Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/863787
OAKS, Okla. — Oaks-Mission (Okla.) football coaches C.D. Thomp- son and Anthony Arnold didn't hit the panic button this summer when only seven Warriors showed up for team camp. Thompson and Arnold have dealt with low numbers before. Going back to the 2016 season, numbers were so low that the two coaches didn't believe Oaks would be able to field a team. And even if they did field one, the team could possibly go winless. What ended up happening though was the numbers eventually came through for Oaks, as several players rejoined the team and the Warriors went on to go 6-5 and advance to the Oklahoma Class B playoffs, where they lost 56-26 at Arkoma. Numbers were low again this sum - mer, by as practic- es began and school started in August num- bers began to pick up. The Warriors had 14 show up for picture day on Aug. 15, and the coaches were ex- pecting maybe even a few more by the time the season starts. "Our numbers are down, but the kids we have are tougher kids than we had last year," said Thompson, who's in his seventh season as head coach. "We have more physical-type kids. Last year we had some finesse, but this year we have some kids that are pretty stinkin' athletic. "The kids I have, if I could have picked 16, and I got to pick the first seven, I think a lot of these guys would be the ones I'd pick." The Warriors return all three of their starters on the offensive line, except that one of them is not playing offensive line anymore. Junior T.J. Cummings (6-foot, 190) has moved from the offensive line to quarterback. "He's athletic," Thompson said of Cummings. "He can run the ball." Junior Brendon Robbins (5-9, 165) and sophomore Donovan Hammer (5-11, 196) will handle the fullback duties. Hammer played for Oaks in junior high and has come back to the team. Hammer, a left- hander, can also play quarterback. "Hammer looks dif - ferent because he's left-handed," Thomp- son said. Junior Nick Brackett (5-8, 148) is an athlet- ic talent that could see some time at running back. "If we end up with the right amount of linemen we might be able to do more I-formation," Thomp- son said. Arnold will be the team's offen- sive coordinator. At wide receiver, the Warriors will have sophomore Aaron Budder (5-7, 148), who started every game as a fresh - man. "Aaron Budder can catch anything," Thompson said. Brackett, Robbins and Hammer can also split out wide and catch some passes. The Warriors also have senior Brett Robbins (5-8, 140), sophomore Freddie Twist (5-7, 135), junior Chance Wernimont (5-8, 160) and freshman Orin Twist (5-0, 95) working at receiver. Junior Tree Miles and sophomore Kody Venable work at tight end. On the offensive line, senior Joseph "Choogie" Young is the Warriors' biggest lineman at 6-4, 280 pounds. Kawlijah Vann (5-10, 200) also re - turns, and the Warriors will look to fill Cummings' spot with Alex Morris (6-0, 180) or Jackson Ross (6-0, 250). Morris played for Oaks two years ago before moving to Utah. He's come back for this year. The Warriors will play a 3-2 base defense, but they can be very multiple as well. "I'm going to run everything," Thompson said. Cummings, Young and Vann or Morris will play on the defensive line. Miles and Ross also work on the de - fensive line. Hammer and Brendon Robbins will likely man the linebacker spots. Junior Chance Wernimont, Budder and Brackett will play in the second- ary. Brett Robbins, Venable and the Twist brothers all work in the second- ary as well. Sept. 1 at Keota Away 7:00 p.m. Sept. 8 Welch HOME 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Watts Away 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Cave Springs Away 7:00 p.m. Sept. 29 Gans HOME 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Depew* Away 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 Canadian HOME 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 Prue* HOME 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Davenport* Away 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 South Coffeyville* HOME 7:30 p.m. * OK District 7B Game 2017 Varsity Schedule Tammy Curry Mancia Realtor Cell: (918) 801-2955 Offi ce: (479) 736-1353 eFax: (479) 878-5936 217 Gentry Blvd. Gentry, AR 72734 Tammy.mancia@crye-leike.com tammycurrymancia.crye-leike.com GO! OAKS! GO! Good luck this year! 2017 Football Preview Wednesday, August 23, 2017 n 21 The Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Warriors get the numbers they need n Oaks is coming off a 6-5 playoff season in 2016. By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com Bud Sullins/Special to the Herald-Leader The Oaks-Mission (Okla.) Warriors open the 2017 season Sept. 1 at Keota, Okla. Young Thompson Cummings Hammer