KANSAS, Okla. -- The Kansas (Okla.) Comets certainly aren't going to feel sorry for themselves this football season.
Numbers are down this season in Kansas, with several football players -- including starters from a year ago -- having quit the team or moved to another school district. But that's not going to affect how the Comets approach each game, according to first-year coach Steve Patterson.
"We're going to go out and try to win every game," said Patterson, who took over the helm when Eddie Barnwell retired in the spring. "We want to go out there and compete with the guys that are out there."
The Comets will start the season with around 25 players, down significantly from the past few years. That number includes several freshmen who could see playing time this fall.
But despite the low numbers, Patterson has been impressed with the players that have come out to take part in the Comet tradition.
"That's one thing that I loved about the job is the tradition here," Patterson said. "The kids have always been tough, hard-nosed kids that are going to play their butts off. I don't expect that to change. It is what it is, and we're going to do the best we can."
Patterson said the numbers are strong in the junior high ranks, which bodes well for the future years.
"I'm setting this up for the long haul, setting that foundation to keep building this thing," Patterson said. "Our numbers in junior high are really good. We've got 39 sixth- and seventh-graders and 30 eighth- and ninth-graders."
Offensively, the Comets will be without Logan Blaine, who started as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Blaine decided not to play football to focus on baseball.
Leading wide receivers from 2013, Tracy Pruitt and C.J. Taylor, who had a combined 1,171 receiving yards, are also not playing.
But the Comets aren't totally without experience.
Offensively, the Comets want to spread defenses out with an emphasis on running the football. The Comets will operate out of the shotgun and the pistol formation.
"We're going to spread people out and run the football," Patterson said.
Junior quarterback Jared Hogshooter (5-10, 180) takes over controls of the offense after playing significant time a year ago when Blaine was out with a concussion. Hogshooter completed 37 of 69 passes for 798 yards and nine touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games last year. He also rushed for 271 yards on 57 carries.
"Jared's doing a great job," Patterson said. "He had a great offseason. He works hard."
Senior running back Levi Hyso (5-10, 190) rushed for 120 yards last season on just 23 carries. He'll be expected to carry the ball quite a bit more in 2014. Ninth-grader Brenden Robbins (5-8, 175) also will see some carries in the Comets' offense as will junior Anthony Dugan (5-7, 150).
Senior wideout Rowdy Chesser (6-0, 165) gives Hogshooter a big target to throw to. Chesser caught 23 passes for 431 yards and four touchdowns last year. Chesser will also be the Comets' backup quarterback.
Junior Jonathan Noe (5-8, 160) will also play receiver along with sophomore Sheldon Snell (5-9, 180), junior Chance Wilson (5-9, 140), and sophomore Colton Capps (5-11, 150).
Junior Dexter Nichols (6-2, 210) has moved to tight end and did a good job at the position, according to Patterson.
Along the offensive line, senior Justus Hogshooter (5-10, 240) and senior Alan Davis (5-8, 270) will play guard. At the tackles, Patterson has junior Jordan Robbins (6-0, 300) and senior Josh Niccum (5-8, 185).
Junior Mark Blizzard (5-9, 190) is penciled in to start at center for the Comets.
Sophomore Jarren Yeager (5-8, 180) could also help up front, Patterson said.
"That's where we've got the most experience," Patterson said of the offensive line. "We've got a little size."
Defensively, a lot of the same names on offense will be playing on defense.
The Comets will play out of a 4-3 defense, but Patterson said they will be able to give opponents a 3-4 look as well.
Nichols, Niccum and Yeager will rotate in and out at the defensive end positions.
The interior linemen will be a rotation of Justus Hogshooter, Davis, Jordan Robbins and senior Caleb Paden (6-2, 205).
"Hogshooter's good enough to be a defensive end as well," Patterson said.
Hyso, Brenden Robbins, Blizzard and Justin Estep (5-10, 150) will man the linebacker positions.
"We're still trying to get some depth at that position," Patterson said.
Noe, Capps and Chesser will play cornerback, while Wilson, Jared Hogshooter and Snell will all play at the safety positions.
Hyso will likely be the Comets' punter. Patterson said the Comets are still looking to find a kicker.
The Comets finished 6-5 in 2013, losing three of their last five games, including a 27-6 loss at home to archrival Colcord.
Kansas will open its season at Tulsa football powerhouse Lincoln Christian on Sept. 5. The Comets play Locust Grove at home on Sept. 11 and travel to Westville on Sept. 19.
The Comets will open 8-2A District play at Hulbert on Sept. 26 and host Adair on Oct. 3. The Comets will play a nondistrict game against Pawhuska on Oct. 10 at Dee Neel Stadium.
The Comets host Chouteau on Oct. 16 and play at rival Colcord on Oct. 24. The Comets will travel to Haskell on Oct. 31 and wrap up the regular season at home against Salina on Nov. 7.
After coaching in the college ranks the last several years, Patterson said the change back to the high school level has been a good one.
"Football's football. It's been very refreshing, just getting guys out there that want to play," he said. "Every level has challenges, and they're just different challenges. You're limited on time in the college level, and you're kind of limited on time here. Kids need to go home and do those things. It's not that much different. The talent level is a little bit different, but still football's football, blocking and tackling."
Sports on 08/27/2014