by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)6/22/2018 2:54:03 PM
posted in: Game Preview | 3,608 views
Justin Jones has been on the job a little more than two months at Norman North. Needless to say, he's still getting acclimated to his surroundings.
And that includes his new players.
That makes opportunities like Saturday even more important. Jones, the Timberwolves' head coach after Brent Barnes took a job out of state, will get a chance to evaluate his skill players on their home turf when they host the Skordle 7-on-7 Showdown, which will feature 18 notable teams from the Oklahoma City area and western Oklahoma.
"I think with a program in transition, where we are trying to establish a solid foundation, and more importantly learn a new system, these opportunities are invaluable," Jones said. "It's great as a new coach to spend time with our players in a competing environment."
The Timberwolves will take on the likes of Stillwater, Putnam City North, Mustang, Midwest City, Moore, Del City, Westmoore and Jones' old team, Bishop McGuinness.
"It
is a great tournament setting to see our players have to step up and
make plays when the bombs and rockets are going off," Jones said. "Our
quarterbacks gain crucial experience in understanding football
situations and how to convert critical first downs in a critical
environment."
Players to keep an eye on
Large school pool
Norman North - Cole Mashburn - A defensive force for the Timberwolves. A 6-foot-3, 240-pound disruptive force at defensive end who 57 tackles last season. With Norman North losing a lot of offensive weapons, Mashburn could be used on the offensive side of the ball in 2018.
Stillwater - Gunnar Gundy and Qwontrel Walker - Two dynamic forces on offense for the Pioneers. Gundy passed for 1,325 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore last season, and Walker burst onto the scene as a freshman with 1,459 yards and nine touchdowns on 209 carries.
Del City - Quinlan Ganther - As a sophomore last season, Ganther completed 99 of 168 passes for 1,650 yards and 16 touchdowns.
PC North - Aaron Norment - Racked up 2,199 yards passing as a sophomore.
Moore - Daniel Hishaw - A dual-threat quarterback for the Lions. He ran for 755 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he passed for 1,027 yards and six touchdowns.
Westmoore - Jace Bohrofen - A potential candidate to replace his brother, Braxton Bohrofen, at quarterback heading into his junior season.
Mustang - Liam Krivanek - Piled up 82 tackles in only seven games as a sophomore last season.
Bishop McGuinness - Dominic Richardson - A dynamic ball carrier as a sophomore with 2,135 yards and 26 touchdowns on 189 carries. Although, an injury in last year’s regular season finale kept him out of the Irish’s playoff run.
Midwest City - Preston Colbert - Had eye-popping numbers during his junior campaign. He threw for 3,242 yards and 36 touchdowns while completing 187 of 281 passes.
Small school pool
Cashion - Griffin Lamb - As a junior, he threw for 2,250 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also completed passes at a 66.3 percent (138 of 208) clip.
Perkins-Tryon - Ty Hill - Played in nine games as a junior last season and led the Demons with 814 yards and 11 touchdowns on 109 carries.
Crossings Christian - Jacob Snyder and Cole McMurphy - The two combined for 1,297 yards and 18 touchdowns on 246 carries in 2017. McMurphy returns as a senior this season, and Snyder will be a junior.
OCS - Calyn Halverson - Passed for 1,718 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior last season.
Chisholm - Braden Meek - Led Chisholm’s high-octane offense by passing for 1,552 yards and 20 touchdowns on 119 of 232 passing. He returns in 2018 as a senior.
Heritage Hall - Billy Ross - With quarterback Blake Adams graduating, the Chargers will lean on Ross even more in the running game. During Ross’ junior season, he ran for 1,388 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Alva
-Mitchel Meyer - Fell just short of being a 2,500-yard passer and
1,000-yard rusher last season as a junior. Heading into his senior year,
he's coming off last year's campaign, which included 2,600 yards
through the air, 995 yards on the ground and 43 combined touchdowns.
Stroud
-Collin Seaton - Eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark last season as a
junior with 1,015 yards and 11 touchdowns on 198 carries.
Casady -Denver Wilson and Parker Quillen - Split quarterback duties last season, and both return in 2018.
