A pair of aces named Adams are helping lead the way for Owasso football team

By Ross Lovelace 

Photo of Cole Adams courtesy of Cole Adams' Twitter page

Over the next few weeks, SBLive Oklahoma will break down high school football teams from the four largest classifications in the state in anticipation of the upcoming 2022 season. Here's our look at the Owasso Rams.

HEAD COACH

Bill Blankenship

2021 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 8-3

District record: 5-2, 3rd in District 6AI-2

Playoffs: Lost, 41-40, to Broken Arrow in the first round of the Class 6AI playoffs

PLAYERS TO WATCH

WR Cole Adams, 5-10, 175, Sr.

Adams is one of the top players in the entire state of Oklahoma, amassing 1,763 yards and 28 touchdowns over his career thus far.

In addition, the speedy receiver is one of the top rated recruits, too, recently committing to Nick Saban and Alabama. No matter who’s playing quarterback at Owasso next season, there’s a major security blanket somewhere on the field in Adams.

The local Oklahoma schools went after Adams, but couldn’t sway him from the Crimson Tide. While Adams will continue his career playing football at the highest level, he’s a talented track star, too. His track talent helps him on the football field, as he blows by the second level of the defense with his speed.

FS Jake Adams, 5-10, 175, Sr.

Adams is a machine on the defensive side of the ball for this Owasso squad. He’s been an anchor for this team over the course of the past few seasons. Adams racked up 98 tackles and 37 solo tackles last season, and showed command of the Rams secondary.

He seemed to generate timely turnovers on multiple occasions, including a pick-six in the Rams’ win against Norman North. Adams has a knack for the ball and is a great safety blanket for this team.

In addition to leading the defense, Adams is also the kicker for this Rams' team. He truly is a jack-of-all-trades, and is set up for a huge season at Owasso.

QB Mason Willingham, 6-2, 190, Sr.

Willingham’s recruitment is starting to heat up, and deservedly so. He’s expected to have a big year quarterbacking the Rams.

The talented signal-caller threw for 1,148 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, while taking care of the ball with just two interceptions. Willingham is a true dual-threat option, as he rushed for 329 yards and seven touchdowns, too.

So far this offseason, Willingham has already received offers from Central Oklahoma, Drake and Missouri Western. He could be one of the deciding factors for this Owasso squad, and how high their ceiling is.

OUTLOOK

While the team is young, there is serious talent across the board. The group lost experience, but is full of players ready to continue the school’s tradition and get right back to the playoffs.

Part of the reason the Rams will be able to do that is because of the type of player that Cole Adams is. He’s a unique talent that won’t be replicated any time soon for coach Bill Blankenship and the Rams. 

The Rams are sure to work the ball into Adams’ hands.

The duo of Willingham and Adams could be special this year, as the chemistry has been building for some time now. If those two can get on the same page early, it won’t be hard for the young guys to step up and fill big roles around the field.

Owasso may have the state's toughest schedule right out of the gate. The Rams open up on Aug. 25 in Tulsa against defending 6AII champion Bixby, carrying a current 49-game win streak.

Then on Sept. 2, the Rams go to Jenks to face the Trojans, the defending 6AI champs. The following week, Owasso travels to Broken Arrow in a rematch of a wild playoff game last season won by the Tigers.

COACH SAID

"I think (Cole Adams is) one of the best I’ve ever coached. He’s incredibly explosive. As a competitor, that’s probably the best thing he does, is he competes at a high, high level no matter where and when. He has elite speed and leaping ability. ... He’s not satisfied. And he loves to be coached." - Bill Blankenship