Looking to soar again
With new faces in key places, Oak Ridge fills holes quickly in spring
The Oak Ridge War Eagles have used spring football to overhaul the offense. Wide receiver Kyle Townsend, above, who has a North Texas offer, is the top returning player at that position.
It’s no secret what Oak Ridge’s focus was in spring football.
Brayden Letney was a fixture at quarterback in coach Dereck Rush’s first four seasons, but with Letney graduating, the War Eagles have a big hole – and several players competing to fill it this fall.
“Brayden Letney was a four-year starter for us here at quarterback, so trying to get that position solidified was priority No. 1 offensively,” said Rush, whose team held its spring game last Wednesday.
Sophomore Bishop Durst is in the lead heading into the summer.
Junior Marcel Sparks is a close second, sophomore Reinard Britz saw snaps this spring, and freshman Logan Letney is a strong candidate, but he’s still playing baseball, so he missed spring practice.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to see which one of those guys is going to take the reins in the fall,” Rush said.
Durst came in against Kingwood after Letney was injured the first series and threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns. He also started against The Woodlands, so he’s ahead of the curve with experience.
“He’s a very high-energy guy who got some snaps last year … so we’re definitely excited about him,” Rush said.
Sparks moved in from Lufkin last year.
The athletic receiver returned a punt for a touchdown against Atascocita, but he didn’t see any reps at QB.
Brtiz was the JV QB last fall, and Letney quarterbacked the freshman team.
“Bishop’s athletic and can hurt you with his arm, as well as move around in the pocket with his legs,” Rush said. “Sparks, on the other hand, has a strong arm, he just lacks the game experience right now.
“(But) he’s very athletic, and he can hurt you with his arm as well as his legs.”
Rush said he’s planning to play two or three early next season, but that could change depending on what happens this summer and in two-a-days.
“We’ve got 7-on-7 this summer,” he said. “All those guys are going to go through 7-on-7 and get used to throwing the football, learn our offense, and that type of deal. So we’ll probably make that decision in the fall.”
They’ll have three returning lineman protecting them.
But the newcomers are still freshmen this spring – left tackle Tyler Johnson and right guard Casey Duhon.
Johnson was moved up to varsity mid-district last year.
“Tyler’s about 6-4, 290, and very athletic,” Rush said. “He saw a tremendous amount of playing time last year, as far as throughout all of district, so he’s coming back with some varsity experience.”
Rush also is hoping sophomore Kyle Johnson Walker and junior Trevor Davis can give them depth on the O-line.
Rush is looking for sophomore Tanner Lacy, and juniors Justin Gallatin and Ethan Sarrach to step up at wide receiver, where Kyle Townsend, who has a North Texas offer, is the top returning player.
Lacy and Ethan Sarrach, who caught Rush’s eye with his blocking ability, were on junior varsity last year.
Defensively, sophomore Brennan Young is an upand-comer at linebacker.
He’s expected to re-join Grant Stuard, with Shandrof Burks as a new outside backer.
“(Young) did a great job last year,” Rush said. “He was all-district last season as a sophomore, and this year’s he’s getting better, so hopefully he’ll do a great job for us this coming year as well.”
Returning junior defensive back Zach Johnson is moving from corner to safety, sophomore Brandon Witkowski is expected to fill his spot at corner, and sophomore Joseph Ossai is turning heads at end. Ossai was on JV last fall.
“He definitely opened a lot of eyes this spring,” Rush said.