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COLCORD, Okla. — It's said that all good things come to an end, and that was true for the Colcord (Okla.) foot- ball program in 2016. The Hornets saw their 19-year streak of winning seasons snapped as the team slumped to a 3-7 record overall — the program's first losing season since 1996. Colcord had some tough breaks along the way as well in head coach Curtis Waltman's first season. Walt - man was hired in the summer of 2016 to replace Terrill Denny, who was pro- moted to athletic director after four years as head coach. A player who was going to be heavi- ly counted on transferred very early in the season, leaving a void at running back. The Hornets turned the ball over four times in a 28-26 loss at Sali- na. Then the next week, Colcord lost 13-6 at home against Ketchum in a loss that clinched the Hornets' losing season. "Last year was one of those years where we had some really close games where we were a touchdown away," he said. "One game we fumbled four times. Another game we were (facing) fourth-and-one with a minute left and couldn't score. So the year could have been completely different if those two things had happened differently. You know what I mean? We all understood we were this close. How do we get over that? Well, hard work and dedication. "We have a statement we always say. 'Do right, do your best and show someone you care.' That's kind of our program mantra. That's what we con - stantly focus in on." Waltman said the Hornets went through a very inspired offseason program. "We have such a tradition of success and working hard, and we needed to get back to that," Waltman said. "I feel like this offseason we've been able to fo- cus in. We've been do- ing some new things in the weight room and locker room. I think the kids just want to take pride in themselves and in the program and just kind of get back to what Colcord football has always been." Waltman said the Hornets bumped up their workout program signifi - cantly. "Everybody had workout goals, such as how many times they were going to be here this summer," Waltman said. "And just the workouts themselves. The lifting program is becoming more precise and our conditioning level is better. Our goal was when the pre - season started we were going to be in shape. We were not getting into condi- tion shape at the start of preseason." Waltman said another point of em- phasis was the commitment level. "Being here all the time," he said. "Finding an excuse to be here, not finding an excuse not to be here." C o u n t i n g ninth-graders, the Hornets have around 33 players entering the 2017 season. Because Waltman was able to go through an entire offseason and spring ball with the team, he said a lot of position battles were solidified in that time period. "That's a nice thing to have." The Hornets did make a change at the quarterback position heading into 2017. Senior Spencer Earp has taken the bulk of the reps at quarterback, while senior Matthew Farris has moved to wide receiver. "A lot of it had to do with Matthew's skill set," Waltman said. "(Farris) is a very good athlete. He's 6-5, 230 pounds and he can fly. One thing we wanted to do was get the ball to him in space more. As a quarterback, some - times (other teams) were able to load the box on him, and it made it difficult to get the ball to the outside. Matthew's a very good athlete, but as far as throwing wise, he's more of a runner than he is a thrower." Waltman said the Hornets will still utilize some packages where Farris lines up at quarterback, and he is the team's backup quarterback if some - thing happens to Earp. "That's always a nice thing to have," Waltman said. "Obviously having the flexibility to do that is very beneficial." Farris can also line up at running back as needed to give senior starter Ryan Castleman a rest from time to time. 2017 Football Preview 22 n Wednesday, August 23, 2017 The Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Hornets look to put last year in the past n Colcord's streak of 19 straight winning seasons ended last year. By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com Michael Burchfiel/Herald-Leader The Colcord (Okla.) Hornets open the 2017 football season at home against Fairland on Aug. 24. Waltman Earp Castleman Farris See COLCORD on Page 23