OWASSO RAMS
Coach: BILL BLANKENSHIP
9-5
OFFENSE
The Rams fell just one win short of adding a fourth football state championship to their trophy case. But as they prepare for a new season, head coach Bill Blankenship says that his squad will use the thing that worked against them last season to help this season. “We look to build off the struggles in 2022 that forced a lot of young players into crucial roles on our team as we made a deep run to finish as state runner-up,” he said. “Many of those ‘young’ players have evolved into team leaders and impact players this spring.” J’Kharri Thomas (5-8, 160, Sr.) and Drew Hogan (5-11, 160, Jr.) will be key targets for their quarterback at the wide receiver position. Last year, Thomas had 1,055 total yards and seven touchdowns, while Hogan tallied 92 receiving yards with one touchdown. Jayden Hall (5-11, 185, So.) had 122 rushing yards and one touchdown a year ago, and he is ready to take the next step and make a bigger impact on the field. The Rams have three tight ends that will share playing time. Tariek Johnson (6-1, 195, Jr.), Mason Hendricks (6-2, 215, Sr.), and Trevor Gage (6-3, 220, Sr.) combined for 845 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Johnson will spend some time at running back also this season. Opening up running and passing lanes on the offensive line will be Ryker Haff (6-6, 305, Jr.), Blake Cherry (6-6, 285, Jr.), and Ryan Case (6-3, 290, Sr.)
DEFENSE
On the defensive side of the ball, the Rams lost six big-time players in the offseason, and they will look for other guys to step up and fill those roles. Lyric Wheeler (5-10, 185, Sr.) and Kale Pennington (6-2, 185, Sr.) will both be back at linebacker. Last year, Wheeler totaled 46 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks, while Pennington had 37 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks. Upfront on the line, Trae Hall (5-10, 245, Sr.) will work to create havoc for opponents. He totaled 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, and one sack last year and is ready to increase that production this season. Taking care of things in the secondary will be Derrick Lockridge (5-10, 155, Sr.) and Jaylen Jones (6-0, 180, Sr.). Last season they accumulated 17 tackles and 10 pass break ups.
SCHEDULE
8-24 – vs. Bixby (TU)
9-1 – vs. Jenks
9-8 – vs. Broken Arrow
9-22 – at Union
9-29 – vs. Mustang
10-6 – at Edmond North
10-13 – vs. Yukon
10-19 – at Edmond Memorial
10-27 – vs. Edmond Santa Fe
11-3 – at Norman
