Chargers plan a return to playoffs

BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
8/14/12 at 5:15 AM

The Memorial Chargers had their own version of the Bermuda Triangle last football season.

Flying objects kept getting lost in the vicinity of Markale Moses. The freshman cornerback intercepted six passes to rank among the metro-area leaders.

Make that seven. In his first varsity action, Moses also pulled in a deflected pass to seal a first-round win over Edison in the All-City Preview. That interception didn't count in his regular-season total.

"When the first one came, I was like `Oh!' I was excited. I was trying to take it back," Moses said.

He also had a key breakup in a 27-22 win over Claremore and held his own in a head-to-head matchup with McAlester standout Alverey Braxton.

Chargers head coach Tony Daniels said Moses' performance was "unheard of" for such a young player. "You might see a kid step in and start as a freshman on the offensive or defensive line, but almost never at cornerback," he said.

But Daniels knew early on he had something special.

"It was obvious (Moses') coaches at Wilson Middle School had done a very good job with him," Daniels said.

Daniels received independent confirmation this summer when the 5-foot-8, 150-pounder was named top sophomore defensive back at the Dave Schuman National Underclassmen Combine in Norman.

"Moses caught my eye immediately," national analyst Barry Every wrote. "No other young prospect could pick his feet up and down with quickness and balance ... He possesses an excellent change of direction and has hips on a swivel."

Moses' early arrival is a bonus for an otherwise veteran Charger squad hopeful of ending the school's long playoff drought. Memorial hasn't had a winning season or advanced to postseason play since 1989.

That could change in 2012. Daniels has 17 seniors and the greatest depth he's had in five years at the helm.

Perennial contenders Bishop Kelley and McAlester are seen as the teams to beat in District 5A-3, but Daniels is encouraged by what the others lost.

McAlester, coming off a state-semifinal finish, lost All-State quarterback Tony Kiefer and a flock of others.

Kelley, 9-3 last year, must replace three-year starting quarterback Donnie Walton, senior running back Alex Maguire, and much of its offensive line.

"Some of the teams lost a lot of seniors, and with us having so many, it bodes well for us," Daniels said.

Charger seniors like linemen Novis Cullom, Tyrone McGriff and Chris Turner, receiver Roy Walker, running back Jermane Rathod and linebacker Joe Bell have been starting together for much of the past two years.

"We all came in as freshmen and we've just built together," the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Cullom said.

Kelley coach J.J. Tappana returns other key personnel and said the Comets are ready to reload.

Austin Morris rushed for 1,114 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and "might be the best player we've had in a long time," Tappana said.

Linebackers Andrew McNulty and Dakota Stowe are expected to anchor a stellar defense.

Tappana said sophomore Ryan Martin has been impressive in his development at quarterback since senior Brady Goforth tore up his hip at team camp, and is expected to start the Aug. 31 opener vs. Bartlesville.

Original Print Headline: Chargers plan a return to playoffs

Mike Brown 918-581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Markale Moses of Memorial High School, shown here at LaFortune Stadium on Friday, instercepted six passes as a freshman last season. That doesn't include one he picked off during the preseason All-City Preview. TOM GILBERT / Tulsa World