By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
The words on the Carl Albert football web site sum up the mood of the program heading into the 2007 season: "The Titan Tradition isn't just school pride. It is more than a few championships or awards. It is the way we live our lives and it's the legacy we leave."
The Titans will be chasing their second-consecutive state title and eighth in 11 years in Class 5A after winning last season with a 14-10 victory over Lawton MacArthur in Norman.
"Tradition. Championships. That's all we work for," senior two-way lineman Pierre Alexander said. "That is what we want to accomplish."
The tradition has translated into nine state titles in school history dating back to 1989, including five-straight from 1997-2001 under the tutelage of current head coach Gary Rose.
In 2006, only a 38-35 blemish to Class 6A contender Booker T. Washington to open the season derailed another perfect campaign for the Titans.
Ironically, Carl Albert has never finished a season unbeaten in its nine state championship campaigns. The closest they came was 1993, 1998, 2004, and again last season when the Titans had just one loss.
"All we care about is winning the last four games on the season. We do care about winning all of our games, because we are competitive. But the ultimate goal is winning the last four," Rose said.
The 2007 version of Carl Albert football features one of the budding running back prospects in the country. Junior David Oku rushed for 1,462 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. As a freshman, Oku rushed for 860 yards including a career-high 275 in a victory over Western Heights.
Oku has received offers already from Auburn, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Texas Tech heading into this season. Schools such as California, Florida State, Ohio State, and West Virginia are closely monitoring his progress.
Oku, who stands at just 5-8, weighs 175 pounds, and runs in the 4.4 range in the 40-yard dash, is looking to have even better production this season for the Titans.
"I never thought the recruiting would go like this. Right now, it's pretty overwhelming. I don't really have a favorite right now. I just want to concentrate on my junior season and do the best I can to help the team. One of the positives about recruiting for me is that some of my teammates might get some schools to look at them that might not have before," Oku said.
Oku has developed a friendship with another stellar running back prospect from the Class of 2009, Wichita (Kan.) East's Bryce Brown.
In what looks like a bold move on paper, Rose has decided to move Joe Stoner from quarterback to fullback and linebacker in 2007. Stoner rushed for 844 yards and 14 touchdowns last season while holding down the signal calling role for the Titans.
Don't take Stoner's move to fullback as much of a demotion. Last season, Alonzo Anderson rushed for 1,469 yards and 17 touchdowns while operating out of the fullback position. In four state playoff games, Anderson rushed for 843 yards and 11 touchdowns at 11.2 yards per carry. Stoner should fill Anderson's shoes amicably this season.
Senior Robert Kizer and sophomore J.T. Realmuto look to be in line to handle the quarterback duties for the Titans in 2007. After a scrimmage on Aug. 11, the position looks to be in good hands. Both quarterbacks were impressive and took an equal amount of snaps. Both quarterbacks could open the playbook a little more with the passing game. Last season, Stoner threw only 61 passes.
In spot duty last season, Kizer completed 15 of 20 passes for 370 yards and seven touchdowns, compared to just one interception.
"We are in a good situation, because we have three quarterbacks. We know Joe can play there, and the other two are coming along really well," said Rose.
Alexander returns to anchor the offensive and defensive lines for the Titans. Last season, Alexander registered 53 tackles and four quarterback sacks. Tyler Berle joined Alexander to post 96 tackles and six sacks, while Kaleb Berry added eight sacks.
Junior safety Daytawion Lowe could join Oku as one of the highest regarded players at his position nationally in the Class of 2009. Lowe led the Titans with 124 tackles last season.
"Right now we have a long way to go. We need to get better, but we are going to put the work in to get better," Lowe said after the inner-squad scrimmage.
The road to their 10th title will not be easy. After opening with Booker T. Washington, Carl Albert hosts Ada and travels to Duncan to round out its non-district slate. El Reno and Guthrie appear to be the biggest threat within District 5A-2.
With highly regarded talents such as Oku, Stoner, Alexander, and Lowe, the 2007 season is looking bright for the defending champions.
2007 Schedule (2006 Result)
Aug. 31- Booker T. Washington (L 38-35)
Sept. 7- Ada (W 64-9)
Sept. 14- at Duncan (W 50-7)
Sept. 21- at John Marshall (W 63-6)
Sept. 28- El Reno (W 35-17)
Oct. 5- at OKC Southeast (W 45-16)
Oct. 12- at Harrah (W 49-14)
Oct. 18- at Woodward (W 44-0)
Oct. 26- Guthrie (W 26-21)
Nov. 2- Noble (W 43-2)
2006 Playoffs
Altus W 38-6
McAlester W 47-8
Tulsa East Central W 31-24
Lawton MacArthur W 14-10
State Championship Seasons
1989- 12-2
1993- 13-1
1997- 11-3
1998- 13-1
1999- 11-3
2000- 11-3
2001- 11-2
2004- 13-1
2006- 13-1
Famous Alumni
J.D. Runnels (Oklahoma, NFL)
Runnels, who played fullback at Oklahoma, is actually the career leader at Carl Albert with 67 receptions, 1,391 yards, and 17 touchdowns in his years as a Titan. Runnels started 18 games in his Oklahoma career and caught 51 passes for 430 yards and five touchdowns in his time as a Sooner. Runnels was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft in 2006. Runnels suffered a serious injury and was waived on June 11, but will be looking to get back into the league as soon as possible.
Mike Gaddis (Oklahoma, NFL)
Gaddis is currently third in Carl Albert history with 3,726 rushing yards and second with 53 rushing touchdowns. Gaddis went on to Oklahoma, where he was an All Big 8 performer in 1991 with the Sooners. As a sophomore, Gaddis rushed for 274 yards against Oklahoma State, the fourth best single-game rushing output in Oklahoma history. As a senior, Gaddis rushed for 1,344 yards and 17 touchdowns before being selected in the sixth round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
Jay Hunt (Oklahoma)
Hunt is the career record holder with 4,649 rushing yards and 67 touchdowns. In 1997, Hunt was a unanimous All-State selection by the Tulsa World and the Daily Oklahoman. In his all-state campaign, Hunt rushed for 1,890 yards and 32 touchdowns. Hunt signed with Oklahoma out of high school. Hunt went on to be a part of the 2000 National Champions at Oklahoma.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net
Note: A special thanks to Steve Toney, the webmaster of the Carl Albert football website. Check out his work at http://www.carlalbertfootball.com/.