Practice Report: Bixby

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy! The Bixby Spartans got their 2021 football season off in a very similar fashion. With a win. It was the 37th consecutive win in fact as they dominated Mansfield Timberview in week zero. We caught up with head coach Loren Montgomery to talk about some of the individuals who have stood out so far this season. From star players to new faces, we dove into it with Montgomery as they prepare for a huge game in week one, on the road against defending 6A-1 champion Jenks. Be sure to check out Prep Redzone Oklahoma throughout the season for these Practice Reports on all of the top teams and players in Oklahoma. INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHTS [player_tooltip player_id="38679" first="Braylin" last="Presley"] - 2022 Running Back We kick off the individual spotlights with the reigning Prep Redzone Player Of The Year in senior running back [player_tooltip player_id="38679" first="Braylin" last="Presley"]. The Oklahoma State commit had another busy night running and catching the ball and even nearly took a punt back for another touchdown. Presley had a terrific offseason in which he improved his speed, which seems impossible to believe knowing how fast he was in 2020. He’s also ten pounds heavier after a busy offseason in the weight room. Presley was Bixby’s leading receiver a year ago and that might be the case again in 2021. As for what the ceiling is on the dynamic player Montgomery couldn’t even put a number out there. He knows what everyone else who has seen Presley knows and that he’s an electric playmaker who can be gone in the blink of an eye. But we are very interested to see what Presley’s total numbers will look like by the end of the season. They could be eye-opening, much like his play on the field. [player_tooltip player_id="194066" first="Brody" last="Duffel"] - 2024 Offensive Lineman Opening up running lanes for Presley has been a young sophomore that has impressed the Bixby coaches and that’s [player_tooltip player_id="194066" first="Brody" last="Duffel"]. A 6’4, 245 left tackle that has emerged over the offseason and early on this season on the Bixby offensive line. And for those not as familiar with Bixby and their coaches, Loren Montgomery knows offensive linemen. And when he praises an offensive lineman or just talks about one that has impressed him, we listen. Just a sophomore, Duffel has plenty of time to learn and grow. But the fact that Bixby is starting a sophomore at the left tackle spot shows you how much they think of this big man and his potential down the line within this offense. [player_tooltip player_id="194065" first="Cale" last="Fugate"] - 2023 Safety In addition to Duffel, junior safety [player_tooltip player_id="194065" first="Cale" last="Fugate"] was another name that we did not know before our conversation with Montgomery. Some of the standouts for Bixby are obvious, but they also have a few new faces that could end up becoming stars this year. One of the first names Montgomery listed when we brought up new faces was Fugate at the safety position. You’ll also see him on offense as a wide receiver but Montgomery mentioned how well Fugate did throughout the offseason and that’s led to a big role within the team so far this fall. You’ll later in this breakdown but Bixby’s linebackers and another safety that we’ll write about are outstanding and Fugate just adds more depth to those positions. [player_tooltip player_id="193013" first="Christian" last="Burke"] - 2022 Quarterback Whoever ended up being QB1 for the Spartans had some big shoes to fill as they replaced [player_tooltip player_id="38531" first="Mason" last="Williams"], a three-time state champ and 36-1 as the starter. [player_tooltip player_id="193013" first="Christian" last="Burke"] stepped into that role with his first start on Friday night and he played outstanding. He threw for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns and the Spartan offense didn’t miss a step with Burke at QB. He was one of our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/week-zero-top-performers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top Performers</a> from week zero and Montgomery was impressed by the senior QB. Bixby’s head coach talked about the impressive summer that Burke had within passing leagues, 7v7 tournaments and he went into fall camp as the starter. He kept that spot and had a great season opener. Montgomery was impressed with his timing and accuracy on Friday night. Burke will certainly have a much tougher test this week as they go on the road to take on Jenks. But he certainly has the advantage of some very talented skill players around him. [player_tooltip player_id="91881" first="Dylan" last="Hasz"] - 2023 Safety While twin brother [player_tooltip player_id="55156" first="Luke" last="Hasz"] had a lot of attention this offseason, safety [player_tooltip player_id="91881" first="Dylan" last="Hasz"] is one of the top returning players on this Bixby defense. He led the team in interceptions and has continued to grow as a player throughout the last year. Montgomery had high praise of Hasz and talked about how he’s become a huge leader, not only within the football program but in the school itself. He even mentioned that he won’t be shocked if Hasz ends up running a company when he gets older. His personality is infectious and he’s an outstanding football player to go along with it. In addition to what he brings on defense, Hasz grew his versatility this offseason and the coaches trust him enough to do some different things with the junior standout. In their win over Mansfield Timberview, Hasz lined up at wide receiver and also even took a snap at quarterback. While the priority will remain with him as a safety, Bixby can certainly get creative with how they use him in other ways. Linebacker Core So whenever people will write about Bixby, it’s easy to talk about the success that they have on the offensive side of the ball. Especially when they’re averaging north of 50 points per game. However, the underrated strength of this year’s team is going to come on the defensive side of the ball and specifically with the linebacker group. We think that Bixby has arguably the best group of linebackers in the state, regardless of class and the production backs it up. Leading the group is [player_tooltip player_id="55157" first="Jack" last="Puckett"], who was a breakout star on last year’s championship team. They also have fellow linebackers Beau Bertelli and Connor Stacy who not only add depth but give the Spartans some reliable players out on the field who have a ton of experience. And the final piece is Preston Solomon, a 6’4 standout athlete who also plays wide receiver. He gives the Spartans an athletic and big piece on defense. He could end up being the X-Factor of this linebacker group, that we already have high expecations for. [player_tooltip player_id="55156" first="Luke" last="Hasz"] - 2023 Tight End After the offseason he’s had, just about everyone who follows football knows about Bixby junior tight end [player_tooltip player_id="55156" first="Luke" last="Hasz"]. The story has been told. Last year, Hasz played football for the first time in a few years. This offseason, he’s been offered by just about every major college football program and has become an All American. Hasz comes into this season even bigger and faster and that should be a scary thought for Bixby opponents. Montgomery was quick to point this out as well. Hasz joined the football team in June. He’s had a season and an entire offseason to learn this offense and know what’s expected of him. This offense is still going to be primarily focused around Presley and there’s a good chance that he ends up being the leading receiver once again, but Hasz is going to be a phenomenal weapon when Bixby gets close to the end zone. Just throw it up and let the big man make a play. He’s an All American for a reason. WHAT’S NEXT AT 6A-1’s #3 Jenks - Friday We mentioned that winning streak at the start and the week before it began in 2018, Bixby fell to Jenks. They’ve won 37 straight games since losing to the Trojans in the season opener of 2018. Jenks will now try to end the Bixby streak on Friday night when they host the Spartans. "The tradition at Jenks is unparalleled," Montgomery said. "They’ve dominated for three decades now." Montgomery went on to talk about the players that Jenks will have on the field and he gave a perfect description of a typical Jenks team. It doesn’t matter who the players are, they are going to be physical, tough and very intelligent kids who know the game of football. Montgomery is expecting a fantastic environment for this battle of defending state champions. And if you plan on going to the game, you should get there early because both teams will pack Allan Trimble Stadium and there won’t be an empty seat in the house.