Moore Lions Preview

Moore Lions Preview

BY: Jeffrey Whitson

This year’s Moore Lions are looking to build off a special 2019 season where they went 6-6. Last year, Moore High stunned Edmond Santa Fe in a 41-28 win in the state quarterfinals, their first playoff win since 2002.

With depth and experience recently graduating, the Lions look to quickly develop new players to make a fourth straight playoff run. The starting quarterback from the previous three seasons, Daniel Hishaw Jr. is now a Kansas Jayhawk and nine starters on defense also graduated in the spring.

The Lions will be tested this season and will have to rely on their offensive line and athleticism on the outside.

Head coach Brad Hill has led the Moore High School football program for four years, assisted by offensive coordinator, Lonny Nolan. Anthony Paterno, while new to the Lions staff, is a seasoned defensive coordinator with 34 years of coaching experience, the last 17 years as the defensive coordinator at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The new, but experienced coach could give a young Lion defense an added boost to help replace a bevy of graduated talent.

The offense will have a bit of a different look from last year but with the same scheme and dynamic. The biggest change on offense will be the absence of Hishaw, but three players vie to take over the reins of the quarterback position including junior Jake Woodring (5’11, 195), senior Dylan Brayton (5’9 155) and sophomore transfer Denver Wolfe (5’6, 155).

“We feel like we have some dynamic pieces to play with and have some big shoes to fill,” Hill said.

Nolan believes his offense can produce more than 2,000 yards in rushing with the spread run game. He is also looking to control the clock and run 65-90 snaps per game. These goals are more than achievable with the size and experience on the offense line and returning speed on the outside.

Paterno is more or less working with a clean slate as Moore’s defense has to replace three defensive linemen, three linebackers and three positions in the secondary.

The defensive scheme will look quite a bit different this year in comparison.

“We run a 3-3-5 personnel based, multi package, very aggressive type of defense… more of an attacking type of defense,” Paterno described.

The new talent, new coach and new scheme may be a recipe for success this season and years following.

“It is a good time for me coming in to set the foundation for the next three to four years,” Paterno said.

There are standout players to look for on both sides, many of which play both ways.

Senior Rocco Mays (6’1, 290) is expecting to cap off an excellent high school career. Mays is a presence in the interior, both at offense and defense tackle. Hill described him as “a leader on and off the field.”

At fullback and linebacker, senior Austin Gross (6’2, 230) is one of the more dynamic playmakers for the Lions. Gross is effective in running, catching and blocking on the offensive end and an even more talented run stopper on defense.

Be on the lookout for these two-way players to have a huge impact in their senior seasons.

Some key matchups for the Lions this season are their season opener against Edmond Memorial, crosstown rivals, Westmoore, for Moore War on Sept. 4 and Norman High on Sept. 11, which has become a blooming rivalry over the past years.

Then, “Battle of the Big Cats” against Southmoore will take place on Sept. 25.

Lastly, look for the final regular season game as Moore will square off against Mustang High School on senior night, Nov. 6. Last year, Mustang finished runner-up in the district with an upset win against Union in the regular season.

Hill recognizes that there are no off weeks in District 6A-1

“It’s a tough schedule… you can be 2-8 or 8-2 with the same team,” he said.

This seasoned coaching staff paired with senior leadership could prove to be a very formidable combination for opponents in 2020.-19SM