by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)6/20/2018 11:52:20 AM
posted in: Game Preview | 3,271 views
Even as it evolves, 7-on-7 football continues to have its detractors.But don’t count Loren Montgomery among them.
“I think it’s extremely important,” said Bixby’s head coach. “Some don’tlike it and call it basketball on grass, but it gives the guys a chance tocompete.”
Montgomery’s team will have plenty of opportunities to compete Saturdaywhen the Spartans host the Skordle 7-on-7 Showdown at Lee Snider Field. Bixbywill compete in the large-school pool against the likes of Broken Arrow,Owasso, Sand Springs and more. The small-school pool will feature Coweta,Bishop Kelley, Locust Grove and others.
“They’ve been really good for us,” Montgomery said about 7-on-7competition. “It has really helped us identify guys who are going to be goodplayers.”
Large school pool
Keep an eye on these players
Jenks Trojans
Noah Hernandez - The 5-foot-10, 200-pound seniorrunning back logged 630 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 carries last season.He also anchors the Trojans’ defense at linebacker.
Owasso Rams
Will Kuehne - One of the better quarterbacks in thefield, the senior gun-slinger led the Rams to the Class 6AI title last year. Asa junior, he threw for 2,788 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 199 of298 passes.
Sand Springs Sandites
Caden Pennington - Without Payton Scott, the Sandites’offense will rely on this season’s senior quarterback. As a junior last year,Pennington passed for 650 yards and five touchdowns.
Broken Arrow Tigers
Noah Cortes - A seven-yards-per-carry average equaledup to 1,580 yards on 225 rushes last season for the Tigers. He scored 13touchdowns on the ground, and he’s also a key piece at linebacker for BrokenArrow’s defense.
Bixby Spartans
Cade Cavender and Brennan Presley - Both offer up solidtargets in the passing game against opponents.
Enid Plainsmen
Mason Skrimager - The Plainsmen’s top rusher (MarloHughes) and receiver (Jerra Williams) both graduated, so Enid will turn toSkrimager, who will be a senior quarterback in 2018. Last season, Skrimagerpassed for 2,130 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he added nine rushing touchdowns.
Booker T. Washington Hornets
Dax Hill - Recently named a five-star recruit byRivals.com, Hill is the most sought-after recruit in Oklahoma since Owasso’sJosh Proctor signed with Ohio State last season. Hill, a standout in theHornets’ secondary, will play both ways occasionally and do so while helpingguide the Hornets to the 6AII championship in 2017.
Edison Eagles
Sevion Morrison - Emerged during a solid sophomoreseason last year with 966 yards and 13 touchdowns on 117 carries. Expect theEagles to lean heavily on the talented junior in 2018.
Small School Pool
Keep an eye on these players
Coweta Tigers
J.D. Geneva - An injury derailed a sterling season for Geneva as asophomore last season. While healthy, Geneva completed 82 of 152 passes for1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns. Now he’s catching the eye of Division I coachesall around the area.
Bishop Kelley Comets
Cori Lewis - A dynamic playmaker for the Comets on both sides of the ball.Lewis gives the Comets a solid passing option, if they break away from theirrushing attack, and Lewis figures to be instrumental in the Comets’ defensiveback field, too.
Locust Grove Pirates
Jalen Allen - A tall, lanky body on both sides of the ball for the Pirates.Allen can haul in the ball at receiver, and he can play free safety, where heled Locust Grove in tackles last season.
Blackwell Maroons
Kendall Burtner - At 6 feet, 220 pounds, Burtner led the Maroons inreceiving last season.
Beggs Demons
Dalton Spring - A quarterback with a big frame (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), heguided the Demons to the Class 3A title game as a dual-threat option in thebackfield. He passed for more than 2,00 yards, and he can take off and run whenJared Sutter and Kayson Toliver don’t have the ball in their hands.
Dewey Bulldoggers
Chase Revard - The Bulldoggers quarterback has played since he was afreshman. His experience could help the Bulldoggers improve upon last season’s4-6 mark.
Lincoln Christian Bulldogs
Chase Ricke - A standout sophomore campaign (3,055 yards and 25 touchdownson 222-of-367 passing) should segue nicely into Ricke’s junior season. He’llalso help on defense at free safety.
Nowata Ironmen
Nick Steigerwald - A viable option for the Ironmen in the passing game, andbrother of former Nowata quarterback standout Wyatt Steigerwald.
