OBA LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK

Oklahoma Bible Academy, coming off losses to unbeaten 2A Tonkawa (48-13) and Alva (53-6) tries to get some traction for next week’s district opener with Cashion when the Trojans host Watonga (0-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at Commitment Field. “It’s super important to head into district play with your head up, especially since our first two district games are against Cashion (2-1) and (No. 3 ranked and 3-0) Crescent,’’ said OBA head coach Jay Mendenhall. “We want to be improving big time each week. You want all the momentum we can have.’’ That’s something the Trojans (1-2) don’t have right now after trailing Tonkawa 41-0 and Alva 39-6 at halftime. They gave up 27 points in the second period in both games. “For being so young, I was worried where their heads would be after a couple of tough games, but I feel like they are responding well,’’ Mendenhall said. “They are understanding where we’re at.’’ Alva was able to expose OBA’s weaknesses both against the run (263 yards rushing) and passing (7 of 8 for 118 yards). The Trojans, who didn’t have a turnover against either SeeWorth Academy or Tonkawa, had three against Alva — two interceptions and one fumble. “We definitely have room for improvement everywhere,’’ Mendenhall said. “We need to work on both offense and defense on playing through the whistle. We’ve got some kids when the whistle is blowing aren’t going full speed. That has to change. We have been harping on that all year. I can take missing assignments as long as they are in full speed. That’s a big emphasis for us.’’ Mendenhall singled out the play of lineman Caleb Spann, who was playing with a broken hand and Traber Smithson. The game reunites OBA defensive coordinator James Cheatham with Watonga head coach Zach Maynard, who played at Northeastern A&M when Cheatham was the defensive coordinator. Cheatham said it’s the first time he’s faced an ex-player as the head coach for the opposition. “I’m looking forward to competing against him and catching up,’’ Cheatham said. “It’s an awesome feeling seeing young men that you have invested time in and have a good relationship with him continue to grow and expand their careers and move on with their life.’’ Maynard, the Eagles’ fourth coach in as many years, emphasizes physical play — a transition from the spread offense Watonga was successful with a year ago with the now graduated Jack Lafferty at quarterback. Cheatham sees Watonga as a reflection of Maynard when he played for him at NEO. “He was a tough player,’’ Cheatham said. “He wants them to be a power football team. That was his style as a player — he got after you and was physical. He was a smarter player. Those guys tend to be successful as coaches.’’ The Eagles are coming off losses to Okeene, 20-0, Fairview, 41-14 and Oklahoma Christian Academy, 48-20. Sophomore Elijah Kearney has taken over as quarterback. “We’re getting there,’’ Maynard said. “It’s been a chore changing offenses and philosophy. We’re asking them to do something that they haven’t done in their lives. Next year at this time we’ll be better than we are now. Next week, we’ll be better. We should be where we want to be at the end of the year, we just need to tough it out.’’ Laffferty was one of eight senior starters the Eagles lost from last year’s 9-3 team. “We have a good football team,’’ Maynard said. “We just need to figure out where we need to be. We’re slowly getting it.’’ Mendenhall said the Eagles “look more aggressive up front than they were last year ... they have the same type of athletes they always have had, it’s just a different style. They will come right at you and try to beat you into submission.’’ OBA senior lineman Montell Meyer has recovered fully from pneumonia and should be able to play both ways Friday. Connor Choate remains out with a compression fracture in his foot.