By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
If you can't beat `em, join `em.
Chika Madu and Michael Ford are doing exactly that.
A pair of transfers have bolstered an already impressive lineup for Norman North, coming to the Timberwolves from cross-town rival Norman. Seniors-to-be Chika Madu and Michael Ford have enrolled at Norman North, who shocked one-loss Norman, 30-27, in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs last season. Norman won the season opener over Norman North, 34-6.
Madu was a wide receiver and defensive back last season for Norman. Madu, younger brother of former Norman standout and current Oklahoma running back Mossis Madu, caught four touchdown passes last season as a junior. On defense, Madu intercepted two passes.
Ford was a standout linebacker at Norman last season, registering 52 tackles and seven sacks, and should add to an already impressive defense on paper. Ford, according to head coach Lance Manning, also looks to play some at tight end this season.
Norman North, who went 6-6 last season after starting 0-3, is emerging as a serious threat to contend for the Class 6A state title, Jenks and Tulsa Union have combined to win every state title since 1996. The last team from the Oklahoma City-area to win a title was Midwest City in 1995.
Defensive end KJ Williams has had an impressive spring and summer, landing him offers from at least seven Big XII schools. Also returning are quarterback Tyler Tettleton and running back Beau Blakenship, both juniors. Tettleton was stellar last season, throwing for 1,866 yards and 10 scores. Blakenship developed into one of the top running backs in the state, posting 1,597 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Can Norman North break the Tulsa-area dominance in Class 6A? Find out on Aug. 1 with the release of the MaxPreps Oklahoma High School football preview.
Carl Albert: Stoner Switching Positions
When you can take your returning starter at quarterback from a state championship team and move him, life is good at Carl Albert.
Senior Joe Stoner, the starting signal caller for the defending Class 5A state champions, will be moving to full-time defense this season for head coach Gary Rose.
"Having Joe on full-time defense will be huge for us. We will use him a lot like we used J.D. Runnels, but at tailback and some fullback, too," said Rose, who guided the Titans to their ninth state title in school history last season.
J.D. Runnels was a standout at Oklahoma before moving onto the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
Stoner led the Titans to a 13-1 record, culminating with a 14-10 victory over Lawton MacArthur in the state title game. Stoner led an offense that averaged over 318 rushing yards per game last season. Stoner rushed for 14 touchdowns.
A battle will ensue in August between senior Robert Kizer and sophomore J.T. Realmuto for the quarterback job. The transition will be eased by the return of junior running back David Oku, who rushed for 1,462 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Terrence Boyd Update
It appears Terrence Boyd returning to Norman after spending his sophomore season at Oak Hill Academy is back up in the air again.
Contradicting a June 22 story by the Norman Transcript, the Daily Oklahoman reported July 4 that Boyd is still considering Norman along with Arlington Country Day in Jacksonville, Fla.
Wherever Boyd ends up, they will be getting one of the top juniors in the country. CSTV has the 6-5, 230-pound shooting guard ranked among the Top 40 players in the Class of 2009.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@cox.net