NORTH ROCK CREEK COUGARS
Coach: JASON MURRAY
6-4
OFFENSE
Success is becoming contagious with the new kids on the block at North Rock Creek. The basketball and baseball teams qualified for the state tournaments in 2024 and football is looking to build on its first winning season in school history a year ago. The Cougars just missed a second trip in a row to the playoffs finishing 6-4 in a double tough district. North Rock Creek must fill the void of losing standout Caleb Hawkins, now at the University of North Texas. Memphis Burdine (6-3, 170, Sr.) is coming off a great junior season. Burdine caught 41 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. Hunter Burtram (5-10, 160, Jr.) was also part of the talented receiving corps a year ago. That group likely will be disbursed elsewhere on offense this fall with Burdine a possibility at quarterback and Bertram at running back. Reid Rollins is a candidate to share time at running back alongside Bertram. A pair of juniors return as starters on the offensive line. Cooper Ford (6-0, 240, Jr.) and Chris Gonzales (5-10, 240, Jr.) along with Case Cossey (6-1, 210, Sr.) will provide protection while the new positions can develop on offense.
DEFENSE
The Cougars dropped a couple of late season shootouts that proved to be roadblocks to making the playoffs. The defense surrendered 45 to Kingfisher and 34 to Plainview in games they lost by a combined 5 points. A returning group led by linebacker Brodie Grace (6-0, 200, Jr.) is ready to hit the ground running. Grace finished just shy of 100 tackles as a sophomore, displaying great instincts early in his career. He’s a physical player that will also be utilized as a blocker on offense. Kashton Christopher (6-0, 190, Jr.) returns at linebacker after making 36 tackles a year ago. The Cougars will have a ball-hawking secondary featuring Tyson Hawkins (5-11, 145, Jr.), the younger brother of Caleb Hawkins. Tyson led the secondary with six interceptions in 2024. He and C.J. Stephens (6-0, 155, Sr.) each contributed 33 tackles from the back end of the defense. Memphis Burdine can also be utilized in the secondary if needed. Case Cossey is the lone returning starter up front. North Rock Creek enters its fourth season competing in the OSSAA with high hopes. “We didn’t have a weight room when we got started,” said head coach Jason Murray. Now we have a great facility and a strength and conditioning coach for all our athletic programs.” The Cougars face a difficult early schedule but should be ready to mix things up by the time district play rolls around.
