COLCORD, Okla. — The Colcord Hornets spent nearly the entire fall semester of 2010 playing football.
The Hornets’ run to the Class 2A state semifinals was not only a memorable ride for the upperclassmen making it happen, but it also provided opportunity for younger players to keep having meaningful practices as the year went on.
Colcord coach Bud Simmons, in his 10th year at the school, hopes that bodes well for the 2011 edition of the Hornets, which are among the favorites to contend for theDistrict 8-2A title in northeast Oklahoma.
“That’s what we want to do each year is reload, but sometimes you’ve got to rebuild,” said Simmons’ whose team went 11-3 last year. “The jury will be out on that until we play a few games this year.”
Offensively, the Hornets have some big shoes to fill in the graduation of several seniors from last year’s team, most notably All-State quarterback Canaan Sherrell, who rushed for 1,201 yards and 17 touchdowns and passed for 2,073 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The Hornets will also need bodies to step up at running back after losing All-Star Chris Aguilar, who rushed for 1,093 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“Those guys were huge contributors last year,” Simmons said. “It’s definitely going to hurt to lose quality guys like that, but it does allow for underclassmen who gained some experiencelast year to step up and fill those roles.”
The Hornets are hoping senior running back Darwin Davis (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) can shoulder much of the offensive load.
Davis was one of Colcord’s main ballcarriers heading into Week 7 against Adair last year, having rushed for 483 yards in six games, including two performances of more than 100 yards against Westville (125) and Salina (130).
But Davis twisted his ankleagainst Adair and never was the same for the rest of the season.
Davis and senior running back Dustin DeMoss (5-10, 195), who cameon strong toward the end of 2010, look to carry the mail for the Hornets.
“I think we do return some good running backs, guys that’s played a lot in Darwin Davis and Dustin DeMoss,” Simmons said.
“Darwin and Dustin are seniors, big powerlifters, strong kids.
Hopefully they can weather the wear and tear the season that way.”
The Hornets are also high on sophomore Sam Salinas (5-9, 150), who entered the game at Adair when Davis went down and rushed for 23 yards. He then went for 58 yards the next week against Quapaw.
“(Salinas) did a good job,” Simmons said.
At quarterback, the Hornets won’t be able to do quite the same things they did with Sherrell. But junior Austin Gilbert (5-10, 150 pounds) has his own strengths.
Gilbert actually started theyear at quarterback last year against Gentry and played a lot at wide receiver throughout the season.
“He’s a year older, a year wiser and filling the (quarterback) role well right now,” Simmons said. “The offense will be geared more toward what Austin can do and not what he can’t do.”
Simmons said the Hornets are less likely to be a drop back passing team, however they will roll the pocket a lot.
Other familiar faces will be at skilled positions for Colcord.
Junior Zach Riley (5-9, 155) had a solid sophomore season at wide receiver and will play an H-back type position.
State powerlifting champion Ethan Burke (5-8, 150) will play split end, and the Hornets are excited about what 6-3, 160-pound sophomoretight end Slaten Ford can do.
Senior Dalton Vance (6-1, 185) also will play some tight end.
“Those guys, it’s going to be a big team effort,” Simmons said.
“Offensively we’ve got to rep and rep and rep. I don’t look for us to be explosive early. I look for us to grind it out and try and control the ball, try not to turn it over and wear people down a bit.”
On the offensive line, senior Blake Sumpter (6-0, 280) has moved to right tackle, while senior Jake Swicegood (6-0, 255) returns at center. Junior Thomas Wiley (6-3, 285) will man right guard, while sophomore Jaren Sanders (6-2, 255) is playing left guard.
The left tackle position is open between sophomore Randy Perez (5-10, 210) and sophomore Tyler Ingram (5-9, 155).
On the defensive side, the Hornets will have several playersplaying both ways.
Sumpter and Swicegood will anchor the defensive line.
Sumpter plays nose guard while Swicegood is a defensive end.
Senior Stephen Copeland (5-8, 230) has come on strong andwill man the other defensive end.
“Three seniors up front with good size and quickness,” Simmons said.
“We’re going to try to use themas anchors in the middle.”
Davis and DeMoss will patrol the middle at linebacker along with Vance, Ingram and sophomore Alex Fernandez (5-7, 160).
Riley had six interceptions at cornerback last year, finishing strong after struggling at the start of the season, Simmons said.
“He got picked on early a little bit, got burnt a few times,” Simmons said. “He wound up being one of our best corners later in the year.”
Gilbert, Burke, Salinas and sophomore Chase Cox (5-8,145) will play in the secondary as well. The Hornets also plan toutilize Ford’s size in the second ary in zone situations.
Sports, Pages 58 on 08/31/2011