NORMAN TIGERS
Coach: ROCKY MARTIN
5-7
OFFENSE
Entering his 8th season at the helm of the Norman Tigers football program, Rocky Martin sounds confident in the players he returns to the field this season. With 10 total starters back (seven on offense), Martin and offensive coordinator Chase Cooksey will lean on starting quarterback Phoenix Murphy (6-0, 170, Sr.) for another year of leadership and production on the field. Murphy completed 116 passes for 1,926 yards and 17 TDs. He added 584 yards rushing on 65 carries with three touchdowns. His production sets the tone for the offense. Ryder Murphy (6-1, 165, Jr.) is one of three main targets in the passing game. Murphy to Murphy was good for 49 receptions and 876 yards with six scores last season. As big as those numbers are, they could be even larger this season. BJ Randle (6-3, 185, Sr.) is yet another target Murphy will look for downfield. Last season Randle accounted for 22 receptions, 326 yards and three TDs. Crew Noles (5-11, 170, Jr.) is the X-factor for the Tigers. Listed as an athlete, Noles had 57 touches for 420 yards and four TDs. Two-year starter Julius Stephens (6-7, 305, Jr.) is back at tackle, alongside Collin Patterson (6-0, 250, Jr.) playing the opposite tackle spot up front. Patterson started every game last season.
DEFENSE
Only three starters return to the defense for the Tigers, but that does not have coach Martin worried. This group is up for the challenge. Behr Boyd (5-11, 205, Sr.) is one of the more exciting inside linebackers to watch in Class 6A. Boyd made 121 tackles, 14 TFLs, four sacks, and one INT for a touchdown. He was named Conference Linebacker of the Year for a reason. Boyd sets the tone and plays a physical brand of football. Jaxon Ford (5-11, 180, Sr.) starts at outside linebacker and has a nose for the ball. Last season Ford recorded 54 tackles and is expected to see those numbers climb this season. Another OLB to watch is Ethan Young (6-0, 190, Jr.). Young is a sideline-to-sideline guy and is good in coverage. Noah Hoelzer (6-0, 205, Jr.) joins Boyd at ILB in the 3-4 scheme. Last season Hoelzer made 26 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore. The secondary features the talents of Kenneth Rosario (5-9, 165, Sr.). Rosario was responsible for 41 tackles, one fumble recovery and two INTs. Safety Kai Hennigan (5-11, 170, Sr.) returns giving the Tigers more experience in the secondary. Hennigan had one INT last season with 10 tackles. Up front the Tigers will depend on Oakley Caruthers (6-3, 265, So.) to play nose guard/tackle. As a freshman the big man made 26 tackles, three of those behind the line of scrimmage. The coaching staff includes BW Trenary (OL), John Baldwin (WR), Dionte Defreeze (RB), Jason Hensley (DL), Scott Hennigan (OLB), and Levonte Douglas (CB).
9-6 – vs. Norman North
9-13 – at Edmond Santa Fe
9-20 – at Piedmont
9-27 – vs. Edmond North
10-4 – at Jenks
10-10 – vs. Enid
10-17 – at Moore
10-25 – vs. Deer Creek
11-1 – at Mustang
11-8 – at Bixby
