Allen faces expectations with young team

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ALLEN — New Allen head coach Jeff Alexander is fully aware there are expectations after the Mustangs finished 9-4 a year ago and advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 1993.

It marked only the second time in school history an Allen football team played in December.

However, that team was led by a senior quarterback who threw for 1,041 yards and rushed for 1,219 yards. Also gone are a pair of senior tailbacks who combined for 1,202 rushing yards, along with two receivers who combined for 30 catches and 754 yards.

There is just as much to replace from last year’s defensive unit.

“They had a lot of success last year, and there is a level of expectation here,” Alexander said. “The kids have been working hard. That kind of energy and that kind of focus from them is really exciting.”

Alexander said his young, inexperienced team — which includes 12 freshmen — won’t simply be measured by its win-loss record.

“This isn’t just about football. If I’m not giving them lessons about life, then I’m failing them as a coach,” he said. “I’m looking forward to just being around them and teaching these young kids what it’s like to be a man.”

Alexander wants his players to focus on getting better every day and taking things one play at a time.

“We want to keep our goals simple and first and just try to get better every day,” he said. “We don’t really talk about wins and losses. We break everything down to whether each player does their job, takes care of business, does what you’re supposed to do and execute — everything else will fall in place.”

Alexander has had previous coaching stops throughout Texas and Oklahoma. His in-state jobs included stints at McAlester and Drumright, and he spent the previous six years at Tishomingo High School.

Allen averaged 16 players a day during summer workouts, and the roster had grown to 25 heading into the season opener Sept. 4 at home against Barnsdall.

“I thought summer was great. We had a good spring too and attended a team camp at McAlester,” he said. “I was impressed by the commitment and how hard the kids played. I was a late hire, and the kids responded very well to the last-minute plans.”

Players to Watch

During the team’s Media Day, Alexander jokingly said he might want to change his quarterback’s last name for the newspaper if he had a bad outing.

The new signal-caller at Allen will be

Alexander’s freshman son, Luke Alexander. He will operate a multiple I/spread offense.

Four players will likely see carries in the backfield, at least early in the season. The running backs include senior Hunter Langley, freshman Kingston Prentice, senior Walker Cudd and freshman Breken Woodward.

The Mustang receiving corps includes sophomore Mario Gonzalez, senior Braydon Smart, freshman Tyson Lindsey and freshman Bryson Stevens.

Junior Ford Bell will be the anchor on the offensive line.

“Ford Bell will set the tone,” he said.

Some of the same players will lead Allen’s 3-4 defensive scheme.

They include Bell, Gonzalez, Prentice, freshman Ayden Moore and Woodward.

Allen will compete in District A-II-2, along with local rival Konawa, Canadian, Healdton, Ringling, Wayne, Wewoka and Wilson.

Alexander pointed to Wewoka, Konawa and Healdton as the top contenders in district play.

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