IDABEL WARRIORS
Coach – SCOTT PRATT
OFFENSE
Graduation depleted a lot of the skill players that led to the success of the Warriors last season so the line will be the power of the offense at least in the early going. “We are athletic but inexperienced in our skill positions so our front guys will have to carry us until our skill players get more experience under their belt,” said head coach Scott Pratt.
Heading up that front line are Caden Coursey (6-2, 270, Jr.), Trevor Smith (6-0, 270, Jr.) and Raydon McCullough (6-2, 270, Jr.). Pratt indicates they’ll be a couple of Warriors vying for the quarterbacking spot with Waylon Philips (5-10, 165, So.) and Matrail Lopez (5-9, 145, Fr.) battling it out during the pre-season. It will be running back-by-committee for the Warriors to start the season with Radale Larry (5-10, 160, Jr.), Ravian Larry (6-0, 170, Fr.) and Kori Neal (5-10, 195, Sr.) all expected to get a crack at carrying the mail. Returning at tight end will be Case Pratt (5-11, 185, Jr.). “Case played both ways for us all of last year in addition to doing our punting and kicking,” said coach Pratt. “We are expecting great things from him as a leader and continued improved performance on the field.” Idabel will run out of a multiple spread formation with emphasis on running to set up the play action passing game. Pratt feels his offense can be explosive but also has the ability to grind it out if need be.
DEFENSE
The story is the same on the defensive side of the ball for the Warriors where the young returners on offense will bear the defensive load at least in the beginning. Case Pratt, who was the second leading tackler with 85 last season, will be the stopper at linebacker. Radale Larry will be back at the strong safety spot while McCullough, Coursey, and Smith will create chaos with blitzes and movement at the point of attack on the defensive line in the Warriors 3-4 set. Pratt is also hoping for some contributions from sophomore Lamarian Carter. “Lamarian had a great off-season for us. He’s a hard-working young man with a ‘team-first’ attitude. We switched him from safety to outside linebacker and he has really stepped in and responded well. We are expecting great things from him in the future,” said Pratt. A lot of young players will need to grow up fast in the first few games with the competition facing the Warriors in District 2A-6 in 2021.
8-27 – vs. Foreman, Ark
9-3 – at Kingston
9-10 – vs. Broken Bow
9-24 – at Valliant
10-1 – vs. Wilburton
10-8 – at Hartshorne
10-14 – vs. Antlers
10-22 – at Eufaula
10-29 – at Hugo
11-5 – vs. Atoka