Cast of Roughers set

May 13, 2008 11:03 pm

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A year ago at this time, coach Matt Hennesy and his staff were busily plugging holes around stars on the Muskogee High School football team.
This spring, the rush to find players and complete the roster isn’t as intense. They have a lot of positions already set.
“The difference between this year’s team and last year is that last year we had some superstars but we also had some holes,” Hennesy said. “This year, I think we’re solid everywhere. We just don’t have the big-time names that you don’t know of yet. We’ve got good players at every position.”
One of the positions open is wide receiver with Oklahoma-bound Jameel Owens and C.J. Marshall among others gone. Players who have shown up at receiver so far this spring include 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior Angelo Shipp, junior David Brice (5-9, 170) and sophomore Cole Chapman (5-11, 165).
“We’ve got some kids who have really stepped up,” Hennesy said. “Cole has looked awesome and made some great catches (on Monday, the first day of spring workouts). We have guys who look the same, all across the board, at 5-11 or 6-foot. All of them run a 4.6 or 4.7. They’re not speed burners, but they’re fast enough and they all can catch the football and block well.”
Someone has to throw the football and that position is open with freshman Archie Bradley (6-3, 180) as the leading candidate at quarterback. Sophomore Mitch Stevenson (5-10, 160) and junior Kevan Anderson (6-1, 215) are also in the battle for the spot.
“Archie is the guy right now but it’s a battle right now between him and Mitch. Mitch has really grown up,” Hennesy, going into his third season as head coach, said. “Kevan’s going to play some at linebacker. Archie’s as talented a kid I’ve seen, but he’s just a sophomore. We’re going to have growing pains there.”
Elsehwere in the backfield, the Roughers have speed with junior Vernon Scott (6-1, 180) and sophomore Brenton Bogar (6-0, 17) expected to be at running back. Bogar was timed at 4.32 in the 40-yard dash Monday.
“Our scheme has changed. We threw 80 percent of the time last year,” Hennesy said. “This year, we’re going to run more because that’s what we’ve got. Any staff I’m associated with is we’re going to mold our scheme to the personnel we have.”
Another player who has a spot secured, though he’s been sidelined due to shoulder surgery, is linebaker Erik Howell (6-2, 230).
“I know he’ll get it done,” the MHS coach said, though saying Howell won’t be ready until sometime this summer. “We’re not worried about it.”
Muskogee’s Green-White spring game is 7 p.m. May 22 at Indian Bowl. The Roughers will have one team camp May 27-30 and the Green Country Team Camp at Indian Bowl on June 27-28. They open the 2008 season on Sept. 5 at Owasso.

Photos

Muskogee linebacker Erik Howell, left, is recovering from shoulder surgery but is among those players who coach Matt Hennesy have secured spots for 2008.