165) might be the toughest kid on the team. His hard-nosed, no-nonsense approach sets the tone for the hard-hitting defense. Defensive linemen Kellen Williams (6-foot-3, 250) is a mammoth force on the interior of the line. Mark Hayes (6-foot-4, 225) plays tight end and defensive end. His prototypical size allows him to play the edge at a high level. The defense will be called upon early in the season to provide stability. Consistent play has earned Bishop Kelley three consecutive second place finishes in 5A-4. They must get past their nemesis East Central to win the district title. The strength of the team remains on the defensive side of the ball. The offensive line must mature as a unit. Look for a more balanced attack than in previous seasons. The Comets are looking to end a two-year streak of one and done in the playoffs.