Chandler still favorite despite key departures

CHANDLER - Chandler, the defending Class 2A state football champion, lost All-State running back Casey Smalley and first-team Little All-City tailback Brandon Arms to graduation. Last season, they combined for 3,241 rushing yards.

Yet, the Lions are still the favored this year by rival coaches to win District 2A-5.

"Anytime you win a state championship, you have an aura about you," Henryetta coach Kenny Speer III said. "They (Chandler) won state last year, and they have a lot of talent returning."

Said Morris coach Larry Crenshaw: "They've been there. They have a good running back and offensive line. They are the favorite until someone beats them."

Senior running backs Donald Boggs and LaRon Thrash played well in a mop-up role last season behind Smalley and Arms. Both started in the defensive backfield as juniors.

"We had quality backups last year, who we felt could have started for other teams in our district," said Chandler coach Neal Bacon, who served as an assistant last season. "They just don't have the experience of playing with the game on the line."

A bigger concern might be at quarterback, where Kyle Martzall, Jack Gray and Marcus Shepheard are battling for the No. 1 job.

"It's a good situation to have three capable guys," Bacon said. "We might play all three the first few weeks until someone steps up and takes hold of the position."

District 2A-5 at a glance
Coaches' predictions1. Chandler

2. Henryetta

3. Morris

4. Holdenville

5. Beggs

6. Haskell

7. Okemah

8. Prague

CHANDLER LIONS
Last year's record: 13-2

Returning starters: 3 offensive, 8 defensive

Top Players: TB/S Donald Boggs, 5-8, 170, Sr.; TB/CB LaRon Thrash, 5-6, 145, Sr.; WR/CB Eric Freeman, 6-1, 170, Sr.; C/LB Cody Waters, 6-0, 215, Sr.; TE/DE Ross Lane, 6-2, 215, Sr.

The facts: Waters is a three-year starter who graded out a 92 percent at center last year. Also a team leader... Freeman is the top receiving threat.

Head coach: Neal Bacon, first season

Season opener: Aug. 31 at Stroud

HENRYETTA KNIGHTS
Last year's record: 6-5

Returning starters: 5 offensive, 6 defensive

Top Players: TB/LB Colby Blondell, 6-0, 195, Jr.; QB Ben Martin, 6-1, 215, Sr; OL/DL Jason Lewis, 6-2, 215, Jr.; TE/DE Jason Richison, 6-2, 215, Sr.; LB/RB Cody Benedict, 5-10, 180, Sr.

The facts: The Knights return their offensive line... Blondell is a physical, slashing runner who was the first sophomore to run for 1,000 yards at Henryetta... Youth at skill positions remain is a big concern... Hosts Chandler on Oct. 13, which might decide the district title.

Head coach: Kenny Speer III, seventh season.

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Coalgate

MORRIS EAGLES
Last year's record: 7-4

Returning starters: 3 offensive, 3 defensive

Top Players: HB/DB Jamell Rucker, 5-11, 170, Jr.; OL/DL Shane Rock, 6-2, 245, Jr.; OL/DL Nick Ray, 5-10, 220, Sr.; HB/LB Jared Reagan, 5-11, 170, Jr.

The facts: Confidence is a big part of the program, said Crenshaw "We feel like every time we take the field we can compete"... Athleticism is another strength for Morris... Lost 15 seniors, so inexperience a concern.

Head coach: Larry Crenshaw, sixth season

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Checotah.

HOLDENVILLE

WOLVERINES
Last year's record: 8-4

Returning starters: 3 offensive, 2 defensive

Top Players: OL/DL Bruce Wardlow, 6-5, 285, Sr.; OL/DL Beau Harjo, 5-11, 235, Sr.; RB/DB Chris Scott, 6-0, 190, Sr.; TE/LB Cory Ford, 6-2, 200, Sr.; QB/DB Tanner Robinson, 5-10, 180, Jr.

The facts: Will have to replace the majority of the lineup... Skill positions are the main strength... Wardlow and Harjo are the leaders in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Head coach: Wayne Jaggars, first season

Season opener: Sept. 1 at Eufaula

BEGGS DEMONS
Last year's record: 7-4

Returning starters: 4 offensive, 4 defensive

Top Players: HB/DB Joel Johnson, 5-8, 160, Sr.; OL/LB Matt Dodson, 5-10, 215, Sr.; HB/DE Kyle Wittman, 5-10, 190, Sr.; QB/DB Kevin McHenry, 6-0, 175, Sr.

The facts: Dodson had 153 tackles, eight sacks and one interception last season... Whittman had 102 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior... Williams expects team speed to be a strength and inexperience a concern.

Head coach: Matt Williams, first season

Season opener: Sept. 1 at Kellyville

HASKELL HAYMAKERS
Last year's record: 5-5

Returning starters: 4 offensive, 5 defensive

Top Players: QB/DB Rahim Middlebrook, 5-9, 150, Sr.; TE Josh Matheny, 6-2, 200, Sr.; LB/OL Cody Hiner, 6-1, 190, Jr.

The facts: Offensive line is a concern for Haskell... Middlebrook is an exceptional athlete... Team speed is Haskell's strength.

Head coach: Chad Kirkhart, third season

Season opener: Sept. 1 at Stigler

OKEMAH PANTHERS
Last year's record: 3-7

Returning starters: 6 offensive, 4 defensive

Top Players: WR/DB Cass Luckett, 6-2, 190, Sr.; QB/S Clayton Hurst, 6-0, 185, Sr.; OL/LB Justin Massey, 6-0, 215, Sr.; TE/DE Travis Boyd, 6-2, 215, Jr.; OL/DL Chance Dean, 5-8, 200, Jr.

The facts: Hurst passed for 1,018 as a junior... Massey had 128 tackles last season... Hurst is "the key to our year," according to coach Steve Briggs... Dean started all 10 games as a sophomore.

Head coach: Steve Briggs, third season

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs Yale

PRAGUE RED DEVILS
Last year's record: 2-8

Returning starters: 3 offensive, 8 defensive

Top Players: RB/LB D.J. Warden, 5-11, 185, Sr.; OT Jerry Short, 6-3, 235, Sr.; TE/DE Ryan Barnes, 6-2, 180, Jr.; WR/DB Caleb Dan, 5-7, 160, Sr.; QB Dakota Harris, 6-0, 190, Soph.

The facts: The defense returns almost intact... How Harris develops might be a key to the Red Devils' season... Will change from Wing-T offense to the spread... Dan moves from quarterback to a ultilty-type player, according to coach Charles Atchison.

Head coach: Charles Atchison, first season

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs Sperry

By Brandon Chatmon

Sports Photo Galleriesview all

Adrian Peterson football camp

Adrian Peterson talks with young football players on the second day of his camp in Norman.

11 photos

Volleyball camp: June 23, 2009

Photos from the volleyball camp in Norman on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

4 photos

Sunbelt Classic: June 23, 2009

Photos from the Sunbelt Classic in Norman on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

4 photos

Endeavor Games: Saturday, June 13, 2009

Photos from the Endeavor Games Saturday, June 13, 2009

19 photos

Page 1 of 5

Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next