Offensive change in store for post-Clay Wolves

PEARCY — After years of continuity under coach Jerry Clay, change is in the air with the Lake Hamilton football program

Clay retired with a record of 211-113 and two state titles in 28 seasons at the school, leaving new coach Jeremy Reed with big shoes to fill.

Reed boasts his own impressive track record at various stops in Oklahoma, winning a state championship last season at Altus. The coach looks for another quick turnaround at Lake Hamilton, which made the playoffs last year despite a losing record.

After years of leaning on the pass, the Wolves will focus on the ground game out of the Flexbone offense. Reed expects senior fullback Johnathan Buss to shoulder the load after rushing for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

“I think he fits what we do really well,” Reed said. “I think he has all the attributes that you look for. Going into the season, he’s got a few things we’re working on to make him even better. As far as physical skills, I believe he has everything that we need.”

Juniors Juan Jackson and Dafavioun Haywood have been battling for the starting quarterback position since spring practice and while Reed won’t name a starter until the season opener, he spoke highly of the progress made by both players.

“I feel really good about the quarterback position,” Reed said. “I think we have some kids that are going to be great option quarterbacks for us. They have different skill sets and they complement each other very well.”

Senior Jacob Graves and junior Jacob Nichols return at running back, with each expected to split carries along with Buss. Ramar Easter headlines the receiving corps, with the speedy senior expected to balance the power of the running game.

“It’s the nature of what we do offensively,” said Reed. “You want to have speed and power on your offense, and I think we have the personnel to be very good at it. The kids are starting to understand how we want things done and we’re getting better day by day and week by week.”

Senior Jordan Wilcox and juniors Preston Leonard, Nathan Brown and Keaton Hixon provide depth at receiver, After not playing last season, junior Hunter Przytarski (6-3, 275) will anchor the offensive line as the starting left tackle.

Senior Jake New (6-4, 230) starts at right tackle while juniors Cameron Sloan (5-9, 240), Caleb House (6-4, 265), Will Burgess (6-4, 230) and senior Ryan Perry (5-10, 270) will see time at guard. With junior center Ian Bishop (6-0, 205) the lone returning starter, Reed termed the offensive line a work in progress.

“It’s yet to be determined,” he said. “We haven’t seen anybody but ourselves so far. It’s so different from what they’ve run in the past, but once they get acclimated I think we’ll have a strong group. I think the offensive line will become the strength of our football team as the season goes along.”

On defense, Perry returns at nose tackle to provide the push in the middle with juniors Zack Tisdale, Cole Speer and Nick Hammock splitting time at defensive end. Reed sees the defensive line as a strong point for the Wolves.

“When forming a defense, I always focus on how we’re going to be up front,” Reed said. “Defensive line is extremely important and those guys up front are going to hold the keys to our success. They’ll be the engine that makes the rest of our defense go this year.”

Senior Jacob Porter and junior Utah Aitken play at middle linebacker with junior Tyler Barrett and senior Austin Montgomery at outside linebacker.

Easter and Haywood return at cornerback while junior Jackson Davis and Nichols start at the safety positions. Juniors Jonathan Bettis, Alonzo Burleigh and senior William Gregory provide depth in a talented secondary.

“I think we’ve got a very capable group back there,” said Reed. “We have two starters returning and feel really good about the two new guys back there, plus some other guys that we’re looking at getting minutes from. I think the secondary has a chance to be really good.”

The Jeremy Reed era begins on the road as the Wolves open the season Sept. 2 against the Hot Springs. After losing four of the first five games last season, Lake Hamilton has its sights set on a better start.

“It’s very important to have early success,” Reed said. “These kids have invested an enormous amount of time in what we’ve asked them to do in the spring, summer and this fall. I have no doubt that these kids are going to have success, because of the way they’re approaching things throughout this whole process and especially the last couple weeks of practice.”