Peters, underclassmen fuel high hopes for Southmoore
By ELIAS BRUNT
ISL Writer
MOORE, Oklahoma — With Thursday’s season opener against Tulsa Booker T. Washington approaching, the Southmoore Sabercats finally will learn if the potential its feeder programs have shown in recent years will turn into results on the varsity level.
Booker T, a traditional powerhouse, is ranked No. 3 in Class 6A-2 in The Associated Press’ preseason poll.
Second-year coach Joshua Norman has given the Sabercats reason to be confident. The players say he has changed the culture immensely for the better.
The amount of sophomore talent on this squad is extraordinary — a combination of the city champion Highland West squads from 2018 and 2019 and some exceptional talent from Southridge. Those players with winning pedigrees are paired with talented upperclassmen who helped the team post a solid varsity season in 2020.
Steve Day, the Cats’ new offensive coordinator, will be calling the shots this year. He’ll have senior Noah Peters — one of the fastest quarterbacks in the state of Oklahoma — to work with.
Top receiver Reece Moffett has transferred to Putnam City North, but the Sabercats have reloaded with fresh young talent at the position. Brendan Fortune, Jalen Ross, Kolton Bennett, and Skyler Mayer are among those who will have opportunities, along with senior Bryce Rusche.
Potential superstar running back Caden Durham has transferred to Duncanville, Texas, but several players are ready to step in, such as Markus Means and Rytchus Conway.
Similar to the receiver situation, the team’s defense has suffered the loss of their leader. Swiss Army knife Tyler White, who led Class 6A in tackles in 2019, has transferred to Edmond Santa Fe.
Defensive coordinator Christian Doty has left too. But talent remains, with returning veterans Ronnie Doddles, Riley Hoffman and Trent Wetsiline and talented underclassmen such as Kyus Henry.
Here are some young men who you may or may not be familiar with yet, to watch out for this coming season:
Peters: According to Norman, Peters has “shown tremendous growth in the off-season as a leader.” The most accomplished remaining player on this Southmoore team has been clocked at a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. He’s also highly capable of hitting receivers and airing out deep passes. Even if the pocket collapses, he has proven to be capable of making something out of nothing. He is nearly impossible to catch once he takes off. He has a high, quick release, making him difficult to sack. The work he’s put in this off-season is tremendous and should pay off this year.
Senior DE Riley Hoffman: He was Southmoore’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. As dominant as he was from the linebacker spot last year, he will likely be playing the edge this year to fit the team’s needs. With years of varsity experience under his belt, the speed and physicality of 6A football is nothing new to him. Be ready to witness another high-level season from Hoffman.
Senior OL Jonquil Rodgers: Rodgers has shown major growth this offseason according to players I’ve spoken to. He has lived in the weight room and has all the tools to be a game changer.
Plenty of other players likely will have big seasons for a team that should be better, despite the losses. Watch out for those sophomores and juniors because they will be playing a major role in this 2021-2022 Southmoore team.
Follow Elias Brunt on Twitter @EliasBrunt
