Bethany's Brandt focused on finishing senior season victorious
BETHANY–Nearly each day this summer, Bethany star Sam Brandt threw a football. Over and over and over. “A lot of it is accuracy,” Brandt said. “You can throw the ball 70 yards, but if it's 50 yards from your receiver it' s not doing any good.”
High school football practice opened Monday morning with several impact players returning. There was arguably no player who had a bigger impact on his team last season than Brandt, and he worked hard to improve on his breakout year.
Brandt accounted for 52 touchdown son offense and then tallied seven interceptions at safety while leading the Bronc hos to the Class 4A state championship game.
During the summer as he worked on his throwing, he picked up several Division II offers from instate colleges. Some want him at quarterback. Some want him at safety. Some even want him at wide receiver.
But now he's focused on getting that final victory after coming so close.
“We've just got to use that one game short to build and just not get complacent ,” Brandt said. “Since we got there last year, nothing is given. Everybody is 0-0. You've just got to win games and work hard.”
Young Choctaw squad to rely on speed
The Yellowjackets are going to buzz around.
Jake Corbin is starting his third season leading the Choctaw football team, and he quickly had an answer for what his team's strength was going to be this season: its speed.
“We' re going to be fast ,” Corbin said. “Young and fast. We have a chance to make some explosive plays.”
Choctaw returns only five starters from last season's team, including senior quarterback Thad Williams. Oklahoma State commit Jeff Roberson, a senior linebacker, will anchor the defense.
Williams said he is confident the younger players are committed to playing winning football. He knows the seniors have to do their part and the underclassmen will follow.
“Everybody here is on the same page,” Williams said. “We need to set a good example for them. No worries on that.
Millwood leaning on strong defense
It's not easy to replace two Division I athletes, especially at the Class 2A level.
That' s the task for Mill wood this season, as it looks to get back on top of Class 2A after being upset in the second round of the playoffs last season.
De'Mariyon Houston and Marcus Major are playing college football at Nebraska and Oklahoma, respectively. Millwood also had a quarterback competition between three juniors vying to lead the Falcons.
Coach Darwin Franklin knows scoring isn't going to be as easy as it was in the past, but Millwood remains strong because of its defense.
“There's no question we can be really good on that side of the ball,”
Franklin said. “But it's still early and we have plenty of questions left to answer.”
Fall media day Wednesday
The Oklahoma n' s annual Fall Sports Media Day is set for Wednesday, Aug .14, at Bishop McGuinness High School.
The event will be held in the lobby of the gymnasium, beginning at 3:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30. The school is located at 801 Northwest 50th Street in Oklahoma City. Visitors are asked to enter from the Interstate 44 service road off Western Avenue.
Each Oklahoma City-area high school participating in football, fall baseball, volleyball, cross country and fast pitch softball is encouraged to bring athletes to meet The Oklahoman's high school coverage team for interviews and photos t hat will be used throughout the upcoming season.