ADA COUGARS
Coach – CHRIS BERUS
OFFENSE
Following a playoff win in 2020, the Ada Cougars are looking to build on that success this year. With 10 returning starters, six on offense and four on defense, the Cougars have the foundation to just that. Offensively, the Cougars will run an option-based attack. The Ada offense is led by quarterback Carter Freeland (6-2, 180, Jr.). Head coach Chris Berus says Freeland is a hard worker with good leadership skills and a high football IQ. Those traits come in handy when running Ada’s multi-formation option attack. While the scheme is based heavily on the run, Freeland does have a good weapon that he can get the ball to on the outside. Wide receiver, and VYPE Top 100 player, Andrew Hughes (6-3, 175, Jr.) tallied just 11 catches for 173 yards last year, but he turned four of those catches into touchdowns. Berus says that Hughes is not only smart and coachable but also has great physical tools that make him a weapon in this Ada offense. Any good option attack must have a solid offensive line and Ada has that with three returning starters in Caden Balthrop (5-10, 230, Jr.), Caden Whitehead (5-10, 250, Jr.), and Dalton Weston (5-10, 250, Jr.).
DEFENSE
Defensively, the key for Ada will be pressure. To do that Cougars will employ multiple fronts to disguise where the pressure will be coming from. Ada returns multiple starters including four guys with at least 20 tackles last season. Andrew Hughes is the top returner for this Ada defense. He tallied 28 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups last year from his defensive back position. Joining Hughes in the secondary is Tre Ivy (5-10, 165, Sr.). He had 20 tackles last year for the Cougars. Defensive lineman and linebacker Brogan Cochran (6-2, 190, Sr.) also returns after totaling 27 tackles last year. Joining Cochran on the defensive line is Caden Ross (5-10, 200, Sr.). Ross had 24 tackles last year for Ada. Other players expected to contribute on this defense are defensive lineman and linebacker Tayden Colemand (6-2, 205, Jr.) and Kaden Gallagher (5-11, 185, Jr.). Joining head coach Chris Berus on the Ada coaching staff are assistants Seth Adams, Wade Boyles, Stephen Caldwell, Johnny Gallagher, Mart Leming, and Robbie Powell.
9-3 – vs. Ardmore
9-10 – vs. McAlester
9-17 – at Durant
9-24 – at Tecumseh
10-1 – vs. Blanchard
10-8 – at John Marshall
10-14 – at Harrah
10-22 – vs. Tuttle
10-29 – at Chushing
11-5 – vs. Classen SAS
