FOOTBALL: Oologah embraces ‘grit’ while rebuilding around stronger foundation
· Yahoo Sports
OOLOGAH — Oologah may have lost plenty of familiar names, but coach Sam Noble believes the Mustangs have gained something that could matter just as much.
A little more grit.
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After improving from two wins to four, Oologah enters the new season rebuilding much of its production at the skill positions while attempting to continue its upward trajectory.
OVERVIEW
With a difficult district waiting and a relatively young roster taking shape, Noble has distilled what he wants from his team into that word "grit."
For the Mustangs, that means continuing to play with proper technique, executing assignments and working through adversity regardless of the opponent across the line of scrimmage.
“We live by grit,” Noble said. “How hard are you going to work when the going gets tough? We're not going to cower down from any tough challenges. It doesn’t matter how many dudes we have on the roster, doesn't matter who's hurt, doesn't matter who we're lined up across. We’ve just got to go, and whenever things get tough, just step up to the challenge and keep going.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The challenge begins with replacing several key contributors lost to graduation or transfers, including Ayden Gaines, who moved to Claremore.
Oologah returns only four starters offensively, but Noble sees reason for optimism in the unit that everything else will be built around.
“Our younger groups are going to be really good, too,” Noble said. “We still have a really good chance to do exactly what we want to accomplish this year.
The offensive line has taken a step forward.
Improved communication and camaraderie up front have Noble encouraged about a group that will be charged with making life easier for the Mustangs' rebuilt collection of backs and other skill players.
Oologah also have some intriguing young size to develop, including 6-foot-4, 275-pound freshman Levi Gill.
“Big ole kid that loves the game of football,” Noble said of Gill.
There is more familiarity defensively, where approximately six starters return.
That experience could prove crucial while the Mustangs' offense finds its footing. After contributing as a freshman, quarterback Brock Lustig enters his sophomore season with increased expectations.
Noble is looking for greater maturity and production as Lustig takes another step in his development.
“I expect him to be better this year,” Noble said. “He's looked better — a lot better. That's going to happen with that maturity.”
Hunter Schondel brings experience at inside linebacker, while senior transfer Maverick Plummer arrives from Owasso to bolster the unit at the linebacker position.
Carter Miller returns at safety and provides leadership in the secondary, while Ben Hogue is back at corner after dealing with a wrist injury. Tucker Rogers gives Oologah another experienced piece at defensive end.
Depth, however, will be something the Mustangs must manage.
Oologah's varsity roster sits in the mid-40s, making health especially important over the course of a physical season. Noble is encouraged by what is developing underneath the high school level, though, with more than 50 players participating in the middle school program.
That growth offers promise for the future.
“We're getting there,” Noble said. “This group is going to be really, really good. So we'll see what happens and keep just rolling with the punches.”
For now, Noble wants his current group to continue the progress that has already taken the Mustangs from 2-8 to 4-6 during his tenure.
With several new faces being asked to take on larger roles, Noble said he believes the ceiling for this year's team is difficult to define.
Talent will matter. Depth will matter. Staying healthy will matter.
However, when the Mustangs inevitably find themselves in difficult situations, Noble wants to know they have something else to fall back on.
Grit.
“Honestly, the sky's the limit for this group,” Noble said. “I think our goal is still feasible. We we can still do exactly what we want to do, as long as we do what we're coached to do and don't think about too many things. As long as our kids are just shoring up their assignment, alignment, their technique, we'll be just fine.”