McALESTER BUFFALOES
Coach: FORREST MAZEY
6-5
OFFENSE
Despite graduation losses to their starting lineup, head coach Forrest Mazey is quick to emphasize that last year’s season record doesn’t define the Buffaloes expectations this year. “No excuses, 6-5 doesn’t meet our goals,” said Mazey, who enters his sixth year at the helm. “We have a good nucleus of returning players plus some new talent that get us back where we want to be.” VYPE Top 100 selection Brayden Bumphus (5-11, 195, Sr.) will headline a trio of running backs along with Drayton Pouncil (6-2, 205, Sr.) and Jordan Clark (6-1, 171, Jr.). Mazey points to the veteran experience in the offensive line where five players have starter’s experience including Landen Pingleton (6-0, 272, Sr.), Sean Perkins (5-11, 266, Sr.) and Jayden Holman (6-0, 242, Sr.) providing strength and mobility along with Creede Tribbey (6-2, 200, Jr.) and Gavin Mason (6-0, 275, So.). As the Buffs work through summer camps and fall drills, Mazey will watch closely the development of Kacin Washington-Mazey (5-10, 160, Jr.) and Gavin Brumley (5-11, 165, Jr.) as well as a pair of talented freshmen Jackson McKinney (5-10, 175, Fr.) and Brody Parker (6-0, 180, Fr.) to secure the starter’s role at quarterback to engineer the RPO scheme. “There’s no surprise, we like to run the football in order to open up the passing attack using the screen game to let our playmakers create game changing moments,” said Mazey. “With our big guys up front, we can maintain balance.”
DEFENSE
Physical and fast to the football will once again be the rally cry for the Buffs defensive game plan as six starters return to the lineup including a pair of game changing Top 100 picks at inside linebacker, Will Spears (6-2, 200, Sr.) whose 121 tackles including nine for loss topped the defensive charts and Fyfer Mitchell (6-1, 210, Sr.) who finished with 81 stops including nine for loss and two sacks. Depth is a plus at inside linebacker with added help from Trevin Simons (5-10, 155, So.), Parker Dusenberry (6-0, 185, Jr.) and Bryar Hackler (6-0, 189, Fr.). Drayton Pouncil, who charted six tackles for loss will continue to crash from the outside edge linebacker position along with Zane Owens (5-10, 170, Sr.) and Mason Skimbo (5-10, 165, Jr.) while Brandon Douglas (5-11, 265, Sr.) anchors the efforts on the defensive line along with Nemo Meshintubby (5-10, 275, Sr.) and Pierce Stachmus (6-3, 230, Sr.). The athleticism of Brayden Bumphus and Jordan Clark plus the aggressive talents of Brandon Smith (6-0, 155, So.) will play key roles in the Buffs secondary security with a much anticipated high energy impact from Cleveland Williamson (6-3, 160, So.), Cade French (5-9, 165, So.), Devion Bickham (6-3, 180, So.) , Blayde Smith (5-10, 165, Fr.) and Jaxon McKinney. “Our approach demands every player to never be satisfied with the results of the last play or game,” said Mazey. “Our effort, attitude and toughness is all we can control.”
8-30 – vs. Broken Bow
9-6 – at Poteau
9-13 – vs. Ada
9-27 – at Coweta
10-4 – vs. Tulsa Edison
10-11 – at Tulsa East Central
10-17 – vs. Bishop Kelley
10-25 – at Booker T. Washington
11-1 – vs. Durant
11-8 – at Shawnee
