Bixby's Brown down, Spartan spirit still up

By Kyle Dierking, NewsOn6.com

BIXBY, Okla. -- What can Brown do for you? Bixby's big blocking tight end Greg Brown put up good numbers on both sides of the ball last year. Now, a shoulder injury could sideline the senior for up to half the season.

"We've had to face the reality, but we also know we have to go on," said Bixby coach Pat McGrew. "If you want to be a good team, somebody's going to have to step up and take his place. You don't want to try and be a Greg Brown. You just want to do the best they can do."

Now the question is what can you do without Brown?

"It's obviously a big blow to us," McGrew said. "Not only because of his ability on the football field, but his ability as a leader."

"Me and the other receivers since he's gone for a while," said senior Matthew Youngwirth. "We just hope he gets back as soon as he can."

"We have to fill that spot with mainly blocking considering how much we run," said senior Chris Miller."

The Gold Ball's been in Bixby's reach with state title game appearances in 2005 and 2007. Now, the Spartans are hoping to deliver a championship.

"You tell the kids to work hard and they want to get back to have another chance at it," McGrew said.

"We've been there twice in the last three years and were looking to take it this year," Youngwirth said.