CHOUTEAU-MAZIE WILDCATS
Coach: BOBBY WARD
1-9
OFFENSE
Bobby Ward takes over the coaching duties for the Wildcats this year as Chouteau continues to look for the formula to get back to winning ways. One big plus for the Wildcats will be the size and experience that returns to the offensive line in brothers Luke (6-1, 315, Jr.) and Ethan (6-1, 300, Jr.) Higgins, along with Robert Taylor (6-1, 305, Jr.). “In the trenches, these returning veterans are poised to control the line of scrimmage, opening lanes for a stable of skilled playmakers,” said Ward. Chief among those playmakers is running back and VYPE Top 100 pick Tayler Applegate (6-0, 235, Sr.). “Tayler is the kind of player that can just take over a game. He runs like a freight train with good balance. At linebacker he’s everywhere and when he makes contact, it’s violent,” praised Ward. When he needs a break at running back, Landon Miller (5-11, 190, Sr.) will be available. Lucas Grossman (6-2, 195, Sr.) will take over the quarterbacking duties and his main targets will be senior Brody Garcie (6-3, 190) and Kayden Adkins (5-9, 150, So.). “Whether it’s through the air or on the ground, our offense promises to keep defensive coordinators up at night,” said Ward. “My offensive philosophy is simple: score points, control the clock, limit turnovers and get our best players the ball.”
DEFENSE
“Our defense, not to be overshadowed, returns its own playmakers ready to swarm, hit and send a message on every snap,” said Ward. “We start with physicality-11 guys to the football on every snap. Good tackling is non-negotiable, and we create turnovers, not waiting for the offense to make a mistake.” The defensive front will consistent of the big three previously mentioned along with Sunny McCarter (6-0, 230, Jr.). Miller will join Applegate at linebacker while Garcie, Grossman and Adkins will return to the secondary for the Wildcats. “We want to make every possession a chance to flip the game with a turnover. We’re going to confuse the offense and disguise everything. We’ll shift coverages, show pressure, show zone, bring heat, and shift fronts to make quarterbacks uncomfortable before the ball is even snapped,” said Ward.
9-5 – vs. Kansas
9-12 – at Gore
9-19 – at Salina
9-26 – vs. Panama
10-3 – at Hartshorne
10-10 – vs. Haskell
10-16 – at Pocola
10-24 – at Rejoice Christian
10-31 – vs. Warner
11-7 – vs. Hulbert
