BIXBY SPARTANS

Coach: LOREN MONTGOMERY

12-1

OFFENSE

Bixby will be retooling its offense in 2023 after capturing its fifth straight state championship and eighth in the program’s history last season under head coach Loren Montgomery. The Spartans, who made a big splash in their debut season in 6A-I, completed with a 69-6 win over Owasso in the championship game, have a lot to replace when it comes to skill position players. Gone are quarterback Connor Kirby, who combined for nearly 3,000 yards and had 46 touchdowns in his final season, tight end Luke Hasz, who is now at the University of Arkansas, receivers Cale Fugate and Jakeb Snyder, who combined for 1,139 yards and 18 TDs, and running back Jersey Robb, who rushed for 639 yards and 11 TDs. Bixby will be at its strongest along the offensive line with three returning starters, including seniors Brody Duffel (6-5, 260) and Evan McClure (6-4, 265). Duffel (Eastern Michigan, Army) and McClure (Akron) both have Division 1 offers. The Spartans most experienced skill position player returning is receiver/running back Kordell Gouldsby (5-10, 180, Sr.). Gouldsby rushed for 138 yards, averaging 8.1 yards per carry, with four touchdowns in 2022. He also had 53 receptions for 653 yards and six TDs. Others who will play key roles for Bixby are sophomore tight end Cord Nolan (6-0, 195), receiver Sam McCormick (6-3, 200, Sr.) and offensive lineman Payton Hawkins (6-2, 265, Sr.). Nolan had six catches for 173 yards and had a touchdown in the state championship game as a freshman. McCormick finished 2022 with six receptions, four of those for touchdowns, and 116 yards.

DEFENSE

Seven starters return on the defensive side of the ball for the Spartans, who will align in a 3-4 under defensive coordinator Rodney Flowers. “We have a lot of physical starters back on our front seven on defense, but lose the entire backend,” head coach Loren Montgomery said. Leading the way is senior linebacker Hank Puckett (5-11, 205), who recorded 128 total tackles, 15 tackles for losses, five sacks, 21 hurries, and caused one fumble as a junior. Cord Nolan will also factor in at linebacker. As a freshman, Nolan posted 23 tackles, five tackles for losses, two sacks, 10 hurries, two fumble recoveries and forced a fumble. Brandon Hobbs (5-9, 250, Sr.), Kasen Hatley (5-10, 280, Sr.), Justin Kirk (5-10, 245, Sr.) and Payton Hawkins return on the defensive line. Hobbs collected 32 tackles, including seven for losses last season, Hatley had 31 tackles and 12 for losses, Kirk recorded 32 tackles and seven for losses, and Hawkins finished with 22 tackles and had five tackles for losses. Bixby will be at its most inexperienced in the secondary where it must replace all of its starters from a year ago.

SCHEDULE

8-24 – vs. Owasso

9-1 – vs. Springdale Har-Ber, AR

9-8 – at Sand Springs

9-22 – vs. Norman North

9-28 – at Southmoore

10-6 – vs. Enid

10-13 – at Broken Arrow

10-20 – at Westmoore

10-27 – vs. Moore

11-3 – at Jenks