WATTS, Okla. — It’s been a trying month of August for the Watts (Okla.) football team, but the Engineers have persevered through adversity already and the season hasn’t even started.
Watts has been battling low numbers, and the low turnout even forced second-year coach Doug Ward to consider the possibility of canceling football season.
But the numbers held steady and Watts will open the season this week when it plays at Webbers Falls, Okla,, on Friday.
“It’s been rough,” Ward said.
“Our numbers are low, so it’s just been tough. We’ve been trying to get our first lineup together and put kids where they’re going to help us the most. We’re returningonly two guys that started last year.”
The two starters back do not include senior lineman Gary Rowland (6-foot, 180pounds), who’s expected to miss at least half the season because of a knee injury suffered last year.
Rowland was injured in Watts’ preseason scrimmage last year and then re-injured during the season, in which Watts finished 6-4 and missed the Oklahoma Class B (8-man) playoffs.
Rowland will not be cleared by doctors until the end of September or early October at the earliest, Ward said.
If and when he returns, he’ll provide the Engineers withsome depth on their offensive and defensive lines.
“If Gary makes it back, he’ll probably be at the guard position,” Ward said. Rowland could also be used at a skill position as well.
“He could play end for us because he can run,” Ward said.
“That’s a big thing for him at guard. He’s strong and he can run. You want a guard that can move, especially if you’re running a trap or something.”
Including Rowland and sophomore running back/defensive back Kayton Watt, who’s also injured, the Engineers have 14 players listed on their roster.
Minus the injured Rowlandand Watt and two other players who are on “probation” with the football program for missed practices, the Engineers have 10 players whowill be available for sure Friday.
The two probation players could also be available provided they follow through with the discipline asked of them, Ward said.
Of the 14 players, only three are seniors with the rest being underclassmen, including five freshman.
“These young kids, they’re learning our program,” Ward said. “They’re learning our process. They’re learning our drills and what we expect and how things are going to be run. Last year they were going up againstseventh and eighth graders.
“This year they’re going to be going up against bigger kids. They just need to realize that sometimesthey’re going to get the better of the guy, and sometimes the other guy’s going to get the better of them. They just need to keep working and try to get better.
“Our goal this year is just to get better every time we go out on the field.”
The Engineers will go with freshman Bradley Carter at quarterback to replace standout QB Dylan Edens from last year.
Carter (5-8, 125) is an athletic quarterback who knows how tomake people miss.
“He’s kind of smart for a freshman,” Ward said. “He’s willing to work. I think he’s willing to put the work in to be a great quarterback.”
At running back, the Engineers could go with sophomore Brendan Wolf (5-10, 165) or sophomore Cody Martinez (5-7, 150). Senior Jonathan Gibson (5-9, 150) also could be the mix as well at running back.
Ward said starting offensive end Levi Buffington (6-4, 190) is another option at running back as well.
“We would have to move some people around,” Ward said. “Buffington may have to play fullback. We’d put Cody Martinez at end, and we could leave Buffington at fullback.
“If Gibson makes it, then he may be our tailback. We may put Wolf in at fullback and move Buffington back to end.”
Wolf will find a spot on the field somewhere,Ward said.
“When you’ve got a handful of guys, you’re going to be trying to move people around and figure out what helps you best,” he said.
When the Engineers want to spread the field wide, Buffington will move out wide and Wolf will be the receiving back, Ward said.
“We’ll try to get the ball to Buffington,” Ward said. “We’ll try to get the ball to Wolf out of the backfield some.”
Ward said the Engineers also will try and utilize sophomore Jorge Espitia (5-8, 145) at a skill position.
Watt would have been another skill player had he not injured his knee.
On the offensive line, senior Dustin Simmons (6-2, 250) will man the center position.
Sophomore Derek Williamson (6-3, 245) will play right guard and senior Derek Willis (5-8, 250)will play left guard.
Simmons played on the defensive line last year and is seeing his first varsity action on the offensive line. Williamson didn’t see much playing time as a freshman in 2010, while Willis was playing for the junior high team.
The addition of Rowland midseason could give the Engineers a boost.
On the defensive line, Buffington and Simmons will man the defensive end positions in Watts’ four-man front.
Williamson and Willis and Martinez will rotate in and out at the defensive tackle spots. Rowland would join that mix if he is able to return.
Buffington and Gibson are capable linebackers,Ward said.
“If Gibson makes it, he’ll be our linebacker,”Ward said. “He’s our most instinctive footballplayer out there even though he hasn’t played since the eighth grade. He’s aggressive. He’s probably our best tackler.
He’s probably one of our fastest kids.”
Wolf and Espitia are expected to play cornerback, while Carter will start at safety.
Sports, Pages 48 on 08/31/2011