Boyd Street August 2021

Norman North was poised for a breakthrough year heading into last season and the season played out that way for the Timberwolves as they returned to the postseason for the first time since 2017 in a 6-4 campaign.

Now, the T-Wolves turn the page looking to make it back-to-back playoff berths. After all of the COVID-19 uncertainty and precautions, an off-season without that cloud has been refreshing.

“I think some normalcy has been brought back for our kids,” Norman North head football coach Justin Jones said. “Kids are obviously resilient, but just getting back and around each other every day, I think for us built that bond back. There’s just not a substitute for that.”

North will have a new starting quarterback. Either Gavin Frakes (Sr, 6’4”, 200) or Kamden Sixkiller (Jr, 6’3”, 156) will assume the signal-calling duties.

“Gavin Frakes has really done a tremendous job,” Jones said. “He was the immediate backup last season and did a great job behind Jackson Remualdo. Gavin’s right now kind of sitting in the driver’s seat with Kamden Sixkiller next to him. It should be a pretty good battle going into fall camp.”

Jones said the competition will continue through fall camp before a starter is named.

Whichever direction the Timberwolves go, the offense will be directed by an athletic quarterback.

“They’re both dynamic. Gavin brings size… strong and fast, has a live arm. Gavin has all the intangibles. It’s just putting it all together. With Kam, another tall, lanky quarterback, same thing. Kam is very cerebral,” Jones said.

Up front on the offensive line, North returns center Walker Peck (Sr, 6’2”, 285). Peck boasts several collegiate offers and could also play some guard if need be. Riley Tatum (Sr, 6’2”, 306) and Ben Wiebelhaus (Sr, 5’10”, 307) are expected to start at the two guard positions.

Harrison Utley (So, 6’2”, 250) will start at one of the tackle positions, while Bryce Christian (Jr, 6’1”, 230) and Damon Hinchey (Jr, 6’3”, 234) are battling for the other starting position at tackle. Jones said he feels Utley has the potential to wind up as a power-five offensive lineman.

At the skill positions, it starts with running back Chapman Mc- Kown (Jr, 5’7”, 155).

“Obviously, Chapman is the returner in the backfield,” Jones said. “Chapman is as electric as anybody I’ve ever coached and will be a tremendous asset for us.”

He will be joined in the backfield by Carson Samson (Jr, 5’9”, 198) and Trey Laubach (Sr, 5’10”, 171) and Jackson Lundquist (Jr, 6’, 160) will also see time in the backfield as well as the slot.

Some fresh faces will be catching the football: Hayden Hack (6’2”, 167), Brayden Dorney (6’, 160), Cason Cabbiness (6’, 150) and Papi Del Moral (5’9”, 181)

“Hayden Hack is going to slide over as a starter as an outside receiver. He played every game last year for us as a corner,” Jones said. “Brayden Dorney will be a slot for us. Cason Cabbiness will be one of the outside receivers. He’ll be competing against Zane Prater. A lot of guys coming back with experience, that should help us tremendously on offensive.”

“Papi Del Moral, who I think has had a tremendous summer, will have an opportunity to be on the field quite a bit,” Jones added.

Jones will once again handle defensive play-calling duties for the Timberwolves’ 3-4 defense.

“We’re transitioning a little bit,” Jones said. “Matt Truelove, Josh Owen, Rob Willis, Taylor Geddis, all those guys are doing a tremendous job for us defensively. Still, defense is near and dear to my heart. You’ve got to play good defense in this league. I’ll still be a big part of that.”

On the defensive line, it all starts with Joshua Koranda (Sr, 6’2”, 298). Hinchey will have a chance to start on both sides of the football and is expected to man one of the defensive end positions opposite Parker Andrews (Jr, 6’3”, 215) who returns from injury. Aiden Deleary (Jr, 6’1”, 218) is another name to keep an eye on up front defensively.

“The veteran coming back is Josh Koranda, just a mountain of a man,” Jones said. “He does a tremendous job of playing our zero technique, commands a lot of double and triple teams. Josh is kind of locked in at that nose guard position.

“Then, we’ve got some young guys that are starting to emerge that we're really excited about. Aiden Deleary and a couple of other guys that I think are continuing to try to cement playing time there. I'm really excited about who we are up front."

At the second level of the defense, North returns its leading tackler in Will Bradley (Sr, 5’10”, 175) at inside linebacker. Duncan Parham (Sr, 6’4”, 213) also returns at outside linebacker.

“Both of those guys are tremendous football players. Will is going to have a lot of college baseball offers,” Jones said. “Duncan has a ton of different power-five offers to play outside linebacker and kind of an edge rush.”

Jalonie Moses (Sr, 6’, 208) and Austin Vincent (Jr, 6’1”, 185) will also be impact linebackers for North.

In the secondary, Gavin Anderson (Sr, 5’8”, 170) is back at one of the cornerback positions and Michael Ridgway (Jr, 6’, 140) has a good chance to start at the other corner spot. Eli Moulton (Sr, 6’, 157) returns from an injury and will start at one of the safeties. Mason Pace (Jr, 6’1”, 172) will also play safety. Jake Tadlock (Sr, 5’8”, 170) is back and will play some outside linebacker and safety for the T-Wolves.

“We have a lot of experience on defense, which is tremendous for us because they understand the system and what we’re trying to do,” Jones said. “Defensively, if we can stay healthy, we’ll have a chance to be really good.” –BSM