Sulphur held its annual Red/White Game on Saturday afternoon, capping off a great first week of practice as the Dogs gear up for the 2024 season.
Cars were lined up along Wynnewood St. and the old rock bleachers were full of fans for Saturday’s action at the practice field, something head coach Corey Cole was very happy to see.
“We are trying to preserve our game field and we got a bunch of rain about an hour and a half before we started. It just poured down,” Cole said. “But it was an awesome sight afterwards to see the old rock bleachers full of people and to see parents and family everywhere, sitting in lawn chairs or in their cars. Wynnewood street was just packed and there were people all around the field.”
Cole talked about what that support means for his players as they went through a tough week of practice but can have confidence that the whole town is behind them.
“It shows our kids that it matters what they are doing, even during the preseason and fall camp,” Cole said. “This is a really big thing in Sulphur. These people came out and supported us on a Saturday at noon on the hottest day of the year. It means a lot to us as coaches, too. It’s a testament to why all six or seven of us coaches don’t want to coach anywhere else. When the community knows your kids and your program is loved by the community, you feel very fortunate to be here and coach in this special place.”
Cole was pleased with several groups for their performance in the scrimmage, especially the running backs.
“I thought our offensive line looked really good but I thought our running backs had a really solid day,” he said. “They all had big plays and we have a lot of guys there that can make plays for us. Austin and Cash and some of the other guys just looked really good running the ball.”
Garrett finished last year with 80 carries for 704 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 8.8 yards per carry.
Matlack was very effective in his opportunities in 2023, running 38 times for 256 yards and a score, averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
All three backs were very effective in the pass game a year ago, something fans should expect the Dogs to continue to utilize.
Matlack had six catches for 143 yards and two scores, while Garrett caught just five passes, but for 71 yards and three touchdowns.
He also mentioned the passing game as a group that impressed, highlighting quarterbacks Colten Cole and Luke Linville, as well as receivers Maddax Mobly and Briar Davenport.
“I thought Colten and Luke both threw the ball really well at times and made good decisions throughout the day,” Cole said. “Maddax and Briar both had great days and just continue to be big time weapons for us.”
Cole was 95-for-158 (60%) passing for 1,909 yards. He threw 25 touchdowns to just nine interceptions a year ago.
Mobly, who will line up primarily in the slot for Sulphur, is the leading returning receiver after catching 21 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns a year ago.
Davenport was a big play waiting to happen, as he had just 11 catches but for 236 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 21.4 yards per reception.
Cole was also pleased with some of the younger guys, as they had an opportunity to showcase what they can do.
“I was really pleased with our younger guys,” he said. “They really stepped up. They’ve not played a lot of snaps, but they want to be out there and know that opportunities are hard to come by. But the way they played was impressive. We have a lot of kids playing at a high level, playing fast and playing confident.”
Cole talked about where the program is headed into the first scrimmage this week at Lindsay, highlighting the commitment as the season draws near.
“Last week was like our fall camp and now the real season and grind begins,” he said. “But its a great sign when you have 47 kids show up for weights before 7 a.m. on Monday morning. I have been extremely pleased with the commitment these kids have had through summer and fall camp. They realize it takes more and is bigger than just football game on a Friday night.”
Cole also highlighted wins from the week for former Sulphur players, both on and off the field, as Mace Mobly was awarded a highly decorated honor in the Marine corps and Trey Kiser signed with the New York Giants after being waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this month.
“It was a really great week of victories in all walks of life,” Cole said. “That is what our program is about and those two guys exemplify overcoming adversity and being tough. It’s the epitome of what we are trying to teach kids. We celebrated Mace in the football locker room last week. What an awesome honor for him. That’s what it is about. Going out and achieving something great that’s not easy. We preach that to our kids all the time and it was not only amazing to see it for such a great, deserving kid, but to show them what can be possible after football.”
“And Trey landing with the Giants was great to celebrate, as well. He is continuing to chase his dream and keeps working. Mace and Trey are not the only ones, but it shows that hard work does pay off. And it may or may not be on the national level but the commitment these kids make to the little things and to chasing perfection can take them really far in life.”
The Dogs will be at Lindsay Friday for a scrimmage. Sulphur will also scrimmage at Plainview on Aug. 29, a Thursday.
Sulphur opens the season at Washington on Sept. 6.
