Boyd Street August 2020

BASCO Festival of Homes

Dream a Little Dream

Restore Behavioral Health

Improved Mental Wellness

Local High School Athletes

Meet The Players August 2020 • Issue 8 • Volume 19

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Features

AUGUST CONTENTS 2020

ISSUE 8– VOLUME 19 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher

Dream a Little Dream

16 by Roxanne Avery

MANAGING EDITOR

Mark Doescher

CONTRIBUTORS

Roxanne Avery | Stefanie Brickman Callie Collins | Lindsay Cuomo Drake Diacon | Kathy Hallren Joy Hampton | Josh Helmer Shannon Hudzinski | Tyler McComas Bill Moakley | Chris Plank Chat Williams

16

The Sooner football team looks to advance once again to the College Football Playoff.

Meet the Players

42 by The Players

PHOTOGRAPHY

Chase for 8

30 by Chris Plank

Lindsay Cuomo

Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma hosts Festival of Homes.

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Local student athletes share what makes their community, school, team and coaches unique.

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Norman Tigers

46 by Tyler McComas

The Tigers look to make the playoffs for the third straight year but must replace several key stars.

Norman North Timberwolves

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The Timberwolves look to return to the playoffs in coach Justin Jones’ third season.

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Spotlights

Noble Bears

54 by Drake Diacon

After an undefeated district season in 2019, the Bears look to return to the playoffs this season.

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Neelon Greenwood Service Spotlight:

Little Axe Indians

58

by Drake Diacon

New coach Ethan Feuerborn takes the reigns for the Indians.

CCS Royals

62 by Josh Helmer

A multitude of returning starters have the Royals primed for a big season.

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Prevent Defense

80 by Lindsay Cuomo

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Improved Mental Wellness

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Service Spotlight:

Neelon Greenwood

I

f you ask Norman police officer Neelon Greenwood, he admits he really wanted to be a firefighter. However, after just having graduated from the University of Oklahoma and knowing he wanted to serve his community more immediately, he decided police work is what he would pursue instead.

He is glad he did.

Hired by the Norman Police Department in 2013, Greenwood served three years as a patrol officer before a desire to serve from a different perspective took hold of him.

“I realized doing patrol work was not my long-term calling,” Greenwood explained. “It was great when I first was hired. I was making a difference and getting my feet wet.

“Then I started asking if I was making the difference that I wanted to make. I was going to calls on the back end when there was already trouble. We need those officers. I was just not that officer.”

Fortunately, for the young officer, Norman needed a school resource officer. Greenwood applied and was hired. He is now a regular in the halls of Norman High School.

Greenwood describes his work as an SRO as being on the “front end” of law enforcement, working to establish a better understanding of police officers with kids whose only previous experience with police may have been when mom and dad were in trouble, or when they themselves had run afoul of the law.

He also believes today’s sensitive law enforcement environment and related media coverage has painted police officers with a broad brush.

“We can’t be upset that they only see us in a bad light,” Greenwood said. “We need to show kids the positive impact we can have. My first year (as an SRO), with kids not knowing why we were there or perceiving us as bad people, to now when kids give us a shout-out at graduation or thank us, that’s what makes it great for me, showing we’re real people.”

Greenwood said one of the keys to being effective is simply learning to listen and getting to know the worlds in which the youth he works with live.

10 | August 2020

“When you’re an SRO you have to listen and figure out each story,” he explained. “Everybody’s story is different. It takes dialogue and work. I have to figure out what they may be good at and what may not be. Why are they hurting? Why is a student acting the way they do and how we can grow and mature?

“As an SRO, you’re able to do that. You’re able to have that impact.”

A native of California, and a former member of the OU track team, Greenwood has been back on patrol since schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even while on the streets, he’s often reminded of the connection he’s making with kids.

“I was working a car accident recently. I was directing traffic and three cars passed by and they yelled, ‘Hey Officer Greenwood,’” he recalled. “Little things such as that when kids actually know you and call you out, having that hidden impact you didn’t know you had, is really big.”

When schools open again this fall, Greenwood is looking forward to continuing the rewarding work of influencing lives.

“We’re trying to educate kids that we’re on their side,” he concluded. “We’re not only going to be there when it’s going bad, but when it’s positive as well. We’re going to be there to move forward.”– BSM

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: ROXANNE AVERY

Dream a Little Dream

Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma hosts Festival of Homes

H

ome improvement projects have been a popular quarantine activity. Armed with several months of ideas from HGTV, people are eager to downsize, upgrade, remodel or build a custom home.

The Builders Association of South Central Oklahoma (BASCO) has the perfect solution: their 2020 Festival of Homes. Steven Koranda, BASCO’s executive officer, invites everyone to come out to view the festival’s featured show home as well as the 35 other stunning homes in Norman, Moore, Newcastle, Goldsby and South Oklahoma City.

“We have some great builders who are building some absolutely beautiful homes,” Koranda said. “People can go through these homes and get a hodgepodge of ideas they want to incorporate in their home or use to build their dream home.

16 | August 2020

“Who knows…maybe they’ll find a home they really like,” he added. “Mortgage interest rates are absolutely ridiculous right now, so it is the perfect time to build. Just come out and dream a little.”

Besides allowing potential homebuyers the opportunity to experience the latest in home design, the Festival of Homes also gives BASCO the opportunity to give back to the community.

Each year a special festival show home is built as a collaborative effort between one of the BASCO homebuilder members along with vendors and suppliers who come together to make an exceptional house for the benefit of the organization and community.

Some of the proceeds from the sale of the featured home are donated to community endeavors such as the BASCO student chapter at the University of Oklahoma and to scholarships at Mid-America Vo-Tech

and Moore Norman Technology for students interested in careers in the construction industry.

This year’s featured show home, built

by Jon and Laura Horn and their daughter, Savannah, with Cougar Homes, is located in Saint James Park at 2215 Kimball Drive. Horn says this 2,130 square foot, single-story home has a hint of city loft nuance.

“It’s a three-bedroom home with an additional flex room that can be an bedroom or anything you want it to be,” Laura Horn said. “The master suite is wonderful. The closet is the size of a room you would find in a 3,000 square foot home and it alone would sell to anyone who likes clothes.”

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“It’s one of the nuances for the city loft look,” Laura Horn explained. “It has a laundry room with an extensive amount of cabinetry, storage and a sink as well as a nice built-in mud bench.”

While at the builders show in Las Vegas, Jon, Laura and Savannah found a vendor featuring mirrors with an LED strip completely around them.

“You touch them, and they turn on,” Laura said. “They are perfect for applying make-up.”

Using a high value insulation, with a 98% efficiency rating in heating and air conditioning, the windows in this year’s featured show home are double paned with argon gas as well as other modern amenities.

“We installed beautiful, modernized roll blinds for window coverings. There’s a three-car garage, alarm system, in-ground irrigation system with landscaping in the front as well as the back. It’s a gorgeous home,” Laura Horn said.

Festival attendees are encouraged to wear masks. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at each location. The festival is free and open to the public on two consecutiive weekends: July 31-Aug. 2 and Aug. 7-9. For a complete list of homes included in this year’s festival, go to basco-festival.com or pick up a Festival Tour Guide magazine at participating 7-Eleven stores. – BSM

18 | August 2020

20 | August 2020

COMM U N I T Y

Jessica Eschbach

M

uch of the conversation around education is centered on what happens in the classroom, however, for Jessica Eschbach, a teacher librarian at Kennedy Elementary, her school library is a hub for exploration where students can connect with books, technology and STEM activities.

“On a typical day, I will teach a few lessons with different grade levels, have open library hours for students to check out books and get help from me, and oversee the Maker Space so that students can tinker and build,” Eschbach said.

Like many other educators, Eschbach puts on many hats throughout the school day serving as the technology webmaster and helping produce the student news program, Good Morning Kennedy.

“I’m really grateful that my position within the school allows me to work

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

with students in many different ways.”

Eschbach sees collaboration is an important teacher tool, which is why she has developed a Guest Reader program.

“The kids absolutely love meeting our guests and it gives me a good opportunity to show off the learning that happens within Kennedy,” she said.

“We’ve had so many esteemed readers, including the mayor, state representatives and district leaders, but the kids really loved being deputized by Sheriff Todd Gibson!”

Eschbach got quite a surprise this spring as she received the news that she is the district’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

“I was truly, truly shocked,” she shared. “I was part of an amazing group of finalists and was so sure that I was not going to win that I was in a full on quarantine outfit when they showed up at my door. I am so honored to represent a school district that

I love and colleagues that I respect and admire.”

Eschbach says she is looking forward to the school year, despite the many uncertainties that lay ahead.

“I know that this is a really uncertain time, and that we never envisioned our lives being impacted like they were this year. Please know that as teachers and staff members, we miss our kids dearly and think about them all the time. We cannot wait to welcome them back into our schools with open arms.” – BSM

Teaching Norman Lauretta Coker

I

n first grade, Laurette Coker had a pivotal moment but she likely didn’t know the full impact at the time.

“When I was in first grade, my teacher called my mother to talk to her about my class work,” she remembered.

“She told my Mom that I stared out of the windows and daydreamed, and that I drew pictures on all of my class work.”

Thankfully her mom never discouraged her from doing her art as today she teaches art at Dimensions Academy, Norman Public School’s alternative school.

“I have always loved art and being an artist, so I feel as if I have hit the jackpot,” she shared.

Today, Coker spends her school days helping studemts of all ages enjoy art.

22 | August 2020

“Teaching K-12 art, I have to be able to both scale up and down the curriculum throughout the day. I love it because there are eager students of various grades continuously walking into the classroom with great smiles on their faces.”

But she said that not all students start that way.

“A few students tell me right off of the bat that they are lousy at art,” Coker shared. “After my speil about how I am thankful that everyone’s art is different, I then tell them that hopefully when they leave they will have a greater appreciation for it.”

Outside of the classroom, Coker works on her own art.

“I am involved in many Native art shows and festivals throughout the year. My most requested medium is

stained glass mosaics. They are extremely time consuming but worth every moment.”

“My largest piece thus far is of a Native American woman. It hangs in the Choctaw Nation Administration Headquarters in Durant.”

This year, Coker was chosen as Dimension’s Teacher of the Year. – BSM

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Service Spotlight:

C

apt. Marcus Williams joined the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office to be a difference maker.

“Marcus is an innovative and dedicated leader within the organization,” Sheriff Blake Green said. “He brings fresh ideas to the table and is enthusiastic about always continuing to improve within the agency and the community.”

Williams is motivated by a passion to protect others and to elevate the profession.

Like many young Black men, Williams had a bad encounter with a police officer when he was pulled over at age 16.

“I knew this is not what policing should be, and I knew if I ever became a police officer, I would not treat anyone the way I was treated by this officer,” Williams said. “I had always respected law enforcement growing up.”

Still, it took time for that idea to take hold. Williams graduated from Edmond Santa Fe High School in 2005. Despite that seed of interest in law enforcement, he was unsure of his career path.

“I went to Francis Tuttle Technology Center to become a certified auto tech,” he said. “I finished and worked as a mechanic for two or three years and then became interested in law enforcement.”

While he made good money as an auto 26 | August 2020

Capt. Marcus Williams mechanic, the inward call to protect others surfaced.

“In high school, I was always getting in other people’s business, sticking up for people against bullies,” he said. “I had that instinct to protect others.”

Following the loss of his mother to breast cancer, Williams realized he wanted something more fulfilling than what he was doing. He started in security then worked his way up through small agencies to a full-time career as a deputy after being recruited by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office where he served for seven years.

“My dynamic with law enforcement grew as I worked on many different types of calls within a shift at the sheriff’s office,” Williams said. “That’s where a lot of my skills came from.”

As he moved up in leadership, he was happy in the job and was even commended for saving a man’s life, administering CPR until the EMTs arrived and took over.

“I had no interest in leaving Logan County when I met Capt. Jeff Cox, Det. Elexa Sanders and Sheriff Blake Green, who was undersheriff at the time, at the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association Conference in 2018,” Williams said. “They

told me Cleveland County was looking for experienced people.”

After meeting with leadership and learning of the agency’s mission, Williams felt he had found where he needed to be to grow as a leader and really make a difference.

“Our understanding and our belief in our mission statement makes this agency different,” Williams said. “It’s not just something we say, it’s what we do.

To serve compassionately — like to get gas for somebody or change a tire for a citizen — those things let me know this is where I really wanted to be. I’ve never worked at an agency where we’re so involved in the community.”

Williams said leadership believed in him and provided opportunities for growth.

“They invest in us and send us to training,” he said. “They really push you to better yourself.”

At the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, he started in patrol and moved up quickly through leadership due to his previous experience. He has served as captain since April.

During his time as patrol captain, he worked diligently to get the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications This is a continuation of our series on public servants in Norman.

System (OLETS) active in every patrol car to enhance public safety and improve efficiency.

Williams also recognized that the entire county was being patrolled by about two dozen deputies divided among 12-hour day shifts and 12-hour night shifts. The shifts were long, creating fatigued deputies and supervisors had to choose between comp time and time off which impacted staffing, making it difficult to schedule needed training.

Williams worked to increase patrol coverage, safety and manpower through a transition to 8-hour shifts. Under the new plan, deputies work 160 hours a month, eliminating overtime and/or extra days off to prevent comp time.

Shorter shifts mean deputies are less fatigued, and they work five days on, two days off, giving them more time with their families.

That also allows for eight deputies per shift, increasing the boots on the ground and keeping coverage at satisfactory levels even when someone is sick or at training.

“The idea of eight-hour shifts was not new to the agency,” Green said. “But Williams made it happen, working for a smooth transition that has increased public safety coverage for our community while also saving taxpayer dollars.”

To Williams, it is important to avoid complacency and always work to improve.

“For me, with all that’s going on in the world today, I want to be the leader who is in a position to do better because we can always do better,” he said. “I also like being in a position where I can hold people accountable, but also where we provide the training they need to make better decisions.”

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The Chase for 8

30 | August 2020

D

uring a recent Zoom press conference, Lincoln Riley could not help but smile, even chuckle, during a rare lighthearted moment in an offseason that has not had many.

With the focus centered on the return to campus for Sooner Football, something unique happened.

The Sooner head football coach was asked an actual football question.

“A football question, haven’t had many of those recently,” Riley responded.

As Oklahoma prepares for a season loaded with new names and new faces, this unprecedented offseason has been fueled by everything but on-thefield football talk.

The Sooners must prepare for the unknown as well as a lot of unknowns on the field. OU must replace a Heisman runner-up at quarterback, a first round pick at wide receiver and mike linebacker and 51 percent of its rushing production and 69 percent of its receiving yards.

The talent is there, but the challenge to put it together on the field begins.

QUARTERBACK

Excitement over the perceived start of the Spencer Rattler era and a second season with Alex Grinch running the defense has been tempered. Most questions and concerns naturally shift towards whether Oklahoma will even get the opportunity to step on the field.

The Sooners got in only one spring practice before everything shut down, and with several key players to replace — most notably, quarterback — OU will have a lot of catching up to do once it gets everyone back on campus.

QB redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler is the clear favorite ahead of sophomore Tanner Mordecai, although Riley will almost certainly let it play out until a week or so before the season opener.

“I hope like hell we can play in the fall and do it as close as how we’ve always done it before,” Riley said. “If we can do that, I’m all for it, if that’s the best option. But we’ve seen, at least right now, that the hot weather doesn’t affect this [virus] very much, which we kind of hoped it would.”

“We didn’t have spring, but we’ve had so many opportunities to meet (with) these guys, and that has been awesome,” Riley said. “It’s time that we’ve never had and opportunities to cover things into a depth that we’ve never been able to have — ever — with any quarterback.”

The lead up to the season has been equal parts challenging and frustrating.

For the first time since 2013, the Sooners enter the season with a quarterback battle that does not feature a quarterback who has at least started a game in college. This is also the fourth season in a row where the Sooners will have a new starting quarterback. Despite a lack of experience, the 2020 competition may feature the most anticipated quarterback prospect to wear a Sooner uniform in years, Spencer Rattler.

“This season is going to be unlike any other,” Riley said, “We’ve got to prepare our team that way. So, in some ways, the preparation of your team is different.”

The Sooner coaches are having to prepare for a season where they truly have no idea what the season might look like or when the season could even take place. In fact, questions are still being asked about the possibility of college football happening in the spring.

Photos by: Mark Doescher

the spring is not a potential option. I, for one, think it’s very doable.”

“I think the people who say it’s not [an option], in my opinion, just don’t want to think about it,” Riley said. “I just think it would be wrong of us to take any potential option off the table right now. I think it’d be very difficult to say boydstreet.com

nant career.

But, if there is one lesson we have learned under the leadership of Lincoln Riley, quarterback competitions are not coronations. They are true competitions.

“One of the keys to our situation at quarterback over the years has always been competition. Baker had to beat out Trevor Knight and a couple others and it was a heck of a battle that went down to the wire,” Riley said. “Baker, even after a couple of great years, then had to beat out Kyler. Jalen Hurts had to beat a couple of guys out. We have always had competition regardless of where these guys have come from or if they’ve been highly recruited or primetime players at other schools.

“It’s no different for Spence Rattler or Tanner Mordecai right now. We’ll let them go at it.”

The five-star prospect enters his redshirt Freshman season as the presumptive favorite to be the starting quarterback for not only the 2020 season but for years to come. A former five-star recruit and the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the country as a prep star in Phoenix, Rattler passed for an Arizona state high school-record 11,083 yards and 116 touchdowns during a domiBOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 31

In other words, don’t count out Tanner Mordecai as a possibility to start in 2020. Mordecai redshirted in 2018 and then served as the primary backup a year ago, completing 16-of-26 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

“They are both incredibly talented,” Riley said. “I felt like those two with Chandler Morris give us all the talent we need to be a Championship level team.”

“They’re not experienced, but they are experienced here. Yeah, there’s some game experience that these guys don’t have, we get that, but there’s no doubt, it is nice to have guys that have been here. This time last year, we were obviously force-feeding, especially Jalen, … trying to get him caught up as fast as possible. I feel like they’re both ready to be the starting quarterback here. It’s their time.”

RUNNING BACK The running back position will have a different look from a leadership perspective this year. DeMarco Murray has returned to his alma mater to take

32 | August 2020

over as the running back coach.

“This is very surreal,” the 31-year-old former Sooner said upon being hired.

“Obviously, I never thought I’d be back coaching at the place where it all started for me. Having the opportunity to come back and be among great coaches and be with some of the people I grew up with is exciting. I’m thankful for the opportunity Coach Riley is giving me and I’m looking forward to being back home.”

What Murray might lack in coaching experience, only coaching one collegiate season at Arizona, he makes up for with on the field experience. Murray owns the OU career records for all-purpose yards (6,718), touchdowns (65) and kick-off return yardage. His success in college translated to the NFL where his seven-year career included three Pro Bowl selections.

The Sooners return a talented and deep backfield led by Kennedy Brooks. The Mansfield, Texas product has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. Brooks was one of the

mainstays in a four-headed monster in the Sooner backfield last season but is now the last man standing, at least to start the season. Jalen Hurts, who carried the ball a whopping 233 times, is onto the NFL while Trey Sermon transferred to Ohio State. Ramondre Stevenson is back but the question surrounding Stevenson is when he can return after a suspension leading up to the playoff game against LSU. Despite key departures, the Sooners have a talented group including versatile H-Back Jeremiah Hall. True freshman Seth McGowan, (6’0, 202) is a four-star prospect who was rated the No. 13 running back in the 2020 class

by Rivals and No. 16 by both ESPN and 247Sports. In his high school career, he rushed for more than 3,700 yards and scored 45 touchdowns.

Marcus Major figures to play a role after missing most of last season with an injury after turning heads during fall camp in 2019.

The forgotten name in the Sooner backfield is consistently T.J. Pledger. After a

stellar high school career, Pledger has been unable to get many opportunities.

Injuries have also plagued Pledger’s development, but with new leadership, Pledger could be on the verge of a breakout season in a very deep running back room.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END When CeeDee Lamb was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys, it marked the second straight year a Sooner receiver was drafted in the first round and the fifth straight season where a Sooner pass catcher was selected in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft.

Lamb developed into arguably one of the greatest receivers in Sooner football history and now Oklahoma is forced to find a way to replace his massive production.

“It’s a very talented room, but it’s very thin, and in some respects, inexperienced,” Riley said. “Charleston Rambo is a guy that we’re going to need to take the next step… I think he’s got a lot of confidence going forward, and boydstreet.com

our quarterbacks got a lot of confidence in him as well.”

ent, but injuries and a suspension might slow the impact of the young talent.

Rambo burst onto the scene with a breakout performance in the 2019 playoff game against Alabama and carried that momentum into a solid start last season. In the first four games last year, Rambo amassed 373 yards on 13 catches while scoring four touchdowns.

However, over the final 10 games, Rambo had just one touchdown reception and 370 total receiving yards.

WR Jadon Haselwood was injured in mid-April, but Riley is not ruling the sophomore out for the entire season.

One of the biggest areas where Riley has seen improvement from Rambo is physically.

“His body, probably more than any period that I can remember, has really started to change and really develop,” Riley said during spring availability.

“We are going to need him to lead us and to lead that group because he is one of the older, more experienced guys in that room… you have to have leaders in that room and he has to be that guy for us.”

The talented receiver group is short on experience but incredibly long on tal-

“Jaden had a lower leg injury,” Riley said. “He’ll miss the early part of the season, and we’ll have to see how he responds before we know anything further. It was non-football-related, non-workout-related, just a freak accident at home.”

OU added UCLA transfer Theo Howard who injured his Achilles in the winter but could be ready for the start of the season.

Trejan Bridges is also in the group with Stevenson and Ronnie Perkins who will miss a portion of the season due to suspension leaving sophomore Theo Wease as the one who could make the biggest impact. Wease had a key 19-yard touchdown reception in the Sooners comeback win against Baylor and flashed when given opportunities. Now Wease has a chance to take the next step.

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 33

Other names that could factor in for the Sooners in 2020 include freshman Marvin Mims, who was the all-time leader in receiving yards in Texas high school history. Drake Stoops showed promise as a reliable slot receiver and could be key in replacing the consistency of Lee Morris and Nick Basquine while Austin Stogner could be on the verge of becoming the next big name tight end along the lines of Mark Andrews and Blake Bell.

OFFENSIVE LINE When Creed Humphrey decided to return for his Redshirt junior season, the Sooners offensive line was instantly stabilized. The three-year starter has already been named a pre-season All-American and is coming off a year 34 | August 2020

where he was named the co-offensive lineman of the year by the Big 12 and did not allow a sack in his 799 plays.

It may have been Riley’s and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh’s biggest recruiting win of the off season.

“Having our leader there is important for the development of this group,” Riley said. “Not only just some continuity and all that but the mentality of the group as that builds. You need that guy there. I think it will be important for Creed as a player too. The expectations are for him to play his very best ball and it takes a lot to do that. He’s got to get playing the absolute best he can. That group’s hungry right now and we need them to be.”

Last season Bedenbaugh was challenged with injuries and frequently had to shuffle his rotations. When Adrian Ealy was healthy, he proved to be a difference maker at right tackle.

After having to move Tyrese Robinson to tackle to help fill injury voids early in the season, the McKinney, Texas product established himself at one guard spot as Marquise Hayes anchored the other spot.

Questions remain at left tackle where injuries hampered the development of Erik Swenson, and RJ Proctor has now graduated after spending the last handful of games starting.

“We’re looking at a lot of different combinations right now. I’ll put it that

way,” Riley said going into the spring.

“Where guys have played in the past may not necessarily be where they play in the future.”

Redshirt freshman Stacy Wilkins has a chance to be special and could be the choice at left tackle. OU added another UCLA transfer in Chris Murray but his status is up in the air as the NCAA re-evaluates its one-time transfer policy. Freshman Andrew Raym and Redshirt sophomore Brey Walker could factor on the depth chart at guard.

DEFENSE In many ways, the last impression you make can be the ongoing impression.

Under the leadership of Alex Grinch, the Sooners made tremendous strides, improving in just about every statistical defensive category and finished the season atop the Big 12 in total defense and passing defense.

But, against LSU, the Sooners were rocked for 63 points and 693 total yards and the defense improvement was quickly forgotten.

“Their performance in the playoff game was a total aberration,” a coach told Athlon Sports as part of its season preview. “I think any coach in this league would tell you that. Nothing about that game really matched up with the improvement they’d shown last year. I think the personnel killed them, too many injuries and too many suspensions. Grinch did a phenomenal job with them last year up until that point.

“Don’t judge them on that game.”

As Oklahoma continues its path towards defensive improvement, the biggest key in 2020 will be to replace three-year starter Kenneth Murray while also finding another starting corner and someone to help bring the heat from the interior of the defensive line.

DEFENSIVE LINE When a handful of suspensions were handed down before the National Semi-Final game against LSU, none hit nearly as hard as the loss of Ronnie Perkins. The junior out of St. Louis

had a breakout season finishing second on the Sooners in both sacks and tackles for loss. The unknown of his status heading into the season is a concern for a young defensive line.

“Those guys are going to work,” Riley said in the spring of the suspended players. “They’re going to practice and they’re going to get better just like the rest of the team. They’ve all had very strong off seasons and are doing a great job.”

The Sooners added some new energy to the defensive line room with the addition of new assistant coach Jamar Cain. Calvin Thibodeaux continues his role with the defensive line while Cain will coach defensive ends and the outside linebacker position.

“I’m just going to try to add to what’s already there,” Cain continued. “I’m going to have a relentless attitude, be as detailed as possible and try to build lasting relationships with the players and coaches. I can’t wait to get started.”

Cain brings an impressive resume. His defensive line was one of the elements

“Jordan Kelley, all those guys, LaRon Stokes has to be a better playmaker for us,” Grinch said. “I love LaRon. He did a real nice job. I’m glad we had him, but we need production. That’s not being negative. That’s being real, and he would tell you the exact same thing. So all those guys in the middle, they certainly do have to produce more – and that includes everybody on our defense.”

LINEBACKER that helped Fresno State compile a 22-6 record over the 2017 and 2018 seasons and spent the last two seasons at Arizona State.

“I’m real excited about the tandem of Calvin and Jamar,” Riley said. “I think that has a chance to be a really good one-two punch. I think that is going to be a big factor for us this year.”

As excited as the Sooner head coach is about the coaching combination, he seems to be even more excited about the group he has coming back. Despite not featuring a defensive lineman over 300 pounds, Riley is incredibly confident in the talent the team has along the defensive line.

“I feel good about it,” he said. “It was a huge priority in this recruiting class, both this recruiting class and the previous one, in developing some of the guys that got limited reps and were behind the scenes last year.”

“We knew we were using a handful of guys that were graduating last year so the development of guys like Jordan Kelly, Isiah Thomas… that was big for us. Zach McKinney had a nice off-season. We’ve signed some JUCO players and were overly excited of what we saw in the spring from those guys before we had to shut down. We’ve got some youth and unproven guys but that’s one of those areas where we need them to step up.”

The Sooners do return the leader in sacks in 2019 in Jalen Redmond and LaRon Stokes proved to be a consistent player when called upon. But, if there is one thing we have learned in year one under Alex Grinch, there is always room to improve and be better.

36 | August 2020

Kenneth Murray became the first Oklahoma defensive player to be drafted in the first round since Gerald McCoy went third overall in 2010.

Murray was a stabilizing force at middle linebacker and a two-year captain who led the Sooners in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

With Murray on his way to Los Angeles to star for the Chargers, the Sooners are challenged to fill a monster void, as the quarterback of its defense is gone. Both DeShaun White and Caleb Kelly are the presumptive starters in the interior backer spots, but the Sooners have developed a solid amount of depth.

“We’re gonna have some depth and talent in that room, without a doubt,” Riley said in a press conference in March. “Having Caleb back full speed, having DaShaun White back, Brian Asamoah has had a tremendous offseason so far and, I think, is one of the most talented guys in that room.

Bryan Mead has been a steady fixture for several years now, and (true freshman) Shane Whitter has come in and done a really nice job. He’s been very impressive for a young guy so far.”

Caleb Kelly came to the Sooners as a five-star prospect out of California but since stepping on campus has struggled to stay on the field. He moved from outside to inside linebacker in 2018 and lost most of his 2019 season thanks to a knee injury during spring drills. But Kelly fought his way back and played in the final four games of the 2019 season. With spring football being eliminated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to get on the field over those final four games ended up being a huge blessing, not just Kelly, but for the Sooner defense as well.

“If he had not been able to play those games, we’d still be going through it now and potentially even into September,” Riley said. “He’s done it. He’s gained some competition. He’s played not just in games, but big games in this scheme.”

DeShaun finished last season fourth on the team in tackles and continued to show improvement throughout the season in the new scheme.

The outside linebacker position might be the most exciting in terms of potential. Both David Ugwoegbeu and Nik Bonito showed incredible poise and promise after an injury cut short John Michael-Terry’s season. All three are back this season and, with position changes for both Jamal Morris and Robert Barnes, there is a ton of depth.

DEFENSIVE BACK

The Sooners return nine of its 11 starters from its 2019 defense. One of those losses is at corner where Parnell Motley wrapped up his career with a stellar senior season. Now the Sooners will look to find a lockdown corner

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The development of Jayden Davis could end up playing a major role on where Norwood ends up this season. Davis played in all 14 games last season and made his first career start against West Virginia. But depth had always appeared to be an issue for the Sooners, not just the corner position but in the secondary.

In the loss to Kansas State, Parnell Motley was kicked out of the game and Delarrin Turner-Yell missed most of the game with an injury. Against LSU, Turner-Yell was out with an injury and, after the ejection of Brendan Radley-Hiles, the Sooners had to turn to true Freshman Woodi Washington to fill the void a nickel.

opposite of Tre Brown and continue to build overall depth in the secondary.

The biggest jolt of energy for the Sooner secondary will be the return of Tre Norwood who missed last season with an injury. Norwood was a staple at cornerback for the Sooners having started 19 of 28 games headed into the 2019 season before the injury hit.

“Tre Norwood is doing very well,” Riley said in March. “Exceeding expectations on rehab time, he’s gonna be able to get a lot of reps. He’s done a great job, our medical team’s done a tremendous job of getting him back. He certainly gained a lot of strength during that time, too, which I think is going to make him a much better player. We’re thrilled to have him back.”

Norwood was working at nickel before the injury halted his season and questions remain on exactly where he could end up playing in 2020. Could he be the answer at arguably the most important position in the Alex Grinch defense? Or could he shift back to corner and work opposite Tre Brown?

Last season Brown grabbed a pick, broke up 12 passes and registered 41 tackles from his corner spot.

38 | August 2020

But, that has changed in 2020.

“I think in terms of depth, we’re definitely gonna be in a good place,” Riley said.

“There were times last spring where, especially at corner, there were some days when it was tough to even get near the amount of snaps that we wanted to get.

So, we’re gonna be a deeper, more experienced group for sure.”

Newcomers Kendall Dennis (6’0, 174) or Joshua Eaton (6’2, 175) could be thrust into immediate action. True freshman D.J. Graham (5’11, 194) enrolled in January and might be more ready.

Last season the Sooners improved 71 spots in the NCAA pass defense rankings and the improvement was thanks in large part to the continued development of the back end of the Sooner defense. Both Pat Fields and Delarrin Turner-Yell took over as the starting safeties and, with Bookie at nickel, the Sooners had consistency before Turner-Yell went down with an injury.

Turner-Yell and Fields finished second and third respectively for the Sooners in tackles with Fields registering a pair of sacks and five pass break-ups.

With all three returning, the Sooners have consistency but now, with improving depth, they also have competition. The addition of Bryson Washington and the development of names like Jeremiah Criddell, Justin Broiles and Justin Harrington could help provide much needed depth that was lacking through most of last season.

The Sooners were improved last year.

Now Grinch wants to see them continue to grind.

“We haven’t patted ourselves on the back a whole lot in the last couple months talking about how great we did,” Grinch said. “I think there’s so much positive going on here. I like to think we’ve contributed to it as a defensive staff. Certainly, to a point, we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made, we’re awfully frustrated or upset at some of the results that we got last year. But that doesn’t dismiss the progress that we made.

“I also think we’re just getting started, I really do. I use the term, ‘we’re not even good yet.’ Just wait until we get good.”

FINAL THOUGHT The Sooners are solid on special teams.

Gabe Brkic left many wondering how he did not win the job out of camp last season as he not only hit the game winner against Baylor but did not miss a field goal the entire season. Reeves Mundschau averaged 42 yards per punt last season and boomed a season-long 67-yard punt. With Tre Brown back returning kicks, the only real question will revolve around who replaces Ceedee Lamb in the punt return game. But with playmakers like Drake Stoops and potentially T.J. Pledger or even Charleston Rambo, the Sooners have talent ready to step in.

In preparing for 2020, the bottom line for the Sooners is to control what they can control. Conversations will continue about the season and if it should happen throughout the month of August. But when the off the field talk subsides and the Sooners finally step on the gridiron, it might be one of the most anticipated openers for Sooner football in years.

From the potential start of the Rattler era at quarterback and a defense that is loaded with young talent to a group of unproven playmakers ready to show what they can do and a Sooner Nation ready to chase number eight, the season has the potential to be another special campaign for the University of Oklahoma.– BSM

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S P O RT S

BY: THE PLAYERS

MEET THE PLAYERS Local student athletes share what makes their community, school, team and coaches unique.

Jaden Bray SR • 6’3” • 190

Gabe Trevillison SR • 5’10” • 175

Wide receiver

Running back

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SEASON?

To win, grow as a student athlete, get faster, stronger, run great routes, improve every play, be a great teammate and play both sides of the field.

Going to the playoffs and winning State, beating the odds.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT PLAYING FOR YOUR SCHOOL?

I get to have fun doing something I love with people I love and push me to be better. Our team is a family and the support from the community is so special.

Our new white helmets, been wanting those since last year, so it’s pretty cool we get to wear them my last year.

BESIDES YOUR CURRENT POSITION, WHAT POSITION WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY AND WHY?

I would like to play safety just to challenge myself and improve my speed.

Wide receiver because who wouldn’t want to play out wide and catch deep balls.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ATHLETE?

LeBron James

CeeDee Lamb

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT IN YOUR ATHLETIC CAREER?

There’s been so many in my very short football career. If I have to pick one, it has to be scoring my first touchdown, which was against Moore.

Winning three championships for my Little League, team shout out to the Oklahoma Ducks

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG TO LISTEN TO BEFORE YOU PLAY?

Do Better by Gunna, cause I’m always going to do better!

The Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight album, by Travis Scott

WHAT IS YOUR TWITTER HANDLE?

@thejadenbray

@gabetrevv

WHAT POSITION DO YOU PLAY?

42 | August 2020

Trevor Lorenz JR • 6’3” • 190

Quarterback, wide receiver and safety

Corey Shackelford SR • 5’10” • 175

Gage Williams SR • 6’2” • 195

Running back and linebacker

Linebacker and wide receiver

Repeat as District Champions and win all of our home games against Blanchard, Midwest City, Duncan and Ardmore.

To have a winning season, have a good time with the boys and go as far as we can after Week 10.

To host a playoff game.

We have so much community support and involvement. The games on Friday Nights in Noble are fire, playing in front of all them is such a rush!

The coaches, they all contribute to the team’s success as well as each athlete.

The coaches pour their time and energy into making us the best players we can be. They do the same with character and are great examples of how to be godly men.

I trust my coaches and know they will put me in the right place and at the right position to help our team win.

Slot, I like catching the ball and running through people.

Safety, it looks like a lot of fun running all over the field and I’d love the opportunity to have a lot of picks.

Russell Wilson

Patrick Mahomes

Nolan Arenado

Helping my team win our first playoff game against Woodward.

Most recently, competing for a spot in the Blue Grey All American game. I ran the fastest 40 of all QBs competing. All those kids from Texas and Louisiana are slow anyway, BOOMER!

Running a 70-yard touchdown as QB at nine years old with a broken pinky, I had to talk my coach into letting me play.

Beating Star Spencer last year by one point to secure a playoff spot, it came down to the last play and I’ll never forget the feeling of joy and relief when the final buzzer sounded.

I love hip-hop, all rap all the time.

A lot of Lil Durk

Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses

@Chilli__Lorenz

@corey_shack_23

N/A

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NORMAN

here is a strong argument that no team in 6A football has made a bigger two-year jump than the Norman Tigers. That jump has resulted in back-to-back playoff trips, which has set high expectations as the new normal for NHS under Rocky Martin.

A trip back to the postseason will test just how much depth the program has built, since a total of 16 starters (8 offense, 8 defense) are not returning from last year’s team.

First things first, the Tigers will need to figure out a replacement to Cade Horton at quarterback. A total of six players will have the chance to win the starting job, as their offensive coordinator is patiently waiting for his next triggerman to emerge.

“We have multiple guys,” said head coach Rocky Martin. “We’ve got six guys that are battling for that spot. Not having spring ball hurt us, obviously.

We have a senior in Wyatt Shurbet and a bunch of younger guys who are go-

46 | August 2020

ing to compete for that spot.”

While some things must change, others stay the same. The Tigers are notorious for picking up big yardage on the ground. This season won’t be any different.

“One guy who is probably at the top of the list is Edrick Lambert (6’, 200),” Martin said. “He started every game last year and we used him more as an H-back. He’s a big kid and he’s a guy we’re confident in. We also have a number of younger guys that we feel really good about, too.”

There’s certainly several unknowns for the NHS offense, but what can’t be denied is it has one of the best receivers in the entire state. Whoever emerges at quarterback will have the luxury of throwing to Oklahoma State commit Jaden Bray (6’3, 190). He’ll be the big-play threat at wide receiver the offense has grown accustomed to having on the outside.

BY: TYLER MCCOMAS

“The minute basketball got over, Jaden came back to football and has really been working hard in the weight room,” Martin said. “He’s more of a quiet kid but he leads through his actions. He’s dangerous with the ball and even without it. He’s physical and I think that’s what caught a lot of teams’ attention. If we’re running the ball, he’s blocking down the field and that’s just the type of kid he is.”

Four of five starters are gone from the offensive line, and the re-tooled unit will likely tell the tale of the NHS offense in 2020. But with the recent success the Tigers have had up front, don’t sleep on this group rounding into a solid unit.

“We lost a solid, solid group but we’re returning Nami Makahununiu,” Martin said. “He’s played guard but we’ll probably switch him out to tackle.

We’ve got a couple of other kids that are going to have to step up and show they’re ready to play. Marshall Stal-

Photo by: Mark Doescher

S P O RT S

naker and Marques Kettries are two of those guys.”

Defensively, NHS will look to Willie Prince to create havoc on the defensive line. Prince was teamed up with his brother, Charles, last year, but now it’s up to Willie to lead the way.

“He’s extremely athletic,” Martin said. “We can line him up inside or outside, and he gets off the ball really well. Xavier Mason is another one who got quite a bit of playing time last year and he’s really excelled this offseason. Trenton Byington is a nose guard we feel pretty good about.”

Madina is another we’re expecting a lot from, as well as Cedric McClendon who started the first half of last year but got hurt.”

The secondary needs production from several new faces if the defense is going to regain its form from last year. It may even be fair to say the success of the NHS defense in 2020 rides on how efficient the unit is at limiting big plays.

“We lost three of four starters, but we get our free safety, Isaac Raymond-Brown, back,” Martin said. “He can fly and plays the ball really well. We’ve got some corners, such as Aiden Rosales, Linebacker depth was tested last who stepped up late for us last year as NHS suffered critical in- year and we’ll count on him, as juries at the position. But what well.” may have seemed like a curse Regardless of how many startmay very well end up being a ers are gone, the Tigers expect blessing as a new core of starters to get back to the playoffs. If return with big-game experience. NHS can achieve that, it’ll be a “Seth Wishon will play inside clear sign that Martin is on the and had a really nice end to the verge of taking the Tigers to season,” Martin said. “Ethan even bigger heights. – BSM

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NORMAN NORTH

orman North enters the third season of the Justin Jones era ready for its experience to translate into the Timberwolves’ first playoff berth since 2017. After a 2-8 finish in 2018 and a 3-7 record a year ago, North feels it is poised to earn a playoff berth out of District 6A-1-2.

At the top of District 6A-1-2, there are your usual east side suspects in the form of defending state champion Owasso and Union. Beyond that, North figures to weigh in heavily for one of the final two playoff spots.

“You’ve got a lot of teams in our district that just lost a ton of experience,” head coach Justin Jones said. ““It’s going to be a battle to make one of those top four spots, but that’s the nature of this year to year. If you can get one of those and win your first playoff game, you’re sitting there in the semifinals and anything can happen. We’re excited about it.”

“Moore was a semifinalist team last year… I know that they’ve got some good young talent coming in,” he added. “Then, you’ve got us who is actually

50 | August 2020

BY: JOSH HELMER

going to be more experienced than probably a lot of teams we’ll play until we hit those east side teams. We feel like we have a great shot to make the playoffs.”

There’s also a sense that the non-district schedule has softened to a degree for North heading into 2020. Last year, the T-Wolves faced a non-district gauntlet that featured Norman, Stillwater and Edmond Santa Fe. That trio combined for a 27-8 record last fall.

“We had a brutal schedule last year,” the third-year head coach said.

“Hopefully, this year with our experience we’re able to take a little bit of a deep breath and be prepared from a non-district standpoint going into district to be able to make a run and try to secure a playoff spot.”

Offensively, North hopes a third year in its system results in its best production of the Jones tenure.

“Third year in the system, we should be able to understand what we’re doing, what we’re trying to accomplish on offense, how the system works,” Jones said. “Now, it’s about the finite details, can we get there and create

competition at positions so that we can progress and get back to playing the style of football and winning at a higher percentage which Norman North has been used to.”

It will start with a quarterback battle between senior Jackson Remualdo (6’2, 170) and junior Gavin Frakes (6’2, 182).

“Quarterback is going to continue to be a battle as every quarterback battle should be,” Jones said. “Jackson Remualdo comes back. He has been a starter all last year and a little bit his sophomore year. Then, we also have junior Gavin Frakes who has had a great growth spurt… and has continued to progress.

“I think we’re going to have an outstanding quarterback battle between those two guys. I think it’s going to make our offense better… competition at every position does that and certainly those two guys are both primed to battle each other out.”

Whoever locks down the starting quarterback job will have an offensive line with four returning starters. Seniors Benicio Fuentes (6’4, 322), Walter

Photo by: Mark Doescher

S P O RT S

Youngbear (6’4, 284) and Landon Lehenbauer (6’4, 231) and junior Walter Peck (6’2, 238) are all back.

“We’ve got a bunch of dedicated guys up front. We’re excited about that,” Jones said.

Also back in the fold are Norman North’s leading rusher and leading receiver from 2019. Senior wide receiver Luke Switzer (6’, 183) led North with 409 receiving yards last year, while senior running back Gabe Trevillison (5’10, 180) rushed for 585 yards before injury sidelined him for the final two games of the season.

“For the first time in three years we have so much experience returning on offense this year. It just pays dividends to have experience. There’s no substitute for that,” Jones said.

It’s a similar story on the defensive side of the football.

“We really retooled our defense last year and made some major strides with not a lot of experience. We’re going to be a little bit more aggressive than we’ve ever been, just to cause some things to happen,” Jones said.

North will once again operate out of a

3-4 defense and is thrilled to have its two outside linebackers back in senior Zach Ivy (6’3, 177) and junior Duncan Parham (6’3, 181).

“Those two guys can run and really in a 3-4 defense it starts with those guys because they’re kind of hybrid linebackers and safeties,” Jones said.

Junior safety Eli Moulton (6’, 156) returns to help anchor North’s secondary.

“Eli Moulton returns as one of our safeties and will do an outstanding job. As a sophomore, he was one of the better safeties I’d ever coached,” Jones said.

Junior Josh Koranda (6’2, 290) and senior Jackson Lancaster (6’1, 220) will be expected to be key contributors for North’s defensive line.

“We feel like we have the offense and defense to match each other,” Jones said. “That’s huge in this league that we play in. You have to play team football to win games. We’re excited about all three phases of what we’re going to be able to do. We have guys now that are experienced playing the game on Friday nights underneath the lights.” – BSM

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T

he 2019 season was one for the record books. For the first time in school history, the Noble Bears went undefeated in district play en route to the school’s first district title since 2003, and played their way to the state quarterfinals.

“We just had good players in that group—good leaders,” head coach Greg George reflected. “They were good young men who wanted to be good and did what it took for them to make that happen… a good group who loved being out there playing the game and competing.”

Despite the departures of some of their biggest contributors last season—including six all-district award winners—George insists the eyes of the Bears are still set on the postseason.

54 | August 2020

NOBLE

“We expect to go to the playoffs and be one of those four teams in our district to do that,” he stressed. “You need to go about your business and build towards your goals. We had that threemonth break because of the pandemic where we couldn’t work with these kids and I am proud of them. You could tell they didn’t sit around on the couch the entire time; they were all working to be better.”

The proverbial elephant in the room thrust upon every coach this offseason has been how each team implements coronavirus safety protocols. George walked through the steps he and his staff are taking to adjust to this ‘new normal’ and making sure they set their players up for success.

“We have all of the different requirements for when the kids come out,”

BY: DRAKE DIACON

the sixth-year head coach said. “We do the temperature check, going through a checklist of questions, sanitizing the weight room every day after working out, practicing social distancing whenever possible, and doing all of these things to make sure football starts on time because for that to happen we have to be smart right now.”

For the second consecutive season, the Bears transition to a new signal caller on the field after District 5A-1 MVP quarterback Austin Fisher graduated.

The coaching staff looks to junior Trevor “Chilli” Lorenz (6’3, 170) and sophomore Colin Fisher (6’1, 175), Austin’s younger brother, to compete for the starting job.

“I would say Chilli is probably the guy if we were to pick right now, but we have a lot of ground to cover this sum-

mer still,” George said. “We know both of those guys can make plays. Both guys can run. Both guys can throw.

Right now, I’d say Chilli is probably the guy, but Colin is right behind him.”

In the backfield, it will be production by committee effort to replace the 2019 leading rusher, Ezra Elkins. Backs like juniors Barhett Crawley (5’10, 175) and Tavion Givens (5’10, 200) as well as sophomores L.T. Taylor (5’8, 140) and Collin Thomas (5’8, 165) will all get an opportunity to contribute this season during summer and fall camps.

Although receiver Jay Smith graduated, George is excited about his wide receiver group led by seniors Gabe Hudson (6’2, 175) and Davin Whitney-Coon (6’0), junior Trevor Wardrip (6’0, 165) and sophomore Brandon Harper (5’9, 155).

“All of those guys are guys we expect to step right in,” he said. “All of them have good hands and when you look at someone like Gabe, he missed all but two games for us last year so he’s chomping at the bit and working hard to contribute this year.”

On the offensive line, the Bears have penciled in seniors Isaac Gifford (6’1, 225) and Noah Standridge (6’1, 245) and junior Austin Tener (6’0, 225) to the starting lineup. In the mix for the remaining starting spots are senior Trenton Hickok (6’4, 250) and juniors Caden Reed (5’11, 245) and Nick Lowman (5’11, 270).

On the defensive line, Colin Fisher, Gifford, Hickok and Lowman will all play both ways in addition to sophomore defensive end Luke Conley (5’10, 175). In addition, George calls upon a deep group of linebackers including returning starter seniors Sean Gillespie (5’11, 200) and Seth Wall (6’3, 185 and juniors Bryson Crawley (5’10, 175) and Caden Dominey (6’1, 180).

George expects juniors Colton Hester (5’10, 175) and Devin Knight (5’9, 175) to see playing time as well.

“We’ve got a lot of playmakers at linebacker particularly so we might get exotic in some of our looks,” George said of his defense. “A lot of our guys will play both ways, so we will have to get creative to keep them fresh, but

we expect the defense to pick up right where we left off last year.”

In the secondary, the staff will put its best athletes on both sides of the football, as Hudson, Lorenz and Whitney-Coon compete for the safety positions with Taylor and Harper at corner.

Noble is set to open the 2020 season against Blanchard on Sept. 4 and start district play against El Reno on Sept.

25. – BSM

S P O RT S

LITTLE AXE

L

ast season did not reflect the hopes then head coach Matt Lane had for his 2019 Little Axe Indians. After a disappointing 3-7 record in his third season, Lane resigned in late December.

Little Axe found its new head coach in Choctaw offensive line coach Ethan Feuerborn. The Washington, Oklahoma native has been an assistant coach in high school at Washington and Moore, then at the collegiate level with Missouri Southern State and Southern Nazarene.

Feuerborn says he wants to implement an all-encompassing coaching style he learned from Choctaw head coach Jake Corbin known as “3D coaching” to build a family-like atmosphere.

“It’s an overall philosophy trying to build relationships with kids and trying to change their lives,” the first-year head coach said. “It’s not just about Xs and Os and football, it’s about more than that. It’s about being involved in these kids’ lives longer than just the three hours you get them for foot-

58 | August 2020

ball. It’s about the other 21 hours in a day that you can make an impact with them.”

One other Choctaw tradition Feuerborn will be taking with him to Little Axe is the “G.O.L.D. Standard” program he built with Corbin.

“These are standards we want our players to live by and it stands for Gratitude, Ownership, Leadership and Discipline,” Feuerborn said. “These are things that will not only build better football players, but better men.”

As the Indians shift back up to District 3A-2 in 2020 after two seasons at 2A, Feuerborn says he and his staff are doing their best to mitigate the risk of the spread of the coronavirus by checking temperatures of players, enforcing social distancing and frequently cleaning the weight room.

“It’s been extremely difficult for all of us,” he said. “All I can say is thank goodness for technology because I can’t imagine implementing a new system on offense and defense 20-30 years ago.”

BY: DRAKE DIACON

The Indians offense will transition from Lane’s up-tempo running attack to the flexbone formation and will look to senior Micah Helie (5’8, 155) to take over the quarterback position after three-year starter, Collin Gibson, moved to McLoud.

“He’s been the type of team leader you want your quarterback,” Feuerborn said. “He helps to make sure guys are on task in workouts and asks intelligent questions about our offense. He’s never played the position before at the varsity level, but he’s been hungry to learn this offense and I think he’s going to be ‘the dude’ for us.”

Feuerborn looks to a group of backs to help fuel his grinding option attack with senior fullbacks Jorge Lopez (5’6, 170) and Corey Shackleford (5’10, 160), in addition to the slotback duo of senior Andrew Hanna (6’0, 170) and junior Kody Dellinger (5’11, 175).

“With the dive attack from the fullbacks, it’s important to have more than one guy carry the rock for you,”

he said. “We just have to try to keep those guys fresh since they are playing both ways. Then Andrew (Hanna) and Kody (Dellinger) both have the athleticism to be a threat in the running game and the passing game too.”

Leading the way for the new runheavy attack will be an athletic offensive line featuring senior leader Tristan Castrillo (5’10, 270), junior Kameron Farris (5’10, 240), sophomore Chadd Kriz (5’10, 230) and freshman Lane Gourley (5’10, 225) with junior Jake Lovins (6’0, 230) the early favorite for the final spot on the line.

“I think we are going to have a fairly athletic offensive line,” the Feuerborn said, who was an offensive lineman. “If you have athletic linemen in this option attack, it’s really going to help those kids move well like they need to.”

Defensively, the Indians will stick with a 3-3-5 scheme, but it will be an oddstack formation forcing opposing offenses to game plan for a scheme they won’t normally see.

“I feel like moving guys around, always be moving, trying to create mismatches bringing pressure from different areas to give us a chance to succeed,” Feuerborn said. “I want people to prepare for things that people don’t typically have to prepare for.

We want to make things uncomfortable for the offense, both in-game and preparation.”

In his first year, Feuerborn plans on having just about every starter on offense, including quarterback Micah Helie, contribute on the defensive side of the ball.

“I never want to lose a game because I’ve got some of my best athletes standing next to me on the sidelines,” he said. “We don’t have a ton of depth right now, so the guys that we have are going to have to play both ways for now.”

The Indians are scheduled to start the 2020 season at Lexington on Sept. 4 and open district play at Sulphur on Sept. 25.– BSM

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S P O RT S

BY: JOSH HELMER

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN

C

ommunity Christian enters the 2020 season riding back-to-back Class 2A playoff berths. With a senior-laden team and 17 returning starters, the Royals feel this is the season they have been building toward.

“We felt like for the past few years that this coming year we have a chance to be a pretty good football team. We’ll have to continue to improve and develop, but we’re really excited,” head coach Mat McIntosh said. “We’d be disappointed if all we did was make the playoffs. That’s a step up from what we’ve been thinking the past two years.”

“We’re looking forward to it.”

Offensively, CCS returns junior starting quarterback Boyce McIntosh (6’1, 200).

Last year, McIntosh played quarterback for the first time at any level, but the

62 | August 2020

coaching staff has fallen in love with his work ethic.

with his receivers when coaches could not work with players.

“His best attribute at the quarterback position is honestly his dedication to our team… and his dedication to work hard to get better at the quarterback position,” Mat McIntosh said. “Last summer, we were in a spot that we had to have someone step in … (being a quarterback) was kind of forced on him.”

“With everything we were going through, we feel like we definitely are in as good a position as you could ask for,” Mat McIntosh said about his starting quarterback.

“The way that he’s embraced all that is what all of our coaches love about him, but it’s connected to his commitment to the team, his commitment to football and that side of it is his best quality for sure.”

With spring football all but lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, returning a starting quarterback is increasingly beneficial. Boyce McIntosh has taken the lead in organizing throwing sessions

The Royals also return their top two running backs in senior Alex Hoselton (5’10, 190) and junior Dylan Acton (5’9, 175).

“They’re tough, hard-nosed runners that get us some yards in between the tackles, which for our offense is really what we need from those guys,” Mat McIntosh said.

Experienced pass-catchers are back across the board including seniors Kooper Hartsock (5’10, 175) and Gage Williams (6’2, 190) and junior Isaiah Wil-

liams (5’9, 180). Matt McIntosh said his receiving corps is his deepest position group offensively.

“We are honestly three-deep at all four of our receiver positions. In 2A football, it’s a rarity to be three-deep anywhere at any position,” Mat McIntosh said.

“We’ve got twelve guys at outside or slot receiver that we’re confident in. The big thing for Boyce will be trying to keep all those guys happy, because there’s just a wealth of talent that’s there right now.”

Up front, a pair of returning senior starters Harry Shuman (6’2, 240) and Josh Vordenbaum (5’11, 195) anchor the offensive line.

“They bring great leadership, three years of experience and natural maturity, mentally and physically,” Mat McIntosh said. “We really expect good things from those two guys.”

Defensively, the Royals plan to utilize multiple alignments this season and will prominently feature a 3-4 defense. In the past, they’ve run a 3-3-5 defense.

“We think it fits the personnel we’ve

AUGUST IS

got,” Mat McIntosh said. “That decision was made trying to get our best guys on the field and we think that’s one way we can do that.”

Part of the thinking in making the switch to the 3-4 was to find a way to best utilize a talented group of linebackers. Senior Gunnar Colvin (5’11, 175) is back from a Tommy John surgery that sidelined him during his junior year to help spearhead the group. Colvin joins Hoselton, Vordenbaum and Williams in an all-senior linebacking unit.

“Our deepest position defensively is our linebacker position. The new look lines them up and frees guys to go and attack the ball better we think,” Mat McIntosh said.

Acton and Shuman are back to anchor the defensive line.

“Although (Acton) would be considered on the small end, he’s actually the strongest kid in the weight room for us,” Mat McIntosh said. “With his strength and speed at the defensive rush end position, we think he’s going to be a handful for people to deal with.”

Junior Jay Kroeger is another name to keep an eye on in the Royals’ defensive line.

In the defensive backfield, junior Kallen Montgomery (6’, 175) will start at strong safety and Boyce McIntosh at free safety.

As a freshman, Boyce McIntosh led CCS in tackles at the linebacker position but saw fewer defensive snaps last year after he took over as the starting quarterback.

“We feel like getting him out of the box where he’s not getting hit every down by a lineman will allow us to keep him on the field,” Mat McIntosh said. “At our two corners, we’ll have to pick and choose what to do because they’re going to be three, four deep with good, athletic kids who can cover out there.”

With so much experience returning, CCS feels primed for a memorable 2020 season. They will be in District 2A-3 with perennial powerhouse Washington.

“To get to where we want to get and to host a home playoff football game, we’re going to have to be ready every week of our district schedule,” Mat McIntosh said. – BSM

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B USI NESS

How to Travel Safely this Summer

M

any Americans are itching for a vacation. But is it possible to travel safely right now? Is an airplane really a flying Petri dish to be avoided until the pandemic blows over? Can you take a road trip if it means making rest stops in three different states?

So many questions — but we’ve got answers! Here’s how to enjoy your getaway this summer without compromising on your health and safety.

CHECK YOUR HEALTH

Before heading out to any destination, give yourself a mental COVID-19 screening. Have you been running a fever above 100.4? Have you recently experienced shortness of breath or deep coughing? Do you have reason to believe you’ve been exposed to coronavirus in the last week? If you answer yes to any of these questions, the CDC recommends you stay home.

CHECK LOCAL LAWS AT YOUR DESTINATION

Even as some states are seeing a decline in new COVID-19 infections, the virus continues to rage across the country and many states are currently peaking. To help curb the spread, some local governments have enacted strict quarantine laws for visitors entering their state from places that are experiencing a surge in new infections. There are also discrepancies among individual states regarding general coronavirus laws, such as those related to face coverings and public gatherings.

Check the local laws at your destination before setting out on your trip. Also recheck them as you travel since the situation is fluid and laws are constantly changing. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules at rest stops you’ll visit along the way.

AIR TRAVEL

At first glance, an airplane can seem like a flying tube of germs, but that’s not entirely true.

“Many people think they get sick on an airplane, but the reality is that the air quality on an airplane is actually really good — high amounts of clean outdoor air and all recirculated air pass through a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter,” says Joe Allen, an assistant professor and director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

HEPA filters refresh the circulated air every two to three minutes, and can effectively block more than 99% of airborne microbes.

Travelers are more likely to pick up the virus while waiting in line at airport security, at the boarding gate or in front of the luggage carousel, Allen says.

Airports and airlines are taking steps to minimize the risks of contagion with frequent intensive cleaning and sanitizing of common areas. Planes are fogged with electrostatic disinfectant that sticks to surfaces such as seatbelts. Many airlines are now distributing disinfectant wipes to boarding boydstreet.com

passengers, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased the size of hand sanitizer bottles permissible to bring aboard a plane from 3.4 ounces to 12.

Despite these extra measures, it’s best to continue following standard COVID-19 precautions. Face coverings should be worn at all times, as per CDC recommendations, and it’s a good idea to wipe down high-contact surfaces, like tray tables and armrests. As always, proper hand hygiene should be observed.

HOTEL STAYS

Some states — but not all — have lifted restrictions on hotels and vacation rentals, thereby permitting them to welcome guests again; however, many travelers are understandably wary. To reassure them, several big-name hotel chains are rolling out new programs and procedures, such as Hilton Worldwide’s CleanStay program which features frequent cleaning and contactless check-in. These extra precautions make a hotel stay safer.

If you’re still feeling unsure about spending a night in a hotel or a vacation rental, but your travel plans necessitate an overnight stay, come prepared. Pack a generous supply of cleaning wipes that have an EPA-approved disinfectant, and scrub all high-touch surfaces at the hotel room or rental.

This includes all door knobs, faucets, remote controls, light switches, countertops and more.

REST STOPS

Lots of vacationing Americans are choosing to travel by car this summer instead of taking to the skies, assuming this mode of transportation is safer than air travel. What many neglect to realize is that by stopping at rest stops in several states, a traveler may come in close contact with hundreds of other travelers while in a germ-infested area.

If you have plans to hit the road, travel safely. Pack lots of disinfectant wipes and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Mask up at all rest stops, and don’t forget to keep your distance from other travelers. Use toilet seat covers when available, and wipe down other high-touch areas, like sink faucets, before using. When purchasing takeout food, use contactless payment. Wash your hands vigorously when you’ve finished, and scrub them with sanitizer for an extra measure of protection.

Attractions Once you’ve arrived at your vacation destination, continue to play it safe. The CDC recommends maintaining a 6-foot distance from other visitors while at an attraction, avoiding crowded parks, wearing a face covering at all times and washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the restroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

The open road is calling! Before you head out on your summer getaway, though, don’t forget to pack face coverings, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Play it safe for a truly memorable summer.

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 69

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BY: KATHY HALLREN | JOE’S WINES & SPIRITS

Unique White Wines A

s I am writing this, it is very hot and it will undoubtedly still be hot when you are reading this. By August, you have likely tried many of the usual white wine suspects: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Moscato and white Sangrias.

It’s about time to try some lesser known white wines.

Soave white Italian wine is made from the Garganega grape and first became popular in the U.S. after World War II, peaking in the late 60s. Soave DOC is made in Northeast Italy in the medieval village of Soave near Verona. This light, dry wine is slightly richer than pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc with floral and citrus notes. It is perfect paired with chicken or light pastas.

Alvarinho, or Albariño, wine originated in Northwest Spain and northern Portugal in the 12th century and is very light with botanical aromatics. It has high acidity and a hint of salinity, pairing well with salads and soft or semihard cheeses such as Gouda.

Torrontés is an Argentinean white wine. There are three varieties of the grape, the best being Torrontés Riojano.

The wine has an aroma of honeysuckle but is quite dry.

LI F EST Y L E

The best examples have notes of lychee or mango with a slight salinity. It pairs well with Asian food and spicy empanadas, a perfect summer wine.

Vermentino is primarily grown on the island of Sardinia.

It is a slightly richer white wine with notes of grapefruit and citrus, but an oiliness that gives it weight. It pairs well with slightly richer fare but does have the acidity to pair with dishes heavy in vinegar like tacos, salmon, pesto or prosciutto.

Verdejo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, originating from Spain and Italy respectively, also deserve mention. Both are typically dry, although Verdejo is produced for the U.S. market with a more fruit forward approach.

So do your traveling at home and try some of these white wines.

Be safe, Kathy

76 | August 2020

LI F EST Y L E

BY: CHAT WILLIAMS | YOUTH PERFORMANCE

Hydration Tips: Combating Dehydration During Competition

H

ydration is a key component to keeping your body performing at its best. Here are some important facts to understand and strategies to ensure your athlete is hydrated for success.

DEHYDRATION FACTS

• Weight loss greater than 1 percent can adversely affect performance • Weight loss greater than 3 percent of body weight can increase the risk of illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke • When optimally hydrated, urine color will appear clear or very lightly yellowed.

• When becoming dehydrated, urine will become dark yellow or even brownish in color.

• Signs of dehydration: Thirst, irritability, headaches, weakness, dizziness, cramps, nausea and decreased performance.

BEFORE/DURING/AFTER EXERCISE

Fluids should be consumed several hours before exercises for proper absorption: • 2-3 hours BEFORE: 17-20 ounces • 10-20 minutes BEFORE event : 7 to 10 ounces • DURING: 7 to 10 ounces every 10-20 minutes or 28-40 ounces per hour of activity: Athletes should incorporate this into his/her training. Some athletes can have issues with consuming water during activity.

• AFTER: 20 to 24 ounces of water or sports drink should be consumed per pound of weight loss within 2 hours of an athletic event. Athletes should consume enough water to replace any weight loss during activity.

• Daily Consumption: Try to consume half an ounce up to a full ounce per pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 120 pounds: consume 60 ounces to 120 ounces per day.

Chat Williams, MS, CSCS*D, NSCA-CPT*D, CSPS*D, FNSCA chat@youthperformance.net • www.youthperformance.net 405-701-3416

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BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 77

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HE A LT H

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Prevent Defense

Ortho Central, Norman Regional Foundation donates cooling tubs to area schools

S

oaring temperatures can quickly turn dangerous or even deadly for athletes, and health officials expect student-athletes to be at a higher risk for heat related illnesses following weeks in quarantine.

“Heat exhaustion and stroke is an even bigger concern this year because kids have been stuck inside for months,” Dr. James Bond said, an orthopedic surgeon at Ortho Central.

“Not only do their bodies have to get acclimated to the hot weather (in less time), they also have to get reconditioned to strenuous workouts.”

Heat can negatively affect an athlete’s whole body, explained Dr. Ted Boehm, a sports medicine doctor also with Ortho Central.

“If an athlete’s core temperature is elevated for a long period of time, it can affect the brain and damage multiple other organ systems,” he warned.

According to the University of North Carolina’s National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, 61 football players died from heat stroke between 1996 and 2018.

However, heat exhaustion and stroke are preventable with the right precautions and, as a result, the Norman Regional Health Foundation, in partnership with Ortho Central, donated cooling tubs to 37 Oklahoma high schools and middle schools so student athletes can practice safely this summer.

Boehm described the cooling tubs as potential lifesavers.

In total, more than 60 tubs were donated to local schools so that if a student displays signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, they can be placed in the icy tub to lower their body temperature while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

“The tubs will have a significant impact on athlete safety, offering a quick, cost effective treatment to lower core temperature,” he said. “They will also serve as a literal re-

80 | August 2020

minder of the risks involved and what to do.”

Bond said time is a critical factor in improving the outcomes for athletes with heat related illnesses.

“It is critical to get the athlete’s core body temperature down as soon as possible,” he warned. “People are accustomed to calling 911 – which you should do as well – but don’t just sit and wait for an ambulance. You have to take action. Cool first, transport second.”

The process might seem simple and that’s exactly why it is an efficient step that saves lives, said Joe Waldron, an athletic trainer and manager of Norman Regional and Ortho Central’s sports medicine program.

Waldron and his team of athletic trainers work with several school districts including Norman and Moore and, through their Sports Medicine program, Ortho Central requested a grant from the Norman Regional Health Foundation to purchase and deliver cooling tubs to area schools.

The foundation awarded Ortho Central’s request with a $6,000 grant.

“This donation ensures young athletes get the care they need quickly and prevents families from experiencing the heartache of losing a child to heat stroke,” said Erin Barnhart, executive director of the Norman Regional Health Foundation.

Andy Sherrer, a foundation board member, echoed Barnhart’s sentiments and said the existing partnership between Norman Regional and local schools helped facilitate the donation, adding to the grant’s impact.

“When we can find a path to exponentially expand our impact through collaborative partnerships, we know we can make a real difference and that’s important,” Sherrer shared. – BSM

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

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B U S I N E SS

Improved Mental Wellness

BY: CALLIE COLLINS

Restore Behavioral Health brings a variety of approaches to Norman community

M

ental health services in the era of COVID-19 have perhaps never been so pivotal and so present in the daily lives of our fellow Normanites. Kelly Lashar, co-founder of Restore Behavioral Health, sees its effects in her daily practice.

“There is so much burden at this time, from all different angles and facets of life,” said Lashar.

“It’s hitting people from every direction.”

As a licensed professional counselor candidate, Lashar is an expert in her field who specializes in marriage counseling. As a Biblical counselor, she has the ability to freely incorporate scripture into the care setting if requested by those seeking services.

Lashar and fellow therapist Gina Dixon, a licensed professional counselor, started the practice in 2016. The team has expanded to include more than 20 dedicated professionals and interns, who range in areas of specialty and service offerings including Restore Kids.

Some increase in access to services is actually due to telehealth options, which Lashar concluded may help people feel more comfortable to discuss personal issues in their own space and mitigates the usual issues around access, drive time and other potential barriers. “(We are) pretty evenly split between telehealth and in-person visits,” said Lashar.

“We will probably continue that service forever now.”

Recent expansion of insurance coverage that may make consultation free or available at a lower cost also makes these services more accessible.

“One of the challenges we have in our community when it comes to seeking mental health services is the process,” said Lashar. “Sometimes, when people seek therapy, it’s hard to find quickly because there is such a need right now.”

More than 300 people per week visit Restore for their mental health needs.

She emphasized the importance of referrals, which Restore staffers are always willing to offer if they cannot accommodate scheduling.

“The practice has skyrocketed because we’ve been able to meet a need,” said Lashar. “It is vital for our community to come to therapy and take care of themselves.”

Lashar recognizes the inherent courage in overcoming negative feelings around reaching out for help, although she has noticed less stigma around seeking help.

86 | August 2020

Kelly Lashar and Gina Dixon

“People find therapy more comfortable than they expect once they do it,” she said. “I value so much that even calling a person or a business on the phone and asking for help can be anxiety-provoking, and sitting in the car, walking in the building, sitting in front of a person you’ve never met that’s a lot.

“Deciding that original ‘I want help’ is a huge step. I honor that the most and treat it as the most precious thing because I know people are often coming from a place of pain and fear.

Coming to someone for help is very vulnerable and it’s brave.”

Lashar summed up the role of therapy by saying “the overarching heart of most therapists is everyone matters and therapy is a safe place.”

Learn more about Restore and its team at www.restore-bh.com. – BSM

SIX TIPS FOR IMPROVED MENTAL WELLNESS YOU CAN USE TODAY + TWO THERAPY MYTHS FROM GINA DIXON & KELLY LASHAR • Recognize your feelings: “Remember that we will not always feel this way or be this way. Don’t judge the past or fear the future.

Be mindful of today,” said Lashar.

• Practice self-care: Walking and getting fresh air are activities Lashar recommends. Even if you’re in quarantine and have to be confined to your own space, you could choose to sit outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.

• Stay engaged with friends and family: Dixon suggests staying connected to your community, whether through modern methods like Zoom or old-fashioned efforts like mailing letters.

• Set reasonable expectations that fit your life: Many people have been extraordinarily productive during quarantine. Others may

feel stuck. Comparison can be problematic. Lashar recommended giving yourself permission to do what you need to do.

you’re thinking about them. Even though we’re all isolated to some degree, we can actually connect more at this time.”

• Assess what you do control and work within those boundaries: “Find new and creative ways to stay healthy. Limit your access to media and focus on the things that bring purpose and meaning to your own life,” Dixon said.

MYTH #1: Therapy is for weak people

• Be a source of support for others: “If we know of anyone who’s alone or you know they lost their job, lost a loved one, it’s okay to reach out and to not feel awkward,” said Lashar. “Tell people

or broken people. “I come at it from a different angle. You’re strong and brave if you’re reaching out. It’s for yourself, your family and your future.

MYTH #2: Therapy is expensive. There

is a spectrum of options, Lashar explained. Agency mental health is free or almost free and sliding scales are often part of the equation. “There are interns who need hours, for example,” she offered.

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