Fort Gibson Tigers

Coach: GREG WHITELEY

Schedule:
9-3 – at Berryhill

9-10 – vs. Catoosa

9-17 – at Glenpool

9-24 – at Muldrow

10-1 – vs. Stilwell

10-8 – at McLain

10-14 – vs. Sallisaw

10-22 – at Broken Bow

10-29 – vs. Poteau

11-5 – vs. Hilldale

Quick Hits:

Quarterback Cole Mahaney completed 14 of 26 passes for 242 yards and three scores in a 42-25 win over Stilwell. 

Fort Gibson won its eighth straight against Muldrow. The Tigers and Bulldogs first played in 1960. The Tigers own an 18-15 edge in the all-time series. 

Last 7 Years:
2020 – 6-5

2019 – 4-7

2018 – 4-7

2017 – 6-5

2016 – 4-6

2015 – 3-7

2014 – 12-1

OFFENSE

The Tigers enter the 2021 with an attitude of high expectations having put the pandemic plague in the rearview mirror. The Tigers welcome the experience of seven starters back to the offensive unit including quarterback Cole Mahaney (5-9, 150, Jr.) who enters his third season as signal caller after last year passing for 1,394 yards and 12 touchdowns. “Cole is going to be our field general,” said head coach Greg Whiteley. “We need him to orchestrate the game plan and make opposing defenses honor the run and the pass.” A trio of receivers including Cade Waggle (5-11, 155, Jr.), Hunter Branch (6-1, 150, Jr.), Landon Beebe (6-4, 195, Sr.) and Jaxon Perdue (5-9, 155, Sr.) provide sure hand talents with quickness to turn a short route into six points. The ground game will be running back by committee with Toby West (5-7, 140, Sr.) and Tim Murphy (5-11, 180, Sr.) leading the downfield charge along with Atlas Potter (5-10, 205, So.) and Zahayfa Hummingbird (5-11, 165, Sr.). The Tigers ability to win the war on the line of scrimmage appears solid anchored by the play of three returning starters including Brody Rainbolt (6-3, 275, Sr.) who graded 91+ on the season, Trey Forrest (6-1, 315, Sr.), and Jace King (6-0, 245, Sr.). “Our physical ground game should give us multiple options to set up the play action pass,” said Whiteley. 

DEFENSE

Fast and with force describes the defensive outlook for 2021 as six starters return to their position in the Tigers 3-4 formation. “I like our team speed on the defensive side of the ball,” replied Whiteley. “Combined with our ability to get numbers to the football in a hurry, this group can be solid.” Forrest and King will create an aggressive combination in the trenches while the linebackers and secondary will fly to the football with high-powered energy. Murphy, who charted 92 stops plus six sacks with Beebe who made 42 tackles and Conner Lopp (5-11, 175, Sr.) will get to the football in a hurry from their linebacker positions while Perdue who had 41 tackles, Waggles, who snared three interceptions and West bring plenty of speed to matchup in pass coverage as well as chase down running backs and limit yards gained. “It’s all about overcoming the unexpected adversity,” said Whiteley, “and play with focus every game, on every snap.