2017 Pigskin Preview: Norman Tigers Team Breakdown – Presented by Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

 

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Coach: ROCKY MARTIN

Schedule:
8- 31 – vs. Norman North

9-8 – at Mustang

9-14 – at Moore

9-22 – at Jenks

9-29 – vs. Edmond Santa Fe

10-6 – at Yukon

10-12 – vs. Westmoore

10-19 – at Broken Arrow

10-27 – vs. Ponca City

11-3 – vs. Edmond Memorial

Last 5 Years:
2016 – 1-9

2015 – 1-9

2 014 – 2-8

2013 – 5-5

2012 – 9-3

 

Quick Hits:

The Tigers enter 2017 on the heels of three consecutive losing seasons. Norman has not suffered four consecutive losing seasons in school history.

Norman carries a two-game winning streak in the series against Yukon. The Tigers have won three of the last five in the series.

Norman enters the season on a two game losing streak to Moore for the first time since dropping 11 in a row from 1994-2003.

OFFENSE

After finishing 1-9 last year the Norman Tigers will be under new direction this year with Rocky Martin taking the reigns as head coach. Martin was previously the head coach at Putnam City West where he finished 7-4 in 2016, the best record the Patriots had posted since 1994.

Martin said that the players at Norman have truly embraced the coaching change and have been putting in the work to be successful.

“The kids have embraced the change and have worked extremely hard this offseason and spring. We have a great group of kids who are willing to put the work in and we are all excited about this upcoming season,” Martin said.

Coach Martin will have five returning offensive starters to build around. Travevon Edmundson (5-9, 170, Sr.) will start at running back this season leading a well-balanced attack that builds around the run game. At wide receiver Norman will feature Mark Williams (6-2, 185, Sr.), Harvey Cooper (5-10, 150, Jr.) and Max Cato (6-1, 170, Sr.) as they spread the field and look to exploit mismatches in the aerial attack.

On the offensive line center Robert Kowaleski (6-1, 215, Jr.) will be the main man up front and will be joined by Yemi Oyesanya (5-10, 200, Jr.). Oyesanya may play multiple spots on the line this year depending on how that group fills out.

DEFENSE

On defense the Tigers will operate out of a 3-4 front under coach Martin. Kobe Wilson (6-5, 250, Sr.) will work off the edge from his defensive end spot while Danny Cox  (5-11, 265, Sr.) will work on the interior as the team’s nose guard.

In the middle of the defense look for Gaylan Randle (6-2, 220, Sr.) and Drannon Lenox (6-0, 185, Sr.) to lead a group of players who will not hesitate to lay the wood to any opposing ball carrier.

In the secondary the Tigers will rely on Shaye Stuart (6-0, 165, Sr.) and Braydon Henry (5-7, 160, Jr.) to be the leaders on the back end as the team’s starting safeties.

In a district that includes Jenks, Broken Arrow, Edmond Santa Fe and Westmoore it will be tough for the Tigers to go from 1-9 to the playoffs in one year but one thing is for sure if they continue their work under coach Martin the time for seeing Norman in the postseason may come sooner rather than later.