WAGONER

16 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 game, and kept that up for 47 consecutive contests, setting a new state record.

So it might be a warning that Condict, in his 17th season at the school, sees some similarities in 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 Malcolm 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

Condict that first of three title teams — than his middle brother. “Gabe is very re-

Watson spected by his teammates,” Condict said. “His work ethic and attitude are Goodnight beyond his years. He’s prepared himself to be successful. 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.” Rodriguez’s reaction? “I’m not a one-dimensional guy but I’m pretty confident in my ability to run with the football,” he said. One element of the 2014 charge was the breakout of a star wide receiver in then-freshman Nikia Jones. Where

Rodriguez Riggs Sterling

File photo

Wagoner coach Dale Condict ended 2020 with an ice bucket shower after his Bulldogs ran the table for their fifth state title. To get a sixth, a major re-tooling must maintain tradition.

WAGONER BULLDOGS

Record in 2020: 14-0, 4A champs

Head coach: Dale Condict, 17th year (24th as a head coach)

Staff: Ryan Keenom, Travis Bryant, Leland Alexander, Moose Henson, Chad Soma, Micco Charboneau, Ray Bell, Ed Wiley, Beau Bowman, Corey Tipton, Allen Sevier.

Returning starters (0 offense, 2 defense, 1 specialist): Fred Watson, DE, 6-2, 226, Sr.; Gabe Goodnight, LB, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Ethan Muehlenweg, K, 5-10, 185, Jr.

Players to watch: Watson, RB, Gabe Rodriguez, QB/S, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Marquez Barnett, RB/CB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Logan Sterling, RB/S, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Witt Edwards, WR, 6-6, 205, So.; Braylan Roberson, HB/LB, 5-11, 220, Jr.; Brayden Skeen, 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 Dick, DE, 6-0, 225, Jr.; Alex Shieldnight, 6-3, 195, Fr.