Published: September 25, 2008 10:41 am      

District play begins for Ada

Edison Eagles will try to fly away with first-ever win against Cougs

Ada — The 10th-ranked Ada Cougars will be in a bit of a different role Friday night when Tulsa Edison visits Norris Field for the District 5A-4 opener for both teams.

For the first time in 2008, the Cougars will be heavy favorites against the winless Eagles.

But with district play starting up around the state, new head coach Matt Weber said this is no time for a team letdown.

“It will definitely test of our maturity because kids see it in the paper and hear it around town that we’re playing an 0-and-3 team. So far I’ve liked how we’ve responded. We’ve had two good days of practice — two of our better days of practice up to this point,” he said. “The main thing is we go prepare. It’s the first district game and we can’t listen to that 0-3 talk. We just need to try and continue to get better and I think we have up to this point.”

Weber pointed out that just because Edison is devoid of wins, doesn’t mean the Eagles are devoid of talent.

“I doubt that we are going to line up against anybody and play poorly and beat them. That’s just the way it’s going to be,” he said. “The thing you run into in our class is that there is always going to be athletes on the other side of the ball. They have a 6-5 receiver (Trayvon Thompson) who can go catch the football and they have a running back (Drexler Minor) that slams it up in there like the kid that gave us some problems last week. And again, they’re bigger than we are.”

Weber said mistakes have been Edison’s downfall in losses to Tulsa McLain (42-12), Tulsa Memorial (22-12) and Cascia Hall (37-8) to start the 2008 season.

“They’ve been bit by the turnover bug,” he said.

The Cougars cleaned up their case of fumbleitis during an impressive 28-14 win over a solid Noble squad. After fumbling nine times (and losing seven) during its first two games, Ada didn’t put the ball on the ground at all against the Bears.

“They had a good team and it was a good win for us,” Weber said. “That’s something we’ve been harping on and preaching and we didn’t have any fumbles so that was better.”

Another trend that did continue for the Cougars was the fact that the second halves of their games have been, well, pointless. Opponents own a 34-0 edge over the final two quarters.

Ada’s inability to find the end zone in the second half has left Weber scratching his head.

“I don’t know the answer. We’ve had some chances, we just didn’t execute,” he said.

One thing he knows for sure — it hasn’t been for a lack of effort.

“The main thing is — and it’s the same thing we said after the first two weeks — and that is the kids are still playing hard. They’re playing hard for four quarters,” he said. “We did a lot of good things offensively in the first half. And then in the second half, they kind of played keep away from us.”

Weber was pleased with the way Ada’s defense bent a time or too, but didn’t break when the game was on the line.

“Even though they moved the ball up and down the field on us at times, they only scored 14 points,” he said. “We have to remember these kids are learning a new system, and they’re only a few weeks into it. I kind of feel like were behind everybody else because we’re still learning a new system. But as long as we keep giving great effort, we’re going to be OK when it’s all said and done.

Weber pointed out that beginning with Edison, Ada begins a new season — District 5A-4 play.

“Personally, my only goal — and it’s my goal every year — is to make the playoffs and I don’t think past that. Every one of these games is so important and every point you gain is so important. You never know when a playoff berth (or seeding) will come down to points,” he said.

Qumain at quarterback

Junior Qumain Black is off to a strong start to the season as Ada’s starting quarterback. In his three varsity starts, Black has rushed for 247 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries and has completed an impressive 24-of-38 passes for 351 yards and five more scores.

“He’s never started at quarterback before and he’s just three games in to a totally new system. That’s kind of a double whammy against him,” Weber said.

The Ada coach said the best is yet to come from his talented athlete.

“He’s improved each week. Just because of his ability alone, he’s going to be a special player. But the work he puts in during the week makes him that much better,” Weber said. “If he stays healthy and keeps improving, I think he has the possibility of being one of the better players to come through here. I know that’s saying quite a bit. But he has the chance to be a pretty special football player.”

———o———

COUGAR NOTES: Tulsa Edison has failed to earn a victory over the Cougars in 10 all-time meetings ... Ada defeated the Eagles 36-7 last year in Tulsa ... The Ada Football Booster Club will host a luncheon Friday at noon at Polo’s Mexican Restaurant. All fans are encouraged to attend. ... Looking for a pregame meal? The Ada Basketball Booster Club is hosting its annual hamburger fry Friday evening from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Church of Christ Family Life Center. A silent auction will also be part of the fundraiser. For more information, phone (580) 421-6883. ... A limited number of reserve season tickets are still available to the general public. For more information, phone Dorcas at (580) 310-7245.