NOWATA FOOTBALL COUNTING ON VETERANS AND YOUTH TO BLEND TOGETHER IN COMPETITIVE MIX
Nowata High School’s Adrian O’Dell is expected to be the Ironmen starting quarterback this year.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
July 20, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Two of the biggest questions regarding area high school football in 2025 are: 1. Whether Nowata can power to its first winning record in nine seasons? 2. Whether the Ironmen can qualify for the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2015-16?
Admittedly, those could be ambitious goals for an Ironmen team that graduated several skilled veterans from last year’s team, including its three-year starting quarterback.
But Nowata still has plenty of solid pieces in place — and many talented and determined young talent ready to fill the vacancies and try to knit together a strong campaign.
“The biggest thing (in spring football) was getting the young guys some reps,” said veteran Ironmen head coach Chance Juby. “We’ve got quite a few young guys. … They’re going to have to step up and make big contributions.”
Near the top of the list is Adrian O’Dell, the designated first-year starting quarterback.
“He was a skill player last year, one of our receivers, and he started on both sides of the ball,” Juby said about the junior-to-be. “He responded well in spring ball. I thought team camp-wise he played the best I’ve ever seen him play. … I think he’ll be able to answer the call. He’s a gamer. The more you ask him to do the more he responds.”
Junior-to-be Davionn Downing is another returnee expected to carry a big load as a battle-tested running back and defensive stalwart.
“He got a lot of experience last year and he’s gotten a lot of reps,” Juby said.
One of the more familiar names back is another incoming junior, Asiah Saxton, another two-way warrior as a receiver and defensive back.
“We can lean on him on both sides of the ball and he can make big plays,” Juby said.
Senior to be Maliki Ornder has three years of varsity experience on the line, seeing time on both the defensive and offensive side.
Juby is looking for him to provide leadership for a young line that will include at least two freshmen and a sophomore.
Leadership by all the veterans will be crucial to Nowata’s fortunes, Juby said.
Regardless of the challenges, the overall expectations remain the same.
“That’s always the goal every year — to take a step forward,” Juby said. “They all understand our standards. I have full confidence in them.”
NOTE: O’Dell has been playing this summer with the Bartlesville Doenges Toyota Indians baseball team.