GANS GRIZZLIES
Coach: GARY HIXON
2-8
OFFENSE
It’s a whole new feeling for the Gans Grizzles as they approach the 2024 football season. First will be a new coach in Gary Hixon. Gans will also be playing in the newly formed Class B-II this year which will mean a new set of district opponents. “Our philosophy on offense will be to run the ball as much as possible and use play action to set up the passing game when needed or unexpected,” said the new Grizzlies boss. While Gans will be in search of a new quarterback this season, Hixon has identified a couple of guys that will be the primary ball carriers in senior Caiden Kennedy and sophomore Anthony Vasquez. The line will be experienced with the return of senior Brenden Strickland, junior Wesley Thornell and sophomore Preston Bennett. For Hixon it’s certainly a case of hitting the ground running as he had yet to hire assistants at press time. Gans new schedule shows Arkoma as the only holdover from last year with new district opponents being Webbers Falls, Wesleyan Christian, Wilson-Henryetta, and Copan.
DEFENSE
There will be six returning starters on defense for the Grizzlies this season with seniors Kennedy and TaeShawn Achon at linebackers with Strickland, Thornell and Bennett on the D-line and Vasquez in the secondary in Hixon’s 3-2 defense. “Our linebackers will have to be strong to be able to stop the run quickly or drop back in coverage when they read pass. A key for us will be to stop the run and make their offense do something they don’t like to do. If it’s a passing team we’ll need to get pressure on the quarterback as quickly as we can,” said Hixon. “If the kids buy in to what they can be and learn how to overcome adversity when it comes, then we have a chance to have a good year.”
8-29 – at Keota
9-6 – at Oaks
9-13 – vs. Watts
9-20 – vs. Midway
9-26 – at Porum
10-11 – vs. Arkoma
10-17 – at Copan
10-25 – vs. Wilson-Henryetta
11-1 – vs. Wesleyan Christian
11-8 – at Webbers Falls
