The uniforms will be familiar and some of the names will also be familiar, but after that the Duncan Demons will have a new look, a new head coach and offensive scheme.
Friday evening begins the toughest non-district schedule in the state’s second largest class when Duncan travels to Jelsma Stadium and challenge Class 5A’s defending state champions for a 7 p.m. kick.
The game can be heard on Triple Play Sports Radio 105.1 FM and on both Guthrie Sports Page and Guthrie News Page.
Duncan, who has made the playoffs in six of the past nine seasons, will play Guthrie, Shawnee and Carl Albert in consecutive weeks to begin the year and later in the season will play Lawton MacArthur with first-year head coach Craig Benson. All four opponents are in the top five rankings to begin the year.
Benson comes from his alma mater, Sallisaw, where he piled up a 53-16 record and playoff runs in all six of those seasons. He brings with him a high-tempo offense ran by offensive coordinator Boone Copeland, who comes over from Lawton Eisenhower.
Senior quarterback Mason Hightower won the spot following the scrimmage with Ada. The six-foot, 180 pound, Hightower was the Demons back-up signal caller a season ago, but attempted only eight passes in what was a run-happy offense under the previous coaching staff.
Against Ada, Hightower completed 7-of-13 passes for 37 yards, but was a victim of drop passes from Demon receivers.
The primary running duties may rely heavy on sophomore Trenton Bell (6’1, 192).
“Trenton has what I call get away and stay away speed,” Benson said earlier this summer.
No doubt, the strength of the offense comes on the offensive line for the Demons. Veterans Dylan Dismuke and Hayden Moore command the tackle positions and Kolten Anderson give Benson confidence heading into the season.
“With their experience under pressure, those three guys give us the chance to be successful.”
Offensively, Duncan continues to learn the new system. However, on defense, Benson brings back the Demons’ all-time winningest coach in Charley Lynch to command the defense.
Lynch may have to lean on Dismuke and Moore to help clog the middle and attempt to stop Guthrie’s running game. Jerad Wolfe and Austin May will try and bring pressure from the end positions.
“L’liott Curry is a really great player and will need to be accounted for on offense and defense,” Benson said.
He added, “The tailback (Idea Alexander) is a really good player and the quarterback (Zane Maltz) looks real smart and will not put his players in bad spots.”
Duncan leads all-time; Jays winners of five straight
Duncan leads the all-time series with Guthrie 12-6, but the Jays have dominated the series for four of the last five seasons. In the last four games, the Jays have won by a combine 143 to 6.
Season Openers
Dating back to 2001, the Jays are 8-5 in season openers and won four straight. All four of those wins have come against Duncan.
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