Midway

28 Muskogee Phoenix Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022

Pigskin Preview Midway faces altered universe

“He doesn’t have the same tools, and teamwise we don’t have quite the speed as we did. We’ll have to do something to control the tempo. So being a rundominated defense will ease that tradition.”

Midway coach Steven Corn on Gerval Washington, brother of two-time Small School Offensive Player of the Year, Geral Washington

By Mike Kays mkays@muskogeephoenix.com

For the Midway Chargers, it’s a season of change.

Dominant in District C-4 in recent years, the Chargers move up to Class B this fall, missing much of what helped them have much of the success they’ve enjoyed over a playoff run of six consecutive seasons including two quarterfinal runs — one a 78-68 loss to eventual champion Tyrone two seasons ago.

Taking over for a four-year starter at quarterback in Geral Washington is his brother, Gervon Washington, and with the change, a different offense.

“In Geral we had a guy who had a great arm and was very elusive,” said Midway coach Steve Corn. “He knew the position. His little brother, he’s not the same player, no one will be, but we’ll do our best to make him that way.

“But they are different kids. He doesn’t have the same tools, and teamwise we don’t have quite the speed as we did. We’ll have to do something to control the tempo. So being a run-dominated defense will ease that tradition.”

The Chargers will go with a ball-control approach.

The younger Washington was a tight end, and looks like one — strong and physical. He’ll look to capitalize on that as he fills the shoes of a two-time All-Phoenix Small School Offensive Player of the Year.

“He just told me to keep my head up, don’t get down and serve as an example for the entire team,” said Washington.

The offense will employ a lot of read-option and traditional option-pitch around a line that does return everyone. Guard Jonathan Mitcham will be one with primary responsibilities of being a pulling guard in changing blocking schemes.

“I’ll definitely be moving a lot more than I used to be,” said Mitcham.

Midway will welcome back Webbers Falls as an in-county rival on the high school stage — despite being out of the same district in the last several years the two schools have continued to face other at the junior high level. The Chargers will have a third county team in Porum.

The powerhouses in District B-5 are Dewar and Caddo. The Chargers will have five non-district weeks to ready themselves for that road.

“It’ll be a challenge,” Corn said. “We lost heavy in terms of multi-year starters and have to have new guys in new positions in many places. But these kids are more than capable of stepping up to the challenge.”

MIKE KAYS/ Phoenix

Gerval Washington assumes the quarterback spot his brother Geral operated from for four seasons.

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Last season: 8-4, lost in C second round.

Head coach: Steve Corn, 2nd year.

Staff:

Returning starters (4 offensive, Corn

MIDWAY CHARGERS

3 defensive): Gervon Washington, So. QB/LBDE, 6-1, 225; Jonathan Reed, Sr., C, 6-2, 320; Jonathan Mitcham, Sr., G, 6-4, 280; Wauker Holingshed, Mitchum Sr., G, 5-10, 260; Samuel Herrera, Sr., LB/DE, 5-10, 220; Luke Collins, Jr., DL, 6-2, 270.

Emerging: Tristan Wolfe, So., HB/WR/ DB, 6-0, 175; Jaden Reed Thierry, Sr., WR/DB, 5-7, 145; Bryson McPherson, Sr., HB/LB, 5-10, 220; Cooper McCullar, OL/DL, 5-9, 220, Sr.

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