Moore Lions
Coach: GREG BRYANT
SCHEDULE:
8-29 – vs. Westmoore
9-13 – at Southmoore
9-20 – vs. Norman North
9-27 – at Mustang
10-4 – vs. Bixby
10-11 – at Deer Creek
10-17 – vs. Norman
10-25 – vs. Jenks
11-1 – at Edmond North
11-8 – vs. Enid
QUICK HITS:
Quarterback Malakai Miller ran for 117 yards and two scores and threw for another 165 and two touchdowns in Moore’s 43-42 win over Norman. Moore travels to Mustang on September 27th for the 20th all-time meeting between the teams. The Lions have won the last two games in the series but trail 11-8 since 1988.
OFFENSE
The Moore Lions are a team that’s been close to achieving the goals set out by coach Greg Bryant when he took the program over a couple of years ago. Bryant said the team is in a good place and should take steps this season to meet their full potential. “We have a large senior class returning with many being returning starters or key back up players in 2023. Look to capitalize on experience and close the gap from last season,” said Bryant. Malikai Miller (5-11, 170, Sr.) will run the multi-set offense and look to get his guys the ball in space. Expect the Lions to find a running back capable of shoulder a heavy load to ease some of the pressure in the passing game. Hayden Stull (6-3, 240, Sr.) starts at tight end giving the Lions an edge blocker and someone who can leak into space and provide another target downfield. Having Stull on the line is like having a second tackle on the same side of the field. Gracen Gruver (6-4, 290, Sr.) and Seth Freeman (6-2, 240, Sr.) bring strength and power the run game, but have the athleticism to pass block. Also look for Maverick Gardner (Jr.) who started as a WR last season before injuries forced him into a role at safety. Gardner is a four-sport athlete and a two-time state qualifier in the high jump.
DEFENSE
The Lions return eight staters to the defensive side of the ball. Stull is two-way starter at defensive end. Coach Bryant calls Stull, “a great edge player with a high work ethic and drive.” Noted as a team captain this season, Stull’s stock is rising amongst college recruiters. The odd-front defense or 3-3 the Lions will run this season depends a lot on Stull and a trio of linebackers that includes Nick Carden (6-5, 215, Sr.). Carden certainly passes the eye test, but it’s his play on the field that gets fans on their feet. Carden is joined by Andrew Eagle (5-10, 180, So.) and Dalton Mays (5-11, 215, Sr.) at linebacker. This trio will fly around the field and play the aggressive style coach Bryant expects out of his defense. Eagle started as a freshman last season and is a member of the wrestling team, while Mays started as a junior before an injury forced him to the sideline. Coach Bryant calls Mays, “the ultimate team player.” Jonathan Alexander (5-10, 170, Sr.) and Jaeden Williams (6-0, 180, Sr.) are two secondary starters looking to make names
for themselves this season. Both guys play with speed and have a nose for the ball.
THE MOORE COACHING STAFF INCLUDES JEREMY STARK, BRANDON MORRIS, CHARLES STOVER, QUINDON LEWIS, DARYL WILKINS, MICHAEL CLARK, BRAD ROBERTSON, GLENN PERRETT, CHAD GRUVER, MAGUIRE PERRETT, JALEN ADAMS, CLAY PEARCY, AARON ROBERTSON, AND MIKE SWART.
