It's the third week in August, which for me means that I'm currently swamped with the production of the annual Herald-Leader football preview section.
This year's section comes out next Wednesday, and as usual it will feature the Siloam Springs Panthers most prominently as well as offering season previews for the Oklahoma schools in the H-L's coverage area: Kansas, Colcord, Watts and Oaks.
The section will also run in the Westside Eagle Observer and have previews for their schools: Gravette, Gentry and Decatur.
We write about Siloam Springs football a lot in this paper, including a feature today on a senior linebacker. However on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week, I got to journey out to the Oklahoma schools and get a glimpse of what's going on out there. Here's a little bit of a taste of things to come next Wednesday, and I'll even offer a season prediction for each team to keep it interesting.
Colcord
There is no doubt the Colcord Hornets look to be a contender in Oklahoma District 8-2A this fall.
With several returning starters on both sides of the ball, the Hornets should be able to improve on their 7-4 record from a year ago and contend for the district championship.
With starting quarterback Caleb Shawver, starting running back Brandon Harper and a host of receivers including Cash Hayes and Caleb Crites, the skill positions are going to be strong. The Hornets are always salty on the offensive line, no matter how big or small they are.
Defensively, head coach Terrill Denny takes over the play-calling duties after defensive coordinator -- and longtime former head coach -- Bud Simmons became Colcord's new superintendent.
Prediction: The Hornets go 8-2 in the regular season with losses at former district rival Commerce and a league loss at Adair on Oct. 10. Colcord finishes second in the district and earns a first-round home playoff game.
Kansas
New coach Steve Patterson says the Kansas Comets are working hard in practice and doing the best they can with small numbers. Indeed, the Comets will fight hard as that's the tradition the school has.
But reality is reality. Several good football players in Kansas aren't playing this year to focus on other sports. There were players that moved away to other school districts.
With only 25 players, that makes it a tough go of it for the Comets in 2014. The junior high numbers are strong though, and Kansas does have several very good players on its roster this year. Will it be enough? We'll see.
Prediction: The Comets nearly break even, going 4-6 overall with a 2-2 non-district schedule and 2-4 mark in conference play. Football teams are great at making sports writers look stupid though, and I sure hope that's the case here.
Watts
Second-year coach Shawn Dismuke said the Engineers are better all the way around in 2014. Coming off a 3-7 season, in which Watts got wins in its last three games, there is momentum heading into this year.
The Engineers will rely on senior playmaker Bradley Carter to be a playmaker along with several juniors and sophomores.
Supposedly it will only take three District B-3 wins for Watts to advance to the Class B (8-man) football playoffs. Have you ever watched 8-man football? It's pretty interesting to watch!
Prediction: The Engineers go 3-6 overall with a 2-5 mark in conference play. The improvement is obvious but not enough to get the Engineers into the playoffs.
Oaks
Oaks advanced to the Oklahoma Class B playoffs last year, and the Warriors believe they have a good shot at returning to the postseason.
With quarterback Trent Osburn back and more skill players than fourth-year coach C.D. Thompson remembers ever having, the Warriors should be primed to make the postseason.
Prediction: Oaks finds a way to win seven games and returns to the playoffs for the second straight year. The Warriors fall one game short of getting a home playoff game.
-- Graham Thomas is the managing editor for the Herald-Leader. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Sports on 08/20/2014