A titan headlines District 3A-3, but don't tell Marlow and Anadarko the district is out of their grasp.
'Darko and Marlow will jockey for position in 3A-III while chasing John Marshall -- a loaded squad that returns nearly everybody after losing by a touchdown to eventual champ Jones in the state semifinals last year.
Comanche, despite losing nine two-way starters from last year's team, will look to surprise many and snag a playoff spot under first year head coach Brad Perry.
'Darko reaches for gold standard once again
Don't let last season's 5-6 campaign fool you about this year's Anadarko football team.
These Warriors are getting back to basics and hope to reach the standards of recent program success in coach Kent Jackson's 14th season at the helm.
From 2012 to 2014 they went a combined 38-2 including a perfect 14-0 in 2013 en route to a state championship. After an off year, it's time to reach for that gold standard once more.
"I think we have a chance to get back on track. Last year was below what our standard has been here the past seven or eight years," coach Jackson said. "With this group, I think we can get back to where we were and make a run at a district and state title."
Just 14 points stood in the way from a much different season last fall. Anadarko got beat by 10 points by the Class 3A runner-up Plainview. Then Jones beat Plainview by four to win the state title.
While not everything is transitive, you catch Jackson's drift — his team is close to a breakthrough. Jackson told the team that despite so many problems that plagued the team, the Warriors were right there contending with the elite teams in Class 3A. 'Darko just wasn't finishing.
To fix those problems, 'Darko is focusing on consistency this year. Jackson said that means playing hard every single down.
"So I told the boys at the start of the year that there is basically 14 points in between us being good and great," Jackson said. "So we have got to do the little things — and do them all the time — this year to make up those 14 points. It's not just offense, defense and special teams. It's how we prepare ourselves in practice; how we prepare in the weight room before practice; how we watch film... Everything that goes into it we have to do it to try and find those 14 points."
What Jackson likes most about this group is his veteran leadership in the trenches, on both the offensive and defensive lines. Their leadership and play on the field will determine the success of this year's team.
"If you're good up front and they are good kids, you have a chance to have a good team," Jackson said. "I think that's what we have this year and we feel like that's going to be the strength of our team."
Four of the six offensive linemen return and on the defensive line the interior is all back, though 'Darko will have to replace a pair of defensive ends.
Twins are in the trenches as 'Darko features standouts offensive tackle Billy (6'2, 270, Sr.) and center Brayden (6'1, 220, Sr.) Nunn. The Nunn brothers — who have five years of combined starts — will anchor the offensive line. The o-line will also feature other impactful players including David Haumbo and Ryan Pollard along with tight end Joseph Anderson (6'1, 220, Sr.).
"We feel this is going to be one of the better offensive lines we've had," Jackson said. "Those guys on the O-line have had a lot of reps and are the ones we are really going to lean on."
The offense returns seven starters while the defense returns five, and all are willing to show plenty of grit.
"We're gonna look good, we'll see how well we play," Jackson said. "'Be mean and nasty.' That's kind of going to be our mantra, and that's definitely going to be what it takes to win."
Quarterback Damon Teart (6'1, 170, Jr.) and running back Kyle White (6'0, 180, Sr.) who is a speed, power combo back, should have plenty of breathing room running behind such a dominant offensive line.
"With our offensive line in front of him, we feel like we can be really good," Jackson said. "Kyle has got great speed. He's not a slasher. He's not a real juke guy. He's a straight ahead guy that can really run. So we feel like if we can get him second level and let him take off, people won't be able to catch him because he sure can run."
Jackson said White might be the fastest tailback the Warriors have ever featured in the backfield as far as sheer speed goes. It reminds Jackson of when they had Sheldon Wilson several years ago.
"With Sheldon, we never knew how fast he was because nobody ever caught him," Jackson laughed. "That's kind of what we have now with White... We don't know how fast he really is, but we just hope he can't be caught."
Staying fresh should bolster 'Darko's win totals this year as the Warriors plan on playing only two to three guys on both sides of the ball. That will include Anderson and Brayden Nunn as middle linebackers as well as White who will be an outside linebacker.
Jackson said it's "somewhat unique" to not have as many guys playing both ways, though he said many of them will get reps on both sides of the ball but not start.
"If you can get a rotation going, it sure helps," Jackson said. "It seems like the last couple years we had seven or eight guys go both ways where this year it will be only two or three. I think that will help us tremendously, especially at the end of the season."
One of those getting reps both ways is Anderson, who has been offered already by Oklahoma Baptist University.
Jackson is expecting a big year from his tight end, Anderson, who also will be 'Darko's star middle linebacker, but he should be fresh since Jackson stated he won't play every offensive series given the Warriors' second tight end is a 6'5, 350 lb. machine in Kaeden Parton.
Billy Nunn, Xavier Smith (5'10, 275, Sr.) and Parton will be in a rotation on the defensive line as Jackson hopes to keep them all fresh and making an impact each snap when on the field. As for game plan, 'Darko plans to be tough and gritty by running the ball and stopping the run like a cold-weather, grind-it-out team.
"We'll try to stay balanced as much as possible but at the end of the day we're gonna play the way we have for the past 14 years," Jackson said. "We are going to run the football and we're going to play great defense. That's what we've always hung our hat on."
While the Warriors haven't always been able to be stingy, Jackson said it's always been their focus. Their style of play typically pays off in the season's most critical moments.
"I think why we've had so much success in the playoffs the last several years is because when the weather gets bad, you go out there and run the ball and play defense," Jackson said. "We try to hang in there and play our best football when we get to the playoffs and those things are probably the most important."
Anadarko opens with Chickasha and Clinton on the road before its home opener against Elgin in Week 3. September is a brutal month for the Warriors -- who play four of their first five games on the road.
New chapter for Comanche
Comanche welcomes new coach Brad Perry, who will have an uphill battle in his first season.
He takes over a team that hasn't won more than two games since the 2012 season, but Comanche will try and shock the district by nabbing a playoff spot.
Last year's Comanche crew graduated nine two-way starters so there are plenty of voids to fill, but Perry believes plenty of players will rise to the occasion.
"We're a young but eager team," Perry said. "There's a lot of new names but by season's end, they'll be familiar faces because of their effort to succeed."
There is some experience returning at least. Along the offensive line, David Carter (5'11, 205, Jr.), Jacob Davis (6'2, 170, Sr.) and Wyatt Harris (5'11, 185, Sr.) are a trio of veterans who can solidify the front line.
Under center will be Chandler Bowen (6', 170, So.) who mainly played defense last season but will take the reins at quarterback in a shotgun-first offense.
With enough pass protection from his experienced offensive line, Bowen could have a field day each Friday night with wide receiver Jacob McClendon (6'3, 160, Jr.) being able to use his tall frame and pick apart opposing secondaries.
Bowen will have his hands full on the other side of the ball as well leading the Indians' secondary. Brothers Trevor and Trent Cusumano will patrol the middle of the defense teaming up at linebacker.
Defensive tackle Reece Meddick (6'3, 320, Fr.) should wreak havoc in the middle and create lanes for the Cusumano brothers to fill and rack up tackles.
Comanche opens with Frederick and Velma-Alma at home, but the Indians will endure a brutal five-game road trip and won't return home till Purcell on Oct. 13.
Marvelous Marlow offense
This year's Marlow squad will surely light up the scoreboard.
The Outlaws return seven starters on the offensive side of the ball and many explosive playmakers capable of taking over the game — three of which are senior leaders at the most prized skill positions on offense.
Wide receiver Dawson Huddleston (6'4, 180, Sr.) will headline that group as he will likely give defensive backs fits with his height and speed combo. Running back Wyatt Bergner (6', 180, Sr.) will likely have the ball in his hands when it's not flying to Huddleston down field.
Finally, quarterback Will Coffman will run the show under center for the Outlaws. Coffman, Huddleston and Bergner are all three-year starters for the Outlaws and they likely have saved their best for last.
Marlow head coach Rob Renshaw believes if his offensive line keeps progressing, it will open doors for his explosive playmakers. That means Trevor Hornberger (5'10, 225, Jr.) and Brock Harris (5'10, 190, Sr.) are two offensive lineman who will have to carry the weight while helping other teammates develop along the front line.
The Outlaws are coming off back-to-back 5-6 campaigns — including last year's first round playoff exit to Sulpher (28-7) — but hope to return to the playoffs and make a splash with their star-studded offense.
While the offense will likely get all the attention, the defense still returns six starters and won't be shy to make their voices heard.
In a 3-4 scheme, Marlow's defensive line will be led by nose tackle Ethan Cooper (5'9, 175, Sr.) while Harris will make an impact as an edge rusher at defensive end.
The back end of the defense is looking strong as a host of athletic seniors will shore up any down field threat. They are led by two of their offensive stars — Huddleston at free safety and Bergner at strong safety. Two more seniors, Blaise Voigt (5'11, 165, Sr.) and Bo Gage (5'11, 160, Sr.) will lock down the sides as the top two cornerbacks.
Marlow opens the season this Friday, Aug. 25, at Kingfisher.
3A-3 Crystal Ball Prediction
1. John Marshall
2. Anadarko
3. Marlow
4. Purcell
5. Comanche
6. Lexington
7. Bridge Creek