Change and adaptation is the name of Lawton High football’s latest chapter, and it begins with Ryan Breeze.
After serving 12 years as the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator, Breeze was named the new LHS head coach following the surprise retirement of his father, Randy, in late July.
Although Randy Breeze’s announcement came less than a month before the beginning of school, time marched on, and Ryan Breeze had little time to settle into his new job before the everyday duties of a head coach began taking over.
It is now Ryan Breeze who must navigate the roster and identify which players give the Wolverines the best chance to win. He’ll be the one looking for playmakers at quarterback and receiver to support star running back Miles Davis.
Can Ryan Breeze help LHS reach the semifinals or beyond for the fourth time in five seasons? Here is a look at who he has at his disposal:
SKILL PLAYERS
For the second-straight season, LHS will be with a new starting quarterback.
After the graduation of Alihas Hopper, who threw for 2,012 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 57.7 completion percentage, the starting job is once again up for grabs, and there are several candidates vying for the position.
The primary three are Kyler Jenderseck (5-11, 160, Sr.), Eric Wiley Jr. (5-11, Jr.) and Donovan Dorsey (5-8, 150, So.).
On paper, Kyler Jenderseck (5-11, 160, Sr.) look like the obvious choice because of experience. The senior completed 7 of 9 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown a season ago, going 2-0 as a starter.
Eric Wiley Jr. (5-11, Jr.) has an edge in overall size and athleticism, but he didn’t have much of a chance to prove himself on the field before breaking his collarbone in Week 2 against MacArthur, ending his season.
Then there is Donovan Dorsey (5-8, 150, So.), who makes up for his lack of size with his undeniable throwing ability.
Whomever lands the job, Wolverine fans should rest easy in knowing LHS might be one of the deepest teams in 6AII at the most important position.
The Wolverines are solid in the backfield with the return of Miles Davis (5-10, 160, Sr.) at running back. After a breakout season in which he rushed for 2,383 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging nearly 8 yards per carry and 200 yards per game, Miles is a contender to become the best back in the state.
Davis also caught 22 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, making him a threat to score with every touch of the ball.
Davis’ backup will be Quen Bryant (5-10, 180, Sr.), who Ryan Breeze calls a “short-yardage bruiser.” Bryant carried the ball 44 times in 2017 for 292 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite the loss of All-State caliber receivers Jayquan Lincoln and Dominick Neal, who combined for 1,610 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, LHS is loaded at receiver, with up to 10 players expected to earn a spot in the rotation.
Eddie Austin (6-0, 145, Jr.) and Elijah Reyes (5-9, Jr.) are the only returners who caught a pass in 2017, but with the addition of move-ins AJ Adams (Jr.), Chateau Reed (Jr.), the Wolverines are back to having a solid receiving corps.
Adams was a member of national powerhouse Grayson in Loganville, Ga., while Reed caught 15 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns for Lathrop in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Caleb Fuller (So.), Jaketriuan Nolan (So.), Jerrion Bradford (5-5, 111, So.), Esariuan Gillmore-Kelly (5-4, 125, So.) and Colin Hooper (5-8, 145, Sr.) could also become contributors in the LHS passing game.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Protecting the quarterback and Davis will be a group of three returning starters with two additions.
LHS favors the run, racking up 256.7 yards per game last season, and Ryan Breeze said these weight room warriors will pave the way for what is expected to be an explosive offense.
Division I prospect and left tackle Hector Becerra (6-2, 285, Sr.), center Romeo Blanton (So.) and right guard Xavier Johnson (5-9, 220, Sr.) are all back, while Sammy Rehkop (Jr.) and Josh Inserra make their debuts as starters at left guard and right tackle, respectively.
DEFENSIVE LINE
despite combining for only five tackles and one sack last season, Becerra and Blanton are the Wolverines’ top interior guys and will handle the defensive tackle spots.
Newcomers Inserra, Milton Knight (Jr.) and Micah Avendano (5-7, 193, Jr.), who played OLB last year, will also see time on the line and tackle and guard.
Sione Fatongia (Sr.), a move-in from Victorville, Calif., and Johnson will work to contain offenses and continually pressure quarterbacks as defensive ends.
LINEBACKERS/SECONDARY
Sam Harris (Sr.) emerged as a consistent middle linebacker in 2017, leading the team with 108 tackles to go along with two sacks, but a starting role is anything but secure.
Fellow senior Bryant and James Clark (So.) impressed the coaching staff during pad camp and are in the running for the position as well. Kaden Henley (Fr.), son of defensive coordinator Ashley Henley, has been a pleasant surprise and is expected to get playing time on the varsity squad even if he isn’t named the starter.
Despite spending most of his time on JV squad last season, Jeremiah Magee (5-8, 150, Jr.) has shown significant growth one the field and in mental toughness, earning himself a starting job as an outside linebacker. Hooper will experience his first year as a starter as well at the other outside spot.
Andrews has become a rock in the Wolverines’ secondary and will display his high football IQ knack for finding the ball as the free safety a year after tallying 53 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks as a sophomore.
Reyes preserves his place as strong safety after starting the back half of last season and recording 19 tackles and one sack, but Nolan could also be a factor.
Lack of experience plagues the cornerback position.
Drelin Simpson (Jr.) and Fuller battling it out on one side, while Austin and Adams are in competition for the other spot. Austin is the most experienced of the four, having started half the season in place of an injured teammate last year.
Reed could figure in as well after intercepting a pass during the Edmond North scrimmage on Aug. 16.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Wolverines picked up a talented kicker in Daniel Kim this year.
Kim’s first day with the team was the first practice, but he wasted little time showing off his leg strength, wowing the coaches with his ability to get kickoffs inside the 5-yard line. Kim, a soccer player, also connected on 5-of-6 extra points during the LHS intra-squad scrimmage.
Andrews figures to do the punting again this year after averaging more than 30 yards per punt last season.
QUOTABLE
“The neat thing about this team that’s different from the past is the leadership we’ve had,” Ryan Breeze said. “These kids enjoy practice — we’re not having to get them fired up or scream and yell at them to practice hard. They enjoy coming in this fieldhouse and working hard every day. That’s what we’ve missed — the previous two years, especially.”