McALESTER BUFFALOES

Coach – FORREST MAZEY

OFFENSE

Ready to take the next step….the Buffaloes, who narrowly missed a trip to the Class 5A state championship game last season losing in the semifinals, are stampeding their way into the 2021 season with visions of a gold ball. The up-tempo offensive unit has proven playmakers including VYPE Top 100 selection Erik McCarty (6-2, 190, Jr.) who established a school record with 32 trips to the end zone in 2020 while totaling 1,966 yards rushing. The impact of McCarty’s results has earned the McAlester running back multiple Division I-Power 5 college offers including Nebraska, K-State, Pittsburgh among others. Adding to the ground game will be Dakota Moton (6-0, 190, Jr.) who picked up 683 yards a year ago. The leader of the herd will be two-year starting quarterback Trent Boatright (6-1, 185, Sr.) who passed for 1,982 yards for 11 touchdowns in the Buffs 11-win campaign and will have focused eyes for wide receivers Cale Prather (6-6, 190, Sr.) and Lleyton Bass (5-10, 170, Sr.) who combined for 880 yards receiving as well Elijah Chatman (6-1, 175, So.) and Cade Lesnau (5-11, 175, So.) who also can take snaps at quarterback. The offensive front has plenty of size and strength including Avion Simon (6-5, 340, Sr.) who recorded 25 pancake blocks last season lining up next to Sean Woods (6-1, 295, Jr.), Casen Whiteley (5-10, 265, Jr.) and Kade Hemmerling (6-0, 275, Sr.). “We’ve got two way big play potential, on the ground with Erik and through the air with Trent’s arm strength and catch it in a crowd receivers like Lleyton and Cale,” said head coach Forrest Mazey. “But, we have to get better on every snap.” 

DEFENSE

The 3-4 scheme of the Buffaloes has the skilled personnel to stop the run and lockdown with pass coverage. “It’s a simple game plan,” said Mazey. “Play sound, attack the football and get every Buffalo helmet to the football on every snap and do it fast.” VYPE Top 100 choice linebacker Chase Faber (6-2, 220, Sr.), who also has multiple D-I offers, returns after a second straight 100-plus tackle campaign effort. The strong and agile three-year starter totaled 151 stops last season where he will be joined by Gage Mullins (5-10, 200, Sr.), Racer Harkins (6-1, 190 Sr.) and Dakota Moton. Winning the battle in the trench will be the task assigned to Garrett Shumway (5-11, 275, Jr.) who totaled 77 tackles including five sacks, Jaxxin Smith (5-11, 280, Sr.) who made 36 tackles in 2020 alongside Malachi Wrice (6-5, 240, So.). The secondary speed gives McAlester coaches confidence in pass coverage as well as coming up to defend the run as Killian Barnes (6-0, 180, Sr.) and Greg Quintana (5-10, 180, Sr.) who combined for 69 tackles plus grabbing four interceptions lineup at safety while Cale Prather and Erik McCarty will go man coverage at cornerback. McAlester owns two state championships in their football history, 1968 and 1988. And after getting a close last year, the Buffs are more than just hungry for a gold ball. “1:19…a minute and 19 seconds. That’s how close we were to playing for the state championship,” Mazey said pointing to the locker room sign that serves as a reminder. “These kids know that we have to take things to the next level in order to reach our goal for gold this year.”

8-27 – at Broken Bow

9-3 – vs. Sallisaw

9-10 – at Ada

9-24 – at Bishop Kelley

10-1 – vs. Tulsa East Central

10-8 – vs. Durant

10-14 – at Coweta

10-22 – vs. Edison Prep

10-29 – at Shawnee

11-5 – vs. Tulsa Rogers