Eating lightning, crapping thunder
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Just like Mickey was trying to get Rocky pumped up in the Rocky movies, same thing has been going on for Okemah…at least that’s what coach Steve Briggs is trying to accomplish.
After what he deemed as a spirit-less effort against Stroud in their first scrimmage, the Panthers showed more emotion, and the product was much better results against Warner.
“You have to keep a nice balance between having the kids too keyed up but also playing with passion,” Briggs said.
Okemah is paced by the Boyd family. In fact, Briggs wishes there were more Boyd boys coming along.
Senior linebacker Travis Boyd stands at a taut 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. But he pales in comparison to his younger brother, Chris.
A mere freshman, Chris Boyd is 6-foot-5 and 312 pounds. Let me reiterate – only a freshman.
“He’s an absolute monster,” Briggs said. “He has a chance to be something truly special.”
Travis Boyd had 88 tackles last year and has 244 through his first three seasons.
The Panthers will, however, be without defender Nick McGee. The fourth leading tackler for Okemah tore his ACL during spring practices and will miss this season.
Okemah visits Yale Friday night.
New system, new opportunities: After an 0-3 start last year, there was not much hope for Stigler to make the playoffs. But a 4-3 district record saw the Panthers sneak into the postseason.
And under new coach Chris Douglas, optimism is high in Panther country.
Douglas is coming from SW College in Winfield, Kansas. He said he is excited about coming back to Oklahoma after graduating from Poteau.
As a surprise to no one, Douglas is bringing a new system, but shockingly, it’s not a spread offense.
Douglas is bringing in a one-back, zone-scheme blocking offense to Stigler, which will be led by senior quarterback Chance Sherwood. Chris Cole is moving from guard to tackle to bolster the offensive front.
Stigler receiver Mark Patton will miss Friday’s game against Haskell. Patton is slated to start at the X slot once at full strength.
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