GORE PIRATES
Coach: BRANDON ELLIS
14-1
OFFENSE
After six seasons under the guidance of Brandon Tyler that saw the Gore Pirates become a perennial playoff fixture culminating in a spot in the Class A state title game last year, it’s a whole new world for Gore with the 2023 season on the horizon. Tyler has left, replaced by another Brandon-Brandon Ellis who will face a rebuilding project in Sequoyah County.
“Although we graduated 21 seniors off last year’s team, we are very excited about this up-and-coming group of guys,” said Ellis, himself a Pirate alum having graduated from Gore in 1995. There’s just one starter back on offense for Gore so they’ll be new faces in the lineup starting at quarterback where sophomore Tate Brooksher (5-6, 146) will get the call.
“Tate is a tough kid who loves to compete and wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line,” said Ellis. Running back duties will be shared by Bladin McCartney (5-9, 185, So.) and Hunter McGee (5-8, 160, Sr.). There’s a bit of experience in the line for the Pirates with Caden Cowan (6-3, 255, Jr.) and Layne Ward (6-0, 225, Sr.) while Journey Shells (6-2, 165, Sr.) will anchor the receivers. Ellis, who has twice previously coached at his alma mater including a four-year run as head coach (2007-2010), will run a multiple I-formation and some spread with the main focus being on ball control.
DEFENSE
Most of those mentioned above will be called upon to take a spot on the defensive side of the ball as well for Gore starting with Shells and McGee in the secondary. The three with a hand on the ground in Ellis’ 3-4 defense will be Antonio Parker (5-11, 210, So.), Ward, and Cowan. “Cade is always the first guy on the field and the last to leave, works hard on the field and in the weight room and is a vocal leader for this team,” said Ellis. McCartney will also go both ways as an outside linebacker. “We need to play aggressive and create turnovers on defense and put as much pressure as possible on the offense. We want to play downhill and control the line of scrimmage,” said Ellis. Summer Pride and passing leagues will take on a new sense of urgency for the Gore Pirates this summer.
SCHEDULE
8-25 – vs. Wilburton
9-1 – at Keys
9-8 – vs. Mounds
9-22 – vs. Talihina
9-29 – at Canadian
10-6 – vs. Pocola
10-13 – at Central Sallisaw
10-19 – at Panama
10-27 – vs. Haskell
11-3 – at Porter
