Sulphur football was officially back on the field this week, as the Dogs opened the 2024 season with their first practice Monday morning.
The Dogs went from around 9:30 a.m. to early afternoon, mixing in practice with weight lifting and film study/meetings, something they will replicate on Tuesday and Wednesday before getting back to a normal routine when school starts on Thursday.
“We had a very productive day,” said Sulphur head coach Corey Cole. “We were not rushed but at the same time felt like we were able to go fast and get a lot done.”
The wealth of returning experience helps the Dogs pick up from where they left off and get off to a faster start as practice opens.
“We have a lot of experience at a lot of positions, and even the kids that don’t have as much experience yet, the older ones are coaching them up and getting them where they need to go.”
Cole talked about the different dynamic in high school sports and football these days, which allows for more conditioned athletes to come into the season more prepared.
“We just had a crisp, smooth two hour and 15 minute practice and that’s because our kids are well-conditioned,” Cole said. “They have been pushed to the limit in summer pride but we also never really stopped.”
“You have spring ball until the end of May, then go to team camp for a day shortly after to get tons of reps. We follow that up with our OTAs in June. We got to have another individual camp later this summer for a couple of days and work on a lot of stuff. We had 7-on-7 in July, so it wasn’t like we have been sitting there waiting forever. We have had little breaks here and there but then we were right back at it, all while lifting the whole summer.”
Cole spoke further about how that allowed Sulphur to advance quicker through practice and not have to spend the first couple of days getting in shape or developing toughness.
“It was a good productive practice and no one got tired,” he said. “The weather was awesome and we were able to go fast. Oftentimes the first couple of days you have to go slow, but we have been installing a new offense and adding to our defense with new schemes and different looks. We have been fortunate to be able to do that with such a veteran and mature group.”
A senior group that is connected and forging the path helps, which is how Cole would describe this year’s class, who is hoping to get back to the playoffs and advance even further.
“Our 12 seniors are great leaders and they have really bought into everything,” Cole said. “We have six seniors that have been an individual state champ in an event, we have another that has been a state runner-up, and one of the state champs has been a 2-time runner up. So there is some success built into their DNA. We also have two that have over a 30 on their ACT, and several others have been to state in multiple events in track.”
“So the group collectively has accomplished a lot of good things, thanks to some good classes in front of them. It’s not a huge group and they feel like they have got more to do, especially in team success, but for us, that’s where it starts - with their leadership.”
Cole talked about the senior class not wanting to take last week off, which has traditionally been the case, as a break between the end of summer pride and the start of football practice.
“A lot of teams took last week off, but we worked out last week,” he said. “I think on Thursday we set the record for hills run. Our seniors didn’t want to take any days off. So we worked out. These kids have paid the price and put in the work. And the great part about that is that when you do that, it allows the football part to be fun. We had kids out there Monday smiling, competing and having fun. We want to keep that motto. It is our blueprint to be successful.”
The Dogs may have had a great first day, but Cole cautioned his team that the same was the case around the state and that his group needs to continue to strive to do more.
“Everyone in the state of Oklahoma had a good day today, so we have got to do a little bit more than what everyone else is doing if we want to get to where we want to be,” Cole said. “So our kids doing an hour and a half weight session is an example of that. Their work ethic is outstanding, but we know we are a long, long way from where we want to be.”
“We know that even with the type of guys we have and the type of buy-in we have, there will be good days and bad days. But we have to be mentally tough enough to make sure that when we do have a bad day or are not at our best, that it’s not because of effort or attitude.”
The Dogs were 6-1 in district last year, finishing as runner-up to Heritage Hall, who lost in the state championship game.
Sulphur fell in the quarterfinals to eventual state champion Lincoln Christian.
After losses to Washington and Davis to open the season, the Dogs responded with six straight wins and eight victories in nine games, including a 42-7 win over Kingfisher in the first round of the playoffs.
The Dogs will be at Lindsay next Friday for a scrimmage. Sulphur will also scrimmage at Plainview on Aug. 29, a Thursday.
