QBs teaming up for 76th Oil Bowl
Hutchinson, Paul playing on West team
By Zach Duncan
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Munday’s Dee Paul and Stamford’s Hagen Hutchinson were Class A’s two most dynamic quarterbacks this past fall, leading their teams to state titles.
Now they’ll be teammates Saturday night in the 76th Oil Bowl.
Hutchinson, who signed with Midwestern State, was added to the West Texas roster Tuesday morning, providing another well- known regional name to the all-star game.
Hutchinson was scheduled to play in last week’s Big Country FCA Myrle Greathouse All-Star Classic in Abilene, but the Bulldogs advanced to the Class A state title game in baseball, shelving his football plans.
The Munday coaches had tried talking Hutchinson into coming to the allstar game at Memorial Stadium, where his college career will continue with the Mustangs. On Tuesday, Hutchinson’s dad — Stamford coach Wayne Hutchinson— inquired if the West team still needed players.
“It’ll be exciting to have both those kids in the same backfield and do some interesting things,” said Munday’s Patrick Corcoran, who is the West Texas offensive coordinator.
Hutchinson’s and Paul’s numbers from their senior seasons are staggering when combined. They totaled 3,596 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns, plus 4,614 passing yards and 68 scores.
Paul will play cornerback and return kicks at Texas Tech, but he is going to be the West’s primary quarterback this week. In fact, the Red Raiders only released Paul to play in this game because Munday’s Corcoran and Ronny Lowrance are coaching in it.
Now with both dynamic playmakers, Corcoran said he’ll become more creative in trying to get both on the field at the same time.
“We can actually move Dee around and play some tailback. Play some wide receiver, too,” Corcoran said. “It’ll be nice to watch both of them play one more time in the type of high school game like this. We’ll try to let them both shine in the ways that they can.”
OIL BOWL NOTES
■ Hutchinson isn’t the only Midwestern State quarterback playing in the Oil Bowl. The East Texas quarterbacks will be Cleburne’s Quade Coward (Midwestern State) and Coppell’s Colby Mahon (Central Arkansas).
■ Three local players were among the handful of last-minute roster additions.
Rider defensive back D.J. Arnold (Abilene Christian) has been added to the East squad. He’ll be on the opposite sideline as ex-Raider teammate Brodey West. Munday’s Tyrone Dockins was also recently selected.
Graham safety Jerrod Mahan is also going to be playing in the Oil Bowl after earning Defensive MVP honors at last week’s all-star game in Abilene. Mahan had a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown in that 27-14 North win.
■ Tickets are on sale now for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. Oil Bowl. They can be purchased at the Maskat Shrine or by calling 940-766-4511. General admission is $10 and reserved seating is $15.
Tickets for the Oil Bowl Banquet, held 7 p.m. Friday at the Masket Shrine (5101 Henry S. Grace Freeway), are also on sale for $15.