While he had coached with his predecessor Chuck Atchison in the past, Russell Cook made it clear from the first time he met with players that changes were in store for El Reno High School’s football program.
Now with the first official game of his EHS tenure on tap Friday night against U.S. 81 rival Chickasha, Cook feels the players are starting to see his vision.
The majority of the teams in District 5A-1, otherwise known as the West’s “South District,” are known to base their offensive attacks out of the spread formation.
El Reno High School will fall into the majority under new head coach Russell Cook, but don’t expect the Indians to get into the pass-happy mentality like other members such as Lawton MacArthur, Ardmore or Duncan.
“We base everything out of the spread. I grew up a wishbone guy and my first coaching job was out of the spread offense, yet I still like to run the ball and that is just who you are.
Though question marks exist at various spots in the El Reno High School football roster, the biggest concern for head coach Russell Cook rests with the players that will make up both lines of scrimmage.
Depth and overall playing experience is the biggest hurdle among trenchmen, with Cook penciling in several as two-way starters or taking snaps on both sides of the ball on a rotation basis.
“We have some good young linemen and some seniors that will help lead the way at those spots for sure. Most of those guys are sophomores or juniors and they will have to lead the way.
Russell Cook may be new to the U.S. 81 Battle, which is one of the state’s oldest known football rivalries, but the El Reno High School head coach has no problems opening up the season with such a big rivalry game.
“It feels good to be in such a great tradition. I have no problem opening the season with a rivalry game like this, I’m just excited to get out there on the field and see what we can do,” said Cook.
El Reno welcomes Chickasha to Memorial Stadium Friday to start Cook’s tenure, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
