OAKS, Okla. -- Sixth-year Oaks-Mission (Okla.) football coach C.D. Thompson felt a lot better about this football season when practice started in the second week of August and he had 18 Warriors at his disposal.
There was a real concern heading into the season that numbers would be a problem for the Warriors after graduating nine seniors from last year's 6-4 team.
"I was pleasantly surprised," said Thompson, who is 31-21 in five seasons as head coach. "Thank God to see that many kids are graduating such a large class of seniors and that some former players came back out."
Of the 18 players, seven of them are freshmen, which bodes well for the future.
"We've got a lot of young kids," Thompson said. "We're going to be solid in the future. We've got the best fifth- and sixth-grade and seventh- and eighth-grade teams we've ever had and a solid group of freshmen."
So what does that mean for this year's team in Oklahoma 8-man football?
The Warriors return some playmakers this season and expect to compete in the newly formed five-team District B-7, along with Prue, Depew, South Coffeyville and defending Class B state champion Davenport.
Of the Warriors' four losses last year, three of them came to their returning conference teams. The Warriors lost 28-22 against South Coffeyville, 64-14 to Depew and 46-0 to Davenport.
Because of budget cuts throughout Oklahoma public schools, Oaks is down to just two coaches on its football staff.
Thompson said he and assistant coach Tony Arnold will split offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator duties.
Offensively, the Warriors will stick with their same multiple offense they've used the last several seasons, which will include some spread looks.
"We've got some kids who can go catch it, so we'll be in spread some," Thompson said.
Returning at quarterback is senior Jess Robbins (5-9, 165), who has started for Oaks in some form or fashion since he was a freshman.
Robbins made the move to quarterback full time last year.
"He's the heartbeat of this team," Thompson said. "No if's, and's or but's about it."
Robbins is also the team's best receiver, and the coaches are looking at ways to try and use him in other roles.
"He's made big catches in big games," Thompson said.
One way may be looking at athletic seniors Nakoma Romannose (5-9, 160) and Trey Fields (5-7, 140) at playing some quarterback.
Romannose and Fields will see most of their action at wide receiver and at running back.
Joining that group at running back, will be senior David Yahola (5-5, 165) and freshman Aaron Budder (5-6, 150), who has shown some promise.
Freshman Kody Venable (5-10, 150) also will help at running back.
"We've got to get some meat on (Venable)," Thompson said. "I coached his older brother so I know what he's going to look like."
Up front, the Warriors will count on junior Coye BigEagle (6-4, 280) to anchor the offensive line at center.
"BigEagle is a man," Thompson said. "He's a big kid who just keeps getting bigger."
Sophomores Kawlija Vann (5-8, 195) and T.J. Cummings (6-0, 190) will play on the line, though Cummings could drop back to a tight end role if the Warriors go to an I-formation look on offense.
Senior Christian Bennett (5-11, 220) helps on the offensive line, while freshman Jackson Ross (5-11, 215) impressed his coaches during summer workouts.
"(Ross) was our best weight-room guy this summer," Thompson said. "He's the guy that showed up the most to our summer pride."
Sophomore Trevor Ballou (5-8, 205) also helps on the offensive line.
"He works hard," Thompson said.
Defensively, Oaks would like to line up in a 3-2-3 formation, with three down linemen, two linebackers and three secondary guys.
BigEagle, Cummings and Kawlija will play a big role on the defensive line. Thompson said Ross, Bennett and Ballou would also get reps along the defensive line.
Yahola and Romannose will get the first crack at the linebacker positions, while Robbins will also work some at linebacker.
Freshman Jagur Soldier (5-7, 180) could help at linebacker as well as get some touches at fullback on offense. Freshman Antonio Herrera (5-9, 120) and Venable will also get some work at linebacker.
Fields and Budder will play in the secondary, Thompson said.
Junior Austin Ward (5-6, 130) was a starter in the secondary a year ago.
Freshman Josiah Jumper has impressed in early season practices and could see some significant playing time back there as well.
"Josiah Jumper, he came up and he was hitting those big old seniors, just smoking them," Thompson said. "He did fine. We graduated the best corner we ever had in Ashton Rogers last year."
Sophomore Tree Miles (5-7, 180) could help in the secondary, as could a new kid to the team, freshman Freddie Twist (5-7, 135).
The Warriors open their season Sept. 2 at home against Keota, which lost to Davenport 26-14 in the 2015 Class B state title game.
Sports on 08/24/2016