Baker works to prep Owls for Flexbone

Playing defense is all about being aggressive, chasing the ball and making big hits, however, there are times when some caution is advised.

Those who are in the same generation as this writer well remember the days of the single wing, the Wishbone and even the Winged-T. Those offenses have pretty much vanished but if a coach wants the option concept in 2024, the Flexbone might just be the answer.

Friday Ardmore comes to the Owls Nest to face No. 1 Elgin in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs and Tigers’ Head Coach Josh Newby has been one of the few Oklahoma coaches who have made that offense work with their personnel.

Cross the Red River and there are more Flexbone programs in Texas that just about any state.

The man trying to stop that offense is Elgin Defensive Coordinator Jack Baker, the senior member of the Owls’ staff who’s seen plenty in his 20-plus years of coaching.

“Ardmore is going to be about 85-15 percent run to pass,” Baker said before Tuesday’s practice. “Against the Flexbone, you have to be aware of all the movement and faking, you must be disciplined, and you can’t get overly aggressive. We have to pull back a little this week. We have to be gap sound and not come crashing too hard because that’s what they want.”

The Owls’ defense has given up just 48 points in a 10-0 regular season and the 6-4 Tigers are going to rely on the Flexbone and its defense to try and make things interesting.

“Their quarterback is a good runner and they have a fullback who is good,” Baker said. “That kid has a low center of gravity and he’s tough. We have to get some pads on him to bring him down. They have a slotback who is good and they like to move him around to get better matchups.”

While the Tigers won’t throw the ball very often, they have had some success.

“They like to throw the hitches and out routes,” Baker said. “They have a post concept and a wheel route with their back and they can catch the ball and they are pretty good at running a little after they catch it.”

Baker says Ardmore has a line similar in size to Clinton which was able to move the Owls often enough to have a back gain 125 yards, the first to accomplish that feat against Elgin’s stout front.

“Ardmore has two big old tackles,” Baker said. “They come off low and are maulers. They throw it well enough to hit over the top now and then so we just have to do our jobs, and we will be OK.”

One factor in the game is the availability of senior two-way starter Shay Spencer who suffered a dislocated elbow against Clinton two weeks ago. Spencer was able to practice beginning Tuesday after an MRI showed no ligament damage but the consensus is to wait until the second round to play him if the Owls are able to control the Tigers.

While Spencer, Jace Williams and linebacker Colyn Donnelly are the leaders on the defensive unit, Baker said several other players have really boosted that unit.

“Phillip Pebeahsy has really stepped up as one of our linebackers and Braxton Antuna is doing a good job at weak-side backer,” Baker said. “People tried to pick on Braxton but he’s stepped up big for us and beat out four other guys for that job.

“Tristan Kephart is another guy who has really played well up front. He’s been our defensive MVP in a couple of games. He’s a high-energy guy who’s done a tremendous job for us. If Shay can’t go, we can move Jace around and we have Tucker New who can fill in up front. We feel good where we are going into the playoffs.”

Rush fills several roles

Gabe Rush may not get all the headlines that some of the Owls have gained over the course of the season but he’s one of those program guys who does a variety of things.

“I play wide receiver and I’m a backup quarterback on offense and I play cornerback and safety on offense,” the senior said. “I also play on special teams including being the outside guy on kickoff coverage.”

While the Owls did have a couple of issues on special teams recently with a bad snap on a punt and a couple of decent returns against them, Rush sees the positive side of that group.

“We have forced and recovered five fumble recoveries on kickoff coverage,” he said. “Aidan (kicker Delgado) does a good job with the pooch kicks and if we do our jobs and get downfield fast, we can usually force them to have to go a long way to score.”

Rush, a military dependent, came to Elgin his sophomore season and he worked hard to get better, including going to football camps and working his 40-yard dash time down to a very respectable 4.6 time.

“My dad has been in the Army for 19 years and he started out as a chef but is now a 1st Sergeant,” Rush said. “He loves to cook but he doesn’t like to clean up the mess. My mom Lauren makes these German-style pancakes that are like French toast and those are amazing.”

Like most military dependents, Rush said it can be tough at times.

“Sometimes it’s hard to make new friends but going out for a sport is always a good way to find new friends and be a part of a good program,” he said.

While Rush is playing football now, he is being eyed for a college bowling program after graduation.

“I’ve never had a 300 but I’ve had a 288 game and a 709 series,” he said. “It’s just something that is fun. I hope to get a business degree and start my own business or work for a good company.”

Rush also feels one of his most important jobs is to be on the scout teams and help the offense and defense prepare for each challenge.

“We’ve really been working against their Flexbone offense and it’s important we give our defense a good idea of what to expect,” he said. “Ardmore loves the power run game and we are well aware that we have to tackle well.”

Rush says the 2024 Owls are a tight-knit group, something he feels came after the tough 7-6 loss to Claremore last season in the second round of the 5A playoffs.

“There was a good deal of motivation after that and we all have the same goal,” he said. “I love playing with this bunch. They’ve really accepted me and made me feel like I grew up here.”