Cleveland Tigers Football 2023 Preview Presented by Indian Electric Cooperative

Coach: TRENT TURNER

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OFFENSE

Trent Turner enters his first year as head coach at Cleveland, replacing Cy Stallard. The Tigers, who went winless in 2022, welcome back six starters on an offense that will operate from the spread under Turner. “Get better one week at a time,” Turner said. “Build player leadership and learn to compete on every snap.” The offense will start with senior quarterback Wyatt Sammons (6-3, 180). Cleveland also returns a pair of experienced receivers in Cody Sizemore (5-11, 170) and Rusty Thomas (6-1, 170), and offensive linemen Brock Powell (5-11, 286, Sr.) and Jesse Beard (5-10, 280). “We want to get the ball to our athletes in space,” Turner said. Assistant coaches under Turner will be Koty Koster, Kelby Edens, Logan Shultz, Steven Moore and Mark McArthur.

DEFENSE

The Tigers return five starters on the defensive side of the ball, including four linebackers. “We will be multiple, aggressive and dictate the line of scrimmage,” Turner said. Turner is high on sophomore linebacker Bo Thomas (5-10, 160), who was on the field a lot as a freshman in 2022. “Tough athlete that got a lot of playing time as a freshman,” Turner said. “He will most likely be a two-way starter.” Joining Thomas at the linebacker positions are senior Aiden Shwenker (6-0, 180), and sophomores Kham Patterson (5-9, 160) and Brayden Guthrie (5-11, 165). Others with experience returning for the Tigers are defensive backs Javen Lindsey (6-0, 160, Sr.) and Jaden Dunham (5-10, 140, Sr.).

SCHEDULE

8-25 – at Blackwell

8-31 – vs. Hominy

9-8 – at Mannford

9-22 – vs. Oologah

9-29 – at Skiatook

10-6 – vs. Tulsa McLain

10-12 – vs. Wagoner

10-20 – at Cushing

10-27 – at Miami

11-3 – vs. Catoosa