COLCORD, Okla. --It's said that all good things come to an end, and that was true for the Colcord (Okla.) football program in 2016.
The Hornets saw their 19-year streak of winning seasons snapped as the team slumped to a 3-7 record overall -- the program's first losing season since 1996.
Colcord had some tough breaks along the way as well in head coach Curtis Waltman's first season. Waltman was hired in the summer of 2016 to replace Terrill Denny, who was promoted to athletic director after four years as head coach.
A player who was going to be heavily counted on transferred very early in the season, leaving a void at running back. The Hornets turned the ball over four times in a 28-26 loss at Salina. Then the next week, Colcord lost 13-6 at home against Ketchum in a loss that clinched the Hornets' losing season.
"Last year was one of those years where we had some really close games where we were a touchdown away," he said. "One game we fumbled four times. Another game we were (facing) fourth-and-one with a minute left and couldn't score. So the year could have been completely different if those two things had happened differently. You know what I mean? We all understood we were this close. How do we get over that? Well, hard work and dedication.
"We have a statement we always say. 'Do right, do your best and show someone you care.' That's kind of our program mantra. That's what we constantly focus in on."
Waltman said the Hornets went through a very inspired offseason program.
"We have such a tradition of success and working hard, and we needed to get back to that," Waltman said. "I feel like this offseason we've been able to focus in. We've been doing some new things in the weight room and locker room. I think the kids just want to take pride in themselves and in the program and just kind of get back to what Colcord football has always been."
Waltman said the Hornets bumped up their workout program significantly.
"Everybody had workout goals, such as how many times they were going to be here this summer," Waltman said. "And just the workouts themselves. The lifting program is becoming more precise and our conditioning level is better. Our goal was when the preseason started we were going to be in shape. We were not getting into condition shape at the start of preseason."
Waltman said another point of emphasis was the commitment level.
"Being here all the time," he said. "Finding an excuse to be here, not finding an excuse not to be here."
Counting ninth-graders, the Hornets have around 33 players entering the 2017 season.
Because Waltman was able to go through an entire offseason and spring ball with the team, he said a lot of position battles were solidified in that time period.
"That's a nice thing to have."
The Hornets did make a change at the quarterback position heading into 2017.
Senior Spencer Earp has taken the bulk of the reps at quarterback, while senior Matthew Farris has moved to wide receiver.
"A lot of it had to do with Matthew's skill set," Waltman said. "(Farris) is a very good athlete. He's 6-5, 230 pounds and he can fly. One thing we wanted to do was get the ball to him in space more. As a quarterback, sometimes (other teams) were able to load the box on him, and it made it difficult to get the ball to the outside. Matthew's a very good athlete, but as far as throwing wise, he's more of a runner than he is a thrower."
Waltman said the Hornets will still utilize some packages where Farris lines up at quarterback, and he is the team's backup quarterback if something happens to Earp.
"That's always a nice thing to have," Waltman said. "Obviously having the flexibility to do that is very beneficial."
Farris can also line up at running back from time to time to give senior starter Ryan Castleman a blow from time to time.
Castleman began last year at wide receiver, but by the end of the year he had moved to tailback.
"Obviously we had a transfer at the beginning of last year, so we had to identify who the tailback was," Waltman said. "Ryan, by the end of the year, had really solidified that position. We settled in on some of these kids, and we just continued that in the offseason."
Farris and sophomore Blake Gonzalez could see some carries out of the backfield.
The Hornets will also use a fullback position that will be manned by juniors Chad Kendrick and Raven Difransisco.
At wide receiver, the Hornets return seniors Legend Doyle, Wyatt Doty and Brandon Hedges.
"We have about seven guys who can contribute over and over," Waltman said. "You'll see a rotation going because we're going to spell on defense. We will spell on offense, not on defense."
Colcord's offensive line has several contributing at important positions. Junior Malcolm Potter will man the left tackle position, with Cade Brown, a senior, at left guard. Junior Pablo Alvarez will snap the ball at center, while senior Morgan Shawver is taking care of the left guard position. Junior Colten Dale will man the right tackle position.
The Hornets hope to get senior Kody Long back at some point. They're just waiting for medical clearance after Long tore an ACL several months ago.
"When he gets healthy he can rotate through there," Waltman said of Long.
Freshman A.J. Nichols and junior Benton Denny also could see some playing time in the offensive line.
Defensively, a familiar face is back on the coaching staff for the 2017 season to lead Colcord's defense.
Former head coach Bud Simmons, who is also Colcord's superintendent, will be the defensive coordinator. Simmons was 78-36 in 10 seasons as head coach.
"Bud Simmons has come back as our defensive coordinator," Waltman said. "That's very, very exciting for our program to have somebody that established and somebody who's a defensive guy. That's really beneficial for us. Having him on staff you get that Colcord tradition back in the fold."
Before moving into the superintendent's role in 2014, Simmons spent a couple of seasons as Colcord's defensive coordinator under Denny.
"At any school you want to get the best coaches on staff that you possibly can for the kids," Waltman said. "Just having somebody with (Simmons') experience and his knowledge is very beneficial. Any program would love to have him. He's been a wonderful addition."
Colcord fans are likely to see the Hornets using multiple defensive fronts, including three- and four-man schemes.
Kendrick is a returning All District 7-2A defensive end, while Shawver and Brown will be two other players heavily utilized by the defensive front.
Julio Maury will also be a key player at the nose guard position.
"He gives great effort and hustle every play," Waltman said of Maury.
Senior Baylon Summerfield also could see some time in there.
The Hornets want to make an emphasis in getting their best 11 players on the field, and that will be evident in the linebackers.
Difransisco, Earp and Gonzales will man the interior linebacker positions.
Doyle and Hedges will start at cornerback.
Castleman and Doty will play strong safeties positions, while Farris will man the free safety.
"It's nice having that large of a staff," Waltman said. "The kids can get coached up all the time. I'm really happy with that."
Sports on 08/23/2017