Southmoore Sabercats Preview

Southmoore Sabercats

BY: Steve Marshall

It is a new year and a new beginning for the Southmoore Sabercats as former Sooner great Josh Norman takes over as the head coach.

Sooner fans will remember Norman as an outstanding tight end on the 2000 University of Oklahoma National Championship team and for spending time in the NFL.

Norman also spent four seasons as a coach at Community Christian, including two as the head coach where his team went 23-0 and won two state championships. In addition, he was the defensive coordinator last year at John Marshall.

Southmoore finished with a 1-9 record last year and was 3-7 in 2018, so Norman knows he has a tough chore on his hands especially given the impacts of COVID-19 and the loss of spring practice.

“Any time there is a coaching change the biggest challenge is implementing your culture,” Norman said. “It’s a process of corralling the troops, who is on the team, who wants to be on the team and then setting the standard so they understand what is expected of each team member.”

Since Norman is a first year head coach and the pandemic shut down all sporting activity in the spring, the Sabercats like many other teams have had minimal time together to figure out what this year’s team will actually look like.

“We probably won’t settle on a starting quarterback until week one,” Norman said. “Right now we have a couple of guys. Junior Noah Peters (5’10, 150), who contributed as a sophomore last year, and senior Denver Blatt (5’9, 154) are leading candidates at this time, but it really is a wide open competition at all positions for the most part.”

Seniors Corey Durham (5’10, 170) and Chris Wilson (5’8, 170) are expected to be two of the running backs who should see a good bit of playing time out of the backfield for Southmoore. They both bring something different to the table, according to Norman.

“They both work hard and understand the concepts we’re installing. Chris is a shifty guy who can get downhill and can make people miss and Corey is one of the faster guys on the team. He’s a track guy, who has a chance to take it the distance every time he touches the ball,” he said.

Juniors Chase Yarger (6’1, 170) and Reese Moffett (5’11, 155) look to have the early chance to be some of the targets in the passing game. They have the ability to pick up the offense, to run good routes and help move the ball downfield.

Norman said they’re still working on the tight-end position and would like to develop a couple of guys who would be able to contribute week-to-week but it is still a work in progress.

The offensive line, according to Norman, has some growing up to do. Mac Garner (6’3, 296) will be a senior this year and looks to be a good leader. Garner will be counted on to help this group grow, mature and improve throughout the season.

The Sabercats will play a 4-2-5 defensive alignment and will likely be led by Junior Tyler White (5’11, 180) who was one of the top tacklers on the team last year. White will be called upon to be one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

“He’s always here, a very hard worker and a consummate program player. He’s going to be special,” Norman said about White.

Linebacker Joe Stover (5’10, 175) is expected to be another one of the leaders on the defensive side of the football, Norman said.

“Stover is a hard worker. He’s committed, plays hard and gets to the football,” he said.

Also watch for outstanding senior Cameron Little who will take care of the place kicking and punting duties. Little was five of seven on field goal attempts last year with a 46 yard best. Kohl’s Professional Football Camps rank Little as the No. 2 kicker and No. 8 punter in the country in this year’s class.-19SM