Eagles ready to soar higher in 2024

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Del City’s football team is coming off its best season in decades with a state runner-up finish in Class 5A.

But they believe they can top it this year.

The Eagles wrapped up a productive spring with team practices and Noble team camp last Wednesday and Thursday.

“Team camp is going good so far, we started off slow yesterday [Wednesday] and picked it up today,” said junior running back/linebacker Ricklan Holmes on Thursday. “I think our spring drills in practice prepared us for the team camp. I like what I’m seeing with our team. I think we can go play for a state championship and win with these guys.”

Coach Robert Jones also likes his team and believes they will again be a contender in 5A.

“It’s hard to rebuild a program but it’s also difficult to be successful and continue to win,” Jones said. “I don’t think we’re going away. I think we’ll be able to keep challenging for a state title.”

Del City took some big hits at graduation but have a strong group of returning players along with a few additions.

The Eagles will have a few new players this season.

Kaleb Blackwolf moved from El Reno and will play receiver/safety. He’s also a standout basketball player.

Nick Holmes and twins Arrion and Arniko Daniels moved from Western Heights. Holmes will play receiver and defensive back, while the Daniels brothers will play on the offensive line.

Braylon Lassiter is expected to start at quarterback. He transferred from Del City to Star-Spencer last year but returned to the Eagles.

“Braylon Lassiter gives us more of a run threat at quarterback,” Jones said. “He’ll kind of be like how [former quarterback] Virgil [Yates] was but a little better passing.”

Holmes will see much more time as a running back this season. He carried the ball some last year but focused more on defense. Jones believes he can be one of the top backs in 5A this fall.

“He’s a big and tough runner and we want to make him the next big back in 5A,” Jone said.

Jeremiah Miles will also see time at running back and can provide a change of pace.

The Eagles should be set up front with three returning starters in Choncei Jones, Quaylin Goodman and Shane Thornton, as well as several rotational players back. The Daniels twins, Jordan Riley and sophomore Jamar Williams will also compete for spots.

The Eagles expect to be tough again on defense.

Javonte Neequaye, Christian Akadiri and Holmes will anchor the linebacking corps.

Tayvann Johnson, Goodman and Cameron Freeman will help on the defensive line.

The secondary will also be solid with Jashawn McCalister moving from linebacker to safety, Blackwolf, Nick Holmes, Mishaun Graham and D’Marion Turner, a three-year starter.

“The back end of the defense is really exciting,” Jones said.

One big change for the Eagles will be a switch away from having players start on offense and defense. Jones said he’s changed his tune about using two-way players. While he likes keeping the best players on the field at all times, he realized it’s difficult to compete against teams that don’t do it.

“This offseason we’ve focused on having guys play one way and rotate them in when needed,” he said. “I’m old school and thought having two-way players was the way to go. But in the state championship against Carl Albert, they didn’t have their defensive lineman playing offense and they were fresher and had more energy. Our guys were gassed at the end of the game.”

The Eagles will begin their summer weightlifting and conditioning program.

They will scrimmage with Moore on Aug. 22 and open the season Aug. 30 against Edmond Memorial.