WILBURTON DIGGERS
Coach: TROY BULLARD
0-10
OFFENSE
After a year of adjusting to new head coach Troy Bullard and trying to rebuild on top of that, the Diggers are hopefullyheaded in the right direction with nine starters back on each side of the ball. After alternating quarterbacks last year, Bullard appears to be handing the reins full-time to Braiden Grossnicklaus (6-0, 170, So.). Floyd Clark (6-1, 155, Jr.),who alternated at quarterback, will take up residence full time this year as a wide receiver. But most of the attention will be centered around running back Troy Clark (6-0, 190, Sr.), the Diggers Top 100 nominee, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 2022. Doing the blocking and receiving at tight end will be Billy Brooks (5-10, 205, Sr.) while the line will see some experience with the return of Gayvn Acklin (5-10, 200, Sr.) and Hudson Williams (6-0, 220, Jr.) while the kicking chores will again be in the hands of senior Tanner Long whom Bullard calls “a great person, great in the classroom, and someone you can always count on to do the right thing.”
DEFENSE
The linebackers appear to be the heart of the Digger defense with three returning starters including Hunter Pate (5-9, 185, Jr.), Jayvon Leckelt (6-0, 190, Sr.) who recorded 61 tackles last year and Caesar Saenz (5-7, 165, Jr.). Making life difficult for offenses up front again will be the heart of the Wilburton defense Zyan Mafukidze (6-3, 215, Sr.) who had 61 stops, five tackles for loss and four sacks in 2022 and Gunner Hawkins (6-3, 210, Jr.) who had 32 tackles and four tackles for loss in just six games. In charge of the secondary for the Diggers will be Troy Johnston (5-7, 165, So.). “Last season was rough, but these young men stayed together and worked hard in the weight room during the offseason, and I feel they’re getting better and are ready to transfer some of that hard work on to the field this year,” said Bullard.
SCHEDULE
8-25 – at Gore
9-1 – at Hartshorne
9-15 – vs. Panama
9-22 – vs. Antlers
9-29 – vs. Hugo
10-6 – at Eufaula
10-13 – at Valliant
10-19 – vs. Heavener
10-27 – vs. Idabel
11-3 – at Spiro
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