7 minute read
WARNER
Pigskin Preview
Muskogee Phoenix Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 21
Advertisement
Watkins era starts at Warner
By Nick Hampton Phoenix Correspondent
Where’s the beef?
It’s one of the big questions that the Warner Eagles will be asking this football season.
While the Eagles return a solid nucleus of skilled players from a team that went 8-5 last year, they lost a lot of size in the line that helps protect those skill guys.
After a seven-year run at Muskogee, veteran coach Rafe Watkins takes over the helm at Warner with a little added advantage that most new coaches don’t get.
“I got an early start here in March after leaving Muskogee, so I went through spring drills with these guys. Then we took a break during power lifting season, and I got a chance to see their work ethic. I’ve been really proud of how well and quickly the kids picked up some of the changes we’ve made,” said Watkins.
Much of the attention on offense will again be focused on
(Continued on next page)
JIM WEBER/Special to the Phoenix
Warner Eagles head coach Rafe Watkins looks over his squad during the first day of preseason practice in August.
WARNER
Warner’s outstanding running back, Mason Jim, who has 3,560 career rushing yards in three years for the Eagles with 21 games of 100 or more yards running the ball.
The senior ball carrier reflected on the changes he’s anticipating with Watkins at the helm. “I think we’ll run more of a pistol set instead of the wing set that we’ve had the last few years and I think we’ll be more of a power running team between the tackles,” he said. “Myself, I’d like to rush for 2,000 yards this year. Even though we’ll be smaller in the line, I think our skill players are better and I think we’ll be better than last year.” Watkins says he’ll go back to an offense that helped him win state titles in Guthrie and that he used in his early years at Muskogee. “I see us being more of a double tight end (set) instead of the spread offense and maybe run more option-style plays where we can better utilize the skills of Mason,’ said Watkins, now in his 29th year of coaching.
The quarterback battle began with junior Adam Thompson, soph-
omore Jace Jordan and freshman Cole Mayfield. All-Phoenix selection Callen Park as well as Jeremiah Person are back to make the grabs when the Eagles do air it out. Defensively, Watkins says he favors a 4-3 or 5-2 look, but because the Eagles gave up an average of only 13.5 points a game last year, the head coach says he’ll stick with the current 3-4 set. Senior Carson Parks returns at linebacker as the Watkins leading tackler with 84 last year. “My goal this year is to be All-District linebacker,” stated Parks. “Last year they gave it to a guy from Gore and I felt a little cheated,
Girty so I plan to be more aggressive and get over 100 tackles this year.” The Girty boys will again make their presence known on defense. Hunter had 77 tackles last year while Joey Pearson posted six sacks. Park heads up the secondary where he had six interceptions last year. Following non-district games against Savanna, Henryetta and Chouteau, Warner will find out quickly how they’ll fare in the district as they face three of the top contenders — Gore, Colcord and Sallisaw Central — right off the bat.
Parks Park
JIM WEBER/Special to the Phoenix
Warner running back Mason Jim led the Eagles in rushing last season and will be a centerpiece of new Warner coach Rafe Watkins’ offense.
WARNER EAGLES
Record in 2020: 8-5
Head coach: Rafe Watkins (1st year, 29th overall)
Staff: John Williams, defensive coordinator; Josh McMillan, offensive coordinator; Charlie Parks, defensive lineman; Mike Combs, wide receivers and defensive backs; and Scott Mayfield.
Returning starters (5 offense, 7 defense): Mason Jim, RB/LB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Adam Thompson, QB, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Jace Jackson, QB, 6-1, 170, So.; Callen Park, WR/DB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Jeremiah Person, WR/DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Hunter Girty, DL, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Joey Girty, LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Carson Parks, LB, 6-0, 210, Sr.;
Others to watch: Julian Hensley, RB, 5-9, 175, Jr.. Ty Vinson, OL, 6-0, 195, So.; Braxton Williams, OL, 5-6, 200, Jr.; Cole Mayfield, DB, 5-9, 150, Fr.; Preston Cannon, RB/LB, 5-6, 150, Fr.; Lubbock Drake, RB/LB, 5-8, 170, Fr.
Pigskin Preview
Muskogee Phoenix Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 23
THEY SAID IT....
First the players
JAXON HARRISON, MIDWAY
Q: Who do you wish was watching you on game nights?
A: My grandpa. He lives in New York and I’m not able to see him much but he really helps me out . I push to be my best so I don’t let him down.
JASON MENDOZA, HASKELL
Q: What’s the best part about competing?
A: Getting better and getting everyone else better.
ZANE CRAIGHEAD, GORE
Q: What pregame rituals do you go through, just by habit or superstition?
A: I listen to “Friday Night Lights” halftime speech — from “Friday Night Lights,” the movie.
CHANDLER LANG, WEBBERS FALLS
Q: What’s your favorite sports quote?
A: If you’re not first, you’re last.
CLAY HOLT, PORTER
Q: Tell us your worst heartbreak in sports.
A: The first time I watched a coach leave was pretty tough.
TRENTON DAN, CHECOTAH
Q: What pregame rituals do you go through, just by habit or superstition?
A: Take a nap.
KHELIL DEERE, EUFAULA
Q: What is your favorite sports quote?
A: “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just illusions.” Michael Jordan.
HUNTER GIRTY, WARNER
Q: What is your favorite pregame meal?
A: Subway Cold-Cut Combo. It gets me in the right mental frame of mind.
LOGAN STERLING, WAGONER
Q: What is your favorite pre-game meal?
A: Grandma’s burgers.
TIM MURPHY, FORT GIBSON
Q: What is your favorite pregame music to listen to?
A: “Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B
RYLAN NAIL, HILLDALE
Q: What do you like most about playing a team sport?
A: It builds a brotherhood and it just feels good knowing you and your teammates have each other’s backs.
KOLBY BROWN, PORUM
Q: What’s your favorite pregame ritual you go through, just by habit or superstition?
A: (Listening to) “Still God” by John Keith
ISAIAH GIVENS, MUSKOGEE
Q: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sports?
A: Writing scripts, making beats, and drawings.
Coaches
WHAT MENTAL TOOL IS MOST IMPORTANT IN HANDLING PRESSURE?
Reading my Bible— Brandon Tyler, Gore
Being prepared — Phil McWilliams, Haskell
What are three reasons you like being a part of a team sport?
Teamwork, family, discipline — Trent Holt, Webbers Falls
YOUR FAVORITE GET-AWAY HOBBY IS:
Bass fishing — Denton Long, Porter Hunting — Mitchell Girty, Porum
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS HERO?
Wes Welker — Zac Ross, Checotah
Michael Jordan or football, Alan Page — Travis Hill, Muskogee
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS QUOTE?
“Yeah buddy,” by bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman — Larry Newton, Eufaula
“There is no greater feeling than moving a man from Point A to Point B against his own will,” from NFL lineman Russ Grimm — David Blevins, Hilldale
“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and he’s exhausted on the field of battle, victorious.” Vince Lombardi — Dale Condict, Wagoner
ONE KEY ATTITUDE COMPONENT YOU LOVE IN AN ATHLETE:
The desire to compete no matter if they are up by 20 or down by 20. You learn a lot about their character. — Rafe Watkins, Warner
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE?
“Varsity Blues.” I can relate to the main character in the movie being a backup quarterback waiting for his time to lead. — Steve Corn, Midway
HOW ARE KIDS DIFFERENT TODAY THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME?
“Kids are the same. Culture is different.” — Greg Whiteley, Fort Gibson
NOT AT THE GAME? WHERE TO TUNE IN
Muskogee: MuskogeeAthletics. com (webcast), 101.7 FM (radio) Hilldale: Hilldale You Tube (webcast) Fort Gibson: FortGibsonTigers.tv (webcast) Wagoner: WagonerTV.com (webcast) Bravado Wireless: Selected games, week to week basis
