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Cordell defensive back Raydon Kuehne goes up for a pass against Apache. Bob Henline | The Cordell Beacon
The Cordell Blue Devils will take the field at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, for their official season opener against Mooreland, but the team got in their unofficial opener last week in a scrimmage at Apache. New head coach Zane Trammell said that while the team still has room to improve, he is very happy with how the off-season went and is looking forward to a good season for the Blue Devils.
During the off-season the team worked out four days each week using a program designed by Cordell graduate and OU strength and conditioning intern Colton Henson. According to Trammell, the 10-week program resulted in an increase in average bench press by 20 pounds per player and squat went up by 30 pounds. The Blue Devils also held their own camp this summer, which helped the players learn the new system before the season opener.
The team traveled to Apache Thursday, Aug. 22, for a scrimmage with the Warriors. No score is kept, nor are statistics tracked during a scrimmage, but Trammell was please with the team’s effort.
“I was happy with the things that don’t make the stat book,” he said. “Our intangibles, such as effort, attitude, toughness, and grit were exactly where I wanted them to be. I thought our boys played hard and physical against a team that is traditionally known for being gritty, tough, and well-coached. We still have room to improve, but we are starting from a good position regarding those aspects of the game. We are getting better mechanically and fundamentally every single day of practice; the boys are also quickly catching on schematically. We are excited about our season and home opener next Friday against Mooreland. We will kickoff at 7pm and would like to invite the entire community to come watch and see the earned results of Cordell’s young men.”
Trammell also expressed his appreciation for the support given to the Blue Devil program by the parents, fans, and community in general, especially with regard to the success of the annual Pie Auction, which raised $7,500 to help support the football program.
“The boys and coaches couldn’t be any more appreciateive of the community’s love and support,” he said. “We want to thank the cheerleaders for setting the event up, our administration for allowing us to hold it at our great facilities, and our community for its overwhelming love for the boys and program.”