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Wildcats aim to keep opponents guessing with triple option

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  • Dibbon Marris • The Madill Record Madill quarterback Asa Robertson scrambles on a play last season at Bethany. Robertson is back leading the Wildcat offense for the 2019 season. The team will once again relay on Robertson’s playmking ability to run their triple option.
    Dibbon Marris • The Madill Record Madill quarterback Asa Robertson scrambles on a play last season at Bethany. Robertson is back leading the Wildcat offense for the 2019 season. The team will once again relay on Robertson’s playmking ability to run their triple option.
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Sometimes different is best. Or at least that is the philosophy of the runoriented Madill Wildcats and their coach Todd Vargas.

As he begins, his second year at the helm of the Madill Wildcats, Vargas is fully aware that his team offensive style is unique.

“It’s an anomaly today; the flexbone [or triple option],” he said. “It’s tough to prepare for. People have to play responsible against us. Or that option can exploit some things.”

Vargas said the Wildcat offense and his coaching staff look for whatever the opposing defense gives them.

“We gotta be able to take the dive, the quarterback run and take the pitch,” he said. “We try to look at how people are playing and scheming us and try to give our kids the best advantage over that.”

Vargas said running the flexbone or triple can be a bit like playing a game of poker.

“We have to call the right plays at the right times and put our kids in the best postion to be successful,” he said. “So it puts a lot of responsibility on the coaches. But the thing is we have a great coaching staff on both sides of the ball. I fully belive in these guys and their ability to coach these kids.”

Madill offensive coordinator Shawn McClellan said the offense looks similar to what is run by the service academy collegiate teams.

“Army, Navy and Air Force do a variation of it,” he said. “It’s all a little bit different but the same concept.”

McClellan it is a style of play that fits Madill as a team.

“It’s what we like to do,” he said.

McClellan said the Wildcats offense doesn’t look for particular thing to expose on opposing defenses.

“We just look to run it,” he said. “We just make them deal with it. It’s all about flow. As a staff, we’ll collaborate together, and whatever the tempo of the game is going. All games are different. Whatever us as a staff decides is the best tempo to attack the game.

McClellan said the triple option doesn’t focus on one player getting a majority of touches.

“Our skill players are just phenomenal,” he said. “We spread it around and get the ball in everybody’s hands. And really the defense dictates that. You know, our triple option attack, we use what the defense gives us. We let them dictate who gets the ball.”

McClellan said the Wildcats know they play in a tough district, but don’t focus on their opponents.

“We play good teams,” he said. “We’ve gotten a lot better ourselves. Our kids are real hungry. They bring a lot of energy to the table. All we focus on everyday is ourselves. Getting better ourselves. We don’t focus on other people. We try to stay humble and tell our kids to do the same.”

There are eight returning starters on offense, McClellan said.

“We’re senior-heavy,” he said. “We’re led by a bunch of seniors. Up front we’ve gotten a lot bigger and stronger. Bring all but one starter back on the offensive line.

“All of our seniors are really good leaders. They’re really easy to coach. They make coaches’ job really easy. They’re smart and courteous of each other. They love each other and they’re very humble kids. They listen very well.”

Starting senior quarterback Asa Robertson said the team knows each week will be challenging.

“The defense throws different things at you each week,” he said. “I love reading the defense. I love how explosive the offense can be.