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2022 Football Preview C22 n Wednesday, August 24, 2022 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer COLCORD, Okla. — The Colcord (Okla.) Hornets have been knocking on the door the past few seasons, but haven't been able to bust through. The Hornets won 10 games in 2020 and advanced to the third round of the Oklahoma Class A playoffs, before losing at Pawnee. Then last year, the team won nine games, including coming out on top 53- 52 in a wild playoff win at Okemah, but only to lose the next week in the second round at Pawhuska. Each year, the Hornets have had differ - ent themes, such as "Never Satisfied" or "Fear No Man." This year it's "No Excuses," said head coach Austin Martin, who's 33-13 in five years at his alma mater. "This year our main focus is us and not make excuses," Martin said. "We want to hold each other accountable and see if we can outwork everybody and get a dis - trict championship. It's been a long time." How long has it been since Colcord won a district title? "Since 2005," Martin said. "We've played for a lot of them, but haven't won one since 2005." The Hornets will be in a new district in 2022, District A-7, along with Oklahoma Union, Quapaw, Ketchum, Commerce, Wyandotte, Fairland, Hulbert and Afton. Gone are two teams that have been thorns in the Hornets' side in particular in Gore and Warner, who finished ahead of Colcord in the league standings last year. Even with those two gone, Martin said the Hornets have to focus on each week, one game a time, beginning with their season opener at Delaware County rival Kansas on Sept. 1. Colcord has won eight straight games in the rivalry with the Comets. "We can't look ahead on anything," Martin said. "We're going to have to take it one week at a time, get out of non-district on a positive note and that's going to set the tone for the season. We can't overlook anyone." The Hornets are opening the season with a beefed up roster of around 45 players. Martin said last season the Hornets had around 28 players with a small senior class of three Hornets. "I think we've got a bunch of good kids, good leaders," Martin said. "They like working hard. That's one thing I've noticed. They'd rather do extra (work) rather than me giving them off." Martin said the Hornets have seven seniors in 2022, along with 11 juniors. "That's one of our big classes," he said. "I hope we can keep all of them. You al - ways lose some. … This is my fifth year. We've got eighth- and ninth-grade groups coming up that have had some success, and that probably helps." It's been a good off season for Colcord in a number of ways, on and off the field. The Hornets recently finished reno - vating their fieldhouse with new flooring and new lockers. The booster club raised more than $10,000 to help purchase equipment. "I've got tons of support here from families, (Athletics director) Coach Terrill Denny, Superintendent Bud Simmons, the community," Martin said. "It's a good place to be right now for a kid and a fac - ulty member." Junior Gabe Winfield takes over at quarterback with the graduation of All-District QB Stormy Odle. Winfield has been a starter on defense since he was a freshman, and when he quarterbacked the eighth- and ninth- grade team they went undefeated several years ago. "I think he's grown so much since he was a seventh-grader," Martin said. "He's a tremendous leader, hard worker, super competitive. I think he's got that winner's edge." Sophomore Malachi January, a stand - out in cross country, football, track and basketball, will be the Hornets' backup quarterback. "(January's) a tough, hard-nosed kid," Martin said. "He'd run through a wall for you." Senior Jesse Martinez, a playmaker all over the field the last couple of years, will get his turn as the Hornets' primary running back. He's another Hornet that excels in multiple sports, including bas - ketball and track. "One of most explosive kids I've ever seen," Martin said. "The first summer I watched him play, he was at Moseley (Okla.). The first time he touched ball on a kickoff return, he scored. He's a great kid, great athlete with exceptional balance." If the Hornets need a change of pace at running back, sophomore Cooper Mott gives Colcord a "down hill hard-nosed" runner," Martin said. Tight end Eyan Williams will be a focus on many teams' scouting report. Williams, a 6-5 senior, is "super smart, big and one of the best at judging the ball," his coach said. "He's exceptional at that," Martin said. "He's a great leader, a great kid and always does the right thing." Martin said often opposing coaches will ask him prior to a game if "num - ber seven (Williams' jersey number) is healthy." "They don't like it when I say 'yes,'" Martin said. Junior Treyden Larmon will be a top target as well. "He's Eyan's size, they look like broth - ers," Martin said. "He's changed his body this last summer. He can run and jump so much better." Juniors Briar Mayberry and Tate Thom- as both play wide receiver. Thomas is one of the fastest players on the team, Martin said. "Both are very intelligent at the game of football," Martin said. "They're smaller in size but heady and put themselves in good spots to make plays." Sophomore Manuel Bocanegra played wide receiver in eighth- and ninth-grade and grew to 6 feet tall heading into his 10th grade season. He'll line up at a split end spot. "He's matured a lot," Martin said. "He can fly. He's been on the (winner's) podi - um of a state track meet as a freshman. He can go up and get the ball. Him and Jesse are so much alike. They get a little crease and it could be a touchdown." By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwaonline.com n Colcord is seeking its first district title since 2005. 'No excuses' for Hornets in 2022 Colcord (Okla.) Hornets Date Opponent Time Sept. 1 at Kansas 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Stroud 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Oklahoma Union 7 p.m. Sept. 23 Quapaw* 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Ketchum* 7 p.m. Oct. 7 Commerce* 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at Wyandotte* 7 p.m. Oct. 21 Fairland* 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Hulbert* 7 p.m. Nov. 4 Afton* 7 p.m. * District A-7 Anthony Perez Jesse Martinez Caleb Skidgel Khaleeal Penn Eyan Williams Sawyer Sherrell Gabe Winfield Austin Martin See HORNETS on Page C23