Poteau Pirates

Coach: Greg Werner

Schedule:
8-27 – vs. Bishop Kelley

9-3 – vs. Shiloh Christian, AR

9-10 – at Alma, AR

9-24 – at Hilldale

10-1 – vs. McLain

10-8 – at Sallisaw

10-14 – at Stilwell

10-22 – vs. Muldrow

10-29 – at Fort Gibson

11-5 – vs. Broken Bow 

Quick Hits:

Running back Todd Mattox ran for 134 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns in the Pirates 52-27 playoff win over Skiatook. 

Poteau and Broken Bow have played every year since 1996. The Pirates have won seven of the last eight games against the Savages, but trail the all-time series 24-21. 

Last 7 Years:
2020 – 9-3

2019 – 12-1

2018 – 12-1

2017 – 7-4

2016 – 6-5

2015 – 12-1

2014 – 6-5

OFFENSE

One year removed from a state title, the Pirates stumbled out of the chute with a pair of losses last year but recovered with nine straight wins to make it to the state 4A quarterfinals. The 2021 season looks to be a bit more of a challenge with graduation taking several of the Pirates key players out the door. But they do have a pair of VYPE TOP 100 players that will do their best to pick up the slack. One of those is Todd Mattox (5-7, 180, Sr.), the Pirate running back who galloped for 935 yards last season and has over 1900 career rushing yards with 22 touchdowns. The other known quantity is tight end Dean Odom (6-3, 210, Sr.) who earns high praise from his coach, Greg Werner. “Dean is the most underrated football player in Class 4A,” Werner said unequivocally. “He’s a three-year starter and a devastating blocker who sets the edge for much of our offense. He’s the hardest working football player I have had in 32 years as a head football coach.” But other than Odom, there’s just one other returning lineman for the Pirates in Riley Dill (5-10, 190, Sr.) at a guard spot. Poteau will also have to break in a new quarterback with Jaxton Rutledge (5-11, 180, Sr.) being the heir-apparent to drive Werner’s Wing-T offense while Dax Collins (6-1, 175, So.) will tandem with Mattox at running back. “Dax broke into the starting lineup as a freshman last year and made a huge impact on both sides of the ball. He is an extremely physical player and will be one of the best in the state regardless of class,” said Werner.

DEFENSE

Following the first two game losses, the Pirates gave up an average of just 13 points a game the rest of the way, so defense is a prized commodity for Werner and his staff. And while there will be a couple of players that go both ways, Poteau does have some defense-only starters back as well. Odom, who led the team with 108 tackles last year, will be back at linebacker where he’ll be joined by Jeffrey Martin (6-2, 205, Sr.), Ben Brooks (6-0, 180, Sr.), and Kix Fenton (6-1, 180, Jr.) all of whom saw action last year. Collins will return to the secondary and the defensive line will be anchored by Cho Cho Ramirez (5-8, 260, Jr.). “We are a 3-4 team and at Poteau we believe in playing great defense. We hope to continue that tradition this season as well,” said Werner. “We will need to get the most out of our non-district schedule to get the season off to a positive start. I think the district race is wide open and we hope to be in the mix for a playoff spot.”