ATOKA WAMPUS CATS
Coach: JACOB CUPP
Last 8 Years:
2021 – 5-6
2020 – 6-3
2019 – 7-4
2018 – 0-10
2017 – 1-9
2016 – 1-9
2015 – 2-8
2014 – 1-9
OFFENSE
There is an air of expectancy in the land of the Wampus Cats as they look to the upcoming football season as nine starters will return with strong senior leadership and a year in the playoffs. Running back out of the multiple I formation will be the key to Atoka’s offense with the return of a pair of workhorses in Tyrell Hill (6-1, 195, Sr.) and Andrew McCall (6-1, 195, Sr.). Together they rushed for over 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns. “Tyrell is an explosive runner and a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. He’s a punishing runner who would rather run someone over than run around them,” said head coach Jacob Cupp. “Andrew is our team leader and the hardest worker on and off the field and is someone that has to be game-planned for every week and is already being highly recruited.” Those two are supplemented by fullback Sean Allen (6-0, 185, Sr.) who had just under 200 yards on the ground last season. Back at quarterback for the “Cats will be Kollin Ritchie (6-2, 210, Sr.) who passed for 676 yards and ran for 457 last year. His size should enable him to not only scramble when needed but carry effectively between the tackles. Other returning seniors include wide receiver Jace Jackson (5-10, 170) who had 292 receiving yards in 2021 and Karson George (6-4, 245) who will anchor the line along with Grayson Axsom (5-9, 195) who uses strong technical blocking skill to overcome his lack of size according to Cupp.
DEFENSE
The defensive front in the 5-2 defense will be solid with the return of nine starters including George who had 40 tackles and two sacks, Hill who chalked up 55 tackles and three sacks and Gavin Collins (5-10, 250, Sr.) who had 37 tackles along the front line. “Tyrell has good speed off the edge and will give opposing quarterbacks zero time to get rid of the ball,” said Cupp. McCall at linebacker is the leading returning tackler with 62 last season and he’ll team there with Noah Sherrill (6-2, 205, Sr.) who had 55 tackles in 2021. “McCall plays with intensity, is all over the field and has a nose for the football,” said Cupp. Ritchie is the mainstay in the secondary where he had 40 tackles last year and for his career has 18 interceptions including five pick-six’s. Atoka will face tough non-district opponents in Ringling and Lindsay, a Class 2A quarterfinalist last year.
Schedule:
9-2 – vs. Ringling
9-9 – vs. Lindsay
9-16 – at Antlers
9-23 – at Kingston
9-30 – vs. Marietta
10-7 – at Holdenville
10-13 – vs. Lexington
10-21 – at Davis
10-28 – vs. Tishomingo
11-4 – at Coalgate
