Media Day: Hulbert Riders

After a 1-9 finish, the Riders push forward with a more experienced cast.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:43 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Aug 23, 2010 3:54 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Improving the Hulbert offense will be the primary task for new head coach Johnny Morrison after a 1-9 season.

The Riders scored just 102 points a year ago, but they hope another year of employing a spread offense yields better results.

Sophomore Chris Vance won the quarterback job, which will move Tyler Harman to wide receiver with Jeffrey Hardison. Cole Ulrich will shoulder most of the carries at tailback.

Steven Swinford and Skyler Ratliff are among a returning cast on defense which includes five seniors.

Hard work and preparation are focal points for Morrison heading into the season and his players are jumping on board.

“Practices are harder” said Harman. “[We’re] definitely working a lot harder than we have been over the years.”

The team endured its first summer with a workout program -- not fun in 100-plus-degree temperatures -- and the results are already apparent.

“We just had a scrimmage the other night. We were not breathing hard,” said Swinford. “We were ready to go.”

“We’re instilling hard work in them. We’re challenging them to do their best. So far they’ve stepped up and gotten better each practice,” said Morrison. “A successful season for us will be [making the] playoffs. We will accept nothing less.”