Media Day: Adair Warriors

Adair has potential for huge season in 2010, but has tough district to go through.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:43 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Aug 21, 2010 6:23 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Many teams would be satisfied with a 7-4 record and a playoff berth, but the Adair Warriors are looking for more.

After a first round exit last season, the Warriors return 14 starters, including several key skill players.

Linebacker Kolin Harris said last season’s success has only fed Adair’s hunger to keep improving.

“We proved ourselves last year that we can play with anyone,” he said. “So I think expectations are a lot higher this year.”

The Warriors, who have had a rich football history, experienced several rough seasons before a big turnaround in 2009.

Coach Mark Lippe said he can credit that to the commitment of the players coming through the program.

“We focused on two things: changing the culture of our program and the attitude of our players,” Lippe said. “We really went to work and our players sold out into what we were selling them, and that was getting back to what Adair football was all about.”

Despite how hard the Warriors work, they can’t escape the fact that they played in a loaded district.

Colcord, Commerce, Salina and Kansas will all be battling with Adair for the top four spots.

“Our district is really solid,” Lippe said. “To me there is not a team that is head and shoulders above anybody.”

The Warriors will look for production on both sides of the ball from senior Christian Luper, who racked up 151 tackles on defense, while accounting for more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns on offense.

Wide receiver Michael Frailey also produces on both sides, posting 400 receiving yards in 2009 as well as six interceptions in the defensive backfield.

But despite the statistics and the hype surrounding this season, Lippe said there is only one thing he can ask from his players.

“We really don’t talk about wins and losses,” he said. “To be a young man and play high school football is so much more than that. The main goal of our program is to achieve competitive greatness.”

For more on Adair, visit CoachesAid.com or pick up a copy of the 2010 edition of the Oklahoma High School Blitz, powered by Coaches Aid and Oklahoma Sports.