Coach: BARRET RICHARDSON 
Last 7 Years:
2020 – 2-9

2019 – 0-9

2018 – 7-4

2017 – 6-5

2016 – 4-7

2015 – 3-7

2014 – 6-4

OFFENSE

The Oilers look to show drastic improvement compared to the 2020 football season. With almost an entire team returning to the field, the team is ready. “Players are excited for the season with a good core of seniors leading the team. With a solid group of sophomores and some juniors in the mix, our team is poised to have a great year,” head coach Barret Richardson said. Coach Richardson is entering his ninth year at Merritt and brings back Heath Stehr and Kale Hixon as his assistant coaches. Some players that return that have proved themselves as vital players for the Oilers are quarterback Hagen Justus (6-0, 160, Sr.), running back Zack Carr (5-8, 165, Sr.), wide receivers Coy Carnes (6-0, 155, Sr.) and Caleb Compton (6-0, 170, So.), and offensive lineman Jayce Hamilton (6-6, 285, Sr.). Carr has the potential to have a breakout season and will be a player fans will love to watch and opposing teams will have to prepare for. The Oilers will run a spread based offense, looking to run the ball whenever they can. 

DEFENSE

Expect to see some familiar faces on defense, where the Oilers bring back nine starters from last year. With Carr back at linebacker, Carnes back at cornerback, and Justus sticking to free safety, other players to watch are defensive linemen Raydon Cordell (6-2, 220, So.) and Rex Campbell (6-2, 240, Sr.). Merritt plans on running a 3-4 base defensive formation, looking to play aggressive. With such a young team last season, the Oilers look to improve their defense using their field experience. In 2020, the Oilers gave up nearly 32 points per game and expect that number to drop a lot in the upcoming season. 

Schedule:

9-3 – vs. Mangum

9-11 – at OCA

9-17 – at Hinton

9-24 – vs. Hooker

10-1 – at Texhoma

10-8 – vs. Sayre

10-14 – vs. Mooreland

10-22 – at Thomas

10-29 – at Fairview

11-5 – vs. BFDC