Crescent’s Nash Walker a difference maker

DISTRICT A-5 PREVIEW:

Crescent coach J.L.

Fisher has big plans for senior Nash Walker, and that includes getting the ball into his hands as much as possible.

“Anytime you’ve got a track star on your football team you’ve got a chance to make good things happen,” Fisher said.

Walker won the 300meter hurdles last spring.

A standout at safety, he’ll be used in multiple positions on offense. He’ll play quarterback, running the wildcat at times. He’ll play running back and he’ll line up in the slot.

“Over the last couple of years, he’s been the playmaker for us,” Fisher said.

Crescent went 7-5 last season and is picked by opposing coaches to finish second in the district behind rival Cashion.

Fisher said he’s been impressed with the team’s toughness as it prepares to travel to Woodland on Friday for the season opener.

He’s also said there’s no more excuses with the group of experienced juniors and sophomores.

“I don’t want to use the word ‘youth’ anymore because now we’re juniors and sophomores,” Fisher said. “We’ve went through a lot of growing pains the past few years, so I hope that pays off.”

FAMILIAR FACES IN BIGGER ROLES FOR CASHION

Anyone paying attention to Class A football knows Cashion quarterback Matt Harman, a fourth-year starter who has thrown for 9,701 yards in his career.

But fans will get more familiar with some other players who have been in less prominent roles during Cashion’s run to two consecutive Class A title games.

Junior Case Cochran emerged as a valuable

passing target at tight end during the playoffs, and will lead the Wildcats’ pass rush from his defensive end position.

Matt Farrow split carries last season at running back, but will be the featured ball-carrier. Parker Payahsape returns at linebacker where he’s one of the team’s top tacklers.

“At our team meeting at the beginning of the season, I asked guys to stand up if they had played meaningful time in a state championship game, and 12 guys stood up,” coach Lynn Shackelford said. “That’s not normal. There are not a lot of schools that can say they have that many guys who have played in a game of that magnitude.”

EXTRA POINTS

After losing the final three games last season, Morrison is hoping the experience of linemen Trevor Vernon and Collin Ring pay off with a deeper playoff run. … Oklahoma Bible Academy’s

Chase Olson is one of four defensive starters returning. At defensive end last year, he totaled 94 tackles. … After a .500 2015, thirdyear Pawnee coach Russell Cook is hoping the experience returning leads to the playoffs. Pawnee returns six offensive starters and seven on defense.