HI G H S C H O O L FO OTBAL L PREVIEW
NORMAN TIGERS A
2-7 season doesn’t accurately tell the story of the 2020 season for the Norman Tigers. The record leaves out dynamic plays made by quarterback Tias McClarty (Jr, 5’10”, 165) and the story of a stingy defense that held one of the best receivers in the state and a Top 70 player in the nation to just one catch for eight yards. It misses just how close NHS was to advancing in the playoffs, but close has never been good enough for head coach Rocky Martin. With a returning quarterback alongside a deep offensive line and talented defense, the Tigers look poised to change close losses into big wins and it all starts with McClarty at quarterback. After bursting onto the scene as a sophomore, he is ready to propel himself as one of the best dual-threat players at his position. “He’s a track star that qualified for state in two events,” said Martin. “That just goes to show what type of athlete he is. He’s explosive and having a year under his belt, that will help tremendously. He’s made major strides.” Just like McClarty’s sophomore breakout season, there is a feeling Cooper Alexander (So, 6’4”, 200) could be even bigger. Seeing snaps last year as a freshman, Alexander has all the tools to be the go-guy in the Tigers’ passing attack this year. “He’s the real deal,” Martin said. “Obviously, he’s got the size. He’s a huge kid for just a sophomore. But his work ethic is as good as I’ve seen. We can do so much with Cooper. We can use him as a true tight end or we can put him out as a spread wide receiver. It’s going to be difficult for teams to match up with him.”
Photos by: Mark Doescher
When teams aren’t keyed in on the size mismatch Alexander poses, McClarty will have the luxury of throwing to two other big-play receivers.
“They had a great offseason... they’re coming together.”
46 | August 2021
Rocky Martin
“Max Bass (Jr, 5’10”, 180) has had a really good offseason,” Martin said. “We also still have Edric Lambert, who we can put at multiple spots. He has great hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield, or we can line him up in the slot or as a Z or X wide receiver. Those two guys are really the ones that are going to have to step up.” NHS was young and inexperienced on the offensive line last year but that is no longer the case. With players like Vilami Makahununiu (Sr, 6’3”, 290) anchoring the line, the unit will be a force this season.
