August 30, 2019 Issue, Page 12 of 22

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Page 2, Section B The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, August 30, 2019 With 2018 in rearview mirror, Elks look to find success this year By Don Munsch, Editor game and ready to show ev- went winless, Beer thinks we had are in different posi- There’s just one way to go eryone what we got,” Chad- the team had a good season tions,” Beer said. “Like of- when you had a season that wick said. insofar as unity and resolve, fensively, we probably have Elk City had in 2018. Culver and Chadwick and he liked the effort his about seven returning on of- team showed against Weath- fense, and then defensively, Big Elk Roster Up. think the Elk City will sur- The team finished 0-10 prise people this year, erford in the last game of the we'll probably have five last season, a fact that play- Last year’s team experi- year. coming back on defense.” ers and coaches are unequiv- enced some growing pains. “Our kids never quit, and Beer expects his team to be ocally aware of. “We were just young — re- I felt like they were resilient better because of the players Players: #71 Francisco Quezada “We worked really hard ally young and inexperi- every week,” Beer said. “We who got experience last year. #1 Larry Wright #73 Kevin Shults for this,” Elk City tight end enced,” said Elk City head didn’t change the way we Plus, changing the offensive #2 Mason Price #74 Layton Freas and defensive end Gavin coach Todd Beer, now in his practiced, we didn’t change scheme should help, and #3 Day Day Thompson #75 Felix Gonzalez Chadwick as the season fifth year as the head coach. anything. We ran the pro- defensively, the team will #4 Jason Crouse #76 Logan Trevino nears. “We went 0-10 last The 2018 team brought gram like it should be ran. make some changes that will year and we got a lot of stuff back one starter back from We worked hard and the kids suit the personnel better. #5 Saxon Poole #77 Gregory Muck #6 Bryler Nichols #78 Tate Schones about it.” the previous season, and the Changes made for person- worked hard. We just didn’t #7 Cooper Patton #79 Cade Martinez “Coming off that will re- previous season had 18 se- get that one victory that we nel also will be apparent on #8 Tyler Moyer ally motivate you for your niors. Plus, last year’s team needed. But overall, I felt the offensive end. Beer said #81 Gavin Chadwick #11 Alex Cherry next year,” Elk City quarter- had some problems outside like the kids did a good job.” the offensive change also #12 Caden Culver back Caden Culver said. the team’s control, such as As the 2019 season ap- was made because of the Head Coach: Players will work hard for injuries at the wrong time, proaches, the team has district the Elks are in. This #14 Drake Hughes Todd Beer #15 Austin Jones that goal of winning games, Beer said. changed its offense, as the year, he expects the offense #16 Kayden Holder and they think they’re a dif- “Even with all that, it was Elks will be more run-ori- to be, percentage wise, 70- Assistant Coaches: ferent team this season be- still going to be a tough year, ented this year— basing more 30, run versus pass. Last #17 Cole Hull Jay McClure cause of the mind-set, prepa- but to add to it, we lost cer- out of the I formation rather year, that figure was around #18 Cory Culver Denny Geno #19 Dalton Waters ration and attitude. tain kids at certain times,” he than the spread — and will 60-pass, 40-run. #20 Cale Poole Jon Greene “Last year, we were a said, “We just had different have several starters back on If players trust in the sys- #21 James Lewman Danny McClure bunch of new people who things each week that kind both sides on the ball with tem that has been implement #22 Tristan Ross Dee Wilhelm hadn’t played football since of hit us and didn’t really 25 lettermen back. ed and they do their jobs, Shayne Thornton #23 Daidreon Randle middle school and now help us.” “We're doing so much then the team can be suc- #26 Levy Ownes we're comfortable with the Even though the team new stuff that even the kids cessful, Culver said, #27 Sammy Leal Athletic Director: #28 Devon Simmons Brian Hunt Offense: Culver back #29 Matt Thompson #34 Steven Cole Support Staff: #36 Daymon Carlisle Lexi Hargrove #40 Bubba Brownfield Autumn Inman #50 Nick Medina Riley Branham as Big Elk signal-caller #53 Brendan Wilhelm Jacey Guymon #54 Chandler Basgall Kaycee Craig #55 Gage Eastman Katelynn Pierce #56 Trace Decker Mattie Thompson #57 Joseph Daily Alejandra Gonzalez By Don Munsch, Editor you’re on your back,” Beer that spot that have the ability Tristan Ross could punt #58 Jackson Easttom Kaia Sharp Elk City returns an impor- said. to make plays,” he said, not- for the team. As far as the #59 Dylan Elvaker Emily High tant player on the offensive Beer said he is trying to ing two of those vying for kickoff guy and someone to #60 Noah Harrison Jacky Sanchez side of the ball this season. find players in the Big Elk playing time are Alex Cher- attempt field goals and ex- #66 Aiden Long Charlie Rickert Senior quarterback Caden backfield, with two or three ry and Saxon Poole. Mason tra points, the team is still #68 Landon Hester Reagan Hunter Culver is back to lead the running backs who can be Price and Gavin Chadwick searching, Beer said. Big Elk offense, which will special, although he de- will line up at tight end, and feature a more run-first ap- clined to give names just Beer said he thinks both of proach this season. around the time fall prac- them can be “pretty good.” “We felt like getting him tice began this season. The The offensive line should "A CHAMPION is simply someone underneath the center can Elk City fullback will be be much better this year. help his production,” ECHS Cory Culver, and the Jason head coach Todd Beer said. Crouse could also challenge Brendan Wilhelm will re- turn to play center; last who did NOT give up when they “We just struggled at times in the spread. Everybody for the fullback spot. Concerning receivers, year, he started at tackle as a freshman. wanted to."-Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys just started laying their ears Beer said sophomore Drake “So he’s got some good back, and he was taking a lot Hughes will play in the slot. experience,” Beer said. ofhits. We feel like he has a “We'll be able to move Francisco Quezada, a se- strong arm. We feel like he him around; he’s a special nior, has been a three-year can manage the game really type player,” Beer said. starter on the line. well, and we felt like getting Bryler Nichols is a “heady “We feel like those guys him underneath the center gives him a little more pro- tection and opportunity to player” who can man the Z position as well, and both of them can give the Elks a will anchor the offensive line,” Beer said. Several other players are We would like— manage the game. So that shot to be deceptive in the fighting for the other three was part of it. “He’s got a good arm passing game, “And then our X receiv- starting spots. The punter and kicker are towishthe 7 Big Elks and | and he throws the ball well, ers, we’ve got a couple of question marks, but Beer but it’s hard to throw when big, tall kids that are vying said Drake Hughes and Big Elk Schedule the Oilersa ~ Sept 6. at Bethany 7 p.m. p.m. p.m. pm Sept 13. at Woodward 7 Sept 20. vs Altus 7 p.m. Oct 4, at Elgin 7 p.m. Oct 11. vs Cache7 p.m. Oct 17. at Clinton7 p.m. Noy 1. at Anadarko 7 p.m. Nov 8. vs Weatherford 7 great football Sept 27. vs Chickasha 7 p.m. season! Oct 25. vs Newcastle 7 Elkwootl Assisted Living ELK CITY: 2714 W. 3rd St. 102 S. Main St. 580.225.2580 1000 Elkwood Blvd, Elk City - 580-225-0506 SAYRE: 711 N.E. Highway 580.928.2580 www.seniorlifestyle.com https://www.fnbec.com/ Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.