OAKS, Okla. -- It's been a gradual improvement the last three seasons for the Oaks-Mission (Okla.) football team.
Starting as many as six freshmen in 2012, the Warriors went 4-6 overall, and they improved that mark to 7-4 in 2013.
Last season Oaks started the season 7-0 before limping to a 1-3 record in its final four games and finishing the year with an 8-3 record and a first-round playoff loss.
The same group of freshmen in 2012 are now seniors in 2015, and fifth-year head coach C.D. Thompson hopes the climb continues for the Warriors.
"Each year I've had these guys they've done better, and they're seniors this year," said Thompson, who is 25-17 in four seasons at Oaks. "I'm hoping and praying and looking forward to us putting it all together this year."
Seniors Noah Stricker, Mallie Whorton, Ashton Rogers, Josh Hailey and Daegan Duncan have all started both ways for Oaks since they were freshmen.
"This year's senior night, I'm going to be crying," Thompson said.
Trenton Osburn also started at Oaks as a freshman and played his sophomore and junior seasons for two more seasons, but he decided not to play this year after suffering leg injuries the past two seasons.
Thompson said Osburn informed him before practice started that he wouldn't be playing this year, though Thompson said he's got a spot on the team if he changes his mind.
"If he doesn't I don't have a problem with that," Thompson said. "The kid's given us his leg twice for football."
In Osburn's absence, the Warriors are tasked with finding a new quarterback on offense.
Offensively, Oaks will run out of multiple formations.
"In eight-man (football) we have to be versatile," Thompson said. "If I have kids that can run an I-formation, we'll run an I. But if we don't we'll run something else. Whatever offense my kids can run, we'll run. I'm not stuck on one offense."
"I'm willing to adapt. I will change in a minute. If I see something good somebody else is running, I'll change in a minute. That's just coaching. If there's something new I'll take that."
Juniors Jess Robbins (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) and Kalin Parsons (6-1, 195) appear to be the top candidates to start at quarterback for the Warriors.
Parsons finished the season at quarterback for Oaks after injuries to Osburn and Jesse Brown thrust him into that role.
If Parsons does not start at quarterback, he will be one of Oaks' primary ball carriers at running back.
Senior Ashton Rogers (5-9, 155) and junior Trey Fields (5-7, 140) also could get some looks at running back.
Senior Noah Stricker (6-0, 195) could get a look at fullback, and the Warriors could even throw senior Daegan Duncan (5-9, 150) in at fullback if he's not on the offensive line.
Senior Mallie Whorton (6-0, 180) will start at tight end for Oaks. JoeDon Fields will be another tight end for the Warriors.
Junior Shae Beaver (5-6, 120) is a player that could help Oaks on offense with his speed.
"He's quick," Thompson said of Beaver. "Him and Trey Fields are two of the quicker kids we have. They can flat fly."
Along the offensive line, the Warriors could go in a number of different directions. Duncan was a lineman last season, while sophomore Alex Morris (6-0, 198) snapped the ball at team camp for Oaks. Morris however is recovering from an injury and may not be ready to play until September, Thompson said.
Sophomore Coye Bigeagle (6-3, 250) was Oaks' backup center last year, and he could see playing time on the offensive line. Senior Jeremiah Warren (6-3, 205) could play some on the line.
Senior Josh Hailey will play a guard spot, Thompson said. Junior Christian Bennett (5-10, 230) is also a returning lineman who works hard, Thompson said.
"I got a ton of kids that can play just about anywhere," Thompson said. "It's just a matter of finding where they fit and roll with it."
Defensively, Oaks has just about everyone back from last year's team except for last year's defensive coordinator Dan Cooper, who is now coaching cross country.
Thompson said the Warriors will go back to a multiple look defensively.
"We could be a 3-2, a 3-1, a 3-3, a 4-1, a 4-2," he said. "Every defense known to man is what we'll run. We're not going to give any team the same look all four downs.
"We're going to make offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches spend a lot of time trying to figure out what we're going to do to them."
Along the defensive front, freshman T.J. Cummings (5-11, 175) looked strong in team camp and will get a look on the defensive line.
"He's one of those kids that his motor never stops," Thompson said. "He just goes. You ask T.J. to do anything it's going to be a hundred miles an hour."
Hailey also will be on the defensive line.
"Josh Hailey, he's the older version of T.J.," Thompson said. "He's always moving. He's a hundred miles an hour.
"Nobody's going to outwork those two guys. They might not have the most talent, but nobody's going to outwork them. Speed-wise they're going to fire through and hit you."
Duncan returns at a defensive end spot for Oaks.
Depending on what number front the Warriors are in, Parsons could also play an end as well.
Freshman Kawlija Vann (5-9, 210) is a strong kid who will also get some rotations inside and can even play defensive end or linebacker, Thompson said.
"We'll rotate some of those inner guys for size," Thompson said. "They're good-sized kids, 160- to 170-pound kids. If we need some meat in there to stop inside run, we'll have some guys rotate in there for those."
Stricker will play a linebacker spot, while sophomore David Whitecrow (5-11, 185) also could see time at linebacker.
Whorton and Rogers will play the cornerback spots, while Trey Fields will be the free safety.
Senior Mason Neu (5-5, 150) will help the Warriors on special teams, Thompson said.
Sports on 08/26/2015