MaxPreps Oklahoma Team of the Week presented by the Oklahoma National Guard

It's been a long and hard process for coach Loren Montgomery and his Bixby High School football team.

The Spartans have fought through three straight losing seasons, but following a terrific 45-38 win over Springdale they are off to a 3-0 start.

For their fast start, they've been selected the MaxPreps Oklahoma Team of the Week, presented by the Oklahoma National Guard.

The Spartans haven't exactly blown anybody out while outscoring opponents 112-86, but they've found a way to win and that's been something that hasn't happened much the last three seasons.

"All the credit goes to the players in the locker room, said Montgomery. "They believe in what we are doing, and believe in our core values: Discipline, Integrity, Selflessness and Confidence. Those are the reasons that we were able to come back from a 24-point deficit on Friday."

On Friday they also got a huge contribution from senior quarterback Marshall Ray (27 of 56, 406 yards and five touchdowns) and then the wealth of help was widespread and evenly divided.

Sophomore back Nic Roller rushed for two touchdowns, Kyle Rhine had six catches for 183 yards and a touchdown, and four others caught scoring strikes: juniors Zach Reynolds, Kale Mulkey, Blake Cooper and Justin Williams.

"Nic Roller is just a sophomore, but he is a tough load, and there are many Rollers from Bixby who have been great players before him," said Montgomery. "He has high expectations for himself."

On defense, three Spartans recorded at least 10 tackles: junior J.J. Cantrell with 15, senior Jon Kuhn with 11 and junior Casey Saide with 10. Saide had four tackles for loss and Kuhn 3. Junior Austin Grotts and Kuhn had two of the team's six sacks. Bruce Williams contributed an interception.

The team's Player of the Game award, presented by Montgomery, went to 6-1, 215-pound offensive and defensive lineman Matt Dreyer, who had six tackles on defense.

Ray, the state leader in passing yards, was picked as the team's Offensive Player of the Game and Cantrell the Defensive Player of the Game. Ray has completed a state-best 67 passes in 146 attempts for 1,013 yards and 11 touchdowns. Rhine is third in the state with 369 receiving yards on 15 catches, a whopping 24.60 yards per catch.

"Marshall (Ray) had a great junior season, but now has an even better understanding of the offense with most of his receivers back and with experience," said Montgomery.

Bixby, No. 14 in the MaxPreps computer state rankings, hosts No. 6 Westmoore (Oklahoma City) (3-0) in a big state showdown 7 p.m. Friday.

Do you know a team that deserves consideration for Oklahoma Team of the Week? Email us with your nominations at OKteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.