Even though Norman North was expected to be good this year, some might be periodically taken aback by how far the Timberwolves have come.

A perennial Class 6A doormat, North is now one of the best teams in the state. The T-Wolves sit at No. 5 in the Associated Press prep poll, the highest ranked team in the western half of the state.

Although it seems North’s time has finally come, coach Lance Manning thought it would happen earlier.

“To be honest, I did expect it earlier,” Manning said. “As a coach, you’re impatient. I told the guys when I first got here that we’d have success right away.”

It didn’t quite happen. In his first season, the Timberwolves struggled to a 1-9 mark. Last year was the breakthrough: a 6-6 record produced by a late-season surge and a trip to the playoffs that included a first-round win over crosstown rival Norman High.

The Timberwolves are rolling. After two blowout victories at Westmoore and Edmond Santa Fe, North is 3-1 overall and 1-0 in District 6A-1. It has an excellent shot at improving to 2-0 when it hosts a 1-3 Putnam City West team tonight at Harve Collins Field.

The Patriots have a new coach in John Jensen, who has brought a new philosophy. No longer do the Patriots uses the popular spread offense. Instead, Putnam West has employed the old Wing-T.

It’s similar to what Air Force uses: double slots, lot’s of misdirection and deception.

“It looks kind of like a rugby scrum,” Manning said. “You definitely need to be sound on defense. It will test our discipline.”

Quarterback Bryce Stout leads the attack and Daniel Farrow is the top rusher. But the Timberwolves are allowing just 79.3 yards per game on the ground. The linebacking core has been especially stout. Beau Traber is second in the state with 60 tackles and Nick Canavan is fourth with 53.

But the T-Wolves have yet to face an offense quite like this.

“It’s new for them and they’re going through a growth period,” Manning said of the Patriots. “But I think they are doing a good job.

“From watching the tape, they play hard. I know they are a team that is hungry for wins and I know they will be ready to play. Without a doubt we’re going to have to execute and execute early.”

Scott Moore

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