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Nowata Football

Posted: Jul 17, 2019 2:45 PMUpdated: Jul 17, 2019 3:47 PM

New Ironmen Coach Wants Stability in 2019

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The countdown to the start of high school football practice’s on August 12 continues. Most schools are putting in work away from the gridiron with weightlifting and conditioning activities taking center stage. In Nowata first-year head coach Chris Messner is putting his team through the ‘I-Pride’ offseason program over the course of the summer.

It has been tough-sledding for the Ironmen over the past two seasons. Nowata has been led by two different head-coaches since the start of 2017, but has only tallied one victory. Messner was an assistant under former head coach Bob Craig in 2018. Craig took over midway through the 2017 campaign after Jeremy Gray’s resignation. Messner says his goal for 2019 is to give his athletes and the program stability.

Dillon Barnes was a do-it-all athlete for the Ironmen last season. Due to injury, Barnes started a handful of games at quarterback. However, Messner wants to transition Barnes back to his more natural role at fullback on offense while continuing to dish out bone-crushing hits at linebacker on defense.

After two-year starter Skylar Thornton graduated, Nowata will be looking for new talent under center. Two athletes that weren’t on the roster last season will duke it out. Trenton Smith and Cruz Perisentes will each try to win the job in fall camp next month.

Nowata renews a rivalry with Oklahoma Union to start the season on August 30. Plenty more on the Ironmen and other area teams as fall camp approaches.

 


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