Thinking Behind An Offense

WESTVILLE, OKLA. — The man whose job was to outsmart Westville’s defense in their season opener the last two years, will now try to do the same to Yellowjacket opponents.

Former Lincoln offensive coordinator Tyler Dorton has taken over as head coach of the Westville Yellowjackets, Lincoln’s traditional opponent for season openers. Dorton and the Yellowjackets will play host to Lincoln and one of Dorton’s key mentors, Lincoln head coach Don Harrison, in the 2017 season-opener for Lincoln Sept. 1. Westville begins the 2017 football season a week earlier, at Stigler Aug. 25.

The 2017 border rivalry matchup features an interesting chess game between two coaches known for offensive innovation.

Dorton’s career started in Newport under the tutelage of Jeromy Poole and Harrison. Both had worked on Rick Jones’ staff at Greenwood that won three state championships in four years. Dorton soaked up their combined knowledge of effective spread schemes as wide receivers coach in a spread run-pass option offense that averaged 42.8 points per game.

After two seasons Dorton became receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator at Searcy. In 2013, Dorton and co-offensive coordinator Mark Kelley retooled the offense. Their product utilized a run-pass option on most downs and helped Searcy compete in the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from the 6A East.

Dorton joined Harrison’s staff as Lincoln’s offensive coordinator and head junior high coach in 2015. He was brought in for a definite reason. Harrison realized the need for creativity so he called on Dorton to employ tactics that would give the Wolves an edge on offense.

The result became packaged plays, also known as run-pass options. This strategy became a fixture of Lincoln’s offense. During the 2015 season, Lincoln claimed their fourth playoff berth in school history and Lincoln’s seventhgrade team went 9-1 with Dorton’s input playing a key role. Dorton’s

resume features the development of 4 All-State and 8 All-Conference wideouts during his six years as a coach. Dorton is certified and active with the National Football Academies.

On Sept. 1, football fans are going to find out how well Harrison and Dorton know each other’s tendencies.

MARK HUMPHREY/ENTERPRISE-LEADER Former Lincoln offensive coordinator Tyler Dorton has his first head coaching job at Westville. Dorton will face off against his mentor, Lincoln head coach Don Harrison, in the annual border rivalry Sept. 1 on the Yellowjackets’ home field at Westville.