By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
Staring at an 0-2 district start would have a lot start to hit the panic button.
But, for Yukon, the Millers are looking to use it as a turnaround factor and get back into the playoff race.
And, Yukon has the shot to do that this week as the Millers host Edmond Memorial in a District 6AI-2 contest at Miller Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Millers, 1-4 overall, will face a Memorial team that is improved and comes in with a 3-3 overall record and a 2-1 district record. The Bulldogs suffered their first district loss, 38-24, to Norman last week.
Yukon has owned the series over the past six years and will be looking to continue their win streak over the Bulldogs this week.
“We are excited to be playing back home and I’m sure it should be a good game,” Miller head coach Marshall Hahn said. “Memorial has had some success this year and looks like they are playing pretty well. We are looking forward to the challenge.
“They have a quarterback that is pretty special, he gives them a chance every week,” he said. “And, they are doing a good job. Looking at film, they are playing hard and as long as you are doing that, you have a chance. It should be a good challenge and a fun game.
“They do have some former Yukon coaches and that will also make it fun, because I’m sure those guys will want to come in and beat us.”
The Bulldogs are the Edmond school champions for the first time in a while after beating North 42-21 and Santa Fe 28-7. The Bulldogs other win came over Southmoore.
“They are similar to what they were last year,” Hahn said. “They were a young team and have a lot of those kids back. You would think a year older, a year more experienced and mature, you would expect to see some improvement there. The same thing would you expect to see from your program.
“It’s not everyday that a freshman starts for a class 6A program,” he said. “Last year he did some good things and has done good things this year as a sophomore, so we expect him to be a better player this year.
“It seems like Bixby, Union and Mustang have shown to be very solid teams this year and everyone else is pretty similar on any given night. So, we know we will have to come out and give our best to come away with a win in this game.”
McComb is a 6-3, 205-pound sophomore that the offense is pretty much built around. He throws the ball well, but he is also used in the passing game. He threw for 1,500 yards last season.
Keifer McMullins anchors the run game. He had 1,200 yards rushing last season and has had some big games this year. He and Camden Peck give Memorial a 1-2 running punch and Peck is also effective in the passing game as a receiver.
The Memorial defense is anchored by David Gillespie and Robert Dunham in the front line.
“For us to get a win, we can’t turn the ball over or make the mistakes like we did last week,” Hahn said. “A couple of interceptions, a lost fumble and a couple of blocked punts, you can’t do those things and expect to win.
“We can’t give up the big play on defense,” he said. “We have to take care of the football and if we can do those two things, we will give ourselves a chance to win.”
The Memorial defense will be faced with the task of trying to slow down the Miller run game. Logan Day, Jesse Eakers and Kennison Rogers have had big runs all season, including last week.
The Miller defense has also played well, but been put in tough situations.
“Our defense has been playing good,” Hahn said. “We forced a couple of turnovers, the interception in the end zone was a really good play. We just have to not put our defense in short field situations like we have been doing in the last few games.”
