Is Duncan's experience stronger than deja vu?

By Zach West
zwest@oklahoman.com 

While Class 5A’s No. 7 Duncan (4-1, 2-0) is off to its best start in 10 years, coach Jim Holloway isn’t getting caught up in the hype. Heading into the Demons’ crucial match-up with Lawton MacArthur — the winner will take sole possession of first place in the brutal 5A-1 — Holloway is realistic. After all, he’s seen this before.

Just last year, in fact, the Demons were 2-0 in district heading into the Lawton MacArthur game, where they lost 13-7 after officials ruled a last-second fumble recovery came up just short of the goal line. The next week, the Demons lost two key players to injury, and the season snowballed from there to a 4-6 finish, with Duncan missing the playoffs.

But while Holloway knows just how fast things can go south, he also has confidence that this year’s team — with 18 returning starters — has the fortitude and experience to withstand adversity.

“This is a whole different football team on the field this year than what it was last year,” Holloway said. “These kids know how to practice. Three to four of these kids have started every game since (they were) sophomores. Let me tell you — that’s huge. It’s like redshirt seniors on the college level. They bring so much experience.”

That experience helped the Demons stay within striking distance of No. 1-ranked Carl Albert a year after being blown out 50-7 by the Titans. It also helped them hold off fellow upstart Western Heights on Friday night.