Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1282001
2020 Football Preview 20C n Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Graham Thomas/Herald-Leader The Watts Engineers open up the season Aug. 28 at home against Decatur. Engineers turn to former coach to lead Lee Mendoza Parsley Sulletuskee Thompson Tush Watts (Okla.) Engineers 2020 schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 28 Decatur 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Welch 7 p.m. Sept. 11 Oaks 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Wesleyan Christian 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at Dewar 7 p.m. Oct. 9 Cave Springs* 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Gans• 7 p.m. Oct. 23 Arkoma• 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Keota• 7 p.m. Nov. 6 Summit Christian• 7 p.m. * Denotes B-6 game By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com WATTS, Okla. — The last few weeks have been an interesting time around the Watts (Okla.) football program. The Engineers had a head coach - ing change on what would have been the first day of fall practice on Aug. 10 when Matt Stilwell resigned. Stilwell coached the Engineers for five seasons, lead - ing Watts to a 29-24 record in that span and reaching the playoffs in three of the five seasons. "The time just felt right," Stilwell said that day. "I think I did all I could to rebuild the program and help get it back on track." The Engineers went 2-8 in Stilwell's first season in 2015 but quickly turned it around in 2016 with a 7-4 mark. After a 4-6 season in 2017, the Engi - neers posted back-to-back 8-3 seasons in 2018 and 2019, losing to Depew in the first round of the playoffs both years. The Engineers turned to a familiar face in former head coach Doug Ward, who had served as defensive coordi- nator under Stilwell the last couple of years and was planning on coaching the same role this year. Ward was head coach from 2010 to 2012 and helped Watts to a winning season in 2010. "I was going to be a part of it any- way," Ward said. "I was the assistant last year and was going to fill the same role this year. Now there's a huge differ- ence in being the head coach — a lot more responsibility, a lot more things to take care of." Ward said shortly after Stilwell's resignation he met with Watts admin- istration and accepted the job. "I pretty much knew what needs to happen," Ward said. "Everybody's Doug Ward Coach See WATTS on Page 21C