Brown pleased with camp performance

A recent trip to a University of Central Oklahoma football team camp put some smiles on the face of Shawnee head coach Billy Brown.
Shawnee was involved in 11-on-11, quick-whistle scrimmages versus Stillwater, Del City, Yukon, Tecumseh and McLoud during the three-day camp.
The biggest smile was reserved for the camp’s final day. “We felt good about all of the days,” Brown said. “But Day 3 was our best day by far. We scored a lot of points and didn’t give up many. We felt pretty good about it overall.”
Senior Brett Davis and sophomore Brayle Brown both worked at quarterback and receiver during the camp. “Brayle and Brett both threw touchdowns and caught touchdowns,” Billy Brown said. “We are going to see what mixture is the best going into the season.”
Billy Brown believes Davis is the best receiver in Class 5A. ”Brett can do what no one else on our team can do at receiver,” Brown said. “I just haven’t seen or coached against a better receiver in 5A.”
While Davis is already a proven commodity, a sophomore receiver is quickly making a name for himself.
“Michael Cole has come out of nowhere,” Brown said. “He ran a 4.58 in the 40 at a Tulsa combine this summer. And that combine doesn’t cut you any slack. It’s pretty legitimate.’
Cole, a move-in from North Rock Creek, played freshman ball last season. “He was basically learning the game last year,” Brown said.
Prior to the UCO camp, Shawnee scrimmaged Millwood in another 11-on-11 format. Shawnee started sluggishly but the Wolves’ first-teamers were superb against Millwood’s starters.
“We scored three touchdowns and they didn’t score at all,” Brown said. “They were pretty athletic with a really good sophomore quarterback.”
One area of play (at UCO) that was a pleasant surprise to Brown was Shawnee’s inexperienced line. “They were letting everyone at the camp blitz because so many teams are doing it now. Our offensive line is brand new, but they were doing a good job of protection against the blitz.”
Brown also praised fullback-linebacker Jordan McLain for his play at the camp and against Millwood.
“Both against Millwood and at UCO, the coaches had a good feeling when we left the field,” Brown said.
Shawnee has one more summer function — a July 12 seven-on-seven tournament at Jim Thorpe Stadium. The tourney field hasn’t been finalized.
Shawnee’s first day of practice is set for Aug. 13 with the 2008 season opener Sept. 5 at Chickasha. Shawnee’s home opener is Sept. 12 in a non-district engagement with Deer Creek.