Maroons Football 2025: Coach Odom Prepares Team for a Season Built on Heart, Toughness, and Community

August 28, 2025

As the Friday night lights prepare to shine once again over Blackwell, head coach Marques Odom and the Maroons are charging into the 2025 season with high hopes, sharpened skills, and a deep sense of purpose.

For Odom, now entering another year at the helm of Blackwell football, success this season is about far more than wins and losses.

“The overall expectation of the season is to help these young men grow and improve in the game of football,” Odom said. “But more importantly, it’s about helping them deal with different situations in life that will make them better men in the future.”

Building Strength, Speed, and Smarts

The offseason was anything but idle for the Maroons. From weight training to film study, the focus has been on getting stronger, faster, and more football-savvy.

“We’ve worked to perfect our craft,” Odom explained. “Our players have put in the time to become more successful on the field, and it shows.”

Heading into the first game, Odom said he feels confident in his team’s preparation. “The boys come ready to work every day,” he said. “They’re learning the scheme, sharpening their skills, and building the chemistry we need to be at our best on both sides of the ball.”

A Hard-Nosed Identity

After battling through ups and downs last season, Odom made it clear that this year’s squad has emphasized fundamentals and grit.

“We’ve placed a big emphasis on blocking, tackling, and mental toughness,” he said. “Those were areas that held us back last year. We want to be the most disciplined and physical team every time we step on the field.”

Odom describes this group of Maroons as “coachable, hardworking, and scrappy.”

“They play for one another. They don’t quit. They’re stronger, faster, and they always have each other’s backs,” he said. “That competitive fire is what sets them apart.”

Lofty Goals, Clear Vision

When it comes to goals, Odom and his team aren’t shy about aiming high. The Maroons have broken down their objectives into four categories: team, offense, defense, and special teams.

Team goals: be the best-conditioned and most disciplined squad on the field, limit penalties, play physical football, earn a winning record, make the playoffs, and ultimately—compete for a state championship.

Offense: average 300 yards per game, create five explosive plays per contest, eliminate turnovers, and finish every drive with a kick.

Defense: hold opponents under 200 yards, allow no more than 14 points per game, and force three turnovers a night.

Special Teams: avoid penalties, never surrender a touchdown, and find the end zone on at least one kick or punt return this season.

“Every phase of the game matters,” Odom said. “If we can execute in all three, we’ll be where we want to be.”

Faith, Family, and Community

Odom knows adversity will come, but he believes the key is staying grounded. “The key to handling tough times is keeping the faith, trusting the process, and pouring confidence and love into the team,” he said.

That resilience is fueled in no small part by the people filling the stands each week.

“The support from fans, families, and the school has been impeccable,” Odom said. “We have a saying on the team: It’s bigger than me. This community and administration set the standard. Their energy motivates our players every Friday night.”

Building the Future

For Odom, the future of Maroon football doesn’t just begin under the stadium lights—it begins in youth and middle school programs.

“You build a program from the ground up,” he said. “That starts with passionate coaches teaching fundamentals and helping young athletes fall in love with the game. We’ve also worked to connect our high school playbook with the lower levels so players enter ready and confident.”

That continuity, Odom believes, will keep athletes engaged and strengthen the Maroon tradition for years to come.

Defining Success

So what will success look like for Blackwell in 2025? For Odom, it’s simple.

“A successful season starts with staying healthy,” he said. “From there, it’s about finishing with a winning record, making the playoffs, and protecting our house with six home games this year. We want this community to be proud of us.”

A Message to the Fans

As kickoff nears, Odom had one final message for Maroon Nation:

“Your support means everything to us,” he said. “Every cheer, every Friday night, gives these young men the energy to keep fighting. This team is built on heart, toughness, and community pride, and we can’t wait to make you proud this season.”

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