The Edmond Sun

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September 2, 2009

OCS hoping for better outcome

Eric Spruill

Last year the Oklahoma Christian School football team started the season in unknown territory. A new coach, players with little game experience, opening the season with perennial power Sulphur.

And the outcome was what you would expect, which was a 34-7 loss on the road. OCS’ second-year head coach sees the roles reversed this season.

“It’s kind of opposite of last year. We had a lot of new guys with little playing time, we were on the road, while they were experienced. This year we have a lot of guys back, they have some spots to fill, and we are the home team,” Turner said. “Of course, them being a bigger school, they have a few more guys to pick from to fill those spots.”

And the guys filling those spots have been in the system for some time, as Sulphur’s Jim Dixon has been running the show for the Bulldogs for 30 years.

“Every coach on staff played for Jim Dixon. It’s a really neat deal, and about the only place in the state where you see that. Their offensive coordinator a year ago, died on Christmas in a car accident. It was Coach Nigh, who helped me out a lot during my first season. But to tell you how much of a badge of honor it is to come back and coach there, their new offensive coordinator was the head coach at Plainview last year,” Turner said.

The Bulldogs play smash-mouth football. They are big upfront and big in the backfield. And it all starts with fullback Logan Grinstead (6-3, 250) who can move.

“If you want to know how big they are all you have to do is look at their fullback and you get an idea of how big they are up front,” Turner said.

The Saints have faced teams like this before, they went on to beat teams like this last season, which include the likes of Ringling in the state playoffs.

“This isn’t anything new to us, we faced teams that were very similar to them last year,” Turner said.

Turner also said that the Bulldogs have a new tailback in the backfield that can really move.

Defensively, the Bulldogs will attack the Saints’ spread offense with a 3-3-5 look, which is the same as what OCS runs.

The head coach said his team must have success running the ball with Jeff Smith to keep the defense off-balanced and to get the passing game going.

“People think if you have a spread offense all you do is pass. But it’s just like any other offense, you have to be able to run the ball in order to be effective. We cannot get into a one-sided game. We have to be able to do both,” Turner said.

Turner said another key was to stop the big fullback, and that the offense must be clicking in order for his team to get a win.

The Saints are excited to kick off the new season.

“After pounding on each other for the last several weeks, the guys are ready to pound on someone else. It’s a long time from the start of practices until the first game. The players are ready, the coaches are ready, too,” Turner said.

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 at OCS.

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