Johnny McMahan
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. —
Woodward opens its home football schedule tonight against a Garden City, Kan. team looking for its first win of the season.
The Boomers are 1-0 and ranked as high as 8th in some Class 4A polls after beating El Reno 26-13 in the season opener last week. Garden City dropped its opener to Scott City, 16-14.
Game time is 7:30 p.m.
While the Buffaloes are 0-1, they are still a very capable opponent, said Boomer head coach Justin Jones.
“They are very athletic,” he said. “They are a 6A school with a lot of kids to choose from. I’m sure they have a lot of depth and I expect to see some new guys in their lineup.”
The Buffaloes likely will feature quarterback Cody Bernbeck, a 6-2, 190-pound senior quarterback who threw for 1,700 yards as a junior.
Bernbeck had 172 yards passing and a touchdown in the opener, but also threw a pair of interceptions.
“I don’t think he had his best night the other night,” Jones said. “Scott City kept him in the pocket and forced him to make some bad throws.
“It will be up to us to make sure we don’t allow him to set his feet and force him to throw the ball quick.”
Zach Lamb is the Buffaloes’ top running back and Raul Silva the leading receiver.
The Boomers are coming off a strong defensive performance against El Reno, limiting the Indians to under 150 yards in total offense.
Defensively the Boomers have experience across the board.
Garden City operates out of a 4-2-5 look on defense and has a big-play guy in end Keith Curran, 6-3, 220.
“He’s a tall, fast kid who will can put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks,” Jones said. “They are pretty aggressive and fly to the football, attack and hit well.”
The Boomer offense directed by Casey Covalt rolled up 400-plus yards in the opener. Covalt threw for 218 yards and ran for another 129 in the game. The Boomers have a number of capable receivers, but have some injuries at the running back slots. The offensive line is big, strong and experienced.
“Garden City will play a cover 3 and play quite a bit of soft zone,” Jones said. “We need to do some things in the soft areas of the cover 3.
“We need try to force Garden City into some uncomfortable situations on defense and have enough success to keep their defense guessing.”
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The remainder of the District 4A-1 schedule tonight has Cache at John Marshall, Clinton at Heritage Hall, Harrah at Piedmont, Liberal at Guymon, Marlow at Elgin and Weatherford at Elk City.
The featured matchup probably is the Clinton-Heritage Hall game where the Tornadoes will try and slow down Barry Sanders.
Cache, Elgin and Elk City are all looking for their second wins of the season. Piedmont and Guymon are both 0-1 and Piedmont probably has the best chance to break into the win column this week.
Tonight’s area schedule in Class A includes Beaver at Hollis, Booker at Turpin, Mooreland at Pioneer, Okeene art Thomas and Texhoma at Sunray, Texas.
In Class B, Canton is at Merritt, Laverne visits Cherokee and Seiling goes to Pond Creek-Hunter.
In Class C, it will be Balko at Shattuck, Sharon-Mutual at Timberlake, Tyrone at Boise City, Waynoka at Goodwell and Forgan at Buffalo.
Start time is 7:30 p.m.
