CENTRAL SALLISAW TIGERS

Coach: JEREMY THOMPSON

7-4

OFFENSE

Maturity and experience are a great combination in high school football and the Central Sallisaw Tigers posses both as they approach the 2023 season. The Tigers broke a two-year losing streak last year making it to the first round of the Class A playoffs and coach Jeremy Thompson is optimistic that the streak can continue this year. “We have lots of experience coming back with a good group of senior leaders with great team speed and a seasoned offensive line.” Deserving of special attention as a VYPE Top 100 candidate is dual threat quarterback Joe Lee (6-2, 200, Sr.) who had 1,000 yards passing, 896 yards rushing and a total 26 touchdowns last season and will be the heart and soul of the offense along with running back Coy Blackburn (5-8, 180, Sr.), a VYPE Top 100 nominee who recorded 845 yards carrying the ball last season. Those two will have the advantage of making plays behind a senior-laden offensive line spearheaded by Cole Holcomb (6-1, 210,) along with Josh Marino (6-0, 210) and Tyler Bunch (6-0, 185). Cade Tucker (5-8, 165, Sr.) returns at wide receiver after covering nearly 600 yards last season. The Tigers will run out of a spread pro set.

DEFENSE

The Tigers return almost all of their starters on a defensive team that gave up an average of 22 points a game last year though that’s a little misleading because of blowout loss to state finalist Gore. Busch and Blackburn return at linebackers and are reunited with Hunter Pack (5-9, 180, Sr.) while Marino will line up at defensive end. Also returning are Mekko Ariza (5-9, 200, So.) at a tackle spot and Connor Green (5-8, 160, Jr.) in the secondary, as the Tigers will intimidate opponents with a multiple look 3-4 defense. Given the returning weapons on offense and the experience elsewhere, the Tigers have a good shot at running deeper in the playoffs this year.

SCHEDULE

9-1 – at Heavener

9-8 – vs. Warner

9-15 – at Roland

9-22 – at Haskell

9-29 – vs. Pocola

10-6 – at Porter

10-13 – vs. Gore

10-19 – at Talihina

10-27 – vs. Panama

11-3 – at Canadian