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Published: September 11, 2006 11:11 am
Tuttle Tigers set to defend 3A crown
Chuck Larsen
The Tuttle Times
TUTTLE —
How do you follow up a perfect state championship season? If you're Tiger coach Phil Koons, you re-load, fill some spots and turn 'em loose again.
Third-ranked Tuttle is one of the favorites to reach the 3A finals and, with one of the premier tailbacks in the state in any class, has a great chance to repeat.
We're talking, of course, about Zack Mincey, the little guy (5-5, 144) with the huge game. He finished with 2,255 yards and 25 touchdowns last year and is 3A's top pre-season All-State tailback.
The only thing that kept him from being a first team pre-season All-Stater in all classes is Vian's Vfastv Locust, who got the coaches' nod with over 2,600 and a state-record 57 touchdowns.
Locust got the record, but Mincey got Tuttle a gold ball.
Clinton also had a perfect season and got a gold ball last year in 4A…in fact four gold balls in the last five years.
The powerhouse Red Tornadoes were dropped down to 3A this year, giving them an automatic top ranking. Better yet, they're in Tuttle's district, providing an instant rivalry and post-season preview (week nine at home).
If anyone in 3A can stay with them, it's the Tigers.
Josh Mays, a 6-3, 300-pound pre-season first team All-Stater, will again be opening up gaping holes for Mincey to slash through.
The big guy teams with another man-eater, 6-1 and 248 Ethan Reedy, in the trenches.
Quarterback will be one of the key spots to fill after Tyler Henson, who led Tuttle to state championships in football and baseball, graduated. Koons' son, Sterlong, will take the reins when the Tigers open at Marlow.
When he's not handing the ball to Mincey, he'll be throwing to veterans Kyle Ebert, a second team pre-season All-State wideout, and TE Cooper Barrett or running the ball himself.
Mays moves onto the defensive line this year, allowing Barrett to move out to the DE spot.
Behind them will be a solid linebacking corps led by standouts Greg Meadows and Aaron Winters. Ebert will anchor the quick and veteran secondary.
The Tigers' schedule allows for the team to get on a roll before a difficult stretch run.
Improved Blanchard at home in week five will be their first tough matchup followed by a road trip to Newcastle, who gave them a battle last year.
Cache at home should afford them a breather before a trip to Kingfisher, who also gave them a game last year.
Week nine will be the shootout. The Red Tornadoes will blow into town for the biggest game of the season then Elgin visits for what should be a Senior Night walkover to wrap things up.
Everyone's talking about this new rivalry between two defending state champions and the talk won't stop until after week nine. Then they'll be talking about that game for a long time.
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