Colcord, Gentry square off Thursday in season opener
Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sherrell
Let the bright lights of Friday night football shine on across the Northwest Arkansas and Northeastern Oklahoma areas.
High school football normally is played on Friday nights, but the season openers for both Gentry and Colcord, Okla., will actually take place on Thursday.
Gentry, a 4 A school in Arkansas, will entertain 2 A powerhouse Colcord at 7: 30 p.m. at Pioneer Stadium.
The Pioneers finished 3-7 in 2007 and return eight offensive and seven defensive starters.
Quarterback Caleb Ramsey is back for his second varsity season and head coach Brian Little believes his junior signal-caller has the ability to thrive in the Pioneers' spread offense.
As a sophomore, Ramsey passed for 2, 044 yards and ran for 839 yards, while also accounting for 31 touchdowns (17 passing and 14 running ).
"Caleb possesses the ability to both run and throw," Little said in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette football preview. "In this style of offense, you want a guy who is a threat at both. "
Ramsey tossed 15 interceptions in 2007 and had a 46. 3 completion percentage.
In order for Gentry to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1998, Little will rely heavily on Ramsey's leadership.
Colcord finished last season with a 6-5 record and a loss to Cascia Hall in the first round of the playoffs.
Running back Ethan Shelley returns to spearhead the Hornets' offense, while sophomore Canaan Sherrell will be making his first varsity start at quarterback.
Colcord head coach Bud Simmons said in Vype's preseason magazine that Sherrell possesses good leadership skills and excellent speed, as well as a strong throwing arm.
Last season, Colcord started seven sophomores and one freshman on both sides of the ball.
"These players have gained the experience needed to be competitive in our district," Simmons said.
n n n The Kansas Comets start the Eddie Barnwell era at home Friday night against Fairland.
Barnwell took over for long-time veteran head coach Jon Hanna, who retired from the sidelines following the 2007-08 school year.
Leading the Comets' quest back to the 2 A playoffs will be Cody Davis, who rushed for 115 yards on 24 carries from his fullback position.
Davis averaged 4. 79 yards per carry and according to Barnwell," The Comets plan on getting him the ball more this season."
Also, Kansas will open with a new quarterback in Justin Wallace.
"So far, we've been pleased with (Justin ) Wallace's play at quarterback," Barnwell said. "He's never had to step up and start, but so far, he's leading the offense pretty well. "
Barnwell brings a 72-49 coaching record into the Comets' season-opener with Fairland.
Class A Fairland finished 5-5 in 2007 and gave up nearly as points as they scored.
Troy Jones is expected to spark the Fairland offense, while running behind 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior center Cody Taylor.
The Owls' defense is led by linebackers Trent Ryan and James Forrester, as well as ends Spencer Anderson and Justin Cox.
The Watts Engineers kick off their season with an unfamiliar face on the sideline.
Kelly Husted will be making his coaching debut when Watts opens at 7: 30 p.m. Friday at home against Webber Falls.
Husted spent last season as the head coach for Porter.
A lot of the Engineers' success will fall on the shoulders of senior offensive lineman Taylor Fletcher, who is a man among boys at 6-foot-6 and 450-pounds.
Fletcher is also a 4-year lettermen and returning starter for a 3-6 Watts team that is hungry to make the playoffs.
Standing in their way first is Webber Falls, who features a strong 3-2 defense led by junior linebacker A. J. McFarland. A year ago, McFarland tallied 171 tackles to lead Webber Falls.
The strength of the Webber Falls' offense lies up front on the line. Seniors Kile Curley, Justin Lea and Curtis Harris anchor the line, while Cody Jaxiola will move from running back to tight end this season. James Berry and Garrett Lehnick are expected to rotate at quarterback for Webber Falls. Second-year head coach Gary Hummingbird has the Oaks Warriors cruising in the right direction going into Friday's opener with White Oak. The Warriors finished 5-5 a year ago and missed the playoffs for the first time in quite a while, according to Hummingbird. "It's very uncommon for Oaks to be out of the playoffs," Hummingbird said. "When you go for three years straight and then miss, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. "Colby Marlor is expected to lead the Oaks' offense back into the playoffs as the Warriors' starting quarterback. Marlor will receive help from fullback Joe Spriggs and tight end Justin Stanley. "Justin can play just about any position on the field," Hummingbird said.
"He's that valuable and versatile. There's not many people that can stop him. "White Oak capped off the 2007 season with a playoff berth after giving up 288 points and only scoring 218 points. The Ranchers are led by quarterback Ethan Charles, who has breakaway speed despite being only 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds.
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