High school notebook: Fall media day Wednesday

The Oklahoman's annual Fall Sports Media Day is set for Wednesday at Bishop McGuinness High School.

The event will be held in the lobby of the gymnasium, beginning at 3:30 p.m. and ending at 7:30. The school is located at 801 Northwest 50th Street in Oklahoma City. Visitors are asked to enter from the Interstate 44 service road off Western Avenue.

Each Oklahoma City-area high school participating in football, fall baseball, volleyball, cross country and fastpitch softball is encouraged to bring athletes to meet The Oklahoman's high school coverage team for interviews, videos and photos that will be used throughout the upcoming season.

Newcastle looking for Thompson replacement

The big news in Oklahoma high school sports last season was quarterback Casey Thompson's move from Southmoore to Newcastle.

Thompson is now competing for playing time at the University of Texas this fall, which leaves Newcastle coach Jeff Brickman looking at two options for his replacement.

Sophomores Andrew Shumard and Chase Fox are in a closely contested race that Brickman said he expects to last into the season.

"Both have a lot of talent, and neither has separated themselves," Brickman said. "As of right now we'd play both of them and reassess each week."

Known for his no-huddle offenses, Brickman said so much of his offense relies on the quarterback knowing the system inside and out.

"We teach them the system and let them go," Brickman said. "A quarterback as talented as Casey was just an added bonus. But the two guys we have right now are just as talented as any others I've coached."

Minco managing expectations

Brock Wardlaw likes the reputation his team has earned.

Beginning his fourth season as the head man at Minco, Wardlaw has helped the Bulldogs reach 10 wins each season in Class A football.

Though only set to return six starters, coaches must believe enough in Wardlaw and Minco, as most still have them picked as a contender in Class A.

"Expectations are going to be high here," Wardlaw said. "When you are having success and doing things the right way, people recognize that. I think we've done that so far."

The Bulldogs are looking at new starters at both quarterback and running back. Wardlaw said junior Cavin Russell has looked great the first week of camp at quarterback, and senior Caiden Addington figures to get the bulk of carries at running back after scoring three touchdowns last season as the backup.

Wardlaw said he's cautioned his own players to ignore all preseason fodder.

"It doesn't mean nothing," he said. "You don't earn anything but a target for preseason rankings."

ADAM KEMP AND JACOB UNRUH, STAFF WRITERS