August 30, 2019 Issue, Page 16 of 22

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Page 6, Section B The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, August 30, 2019 Merritt ready for another playoff run By Don Munsch, Editor graduated last year basi- in a mix for a playoff spot. year. Merritt lost some players cally started since they were Our district is fairly tough. “We've definitely started to graduation last year, but freshmen. People that were ‘We've got a couple of teams out strong,” said Floyd, a se- the Oilers head coach thinks behind them in those posi- in our district that were 2A the team has the players to tions did not play very much just [over] a year ago — Ho- nior right tackle and defen- continue building on what football, They may have bart and Frederick — schools sive end. “As long as we can the team did last year. been there — they were on that have some tradition. keep it up coming through, I The Oilers finished 7-4 in the team — but they may not We've got some schools that believe we can pick up right 2018, bowing out to Fair- have actually played a lot, are pretty competitive, like where we left off.” view in the first round of the just during mop-up time or Cordell and Hinton. Mang- Players said team chem- playoffs. Fairview advanced whatnot.” um is going to be tough this to the Class A state semifi- He said Merritt has a group year, They’ve got a new istry is apparent, and nals, losing to eventual state of sophomores who are a big coach and they’ve got some champ Tonkawa. part of the team’s plans, and good kids.” they think speed will be a strength for Merritt this year, Oiler Roster & Schedule The Oilers bring back the team has some seniors, Sayre should be improved, becausea lot of players with five offensive and defensive too, among the roster. There too, and the fourth spot in size graduated, The defense Players: James Pruitt starters, head coach Barret could also be some freshmen district could come down to 1 Hagen Justus Richardson said. The team in the mix, too. Merritt and Sayre, Richard- is the area of the team that 2 Daniel Portillo will need to improve on as 5 Tate Stone Trainers: will have 15 lettermen. Richardson thinks _ this son said. “We lost some good se- team could exceed his ex- “We lost a lot of kids, but the season goes on because 6 Raiden Jones Jo Thomas niors last year, kids who pectations. I think these who are coming there will be youth on that 7 Drake Carnes Macie Steward have played a lot of foot- “At first, I thought this up will give us a chance,” he side ofthe ball. 8 Braeden Puckett ball,” Richardson _ said. was going to be a rebuilding said. 10 Coy Carnes “Just be the best we can 12 Tyson Rose Filmer: “That’s kind of our story this season,” he said. “But after Merritt players Drake year: We have some experi- [first] practice, I’m pretty Carnes, Hagen Justus, Brock be,” Floyd said, describing 15 Carlos Hernandez Mos Flowers ence with some young kids optimistic about our op- Floyd and Steven Beecham what would be a goal this 18 Bryce Lagunas to sprinkle in. The kids we portunities. I think we’ll be like their team’s chances this year. 20 River Britton 22 Zack Carr Stats: 24 Matt Cook Miranda Brady 25 Cody Vaught Offense: Sophomore signal-caller 34 Anthony Arizpe 50 Nestor Gonzalez Gracie Lewis 51 Brice Floyd brings experience to Oilers 53 Rex Campbell 55 Manny Castro 57 Kellen Lamar By Don Munsch, Editor The Oilers run a spread of- Zack Carr, a sophomore, last season,” Richardson 60 Trever Fowler Schedule: Leading Merritt’s offense fense. They have run some is “kind of a shifty kid” who 62 Klayton McGee said. “He’s athletic, he’s got 63 Colt Quisenberry Aug. 30 at Thomas 7 p.m. this fall will be sophomore wing T, but they are phas- is not real big but has good some ability.” Sept. 6 BYE 65 Kaden Tahsequah quarterback Hagen Justus. ing it out, Richardson said, vision and can see the field The offensive line will 71 Gabe Beechham He doesn’t come to the posi- The team will not be as big well when he runs the ball, 74 Tyler Fuentes Sept. 13 at Mooreland 5 tion empty-handed, though. up front as they were pre- Richardson said. feature center Colt Quesen- 76 Brock Floyd p.m. “He started last year about viously, so they will spread Tyson Rose, a senior re- berry, guard Trevor Fowler, 73 Nathan Willis Sept. 20 vs Hooker 7 p.m. midway through the sea- people out. ceiver, is an experienced guard Kaden Tahsequah and 78 Jayce Hamilton son due to some injuries,” In the backfield, junior player who also isn’t big tackle Brock Floyd, with the Sept. 27 vs Cordell 7 p.m. 89 Steven Beecham Merritt head coach Barret Drake Carnes will carry the but has some quickness and fifth starter to be determined. Oct. 4 vs Hinton 7 p.m. Richardson said, “He’s got ball. speed and can be a threat The team is still working on Head Coach: Oct. 1 at Frederick 7 p.m some experience, he’s very “He’s got a lot of speed,” when he catches the ball. who will handle kicking and Barret Richardson Oct. 25 vs Mangum 7 p.m athletic. He can throw a de- Richardson said. “He was a Coy Carnes is another re- Assistant Coaches: cent ball. He’s a good run- state qualifier in the 100 me- ceiver who could possibly punting duties, but it prob- Nov. | vs Hobart7 p.m. Frank Bernard ner. He’s going to be a play- ter dash. He gives us some emerge. ably will be Coy Cames, Jake Briggs Noy. 8 at Sayre 7 p.m. maker.” speed, quickness.” “He’s gotten taller since Richardson said. "There is NO substitute for WORK" I found that while life drags on -Vince Lombardi marches when you're losing, it ‘on-when you're winning. d to wish you Wewoullike aR ee MR ee -Tony Dungy luck on a.great season! and. 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