Vian Practice Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 football season is finally upon us! While some teams have their final tune up scrimmages this week, it's officially week zero and for a large amount of schools across the state, they open up their seasons this week. And one of the biggest games in the state takes place in Class 2A in southeastern Oklahoma as #5 Vian hosts #1 Washington in a potential playoff preview. We caught up with Vian head coach Gary Willis as the Wolverines prepare for a massive season opener. While it's only week zero, this match-up has playoffs written all over it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines will square off with a Washington team that is coming off back to back state championship game appearances and they come into this season as the preseason #1 team. Coach Willis talked about how with it only being week zero, they'll downplay the game some but it's of course a big one as these are two top five teams. And teams that both expect to make a trip to Edmond when December rolls around. The Wolverines are going to be young on both sides of the ball so a big key for them will be the usual things you see early on in the season. Turnovers, special teams, but with such a big game, Willis is looking forward to seeing how his young kids react to the big moments that happen in a football game. How they handle those big moments could go a long way to deciding who wins on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines are once again one of the best teams in Class 2A and they are once again led by a strong rushing attack. In addition to that, they have standouts on both sides of the ball. We put a spotlight on five players that you need to know about before Friday's clash with the top ranked Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='199075' first='DeSean' last='Mays'] - 2023 Running Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vian has had a great run of running backs over the years and this year is no different. 2023 running back [player_tooltip player_id='199075' first='DeSean' last='Mays'] is one of the best at his position in the 2023 class and what's scary is what he'll bring to the table this fall. After an outstanding junior season where teams couldn't keep him out of the end zone, Mays has gotten even better. He's still a speed demon but he's added 10-15 pounds of muscle after a very busy offseason in the weight room. So adding strength to that speed is something that opponents are going to not want any part of. Mays had a fantastic junior season and he could be ready to take his game to another level and outdo last season's production. With another strong year, his recruitment is surely to pick up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='57164' first='Diego' last='Ramos'] - 2023 Quarterback/Defensive Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player that Vian's opponents are ready to see graduate is 2023 quarterback and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='57164' first='Diego' last='Ramos']. This 2023 prospect has been a starter since his freshman season and has been an impact player for the Wolverines ever since. While he's a solid 2023 prospect, it appears that his best sport might be baseball as he's an outstanding baseball player and has played in some big tournaments across the country. Coach Willis sees the poise he shows on the mound as a pitcher translate to what he is on the football field. Ramos is a leader by example for this Vian team and even if he didn't have the baseball background, it's hard to imagine anyone else in his position as arguably the most experienced player on the team. Whether it's quarterback or defensive back, Ramos is going to have an impact on every game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424691' first='Gage' last='Carlton'] - 2023 Linebacker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the names that we didn't know about prior to talking with Coach Willis was 2023 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='424691' first='Gage' last='Carlton']. He's a big name on this Vian defense and he should play a big role in the game on Friday against a Washington team, who's strength is the run game. Carlton is arguably the strongest player on the team and is going into his third season as a starter for the Wolverines. Because he's 5'9, he's flown somewhat under the radar but Carlton has been one of the more consistent linebackers for Vian over the last few seasons and this is a program that knows good linebackers. Don't be surprised to see Carlton have a big impact on the outcome of Friday's game when it comes to slowing down Washington's offense and that running game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='370222' first='Marshal' last='Ross'] - 2023 Offensive/Defensive Lineman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vian 2023 lineman [player_tooltip player_id='370222' first='Marshal' last='Ross'] was a prospect that we first got a chance to see this offseason when we broke down his junior film for our "Friday Film Review" series in March and April. Ross was a very violent lineman and there's no doubt that he's one of the better two-way linemen in Class 2A and he also has a very bright future. Coach Willis mentioned that Ross is one of the smartest players on the team and he had a huge improvement in the weight room this offseason, which should be bad news for opponents because he already has a size advantage on both sides of the ball. Very similar to Mays, Ross is starting to get some attention in terms of his recruitment but it should really take off with another strong season this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424595' first='Masyn' last='Wright'] - 2026 Athlete</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='199075' first='DeSean' last='Mays'] isn't going to be alone in the Vian backfield. The Wolverines are very excited about unleashing freshman [player_tooltip player_id='424595' first='Masyn' last='Wright'] into their offensive lineup this fall. While Mays is still the top back in the offense, there will be plenty of times when he lines up at wide receiver and the 2026 standout will come in and line up at running back. He had an excellent performance in the scrimmage last week in his first crack at varsity action. Coach Willis mentioned one play where a linebacker had a clean shot on Wright and the freshman lowered his shoulder and decleated the linebacker. The Wright name is obviously a special one in Vian and this young standout has the chance to be the next good one to come out of this Wolverine program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->