Published: August 27, 2007 01:16 pm            

Harrah wants to make it three in a row

When new Harrah football coach Greg Willis sends his Panthers on the field at McLoud for the season opener on Aug. 31, the Panthers will be looking to extend their winning streak to three games in a row.

After losing the first eight games of the 2006 season, the Panthers rebounded to defeat John Marshall and Southeast. The Panthers will be seeking revenge against the Redskins after Eric Cardin’s crew posted a 35-14 victory last year. It was the first game between the neighboring schools since 1999.

Willis is impressed with his squad in preseason workouts and scrimmages against Seminole and Jones.

“These kids have a great attitude even though they haven’t had a lot of success the past few years. Ending the season with two wins should provide us with some momentum, especially since we have a lot of players who have varsity experience.

“We have had a tremendous turnout for Summer Pride and summer workouts. We need to have success early to prepare us for the toughest 5A district in the state,” said Willis. The Panthers play Western Heights on the road and then wind up predistrict play against Tecumseh at home.

He will be counting on six seniors, most of whom are starting their fourth year on the varsity. Quarterback Justin Whisenhunt will be back at the controls. He was the Panthers’ starting signal-caller as a freshman. The bulk of the running attack will be again be handled by 6-0, 220-pound Levi Queen, a state qualifier in wrestling and the Panthers’ leading ground gainer from his tailback slot and leading tackler as a linebacker.

Versatile Trent Montgomery should provide an excellent target for Whisenhunt and Travis Quintero will also line up in the slot. Both Whisenhunt and Montgomery are penciled in to start on defense.

Linemen Corbin Beavers and Zach Hagan are also returning starters. Coaches have also welcomed back lettermen Dylan Aguilar, a sophomore, and juniors Derek Neill, Chad Rodgers and Matt Treadwell.

Joining Montgomery in the receiving corp will be juniors Cameron Cornish and Dakota Inman, both two-year starters and also returning starters in the Panther secondary on defense.

Sophomore Brett Roberts, a 6-0, 165-pound split end, Aaron Newberry, a tight end and linebacker and running back/linebacker Anthony McWater are also listed as top prospects.

Willis gives the nod to district foe Guthrie to dethrone defending Class 5A state champ Carl Albert, also a member of the rugged district. El Reno and Woodward round out his top choices as playoff teams from the district. “We’ll be trying to bump one of them off and get into the playoffs,” Willis said.

        

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