BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HORNETS

Coach: JONATHAN BROWN

7-5

OFFENSE

Booker T. Washington will be carried by its offensive line in 2023 under head coach Jonathan Brown, who will be entering his fourth year as head coach and 10th year with the program. The Hornets return VYPE Top 100 selection Darian Melendez (6-5, 305, Sr.) at tackle, and Korean Williams (5-11, 320, Sr.) at guard. They combined for 85 pancake blocks last year. “Big kid and should have a dominant year going into his senior year. Going to be the leader on the Oline,” Brown said of Melendez. Five starters return from last year for the Hornets, who will operate in multiple formations. “Very young team with great potential. Offensive line will be our strength. Should be able to run the football this season,” Brown said. “We’ll be big up front with speedy athletes. We will be able to run the football and spread the ball to our speedy athletes.” Kuhron Ross (5-9, 190, Sr.) and Mycah Washington (5-6, 145, So.) will be the primary ball carriers. The duo combined for 905 yards and averaged 6.6 yards per carry in 2022. Brown thinks Ross could be the next great running back at Booker T. Washington. “Kid has all the makings of being the next great running back out of Booker T. Explosive power and can out run people in the open field. The kid is like a big muscle. Loves the weight room and should be a team leader for this team,” he said. Levi Brooks (6-2, 195, So.) will get the starting nod at quarterback. Brooks completed 60 percent of his passes as a freshman. Tae Bethel (5-8, 150, So.) will be one of Brooks’ targets at receiver.

DEFENSE

The Hornets return just one starter on defense. Brown has high expectations for senior Dejuan Craven (6-2, 225), who will be in his first year on the defensive side of the ball at defensive end. “Should be our best player on defense,” Brown said. “Quick and very aggressive. Looking for a big year out of him. He should be dominant with tackles and sacks.” Another player Brown is excited about is defensive back Jordan Sells (6-2, 170, Sr.). “Coming off an ankle injury from last year. Kid has all the makings of being a star,” he said. “Fast, quick and strong. Moving him to safety this year.” Others expected to make impacts defensively are linebacker Anthony Harris (5-8, 195, Jr.), defensive end/linebacker Yiamarrah Parry (6-3, 220, So.), and junior defensive backs Daylin Overstreet (5-9, 150) and Derrion Overstreet (5-11, 155). Harris posted 39 tackles, one sack and had an interception in 2022. The Hornets will line up in both the 3-4 and 4-3. “We will be aggressive and fast to the football,” Brown said. “We will try to impose our will on our opponents by being relentless and having 11 players to the football.”

SCHEDULE

8-25 – vs. Bentonville West (Ark.)

9-1 – at Del City

9-8 – vs. Tulsa McLain

9-22 – vs. Bartlesville

9-29 – at Stillwater

10-6 – at Tahlequah

10-12 – vs. U.S. Grant

10-20 – at Muskogee

10-27 – at Sand Springs

11-3 – vs. Putnam City West