From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

MIAMI, Okla. — Rob Green, head football coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; College, believes the Golden Norsemen will launch preseason drills on Tuesday with a solid offensive unit.

NEO was picked to finish only seventh in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference in a preseason poll of coaches.

“We don’t have a whole lot of starters returning on either side of the ball,” Green said, “but we have a pretty good nucleus that have experience in our system. Our spring, because of all the rain, was a little sporadic. But we’ll have 40 sophomores that should be our leaders.”

The 2007 Golden Norsemen, besieged by injuries, finished 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the SWJCFC.

The only returning starters on offense are 6-foot-5, 305-pound left tackle Jeremy Bean (Broken Bow) and 5-8, 175-pound running back Jeremiah Sampson (Coweta).

“I really feel like we have six legitimate Division I-type players returning on the offensive line,” Green said. “They’re all in the 6-4, 6-5 range and 300 pounders.

“Add to that mix the fact we have four wide receivers returning with above-average speed,” Green said. “So our offense has some solid foundations upon which to build.

“We’ll be looking for someone to emerge as our leader at quarterback,” Green said. “We also will be looking to add some depth at running back during the preseason.

“All last spring we worked with a ‘no huddle’ offensive approach,” Green said. “Our kids bought into it because it reflected the ‘real’ speed at the college level.”

Inexperience and a lack of depth at quarterback and running back were concerns addressed by the NEO staff during spring practice.

Returning to handle the quarterback chores is 6-3, 175-pound redshirt freshman Jordan Gary of Ardmore.

“Jordan primarily is a pocket passer with a strong, accurate arm,” Green said. “He gets rid of the ball with pin-point accuracy. The ‘no huddle’ offense seems to fit the ability of Jordan.”

Transfer Corey Conley (6-0, 190, Catoosa) provided depth at quarterback during the spring.

Green believes frosh Barrett Allberg (6-1, 210, Cushing), Trey Mundin (6-1, 200, Verdigris) and Daniel Walker (5-11, 185, Commerce) provide quality depth at quarterback.

“All five quarterbacks have a grasp of what we’re trying to accomplish with our offense,” Green said. “It’s just that none of them have taken snaps in live game situations so that they don’t have a feel for the speed of the game.”

Returning to head the running game, in addition to Sampson, are veteran Shawn Baker (6-0, 190, Tulsa Edison) and redshirt freshman Justin Fields (5-10, 185, Ardmore).

Sampson rushed for 330 yards and a touchdown on 44 carries last season. Baker, who’s been battling a shoulder injury, carried 60 times for 307 yards and four scores. Fields is adjusting to running back after sitting out as a cornerback.

Freshman signees expected to challenge for playing time, according to Green, are Devon Fowler (6-0, 195, Joplin), Da’sor Horton (5-11, 200, Oklahoma City Douglass), D.J. Moore (5-11, 180, Lake Highlands, Texas), Durell Parker (6-0, 190, Wagoner), Herman Walter (6-0, 185, McAlester) and Dominik Williams (5-11, 205, Ardmore).

Redshirt freshman David Balenseifen (6-2, 200, Mustang) took most of the repetitions at tight end during the spring. Brian Booker (6-2, 235, Ardmore) was sidelined with a broken foot.

Veteran Walter Coleman (5-11, 200, Denton, Texas) heads the receivers. He caught 10 passes for 61 yards and a TD and returned five kickoffs for 110 yards in 2007.

Transfer Kendal McKellum (6-1, 195, Tulsa Hale) joined the Golden Norsemen in January after signing with Northern Iowa.

Redshirt freshman wide-outs are Colton Chelf (6-2, 190, Enid), Albert Coleman (6-1, 185, Oklahoma City Western Heights) and Don Hawkins (6-4, 185, Tulsa Victory Christian).

“Those five players have better-than-average speed on the outside,” Green said. “They each have the ability to be a game-breaker in our no-huddle offense.”

Freshman wide receivers in the mix are Taylor Antle (6-4, 190, Foyil), Shane Devers (6-1, 185, Sand Springs) and Jermaine Sherman (6-3, 185, Wagoner).

Green said veteran center Zack Kellogg (6-4, 280, Miami) anchors the front.

“Zack really has worked hard at developing technique and he’s become the cornerstone of our line,” Green said.

Freshman redshirt guards are Jordan Karriman (6-4, 290, Grove) and Levi Adcock (6-5, 290, Claremore Sequoyah).

Joining Bean at tackle is veteran Logan Clair (6-5, 301, Mustang).

Redshirt freshman Scott Powers (6-1, 295, Sperry) could alternate at different positions along the line.

Frosh signees — and Oklahoma all-staters — on the interior line are Danny Crittendon (6-5, 295, Commerce), Ryan McCaul (6-4, 290, Moore) and Mikel Sparks (6-1, 270, Morris).