Eagles hone fundamentals with eye toward district opener

While not every high school football team starts the season on what has become known as Week Zero, those teams can often benefit from a bye week and nine area programs, including Eisenhower, are taking advantage of the break in various ways.

Wednesday Ike head coach Javon Harris, offensive coordinator John Willis and offensive line coach Terry Bell III were gathered with their players to view video and go over aspects that needed attention.

“Basically we’ve been working on everything, just refreshing what we had learned in the spring and then when practice started in August,” junior offensive guard Tarell Jones said. “We are polishing the plays that needed attention and the guys with injuries were working to get ready for the start of district games next week. We have also worked hard to get better tackling; that’s something we have to improve before district.”

Jones, a 6-0, 250-pounder, also plays on the defensive line and this week he and the other defenders are going over the details that sometimes wane over the first few games.

“We’ve really been working on things like hand placement on defense and how to shuck those offensive linemen and get to the ball,” he said. “I’m one of those guys who likes to know the things that each play requires and the thinking behind that play. I love to study film and break those plays down and figure out the best way to get my job accomplished.”

The Eagles will turn their full attention on District 6AII-District 1 opponent Stillwater Monday and the Pioneers are among the teams expected to challenge for a playoff berth.

“We haven’t watched much video of Stillwater yet, but we know they will be one of the best teams in the district,” Jones said. “Choctaw and Piedmont seem to be up there as well, but we are determined to make the playoffs.

“To accomplish that goal, we must be more consistent on offense. We must avoid turnovers, plus we can’t ruin drives with penalties and missed assignments.”

Jones’ evaluation of the top teams in 6AII-1 seems spot on as the first Associated Press Oklahoma prep poll listed Stillwater as No. 2 in 6AII, Choctaw was No. 3, Piedmont No. 4 and Putnam City No. 5, so the Eagles will need to pull off a couple of big wins to make waves in that tough district.

In addition to football practice and doing homework, Jones also has a part-time job, and he enjoys spending time with his family and his girlfriend. Like most high school students, he also finds time to enjoy video games.

In fact, Jones is planning to pursue a career as a software engineer or working with computers in some capacity.

Like all linemen, Jones enjoys food but nothing fancy; just comfort food like mom’s dish with potatoes smothered with cheese and bites of steak on top.

Those meals keep up his strength as he plays on both sides of the ball and often against bigger players.

“The tall, lanky guys are tougher to handle than the guys who are my height,” he said. “When you go against those taller guys you just have to use good footwork and use your hands effectively like we’ve been taught.”

With the busy week of taking care of the important details, Jones says he and the Eagles are focused on the important district games that they’ve been eagerly awaiting since the start of practice.

“We just have to go and do the things we’ve stressed this week,” he said. “We know what we need to do, now we just have to execute like we’ve been taught.”