When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30
Where: Moore Schools Stadium, Moore, Oklahoma
KEYS TO THE GAME
Oklahoma, meet David White
Once the head coach at a national recruiting factory, Westmoore head coach David White will make his anticipated #okpreps coaching debut in Moore War XXVIII. White coached Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School from 2003-06 — Yes, the Bishop Gorman that produced DeMarco Murray, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Rome Odunze and Ronnie Stanley — and was partially responsible for the Gaels’ resurgence to prominence in the 2000s. White also had stints on the University of Oklahoma’s and Nevada’s staffs, led the West team in the 2021 Adidas All-American Bowl and, most recently, served two years at Jackson Hole High School in Wyoming.
Two words: Maverick Gardner
A four-sport athlete and two-way starter for the Lions, Gardner is easily one of the most promising athletes in the area. The junior has twice qualified in the 6A high jump — His athleticism leaps off the screen, literally. If Moore is going to compete for a 1-0 record Thursday night, Gardner will have to be unforgettable against Westmoore’s defense.
Livin’ on Tre’ Time
White will entrust the keys to his Air Pistol offense with Tre’ Lewis, a first-year full-time starter. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior took meaningful snaps for the Jaguars last year and exhibited his on-the-run playmaking and big arm. Lewis will have a plethora of options to spread the ball, primarily with speedster wideouts Jaden Hunter (5-8, 150, Sr.), Bryce Collier (5-9, 160, Jr.) and Anthony Norris (6-1, 170, So.) and H-Back Vidal Ortiz (6-3, 210, Sr.).
Shootout Lions
Moore finished 25 points short of an 8-2 record last year. In one-score losses to Westmoore, Enid, Norman North and Broken Arrow, the Lions averaged 34 points per game. The Lions’ 3-3 defense needs to come out sharp and aggressive to allow quarterback Malikai Miller (5-11, 170, Sr.) to call the shots, comfortably. Miller will be tasked not only as the team’s shot-caller, but also as its general as the Lions look to execute a dynamic, multi-formation offense featuring weapons like Gardner, Jonnel Alexander (5-10, 165, Sr.) and TE Hayden Stull (6-3, 240, Sr.)
Lopsided
It may be one of the best and most attended high school football games in the OKC metro, but it remains one of the state’s most lopsided rivalries. Moore is 5-22 all-time against Westmoore and, excluding Moore Wars I-IV, 1-22 in its last 23 matchups. The Lions’ lone win was a 40-14 decision in 2021. The Jaguars have otherwise had Moore’s number; 37-33 last year. 27-17 the year before. 44-35 in 2019. It’s rarely a blowout, but it’s always a roadblock that leaves a sour taste in the Lions’ mouth in the early season. If Moore wants to establish itself as a legitimate postseason threat in 6A-I, it needs to start with a win Thursday night.
