Southmoore's Drew Nickell out for the season

BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com

Southmoore senior lineman Drew Nickell will miss the season after suffering fractures in his left leg and ankle in Friday’s scrimmage against Edmond North.

The injury will require surgery.

SaberCats coach Jeff Brickman said the team would wear helmet stickers in Nickell’s honor this year.

“We don’t have a whole lot of guys that play both ways but he’s one of them because of the work ethic that he brings every day,” Brickman said. “He’s the guy all summer that’s been there and the kids respect him so much because of what he does.”

Brickman said Nickell was as positive as possible following the news.

“He’s never down,” Brickman said. “He’s always an upbeat type of kid. He just said these things happen.”

The loss will affect Southmoore much more on the offensive side, where Nickell played full time.

Senior Jake Spradling, who was at left guard, will move to right tackle to take Nickell’s spot, while junior Dakota Haynes will step into Spradling’s spot at left guard.

“We shouldn’t have that big of a drop-off there but we’ve got to hope no one else gets hurt,” Brickman said. “He felt pretty good about Haynes as a backup on the offensive line but there’s a bit of a drop-off after that.”