By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Don't blink.
He'll juke you. He'll jive you. He'll run 40 yards to one side of the field, cut, reserve his field, and be nothing but a cloud of dust en route to six.
He's the most underrated player in the Sooner State.
Just how good is Lawton's Cornelius Douglas?
Observers in Lawton, the third largest city in Oklahoma, will tell you that if he played in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, he would have been all-state by now. Last season while playing quarterback and defensive back for the Wolverines, he was dazzling.
Trouble is for the foes in District 6A-1, Douglas is back to steal the show once again for a Lawton team that enters the 2007 season lacking respect.
Douglas rushed for 584 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, while also throwing for 1,033 yards and 10 scores. Douglas shows flashes of Jamelle Holloway and Charles Thompson back in their Sooner heyday.
Don't let the 5-9, 185-pound frame fool you. A quick glance of his defensive film, Douglas brings the wood. He hits opposing players like a missile.
Douglas has been timed at 4.45 in the 40-yard dash. Despite his size, Iowa State, Kansas State, New Mexico, SMU, and Tulsa have come calling. If Oklahoma or Oklahoma State have other priorities fall through, Douglas could be a Sooner or a Cowboy come signing day. For either in-state institution, inking the services of a talent like Douglas would be a steal.
Behind the legs of Douglas, Lawton opened up a 12-0 lead on Jenks in the Class 6A quarterfinals last season before faltering late. Douglas and his Wolverine teammates gave the eventual state champions all they could handle.
In order to get the chance at the Sooner State superpower, Douglas was spectacular in an opening round victory over Midwest City. Douglas rushed for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 27-20 triumph.
What may be the most amazing statistic of all was what took place on September 30 in a road encounter against Mustang's air arsenal. Trailing 42-17 at halftime, Douglas spearheaded the granddaddy of all comebacks.
Faced with a fourth and 25 after coming all the way back to trail 45-44, with their backs against the wall, Douglas went to his bag of tricks to produce a miracle. Douglas found running back Chris Porter on a pass that went 51 yards to paydirt. Game, set, match in favor of Douglas and Lawton.
Fans in Lawton won't have to wait very much longer to get a glimpse of this can't miss talent. On Aug. 31 at Cameron University Stadium, Lawton will face cross-town rival Eisenhower to open the 2007 slate.
Eisenhower features Texas Tech commit Harrison Jeffers. The battle between Douglas and Jeffers could decide the Lawton City Championship. Last season Jeffers and the Eagles got the best of Lawton, 27-14. With Douglas roaming around this time, the same result would be a surprise.
When watching Douglas, remember not to blink.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net