ROUGHERS AIM AT TWO-FOR-ZERO

Last year, Muskogee’s 9-2 run to the semifinals started with a boost in this matchup. One year later as the two teams get set for the return matchup at Indian Bowl, the Roughers are in a different mindset than a run of 3-7 seasons bring. Staying there is the key. “It’s a measuring stick for us in some ways like our offensive line, which is still developing yet looked good last week,” Muskogee head coach Rafe Watkins said, in regard to the simulated game scrimmage with Putnam City last Friday. “Win or lose, it’s just a non-district game. We’d certainly like to win it and expect to win it but it is what it is. But I’d rather be 1-0 than 0-1.” Last season’s 16-12 MHS win at Midwest City on the state’s first zero week — a move that allowed each team to take a bye week later and drop a scrimmage to start the regular season a week early -– was one of winning the turnover and penalty battle. It also turned on a 95-yard drive by the Roughers which came after a goal-line stand by the defense. This year’s battle has some coaching tweaks. Jason Sexton left Midwest City to become Muskogee’s defensive coordinator. Jason Blasingame also joins the staff in a smaller capacity. Midwest City is also overhauling its offensive scheme after hiring Paul Hix, formerly the head coach at Moore, as offensive coordinator “The offense was very simplistic and utilized their athleticism in that way,” Watkins said. “They’re now a lot of power game from 100 different formations with a play-action passing game and a short-action passing game.” Quarterback Preston Colbert threw for 1,687 yards last season as a junior. The Muskogee matchup was his first-ever start. “They didn’t have a lot of imagination using him,” Watkins said. “They were pretty vanilla. Now they have athletes with a scheme and that’s scary. We’ll have to be disciplined and smart.” Receivers Juwan Walker and DeClaudio Irvin totaled 907 yards between them. Astin Anderson, the running back, had 722 yards. They are all part of a group of seven returning starters. Defensively, it’ll be another tough test up front for Muskogee. Jalen Redmond (6-3, 228) is a four-star recruit at one defensive end. He had 14 sacks last year. “He’s as good an athlete as we’ve ever played,” said Watkins. “He’ll roam off the end and he has size, speed, length and strength and started off as a basketball player, so you know he’s athletic.” At the other is 6-4, 260 Elijah Manuel, who has also had some D1 attention. In the middle is nose guard Jaideon Hayes-Robinson (6-2, 274). Another D1 prospect is T’Aces Vick at safety. “They’re pretty much 3-4 but they’ll get into that wandering defense like we saw against Stillwater, but having seen it against them we’re familiar with it so we’ll be prepared if we see it,” Watkins said. But it’s up front that is Watkins’ main concern, even as his new offensive line gained confidence — both within itself and from the coaching staff — last week. “Putnam City had a couple of Division I guys who were not as athletic but bigger, but still a test,” Watkins said. “Kyri Beasley was outstanding in the run game and Kristian Hillmon had a good game as well.” Look for Mike Edwards, a mainstay at defensive end, to go both ways and be a target to catch passes from his tight end spot. He broke multiple tackles on a couple catches Friday night. How fresh he stays will depend on the play of Nikaury Ruffin, who will spell him on defense, Watkins said. Also, Diante Crutchfield, DJ Mayes and Devin Hillmon will go both ways as receivers and defensive backs. “A key for us will be our two-way guys having to go both ways,” Watkins said. “This is one team that can match or beat our speed, so we’ve got to spell these guys with depth.” Eric Arnold will rotate in at cornerback. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday.

ROUGHERS AIM AT TWO-FOR-ZERO

Photo Credit: Shane Keeler

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