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2021 Football Preview 18C n Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Caden Balderas Carlos Balderas Alex Fleege Alex Harlin Ryan McCollum Tiajer Russell Aidan Pitts Shaun Reed OAKS, Okla. — The Oaks-Mission Warriors are going into the 2021 sea- son with an optimistic outlook. The Warriors didn't lose any seniors and return most of their players from the 4-4 team of 2020, and they've even added a couple of pieces. "Hopefully our boys are bigger and stronger now," said second-year coach Jon Claborn. "The offense and defense should sound familiar. We've got to be fur - ther ahead than we were a year ago." Last summer, the Warriors didn't have any summer activities because of the covid-19 pandemic, Claborn said. "We really didn't have the opportu - nity to do anything," he said. This past May, the Warriors had spring practice and had weight lifting sessions in July and August. That should bode well for Oaks, Claborn said, as the Warriors will once again be competing in District C-4 of Oklahoma eight-man football. Oaks opens the season Aug. 27 at home against Copan. The Warriors' first district game is Sept. 24 at Maud, who is the preseason favorite to win the district, Claborn said. Maud, Midway and Sasakwa figure to be the toughest three teams in the leagues. All three defeated Oaks handily last year. "We need to close the gap on those guys," Claborn said. "That's what we're looking for. Hopefully we're a more mature team. It's up to us. Are we going to have a better attitude? In the first half last year, we were 3-2 and two of the losses were ugly. When it started turning the wrong way, we didn't know how to handle it. We need better leadership in tough games to be able to stand in there and fight instead of giving up and watching it happen." Claborn believes Oaks will be fight - ing for a playoff spot. "We should be right there in the mix," he said. The Warriors will operate out of run-heavy offense with a mix of play- action passing game. "We do have a couple of skill guys with speed and we need to do a bet- ter job of getting them the football in space," Claborn said. Defensively Oaks plans on lining up in a 3-2-3 defense, Claborn said. Senior Shaun Reed returns at quar- terback for Warriors. Reed, at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, gives the Warriors a big body for defenses to deal with. "Last year was his first year playing quarterback," Claborn said of Reed. Reed also practices at defensive end. "We probably won't ask him to play as much defense," Claborn said. "There will be times when he will put his hand down and play defensive end for us." Senior Carlos Balderas plays wide receiver and cornerback as well as quick return on special teams. By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com Oaks-Mission (Okla.) Warriors 2021 schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 27 ................................... Copan ...................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 10 ................................... Watts ....................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 17 ........................... at Webbers Falls ............................... 7 p.m. Sept. 24 ................................ at Maud* .................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 1 .....................................Wilson* ..................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 8 .............................. Graham-Dustin*............................... 7 p.m. Oct. 15 ................................at Midway* .................................. 7 p.m. Oct. 21 ................................... Coyle* ...................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 29 ............................... at Sasakwa* .................................. 7 p.m. Nov. 5 ................................... Bowlegs* .................................... 7 p.m. * District C-4 Warriors expect to be 'in the mix' Graham Thomas/Westside Football Preview The Oaks-Mission (Okla.) Warriors are scheduled to open their season at home against Copan on Aug. 27. See WARRIORS on Page 19C Head coach Jon Claborn