Matt Tillson
The Duncan Banner
MARLOW —
Traditionally, the Marlow Outlaw defense has been known as a solid, physical defense.
Marlow head coach Jeremy Gage said the Outlaws remain physical.
Senior leadership will be on display on the defensive line with John McLearen, Ethan Fullerton and Dakota White seeing double time, rotating in and out at defensive end and putting time in on the offensive side of the ball.
“Those three guys are very physical, tough players,” Gage said. “They use their size and toughness.”
Cody Mercer has been moving around from defensive end to nose guard. Gage thinks that he has finally found the right position for Mercer, though.
“Cody is our nose guard this year,” Gage said. “We’ve moved him around and tried him at different positions and we think we have him right. He has been breaking through the offensive line really well.”
The Outlaws will be using different defensive formations, but sticking mainly with a 3-3-5 and an Odd Stack formation.
Manning middle linebacker will be will be senior Brandon Burns.
“Brandon has been looking really good so far,” Gage said. “We are really looking to get some big things out of him.”
Cody Brown will be joining Burns in the linebacker corps. Gage said that Brown, a three-year starter, has the most experience on the defensive side of the ball.
“He is just a natural linebacker,” Gage said “He has been flying to the ball and doing great defending the run and the pass.”
Swade Dungan and Tanner Southerland will be spending some time at strong safety for the Outlaws. Gage said that both players have been playing really well and showing some positive signs.
“Swade has been playing lights out at the strong safety position, doing really good on both run and pass plays,” Gage said. “Tanner spent some time in the weight room over the summer and has been moved from corner to strong safety.”
Two Outlaws that opposing teams will have to worry about in the Marlow secondary are seniors Kody Harvey and Ethan Elroy.
“Kody will be playing the corner position. He started there last year and has the experience that we need,” Gage said. “Elroy will be in the middle of the secondary and not many people will want to try and throw the ball over him.”
— Matt Tillson is a reporter for the Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 143 or via e-mail at matt.tillson@duncanbanner.com.
