Take a look at Oklahoma Bible Academy lineman Jonathan Sturgeon and you’ll see he resembles David more than the Goliaths he goes head-to-head against with the Trojans.

Not surprisingly, he draws inspiration from biblical heroes such as David who overcame the odds to slay Goliath.

“There were a lot of men in the Bible who were Christians and believed in the faith who have done great and miraculous things, toughness wise and strength wise,’’ Sturgeon said.

“I definitely think the harder I play and the tougher I play, the more I can glorify God by playing up to the best of my ability.’’

Sturgeon plans to follow his father, the associate pastor at World Harvest Church and his grandfather, an evangelist, into the ministry.

He will attend Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow with aspirations of being a youth minister.

Sturgeon smashes the stereotype of a preacher’s kid being out-of-control.

“He’s a super kid,’’ said OBA coach Todd Kuykendall.

“A lot of people say it’s tough (being a minister’s son),’’ Sturgeon said, “but it’s a lifestyle that I couldn’t imagine living any other way. I do my part in church every Sunday to build a personal relationship with God.’’

Sturgeon, Kuykendall said, is the team’s most improved player. That’s saying something for a team that has gone from being 8-22 the last three years to 10-1 with a second-round date at Cordell tonight.

“A lot of it was just working hard in the weight room this summer,’’ Sturgeon said. “I can tell a big difference from the way I played from last year to this year.’’

Sturgeon’s technique, Kuykendall said, is what separates him from a lot of linemen. Sturgeon had to learn quickly when he started as a freshman.

“He learned some survivor skills,’’ Kuykendall said. “He’s certainly paid his dues.’’

“When you’re down in size, you got to make up for it with speed and heart,’’ Sturgeon said. “That’s what you play the game with.’’

Sturgeon’s heart for the game showed in his first two seasons when the Trojans had back-to-back 2-8 seasons. OBA often suited up less than 20 players for a game.

“It’s a lot nicer being 10-1,’’ Sturgeon said. “It was really tough, but it really showed the character of the players who stayed around and showed up for practice every day knowing it was going to be tough.’’

OBA’s defense has gone from giving up 277 points last season to only 84 in 2009, including a 7-0 shutout of Oklahoma Christian School last week.

“I made a goal for myself of playing the best I can every game and letting the scoreboard work everything out,’’ Sturgeon said. “We had a lot of guys step up. You saw a lot of guys here in the summer and off-season working. That’s what set us apart from teams here in the past. We’re stronger and faster.’’

OBA will need that quickness to try to slow Cordell quarterback Trey Waldrop, who has thrown for 2,254 yards and 27 touchdowns.

“I notice on film that they have had their most success when he flushes the pocket,’’ Sturgeon said. “Our main goal is to give him pressure, but keep him in the pocket. It’s going to be a challenge for me to get back there as much as I can.’’

Sturgeon says 2009 been ideal one to end his career with.

“But I don’t want to go out Friday night,’’ he said. “I would definitely like to play Hennessey again in the finals. We don’t go to a game expecting to lose. We always try to win.’’