Published: June 29, 2009 11:11 pm      

Rossi, Basher give Edmond North reason for optimism

It was Madill’s Spencer Bond that came away with the Top Gun Quarterback Challenge title, but it was the performance by North’s Danny Rossi that left the Huskies upbeat at Memorial High School on Saturday night.

A second place finish by North’s Nathan Brasher in the kicking competition didn’t hurt either.

“We expected Nathan Basher to do well, he’s an experienced player with a very strong leg. I think everyone was surprised by Danny’s performance but he some ability,” North head football coach Jeremy Dombek said.

Rossi was a linebacker for much of last season, before being moved to safety and back to quarterback. But make no mistake, Dombek always knew he was going to be the Huskies quarterback one day.

“I remember pulling him aside one day as a sophomore, and telling him he was going to be our starting quarterback one day. He just gives us a dimension that we haven’t had, he’s a big physical guy that can run the football,” Dombek said.

Rossi has hit the weights over the summer, gaining 13 pounds of muscle, and is currently up to 6-1, 206 pounds, though he still is not assured the starting quarterback position in the fall.

Rossi won the deep ball competition, while Bond won the mobile target. Matt Oberste of Sallisaw took the stationary target competition, and Cole Swayze of Purcell won the mobility drill.

Swayze went on to finish third in the standings.

FINCH COMMITS TO SOONERS

Former North standout Roy Finch, who dazzled fans at running back and on special teams, has announced that he will be signing with the University of Oklahoma.

Dombek says it was a huge blow to the North program when Finch left.

“We’re all excited for him, it was just a crushing blow for us when we found out he was moving to Florida. Roy didn’t want to go, but we told him it would work out for him. When we had him he was just a 15-year-old baby that played like a senior.

“He had a great junior year, I was fortunate enough to see his film, and he’s getting ready for a great senior season. With the commitment already out of the way, he should have a great year. I’m excited about getting the opportunity to see him play up-close and personal with the Sooners.”