By ERIC VICCARO

sports@bowienewsonline.com

As part of the effort to turn the Maskat Shrine Oil Bowl into a hyper-local event, football game organizers have selected area coaches.
Bowie High School’s Dylan Stark and Brian Hodnett from Jacksboro are just two of the men who will be making their first appearance as coaches in the Oil Bowl, which is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium.
“It’s a great honor when you look at the history and tradition of the game,” Stark said. “I am grateful.”
Stark has guided Bowie to back-to-back 6-6 seasons, which included bi-district championships in both years. He coached the Jackrabbits to a school-record point total during the 2015 season.
Stark said City View’s Rudy Hawkins will serve as the head coach of the East squad. Stark will be the offensive coordinator.
Stark also reported Cody Patton, the former Holliday and current Tioga coach, will serve as the defensive coordinator.
As one of the lead coaches in the game, Stark will be able to select a Bowie assistant coach to join him on the East – but he hasn’t made that determination yet.
There will be a few rules changes in the game to protect player safety.
For example, defenses only will be able to rush defensive linemen, so linebackers and defensive backs won’t blitz. Punts will be returned; but, punters and kickers won’t face a rush.
Stark said the process of recruiting for the game is underway. Letters of interest have been mailed out to prospective players, but names won’t be released for several weeks. Read more in the Jan. 18 Bowie News.

Bowie High School head football coach Dylan Stark will make his Oil Bowl debut as a coach this June. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)