Gore

24 Muskogee Phoenix Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022

Pigskin Preview Last, and best, run for Gore seniors up next?

By Nick Hampton Phoenix Correspondent

As Brandon Tyler enters his sixth season as the head coach at Gore, the expectations for the Pirates may be higher than ever for the 2022 football season.

Gore has been eliminated in the second round of the Class A playoffs the past two years, but with 10 starters back on each side of the ball this year, Pirates head coach Brandon Tyler, in his sixth season at Gore, expects to snap that streak.

“Most of the starters coming back are three- or four-years starters so we’re ready to get started,” he said. “One thing I think that hurt us last year was that our starters didn’t have to play a complete game from week five until the second round of the playoffs so we might not have been as sharp as our opponents, but with Haskell and Pocola coming into our district this year, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

One of those players that will have to be replaced is at the quarterback position, but junior Noah Cooper is no stranger to that spot.

“Noah has had a good summer. He’s done his time in a backup role and probably would have played more last year except for a season-ending injury early in the season,” said the Pirates’ boss.

Cooper says he has learned a lot by watching Weston Shanks and Zane Craighead run the offense the last couple of years.

“I’ve learned a lot just watching our guys and watching the pros play and watching a lot of film and feel like I’m ready for it,” said Cooper.

For the past couple of years Gore has been a run-first offense, averaging 338 yards per game rushing led by senior running back Gunner Dozier, who had over 1.200 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2021.

“We know what we’ve got with Gunner running the ball, but Noah throws the ball really well and we have four quality receivers returning so we’ll see how that shakes out,” Tyler said.

Defensively, Gore’s returnees include senior linebackers Dayne Perryman. who recorded 86 tackles including nine for loss last year, and Alex Hallum, who had 65 stops in 2021. The line has two-way starters Gabe Dozier and Garrett Douthit, both All-Phoenix in 2021, while the secondary, which picked off 13 passes last year, is headed up by the return of seniors Tyler Lane who contributed 73 tackles last year, and Keigan Reid, who had four picks, which he attributes to his ability to read receivers coming off the line.

“I can pretty well tell by their body language if the ball is coming to them or not and I also study a lot of film and scouting reports,” said Reid.

Lane is one of 21 seniors and as a leader, feels that instilling a sense of mental toughness is just as important as being physically tough.

“I think we have to instill mental toughness early knowing that once you get into the playoffs the people you play are at least as talented as you, so being mentally tough can be the difference,” said Lane.

Tyler has coached Gore into the playoffs every year he’s been there and will shoot for his 175th career win against Wilburton. His philosophy hasn’t changed since win one.

“Just like always

Tyler

you’ve got to stay healthy, you’ve got to have a little luck and you’ve got to give it all you got to have a great year,” said the veteran coach.

But Gunner Dozier takes it a step further for 2022.

“I think this could be one of the best teams to ever come out of Gore. We’ve got all of these seniors who have been playing together forever and we’re hungry,” said the talented running back.

Cooper Dozier Duke Reed

GORE PIRATES

Last season: 11-1, lost A 2nd round.

Head coach: Brandon Tyler.

Staff: Eric Douthit, defensive coordinator; Tyler Lewis, special teams receivers, defensive backs. Greg Bobbitt, quarterbacks, running backas and linebackers.

Returning starters (10 offensive,10 defensive, 3 specialists): Gunner Dozier, Sr., RB, 6-1, 210; Jackson Duke, Sr., RB/LB,/S/K, 5-11, 180; Journey Shells, Jr., WR, 6-2, 165; Ben Kirkpatrick, Sr., WR, 6-1, 170; Blue Steward, Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 170; Gabe Dozier, Sr., OG/DE, 6-1, 250; Layne Ward, Jr., C, 6-0, 225; Garrett Douthit, Sr., OT,/DL 6-3, 280; Nick Wolf, Sr., OG/DL, 6-0, 270; Cas Moore, Sr., OT, 6-0, 260; Dayne Perryman, Sr., LB, 5-11, 190; Alex Hallum, Sr., DE, 6-1, 250; Keigan Reid, Sr., DB, 6-0, 175; Tyler Lane, Sr., DB, 5-9, 155; Blane Barnes, Sr., DB, 5-11, 160; Wyatt Marrel, Sr., DE, 5-11, 190; Christian O’Connor, Sr., K, 6-1, 160.

Emerging: Noah Cooper, Jr., QB/LB, 6-2, 195; Liam Edwards, Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 170; Hunter McGee, Jr., WR/DB, 5-10, 165; Aidan Dickerson, Sr., TE/CB, 6-3, 180; Blaidn McCartney, Fr., RB/LB, 5-10, 175.

File photo

Gore’s Alex Hallum, left, and Pirates wrap up a Woodland ball carrier last year.

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