We’re baaaack….
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Did you miss us? Well, don’t worry. With the high school sports season just around the corner, your “favorite” bloggers have returned to offer more great “insight.”
My first stop was at Edmond Santa Fe today for the first day of football practice. The Wolves are coming off a disappointing 2007 season, going 5-5 and missing the playoffs despite winning the Edlam championship.
I liked what I saw today. Randy Ponder looked real good, showing no ill effects from the torn MCL suffered last season. He said he started to feel like himself in January, but practice is a nice test. The next test will be the scrimmages and then of course, the games.
I was impressed with Ade Amuda (though I’m still stumbling over myself trying to pronounce the name), a senior wide receiver. For the first day of practice, I thought he looked sharp. Showed nice speed and good hands and good route running. It’ll be tough to replace Matt Jackson, and I don’t think Amuda alone will do so, but not bad on the first day.
I spent most of my time with the offense, but I have to say Willie Okwuonu impresses me more and more each time I see him. He’s a beast at free safety.
Michael Hodges had firm control of the offense. The Wolves have a solid nucleus, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m buying into the hype that this year will be special for Santa Fe. Cocannouer always gets whatever he can from his players, and it started today.
I think coach really got the players attention when talking about legacy. Building on one and leaving one. It was a pretty good inspirational speech. He said it all starts with seniors, and that I truly believe as well.
Up next on the Boneman’s tour: Edmond North. We’re going to see how Jeremy Dombek is doing in year two with the Huskies. Who is going to step up in the skill positions for EN? Get the answers Wednesday night.
Southmoore practices underway … I think
Southmoore was scheduled to practice from 7-8 a.m. this morning and again this evening at the new Southmoore school.
Maybe the rain played a part, maybe the construction delays at Southmoore High played a part or maybe I just missed them but I didn’t see the SaberCats at Southmoore (or Highland West, where they had been working out).
I did, at least, get a chance to walk around the new facilities at Southmoore. They are nowhere close to being completed but they’ll certainly be amazing when they are. The front part of the school is in pretty good order. The back part, where the fine arts and athletic facilities are, is still under heavy construction. I’ll go back out later today in search of the SaberCats and no doubt track them down as they go through their first day of fall practice.
We’ll also be reporting today from Edmond Santa Fe, Norman, Heritage Hall, Christian Heritage and others as fall practice gets underway.
Another state player appears headed to Arkansas
Broken Arrow offensive guard Alvin Bailey is committed to Arkansas, according to a report coming out of the Natural State.
Bailey said he would wait until later this week to make his commitment, though, as Tigers coaches are away at a retreat before practices begin next week. His official commitment could come Thursday or Friday.
The choice would seem to make sense for Bailey, a 6-4, 300-pound guard. His father, also Alvin, played basketball at Arkansas.
Tulsa East Central cornerback David Gordon recently committed to the Hogs as well. The Tulsa area has been a productive one for Arkansas over the years, most notably recently with Tulsa Washington product Felix Jones. UA’s Oklahoma connection was further strengthened this offseason when new Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino hired former OU and Tulsa Washington standout Garrick McGee as the Hogs quarterbacks coach.
