KEYS COUGARS

Coach: Adam Hass

Last 7 Years:
2020 – 5-8

2019 – 4-6

2018 – 3-7

2017 – 6-5

2016 – 6-5

2015 – 2-8

2014 – 2-8 

OFFENSE

Senior leadership will be a big key to success this year for the Keys Cougars. They have the advantage of making the state quarterfinals last year as they adjusted to second-year coach Adam Hass’s coaching philosophy. Lane Taylor (6-0, 175, Sr,) returns as the Cougar quarterback with a year of valuable experience under his belt. “Lane is an all-around athlete that competes not only in football but in basketball and baseball while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He is our QB and the leader of the Keys Cougars football team,” said Hass. Also returning are fellow seniors Gage Barnes (6-2, 175, Sr.) at wide receiver and lineman Parker Sinclair (6-3, 285, Sr.) who Hass calls big and strong and able to dominate the line of scrimmage. These three upperclassmen will be called on to lead the group of youngsters under them. “We are going to be a more mature team in 2021,” said Hass. “We have a good-sized senior class and we will rely on their leadership.” Keys returns nine starters in all on the offense and along with the three previously mentioned are Garin Barnes (6-2, 200, So.) at the H-back spot, Austin Davis (5-10, 225, So.) joining Sinclair on the O-line and multi-purpose player Cooper Hamilton (6-1, 175, Jr.) who can play wide receiver or quarterback if needed. Hass says to also be on the lookout for sophomore Paul Roche who he feels will make contributions in the Cougars line play this year.

DEFENSE

Taylor, Hamilton and Davis will be tasked with playing both ways at least initially for the Cougars. Taylor will return at a safety spot while Hamilton will be a corner and Davis is an inside linebacker. Senior Jeremiah Clinton (6-4, 255), a VYPE Top 100 choice, will be a challenge for opposing linemen as a defensive end and Levi Troyer (6-1, 195, Sr.) will put the pressure on from the outside linebacker spot in Hass’s 3-4 defense. Another returning member of the Cougars defense will be Garret Glory (5-10, 170, Jr.) who will team with Taylor at a safety spot. Another returning starter will be Drew Morgans (5-9, 165, Sr.) who plays linebacker but also has another, often overlooked, role of importance. “While Drew plays linebacker, his more important role is that of long snapper on special teams. He makes a big difference when he’s in there snapping and not many people recognize that,” said Hass. After being road warriors a good part of last year, the Cougars will be the recipients of a more favorable schedule this year with six home games including the first three.

Schedule:

9-3 – vs. Gore

9-10 – vs. Wilburton

9-17 – vs. Tahlequah Sequoyah

9-24 – at Vian

10-1 – vs. Pocola

10-8 – at Heavener

10-14 – vs. Roland

10-22 – at Spiro

10-29 – vs. Panama

11-5 – at Cascia Hall