Replacing Marco Nelson

The Glenpool Warriors have the nearly-impossible task of replacing one of the best running backs in the state.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:41 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Aug 13, 2010 5:45 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Warriors’ running backs have big shoes to fill. The unit has the task of replacing the departed Marco Nelson, who led Glenpool to two state titles and a 23-game winning streak.

“It won’t be the same. It’ll be different,” said Glenpool head coach Steve Edwards. “Marco’s a super talent.”

Nelson, now at the University of Tulsa, rushed for 1,324 yards as a senior on just 123 carries. His 10.8 yards per carry average was second in 4A among rushers with 100 carries or more. His experience and leadership will be tough to copy.

“You can’t. You just don’t,” said Edwards. “What he left behind was a legacy of hard work and leadership.”

Nelson scored 17 touchdowns on the ground in 2009. His 23 total scores were tied for second in the class, behind Star Spencer’s Darwin Rideau (24). The Warriors know using multiple running backs in 2010 will help get them close to those numbers again.

“Those kind of guys you don’t replace,” said Edwards. “Hopefully he set a standard and a legacy that these other guys can live up to.”