OAKS, Okla. -- The Oaks-Mission (Okla.) Warriors got a taste of the Oklahoma Class B state playoffs last season, even though their postseason stay was brief.
The Warriors hope for another visit to the postseason in 2014 and this time they'd like to stick around a little bit longer.
Oaks went 7-4 a year ago in 2013 with their season ending in a 54-6 first round playoff loss to Wetumka.
The final score in that season-ending loss indicates a thumping, but the Warriors had been gashed by injuries prior to that game and in the game against Wetumka itself.
With 22 players returning and most everybody back from last year's team, there's genuine optimism in the Oaks camp in 2014.
"I'm super excited," said fourth-year Oaks coach C.D. Thompson. "There's a reason I'm excited when I get here at 7:30 every morning."
Thompson doesn't mince words when it comes to talking about the Warriors' goals for 2014.
"Our goal is to finish first or second in our district (B-3), get a home playoff game and get on the opposite side of the bracket as Laverne, who wound up as (Class B) state champions," Thompson said. "There are no other expectations but high."
Junior quarterback Trenton Osburn (5-foot-10, 167 pounds) has started since he was a freshman at Oaks and has recovered from the broken ankle he suffered in practice before the playoff game last year.
Osburn, Thompson said, is a threat to run or throw the football.
Behind Osburn, two other players are working at the quarterback position.
Senior Jess Brown (6-0, 180) took over the signal-caller duties in the Wetumka game last year in Osburn's absence. Sophomore Jess Robbins (5-9, 160) also can play the position.
Junior Noah Stricker (5-10, 185) returns at running back, while senior Levi Phifer (5-11, 185) works in the offensive backfield. Trey Fields (5-7, 130) will also help the Warriors at running back.
The Warriors will be a multiple formation team. However, their offense will base out of the I-formation.
The Warriors will have some beef to run behind on the offensive line.
Senior D'Anthony Tucker (6-3, 315) returns on the offensive line and will play center. Thompson said the Warriors will obviously want to run behind their big center.
Senior D.J. Arnold (5-11, 185) returns at right guard, while junior Josh Hailey (5-9, 167) is expected to take over at left guard after losing standout Preston Cooper to graduation. Hailey, however, recently had his appendix removed and could miss a few weeks.
Coye Big Eagle (6-3, 230) will also factor in on the line as well, Thompson said.
At the wide receiver position, Thompson said the Warriors are blessed with an abundance of talent.
Junior Daegan Duncan (5-10, 145) and Phifer both joined the team from Kansas, Okla., a year ago but had to sit out the season. They practiced for a year with the Warriors and are eligible this year.
"Those guys are some animals," Thompson said. "They are good athletes."
Sophomore Kalin Parsons (6-1, 180) is another transfer from Kansas and the Warriors hope to utilize his speed. Parsons was a top finisher in the Oklahoma state cross country meet.
Junior Ashton Rogers (5-8, 145), senior Jacob Atterberry (5-8, 160) will also help at wide receiver.
"We've got a multitude of tools," Thompson said. "We've got more skill guys than I've ever had. It's going to be hard as a coach to get the best guys out there."
Cyrus James, a speedy wideout, tore his MCL and is likely lost for the season.
At tight end, Mallie Whorton will be another target in the Warriors' offense.
Defensively, the Warriors will run a 4-1-3 defense.
Arnold and Hailey will man defensive end positions, with Tucker in the middle at one of the tackles.
Thompson said the Warriors will have to develop another inside tackle, with Phifer probably getting the nod there.
Stricker will man the Warriors' linebacker position.
Mallie Whorton and Ty Whorton will each man a corner position. Fields can also help at defensive back, Thompson said.
Rogers, Osburn and Duncan could all see time at safety.
The Warriors open their season at Gans, Okla., on Sept. 5 before returning home on Sept. 12 to open District B-3 play against Garber, Okla.
Thompson said the opening district game for the Warriors will be key.
"If we can come out and punch Garber in the mouth, there's no telling what can happen," Thompson said.
Sports on 08/27/2014