OKMULGEE BULLDOGS
Coach: RANDY JACKSON
2-8
OFFENSE
Once A Bulldog…Always a Bulldog! As Randy Jackson enters his 10th season as part of the football program coaching staff, the 2001 Okmulgee alumnus takes the leash as head coach seeking a return to winning football. There’s good cause to see immediate improvement as nine players who were rookies last year as starters now have a year of game time experience. Joseph Robertson (6-2, 175, Sr.) begins his third season as quarterback in the “O-Spread” style offense designed to control the pace of play. Another key performer on offense will be Jordan Bolden (5-9, 185, Sr) who enters his fourth year in the lineup giving the ‘Dogs speed, agility and strength in the ground attack. When Robertson goes to the air, Nolan Yates (5-9, 165, So.) and Javin Hutchinson (5-11, 165, So.) will have the speed to take the quick out routes to the end zone as receivers. On the ground or by air, the offensive line, defined by Jackson as “the BIGS”, has plenty of size and mobility to provide protection as Brandon Simon (6-2, 270, Jr.), Zander Thierry (6-2, 270, Jr.) and Pierre Borders (5-10, 240, Sr.) will line up shoulder to shoulder along with Zavier Thierry (6-5, 280, Jr.) and Asiah Leybas (5-10, 240, Sr.) having added strength through time spent in the weight room during the offseason.
DEFENSE
Strong and with an attitude of physicality describes the defensive talents returning for the Bulldogs including nine starters. Last year’s leading tackler Jordan Bolden returns at linebacker along with Maurice Furch (5-10, 195, So.) who brings a wrestler’s aggressiveness to the playing field while Brealin Lewis (5-10, 165, So.) will attack from the edge as an outside linebacker in the 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Pierre Borders along with James Ruggins (6-2, 255, Jr.), Scott Hood (6-2, 260, Jr.) who wrestled at heavyweight last year plus the “D-BIGS” Osceola Saunders (5-10, 320, So.) and Eco Saunders (6-4, 290, So.), who are cousins, will secure play on the line of scrimmage. The Okmulgee secondary that generated 17 takeaways in 2022 remains intact including cornerbacks Javin Hutchinson and Ollie Hammon (5-9, 160, Jr.) who can play lockdown man coverage and let Nolan Yates roam and react from the safety position. “We’re not going to make excuses, just shoot for the stars to earn the rewards of our efforts,” said Jackson. “After learning by fire last year, these kids are eager to return and achieve the success they deserve. As a group, each member of Okmulgee football, players and coaches, know victory must be earned and achieved only through non-stop hard work.”
SCHEDULE
8-25 – vs. Star Spencer
9-1 – at Antlers
9-8 – vs. Central
9-22 – at Victory Christian
9-29 – vs. Westville
10-6 – vs. Kiefer
10-12 – at Beggs
10-20 – vs. Kansas
10-27 – vs. Sperry
11-3 – at Morris
