High schools: Norman North's Preston Couch, Redford Jones battling for punting job

While Couch played soccer with Jones when he was younger, he took a different route to punting.

He punted for his seventh-grade team at Alcott Middle School in Norman but hadn't given much thought to trying it again until Wade Standley took the Norman North job last year.

That's when one of his friends and teammates, Keaton Haney, encouraged him to give it another try.

“So I did and Coach Standley said, ‘OK,'” Couch said. “It all went well I guess.”

For Couch, who moved from linebacker to the offensive line this year, punting is one more route to get to where he wants to go — playing college football.

“It definitely can't hurt,” Couch said.

Having the duo helps an already-strong defense with field position and takes pressure off its offense, something quarterback Peyton Gavras alluded to after Norman North's first scrimmage, a win over Edmond Santa Fe.

Jones hit a 48-yarder in a game last season and this summer hit a 60-yard field goal at a kicking camp without the benefit of a tee.

“It's definitely great for the team,” Jones said. “I don't know if there's another team in the state with two guys like us.

“Coach feels confident I'm going to hit field goals and whoever the punter is, we're going to do a good job.”