By Kenton Brooks
Phoenix Sports Writer
May 13, 2008 11:03 pm
—
With the Zac(h) Attack gone, coach Don Hendrix has one priority above all others with his Hilldale High School football program this spring.
Zach Wallace and Zac Cox have graduated and Wallace will suit up for the University of Tulsa in the fall. That means Hendrix is looking for defensive ends.
“That’s a big fill we’ve got to have,” he said. “Zach was a great player and Zac did a great job for us. They’ll be hard to replace.”
The Hornets also are going to try to replace the two inside linebacker positions, left vacant by graduation.
Some of the players being considered for the openings include Taylor Brantley (5-8., 210), Tanner Mullens (6-0, 198) and Josh Crissler (6-1, 205).
“It’s going to take a lot of work on our part,” Hendrix said about filling the holes.
Some of the other work won’t be as intense thanks to some familiar faces. For example,Taylor Chalk (5-10, 180) returns at quarterback and Dalton Pantle (5-8, 168) lines up again at running back for the Hornets.
Hendrix doesn’t think the Hornets will be able to completely platoon in the fall.
“I keep telling our coaches that we may platoon 1 1/2 teams,” he said. “We’re going to give some guys rest, like those at quarterback and running back.”
Still, Hendrix works the Hornets out in the spring with a schedule that includes full pads today and then again next Monday through Wednesday. They will use the in-school hour practice session on Thursday and Friday this week and next week.
The last day of school is May 23.
“We’re not going to do anything fancy this spring because we have to fill so many spots,” Hendrix said. “The next time we see our players is for (Northeastern A&M) team camp (on June 2-4). It’s one of our goals this spring to get them ready for that.”
The Hornets open their season on Sept. 5 at Skiatook.
Wagoner
The Bulldogs may have lost the Big Three (quarterback Durell Parker, running back Everett Shaver and wide receiver Jermaine Sherman), but they have all of their offensive linemen.
And, they also have Gus Jones back.
“He’s been highly recruited,” coach Dale Condict said of the 6-2, 220-pound Jones. “He’s already gotten offers from North Carolina, Missouri, Texas Tech and Wyoming. Oklahoma State was here twice last week and Brent Venables (Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator) flew into Muskogee airport last week to see him. Gus has all of the tools.”
The Bulldogs, a Class 4A state semifinalist last fall, also have some newcomers worthy of attention such as Aubrey Richardson, cousin of former Muskogee standout Pete Richardson at fullback and quarterback candidate Prince McJunkins, Jr. McJunkins is the son of former MHS standout Prince McJunkins.
“We lost 60 percent of our offense with those who graduated,” Condict said. “But we’ve got some good kids back. We’re going to find the ones who can make plays.”
Wagoner begins the 2008 season on Sept. 5 at Miami.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.