By Zac Chamblee
Not counting the 2016 season, the last time Oak Grove missed the playoffs was in 2012. The following year, the Warriors went 14-1 in route to capturing their first-ever state title. The program is hoping for similar results after going 5-7 and finishing 5th in Region 3-6A last season.
No doubt it was a down year by Oak Grove’s standards. But the Warriors, a fairly young and often injury-stricken team in 2016, are both a year older and healthier now. That has head coach Drew Causey excited for what this team can accomplish.
“We had a bunch of injuries last year and were starting 11 sophomores,” Causey said. “They were not ready to play at the level we wanted them to play, and we changed a lot. We’ve made the guys a lot more accountable to each other. It has been positive, and we’ve got a great group of seniors that are really leading the team.”
Offense:
At quarterback, John Rhys Plumlee, who proved last year to be one of the state’s most dynamic passers, returns for his junior season and expectations for him are sky-high. Plumlee saw action in 10 games last season, throwing for 837 yards and four touchdowns. He added another 271 and four on the ground.
Plumlee is far from the only playmaker the Warriors will return on the offensive side of the ball. Orlando Simon led the team in rushing yards (821) last season and is back for his senior season. Causey expects Tyler Taylor, another senior, to factor there as well. Jack Harris (6-foot-4) and Hayes Maples (6-foot-3), who primarily play on the defensive side, will also get a shot to run the ball.
Kevin Barnett figures to play a huge role at wide receiver. Entering his junior season, Barnett (6-foot-3) has seen his recruitment take off recently, picking up Division I offers from Duke and Marshall. Barnett led the team in every receiving category last season and could put up even bigger numbers in 2017.
Justin Echols, Brandon Hayes, Darrell Luter, Jarius Reimonenq, Tanner Slay and Deltarus Thompson also figure to play important roles at wide receiver.
Rounding out the rest of the Warriors’ offense is the offensive line, which Causey says has only gotten better and better under coaches Lane Brady and Russell Mitchell.
Seniors Kylan Carter and Michael Gornak will play big roles at offensive tackle. Causey also expects big things from starting center Caedon Malone, who missed all of the last season with an ACL tear.
Defense:
With the experience gained by younger players last season, the Warriors figure to be much-improved on the defensive side of the ball.
One thing for sure is that they will not be short on Division I talent. Hayes Maples, a senior, will lead the way at middle linebacker. Maples is committed to Southern Miss. Jaden Crumedy, another senior, is 6-foot-4 and will start at defensive end. Crumedy has offers from several schools, including Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss. Jack Harris, only a junior, will also start at defensive end and already has offers from Mississippi State and Southern Miss.
Defensive linemen Jeric Franklin, Jeremiah Pittman and LaCarreon Jackson and linebackers Joey Griffith, Tyree Jackson, Jarrell Spight, Graham McCarty and Kade Shannon will also see a whole lot of playing time in the front seven.
Jarius Reimonenq, Ben Johnson, Darrell Luter, Tanner Slay and Jaylen Knight are a few names to watch for in the defensive backfield, another area that has vastly improved, says Causey.
Special Teams:
Senior Brennan Sobiesk returns to handle both the punting and kicking duties for the Warriors.
