Rivals heading in same direction
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
For the last two years, they’ve lined up against each other. Next year, they’re hoping to line up beside each other.
Lawton’s Cornelius Douglas and Lawton Eisenhower’s Harrison Jeffers both made it official today, signing with Texas Tech.
While the two may have been on different sides of a bitter rivalry, there was no such contempt from either one of them. In fact, their friendship dates back to elementary school where the two used to run track together as early as third grade.
Douglas took a detour to Norman during his junior high days before moving back to Lawton two years ago. Now his next move will be Lubbock.
“He gave me some business when I told him I’d be going to Tech, too,” Douglas said of Jeffers. “It’s really exciting because we know we won’t be alone.”
For Douglas, it’s a unique opportunity that he couldn’t pass up. While most teams were looking at the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder as a defensive back, the Red Raiders saw potential at wide receiver. That’s strange, said Douglas, because he never played the position in any organized football before.
There were no such questions about Jeffers. He was recruited as a running back and nothing has changed there. The senior led the Eagles with 1,093 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Just as important, he snagged 42 receptions for 489 yards.
“Coach (Mike) Leach has such a great attitude and a great football mind,” Jeffers said. “It’s such a fun offense to be a part of.”
The clincher came when Jeffers attended three Texas Tech games last fall and noticed the running back touched the ball 20-25 times a game. While the Red Raiders love to spread the field with a potent aerial attack, the running back has been a vital member to the receiving corps as well as being the primary running option.
It’s said playing in Texas Tech’s offense is like running a track meet. If so, that’s a good thing for Jeffers because he always thought track was going to be where he made his mark, not football.
“I still don’t know how all this has happened,” Jeffers said. “I still don’t see myself as a great football player.”
That humility was sprinkled a few miles down the road as Douglas put his signature down to join Jeffers.
“It was tough there for a while because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen,” Douglas said. “But I can say I’m thrilled with the way everything turned out.”
While being the starting quarterback for the Wolverines, Douglas threw for 829 yards and nine touchdowns while running for 14 more scores and 413 yards.
But its his elusiveness that will make him stand out, said Lawton coach Randy Breeze.
“We run a play called 47-naked counter,” Breeze said. “And on that play, we don’t block anyone in Cornelius’ direction. We didn’t need to because we knew he would make them miss. He scored six touchdowns on that play this last season.”
The biggest thing swaying Douglas’ mind was the honesty of Leach. For better or worse, he’ll let you know how he feels, Douglas said.
Though slotted at receiver, the Red Raiders nor Douglas have ruled out moving to defensive back. Tulsa, Iowa State and New Mexico were also under consideration for Douglas while Jeffers also took a look at Kansas State.
Not only will the two rivals be at the same school, they’re going to be rooming together.
“We’re pumped up about everything,” Douglas said. “I know he’s got my back, and I got his.”
The Lawton boys will also be rooming with Putnam North’s Joe King.
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