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Muskogee Phoenix Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021
Pigskin Preview
At Wagoner, does 2021 group resemble 2014 champs? By Mike Kays mkays@muskogeephoenix.com Seven seasons ago, Dale Condict at one point found himself 1-4 with a young but promising team going through some early growing pains. Including a forfeit handed to them from a prior loss, they never lost another Condict game, and kept that up for 47 consecutive contests, setting a new state record. So it Watson might be a warning that Condict, in his 17th season at the school, sees some similarities in Goodnight this bunch, gutted by graduation from a team that ran the table at 140 to win the fifth state title in his tenure — and school history. “I think there are some similarites in the makeup of the team as far as, you know, a lot of young players we don’t know a lot about,” the coach said. There is, however, a familiar last name that connects both groups. Gabe Rodriguez takes over at quarterback this year. In 2014, it was his middle brother Mal-
colm behind center. Like M-Rod, G-Rod is also playing safety, the spot his brother was recruited to play at Oklahoma State after collecting three championship rings as a Bulldog. Gabe may be more of a hard-hosed ball carrier like his older brother Roman, a running back on that first Rodriguez of three title teams — than his middle brother. “Gabe is very respected by Riggs his teammates,” Condict said. “His work ethic and attitude are beyond his File photo Sterling years. He’s Wagoner coach Dale Condict ended 2020 with an ice bucket shower after his Bulldogs ran the table for their fifth prepared himself to be successful. state title. To get a sixth, a major re-tooling must maintain tradition. He hasn’t played a lot of varsity football, but from the quarterback position he’ll be one of the better runners we’ve had.” Record in 2020: 14-0, 4A champs Rodriguez’s reaction? Head coach: Dale Condict, 17th year (24th as a head coach) “I’m not a one-dimenStaff: Ryan Keenom, Travis Bryant, Leland Alexander, Moose Henson, Chad Soma, Micco Charboneau, Ray Bell, sional guy but I’m pretty Ed Wiley, Beau Bowman, Corey Tipton, Allen Sevier. confident in my ability Returning starters (0 offense, 2 defense, 1 specialist): Fred Watson, DE, 6-2, 226, Sr.; Gabe Goodnight, LB, 6-1, to run with the football,” 220, Sr.; Ethan Muehlenweg, K, 5-10, 185, Jr. he said. Players to watch: Watson, RB, Gabe Rodriguez, QB/S, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Marquez Barnett, RB/CB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Logan One element of the Sterling, RB/S, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Witt Edwards, WR, 6-6, 205, So.; Braylan Roberson, HB/LB, 5-11, 220, Jr.; Brayden Skeen, 2014 charge was the WR, 6-0, 155, Jr.; Nikko Jones, OL, 6-3, 306, Sr. Jamaal Riggs, OL, 6-10, 275, Sr. Roman Garcia, OL, 6-2, 236, Jr.; Caden breakout of a star wide Dick, DE, 6-0, 225, Jr.; Alex Shieldnight, 6-3, 195, Fr. receiver in then-freshman Nikia Jones. Where
WAGONER BULLDOGS
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