Noble Bears Team Breakdown – Pigskin Preview 2018 – Presented by Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Norman

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Noble Bears

Coach: GREG GEORGE 

Quick Hits:

The Bears reached their first ever semifinals in 2017, defeating Ardmore 28-14 in the quarterfinals before losing to Bishop McGuinness 38-10.

Excluding the playoffs, Noble has won 10 straight non-district games by an average margin of 40 to 15.

Noble hosts Ada on September 7th. The Bears are 0-6 all time against the Cougars. The teams last met in 2011, a 56-15 Ada win.

Last 5 Years:

2017 – 10-3 

2016 – 8-3

2015 – 4-6

2014 – 4-6

2013 – 4-6

OFFENSE

After getting to the Class 5A semifinals last season, Noble will be expected to have another successful fall. The Bears will be returning six of their starters, so a few players will have to step up for the offense. One of those returning players will be quarterback Hayden Lingle (6-0, 175, Sr.). Lingle was leading contributor to the team’s success last season with 158 completions for 2,582 yards and 26 touchdowns. Catching passes from Lingle will be receivers Isaiah Wilhoite (6-0, 170, Sr.), Bryan Henager (5-9, 160, Sr.) and Jay Smith (5-11, 175, Jr.). Wilhoite had 58 receptions last season leading to 810 yards and 10 touchdowns. Henager and Smith also got into the mix with over 600 combined receiving yards and scored the Bears eight touchdowns last year. Two of the players to look out for on the offensive line will be tackle Hayden Tener (6-0, 245, Sr.) and center Hunter Largent (6-2, 305, Jr.).  Largent has been staring for Noble since his freshmen year and five-year coach the Bears, Greg George describes him as “dominating.”

DEFENSE 

The defense will look to have another outstanding year returning seven of last year’s starters. There will be some key players that will have to perform well on both sides of the ball this season like nose guard Largent, who contributed to the team with his effort of getting the quarterback sacking his opponents four times last years. He also had 87 assisted tackles and 28 unassisted tackles with 16 of those tackles being in the backfield for a loss of yardage. Another defensive lineman who will be a big headache for teams will be defensive end Gavin Yeager (6-3, 215, Jr.). Not lacking size, Yeager showed that he has a way of stopping opponents by recording 105 tackles last season with seven sacks and 14 of those tackles for lost yardage. The Bears secondary seems to have no problem getting their hands on the pig skin with corner Smith, safety Henager and corner Wilhoite combined for 10 interceptions last season. “We are excited about the upcoming season,” said head coach George. “We are in a new district which will be very challenging and look forward to it. I hope to keep building on what we have.”  

Schedule:

8-30 –  at Newcastle

9-7 – vs Ada

9-14 – vs Piedmont

9-21 – at Duncan

9-28 – vs. El Reno

10-5 – at Altus

10-11– vs. Western Heights

10-19 – at Lawton Mac

10-26 –  vs. Ardmore

11-2 –  at Southeast