Three questions the Oak Ridge War Eagles hope to answer

THE WOODLANDS, Texas----After a 4-3 start to the season last year, the Oak Ridge War Eagles hit a bump in their season schedule against The Woodlands, Lufkin, and Westbrook and ended up with a record of 4-6, and once again missing the playoffs. The War Eagles averaged 21.5 points a game while allowing 23.8 for the season.

This season Oak Ridge has high expectations as 3 key players return this year in quarterback Bishop Durst, wide receiver Tanner Lacy, and offensive lineman Tyler Johnson. As good as those players are and can be even better this season, there are a few key losses and questions that this team needs to have answered by August 31^st.

Who will be the starting running back?

With their former star tailback Jimmie Moore IV moving on, the War Eagles are left with a void in the back field. The players left to fill that spot in the back field are senior Kamari Williams, or junior Jodary Mcgowen. Willams split time with Moore last season and could receive most of the carries this season while splitting time with Mcgowen.

Who will be Durst’s other target in the passing game?

A key player on offense last season for the War Eagles was wide receiver Tanner Lacy. Along side Lacy though was wide receiver Kyle Townsend. Townsend was Durst’s primary target while leading Oak Ridge in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Tanner Lacy will step in and become Durst’s number one receiver this year, but who will step in and be number two receiver for Oak Ridge’s offense this season? A player that stands out is junior Darrius Jelks. This will be a subject that will needed to be answered before the season starts so that this War Eagle offense can be explosive starting game one.

How will the War Eagle secondary play with the loss of their leader Grant Stuard?

Before the rough stretch at the end of the season, Oak Ridge allowed 20.57 points per game. A key to that number was safety Grant Stuard. You can call Grant Stuard “Mr. Everything” for the War Eagles team in 2017. Stuard led the defense in total tackles, interceptions, was 2^nd on the team in sacks, fielded kick offs, caught passes, and played some running back as well. The only thing Stuard didn’t do defeat super villians during his games. With all that said, Stuard is a huge loss to this defense. Senior Malachi Cramm will be looking to take over the reins in the secondary this year, and replace a huge void that University of Houstton commit has left.