Bombers make statement (and other scrimmage thoughts)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Well, I saw nine different teams in the last two nights, and one team left an indelible impression on the Boneman. I know it’s only a scrimmage but give me the first seat on the Midwest City bandwagon.
I likey a lot what the Bombers did to Norman North at Mustang on Thursday. Scrimmages are always tough because you don’t know what the teams’ main goals are besides getting out of there healthy. The Timberwolves had their moments and only played Tyler Tettleton sparingly, but the Bombers were swarming to the ball.
There was no answer for MWC’s Timothy Flanders. He finds the smallest crease, and whoop, he’s gone. He did it twice to one of the best defenses in 6A.
Both Flanders and Beau Blankenship said the scrimmage felt different from the other ones. They admitted there was some real intensity, some real hitting go on. And both kept things in perspective. Actually, that’s almost all MWC coach Steve Huff was trying to instill into his players afterward.
For the record, it was MWC 14, NN 0. The teams played two 12-minute quarters.
Other thoughts from Thursday: McGuinness looked like, well, McGuinness. I was impressed with how QB Ryan Randolph was able to elude Lawton Eisenhower defenders almost all night long. He didn’t look gimpy at all on his left ankle.
The Irish will look even better when RB Alex Valle comes back. I don’t know if that will be enough against Guthrie, but they will be full strength.
Gabe Ikard recovered a fumble for a touchdown. But I had to give him grief because he was run down by a lineman but used a stiff arm. I kid because I love. Gabe, please don’t step on me.
If Flanders was the star of the night, Lawton MacArthur’s Javon Harris wasn’t too far behind. He was the highlight for the Highlanders. Two touchdowns, one a sweet screen pass that he took 70 + yards.
In the opener, Mustang overpowered Altus. The Broncos have a couple of backs to be on the lookout for. Hunter Smith and Ben Green both provide something for defenses to ponder.
Friday, off to Deer Creek. And surprise, we have a commitment. Antlers TE Zach Trujillo has committed to Kansas State. He was offered Wednesday night. 24 hours later, he was a Wildcat.
Another example of an Okie finding the promised land elsewhere. Trujillo looked dominant out there against Tecumseh as did some of his other Deer Creek mates.
Dax Dilbeck had a beautiful 60-yard run. He ran all the way to the right and uh oh, reversed his field. And then he…was…gone.
I’m excited about Deer Creek this season. This is the year (if ever there was one). It’s going to be more than the Dax & Zach show, but those two alone will keep ‘em in any game.
Well, scrimmages are done. Besides the obvious McGuinness/Guthrie game, throw out some other gems you guys can’t wait for Thursday or Friday for.
Scrimmage report…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Well, I’m going to be a busy Boneman here coming up. Thursday I’m headed to Mustang for an 8-team free-for-all. OK, well maybe not free-for-all, but it should be fun.
6 p.m.: Altus vs. Mustang; 7 p.m.: Lawton Eisenhower vs. McGuinness; 8 p.m.: Putnam West vs. Lawton MacArthur; 9 p.m.: Midwest City vs. Norman North.
Should be a lot of fun but don’t expect a blog until the early morning hours. That’s a lot of teams and stars to try to digest.
Friday, I head to Tecumseh to see the Savages and Deer Creek. It’ll be my first gander at QB Dax Dilbeck. That’s reason enough to be pumped.
How important are scrimmages?
By Jason Kersey
jkersey@oklahoman.com
I was talking with Tuttle coach Phil Koons this evening, asking him how practices were going and how his team’s first scrimmage against Watonga went last Thursday, and he gave some interesting answers.
There has been a lot of talk in the national media about whether the NFL should have preseason games. Lots of times, all they really do that impacts a team’s season is produce major injuries, like what happened to New York Giants last Saturday night when Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora went down with a season-ending knee injury.
In 2003, the Atlanta Falcons’ season was ruined when Michael Vick went down with an injury in a preseason contest and missed 11 games.
Koons said he approaches scrimmages with a pro-style mentality.
“Play sound defense to where you’re not gonna get embarrassed and try things out on offense,” Koons said. “We know what our tailback (Paco Moore) can do; he rushed for 1,900 yards last year. We don’t have to prove what he can do to anybody.
“I approach it like the pros do. We may look at our ones a little bit, but we want to keep them healthy and look at kids that need to be evaluated.”
I’m sure he isn’t alone in that approach. I would bet that is how most coaches feel.
But to me it begs the question: If some want to get rid of NFL preseason games, are there any people out there who want to give high school scrimmages the axe? I’ve never heard it mentioned before, but it seems like if those people existed, they would have some credence.
Koons never said that; he just got me thinking about it after I hung up the phone. He did, however, say that the first three regular season non-district games are “glorified scrimmages.”
“It’s not like you’re gonna drop out of the BCS Standings if you lose a non-district game,” Koons said.
Now, that said, I don’t necessarily buy that Koons is going to accept a Week 1 loss to Marlow or a Week 2 loss to Kingfisher, a team that has slowly developed into somewhat of a rival for Tuttle.
Anyway, let’s get some input. What does everyone think about scrimmages? Should they be taken seriously, or treated like NFL preseason games? For that matter, should scrimmages be done away with?
Let’s take it a step further. Should non-district games be approached with the same level of intensity as district contests?
Prague’s Harris has big scrimmage
By Jason Kersey
jkersey@oklahoman.com
Prague quarterback Dakota Harris isn’t shy about what he thinks his team can be this year.
For evidence, he points to last Friday’s scrimmage at Bristow. In 12 offensive plays, the Red Devils threw 11 times. Of those 11 passes, he completed nine of them. And the two incomplete passes were drops, Harris said. And the defense looked solid, he said.
The only thing Harris thinks Prague needs is a little experience for the young guys on the team.
“The younger guys on our team have to be able to step up and go in,” Harris said. “They’re one play away from going in on the varsity team.”
The numbers could be Prague’s Achilles’ heel, because they only have about 30 players on the team, which isn’t much when compared to the other teams they play. But that didn’t stop the team from making a surprising run to the Class 2A semifinals last year. If the Red Devils stay healthy, watch out.
Another year in Shawnee, another Brown…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Well, I went to Shawnee expecting Brett Davis to wow me. Job well done. But I left feeling more optimistic about the Wolves’ chances than ever.
Sophomore Brayle Brown looked solid at QB. Brown is the son of Shawnee coach Billy and younger brother of Tucker. At 6-3, he’s already a man-child in the making. And with a target like Davis to throw to, look out.
The Wolves may be a little weak at RB. But that shouldn’t matter if Davis and Brown can both stay healthy. The two were lethal whenever they touched it today.
Most impressive feat for Davis? Two INTs in seven passes (on defense), a one-handed 20-yard reception or throwing a perfect strike for a 67-yard touchdown rolling to his left? He dazzled. But I tell you, Davis is one of the most humble guys I’ve known. He takes everything in stride.
Davis committed to Tulsa before the end of last season. With the numbers he is going to produce this year, how many Big 12 schools will try to make him reconsider? Davis could be standout at DB or WR. He’s something special.
Another bright spot was the defense. Or more precise, its intensity. Those boys are already fired up. Austin Winsett and Keldin Choat gave Tecumseh QB Alex Iglesias no room to breathe.
District 5A-2 is said to be a two-horse race with Carl Albert and Guthrie. I wouldn’t be so fast to count out Shawnee.
He’s like the Road Runner…beep beep
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
It’s tough to stay calm after seeing an impressive performance by the Edmond Memorial Bulldogs tonight against Putnam North.
Most, including yours truly, thought the Bulldogs would be all about their defense. And they were, forcing four turnovers.
But man oh man, the offensive display I did not see coming. Anthony Morales told me Kameron Doolittle was something special.
He’s got that “it” factor. As soon as he touched it, I expected something big. When his first touch is a 46-yard screen pass, that sets the bar high. He weaves his way in and out, juking people left and right. He’s like the Magic Man…now you see him, whoosh, now you don’t (trademark Talladega Nights).
Blake Umberham was strong in his first start at QB. In a span of connecting on 10 of 11 passes, he threw for touchdowns on consecutive passes.
What’s interesting for EM is its receivers don’t have much size, but man can they fly. I don’t know how that will translate against a big and fast team, but tonight there was no stopping Doolittle and Delias Ealom.
The Panthers weren’t at full strength, so they get a pass. If you’re not playing with Josh Booker, well, you’re not playing with a full 52 cards.
He sat out with a strained groin. Nothing serious, said Bob Wilson. Greg Lewis got all the carries with the first team. Had his moments. Both team’s running games were nothing to write home about.
PCN had some trouble offensively, but one bright spot was Ethan Elrod. He made two grabs for more than 30 yards apiece and has some nice size.
If I wasn’t in such a rush, I think I would have stayed as PCN treated both teams to pizza afterward in a classy gesture. There was a lot of pizza and Gatorade to go around.
Each team received three straight possessions and then switched sides. That’s why I’m not bringing up any final score because it’s not accurate and not important at this point. The edge goes to EM tonight, who looked a lot more crisp and confident with its decision-making, which is where I thought the difference was.
And a big kudos to PCN for giving out rosters to fans. That sure helps out when you’re looking to learn new faces.
Tomorrow night: Brett Davis is back in charge at Shawnee. The Wolves and Tecumseh will hold their annual scrimmage. I kinda wish it was at Tecumseh, would love to see the new stadium.
Scrimmage time…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Hey hey, Thursday starts the scrimmages. Yours truly will be at PC Stadium for Edmond Memorial and Putnam North. How will studs Josh Booker and Anthony Morales (among others) look? Friday, I head to the old stomping grounds. I’ll be at Shawnee for the Wolves and Tecumseh. My first look at Brett Davis since he was a sophomore trying to replace the injured Tucker Brown. Should be fun at both stops. I’ll have thoughts about both here on the blog.
Dawgs woofin’
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Last but not least, the Boneman’s final stop was Edmond Memorial. The Bulldogs will have to find a way to replace Pete Towne, but they’ll be alright.
For one thing, Memorial is going to have a solid defense. With anchors like Anthony Morales and Logan Thomas, you wouldn’t expect anything different. The one thing I’ve noticed at all three spots, but especially today with Morales and Thomas is you can tell who walks with confidence and leads.
Even on the most mundane drills, Thomas and Morales are hustling and showing the young kids what they’re supposed to do. Even when the coaches aren’t watching, they’re not letting up.
I know, it’s sad when we’re congratulating players for, you know, doing what they’re supposed to do. But in this era, it’s still a refreshing sight to see.
I didn’t get to see it all, but QB Blake Umberham looked good. And I was extremely impressed with Delias Ealom’s speed. I couldn’t catch him (though that’s not saying much).
Memorial has no reason to not be confident. It gave Midwest City and Norman North great games last season. That’s the stuff you can and do build on. And with seven starters returning on defense, the Bulldogs bite should be as big as their bark.
Coach Mark Walker is putting a lot of faith in some sophomores to get the job done. It’s a gutsy move, so it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out. One sure bet appears to be Cameron Doolittle. At 5-10 and 185 pounds, he’s got a wide array of skills to find ways to beat people.
There were no indicators from these three visits that all Edlam games won’t be intense and exciting. Everyone’s jacked up (including me, finally) to get rolling. Who do you think will be the best Edmond squad?
Another Aska…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Another year, another Aska to worry about/keep a look out for. A year removed from Bridge Creek RB/all-everything Michael Aska tearing it up in 2A and helping the Bobcats to one of their best seasons ever, enter Edmond North’s Joe Aska.
The Huskies version is the son of former UCO star and NFL RB Joe Aska. And only a junior now, he already looks the part of star running back.
Aska is going to be asked to carry the EN ground game. He’s had a lot of time to prepare after finding out Roy Finch was leaving to move to Florida. The combo of Finch and Aska would have been scary but as is, the Huskies should be OK.
Aska has a lot of poise. He looks extremely comfortable, and I don’t think he has any issues whatsoever of trying to the team leader.
His attitude is infectious. Talking to vets like LT Brad Wilcox and CB Xavier Smith, they’re excited to see Joe play. Aska is a throwback RB. He’s not juking and jiving, he’s putting a hit on you.
Today was my first look at QB Cody Crabaugh. He’s got tremendous height, but he doesn’t have the biggest body in the world. He’s like a taller version of The Boneman. Well, maybe not that skinny, but it’ll be interesting how he develops.
Crabaugh and Aska have a great relationship, that was easy to tell. I think the two are taking a lot of pride in knowing that with all due respect to the rest of the boys, this is their team.
There were a lot of new faces for Edmond North. That has to happen when you’re only returning three starters on both sides of the ball. It’s going to be interesting how the WR position turns out. The Huskies lost like four or five of their top WRs. Trent Braden is the lone WR to make a catch in a varsity game. Braden looked good from what I saw today.
Edmond North looks very relaxed. It wasn’t supposed to make the playoffs last year, and I don’t think many people think they will this year. They’re very loose. One of two things can happen: 1) Without the pressure, you play well beyond expectations. Or 2) Because not much is expected, well, the focus can wane from time to time.
Coach Jeremy Dombek is making his imprint on the team, so I’m voting for the former and not the latter.
My lone complaint about today. After “suffering” in mist and 70-degree weather yesterday for ESF, it was well over 90 degrees today with a bright sun at Edmond North.
Up next: Going to conclude the Edmond triangle with a trip to Edmond Memorial. We know Anthony Morales is special, but who else do the Bulldogs have that will turn heads?
Heritage Hall sees record turnout for two-a-days
By Zach West
zwest@oklahoman.com
The first morning of Heritage Hall two-a-day football practices has come and gone, and head coach Andy Bogert is just happy he has enough equipment for everyone.
The Chargers are experiencing a record turnout for football this year, with over 80 kids arriving for the season’s first official practice. Bogert said the most kids Heritage Hall had seen previously was around 60.
“We’re close to being out of equipment,” Bogert said. “We got lucky and ordered another 20 extra helmets.”
Making matters even more interesting, Bogert moved the Chargers’ first practice to the school’s indoor facility because the outdoor fields were too wet. Squeezing 80 kids indoors, however, proved to be a challenging task.
The reason for the influx of players is simple: the Chargers have an enormous freshman class with over 30 players. The group is so large that Bogert plans on fielding a freshman team with its own schedule for the first time, well, ever.
“That helps immensely,” Bogert said. “The more you can get in the mix in a game situation, the more you can progress.”
Other interesting tidbits from Heritage Hall:
*Today marked the first high school practice for Barry Sanders, Jr., the son of former OSU and NFL legend Barry Sanders. Sanders, Jr., a 5-10, 170-pound freshman, already runs a 4.6-second 40-yard-dash and will likely see the field on offense, defense and special teams this year, Bogert said.
“He’s got loads of potential,” Bogert said. “And he’s only going to get bigger, stronger and faster. He’s going to be really good.”
*Quarterback Turner Petersen has fully recovered from a sprained ankle suffered several weeks ago. The injury, which occurred while Petersen was chasing Sanders, Jr., kept the senior out of the Top Gun Challenge in Tulsa. Other than an ankle wrap, Petersen showed no ill effects today.
“It’s fine,” Petersen said. “I didn’t sleep much last night I was so excited for today.”
*Heritage Hall players were difficult to tell apart today, as all wore shirts with the No. 43 to honor teammate Ford Price. Price, a senior, was diagnosed this spring with Ewing’s sarcoma, a cancer that has forced him to undergo chemotherapy as well as a recent surgery in Boston. Price will miss the season.
