Published: August 27, 2007 01:07 pm            

Jones faces hefty opponents again

Larry Lewis will have a large group of returning starters as he begins his second season as head coach of the Jones Longhorns.

And he’ll need every weapon he can put on the field when the Longhorns begin league play in rugged District 2A-2, which includes not only defending state champion Millwood, but Class 2A powers Heritage Hall and Oklahoma Christian School, both ranked in the top 10.

So who does Lewis pick to win the district championship and advance to the state playoffs? Not Millwood, not Heritage Hall, not OCS, but his own Jones Longhorns.

“The road to the state championship always seems to come through this district,” said Lewis. “There aren’t any easy games on the schedule. You have to be ready every week.”

Senior Austin Jack, who transferred from Harrah after starting the past two seasons, could be the quarterback for the Longhorns, who have nine players back who started last year. But rushing leader and leading scorer Tyrone Jackson graduated and leaves big shoes to fill.

Vying to fill that tailback slot are junior Todd Thomas and senior L. J. Yinger along with incumbent fullback Cody Lucas, a 5-10, 195-pound senior who also doubles as a linebacker on defense.

Jack will have a splendid corp of receivers headed by soph Nic Wallace, 5-11, 210-pound tight end who started last year as a freshman.

Split end Steven Williams, a senior, and speedster Chris Hunt, also a senior, will give the vaunted Longhorn running game excellent balance. Sophomore Caleb Jackson will also see action in the Jones’ double tight end set.

The hub of both the offensive and defensive line is 325-pound senior Curtis Baker, who lines up at tackle on offense and moves over to nose guard when the Jones defense comes on the field. Also returning are 5-9, 210-pound junior center Garrett McElhaney, flanked by Baker and Andy Dyer at tackle and guard Landon Manwell.

In addition to Baker, Manwell will be back for his senior season at defensive end, while McElhaney will also return to the front line. He is a junior.

Lucas will get help from his linebacker spot, where he led the Longhorns in tackles a year ago, from junior Storm Bailey and senior Steve Williams.

After a quadrangular scrimmage with defending 4A champion McGuinness, Cushing and 5A power Guthrie, the Longhorns visited Harrah Friday night in preparation for their season opener at home against Perkins on Aug. 31. Rounding out the pre-district slate are Newcastle (away) and Plainview (home).

Lewis and his Longhorns will be tested right away, visiting Heritage Hall to begin district play on Sept. 23 followed by a home game with Millwood the next week. They will visit OCS to complete the murderer’s row in district play.

        

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