Rivals heading in same direction

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com

For the last two years, they’ve lined up against each other. Next year, they’re hoping to line up beside each other.

Lawton’s Cornelius Douglas and Lawton Eisenhower’s Harrison Jeffers both made it official today, signing with Texas Tech.

While the two may have been on different sides of a bitter rivalry, there was no such contempt from either one of them. In fact, their friendship dates back to elementary school where the two used to run track together as early as third grade.

Douglas took a detour to Norman during his junior high days before moving back to Lawton two years ago. Now his next move will be Lubbock.

“He gave me some business when I told him I’d be going to Tech, too,” Douglas said of Jeffers. “It’s really exciting because we know we won’t be alone.”

For Douglas, it’s a unique opportunity that he couldn’t pass up. While most teams were looking at the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder as a defensive back, the Red Raiders saw potential at wide receiver. That’s strange, said Douglas, because he never played the position in any organized football before.

There were no such questions about Jeffers. He was recruited as a running back and nothing has changed there. The senior led the Eagles with 1,093 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Just as important, he snagged 42 receptions for 489 yards.

“Coach (Mike) Leach has such a great attitude and a great football mind,” Jeffers said. “It’s such a fun offense to be a part of.”

The clincher came when Jeffers attended three Texas Tech games last fall and noticed the running back touched the ball 20-25 times a game. While the Red Raiders love to spread the field with a potent aerial attack, the running back has been a vital member to the receiving corps as well as being the primary running option.