Guthrie’s Foster praises Shawnee’s Davis
By Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Guthrie wide receiver Donte Foster had kind words for Shawnee star Brett Davis on Tuesday.
Both teams’ defenses will have to find a way to slow down the opposing offense. Both offense are very high-powered and star-studded.
“We’ve got to contain Brett Davis and Brayle Brown when we’re on defense,” Foster said. “We know that Davis can take over a game at any time. In my opinion, he’s the number one player in the state right now.”
That’s a pretty big compliment for Davis from Foster, who has put up unbelievable numbers this year. Through seven games, Foster has 575 yards and eight touchdowns receiving to go with an average of over 16 yards per catch.
Indians geared up for Centennial…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Little Axe head coach Tony Smith wouldn’t say it, but Thursday’s game vs. Centennial at Star Spencer is as close to a must-win game as possible.
Right now, the Indians are 1-3 District 2A-2 and 3-4 overall. The Bison,
Little Axe is coming off as tough a loss as possible, a 7-6 defeat at
Ouch.
But Smith said there are so many positives from that loss, namely the fact that
“That tells the kids they’re close.”
Smith said the boys are starting to play up to their potential.
Little Axe is being led by sophomore RBs Robbie Dryden and Dustin Hawkins. The two are complementing each other well, said Smith.
When throwing the ball, the man to look for Brandon Cox. He’s a TE by program position only. He’s a versatile kid who can be split out wide and can do a variety of things.
After playing Millwood, Little Axe was beat up a few weeks ago. But now, Smith said the boys are getting healthy.
He’s worried about Centennial’s athleticism and elusiveness. But if the Indians are going to have any chance of making the postseason, a huge road win is needed Thursday.
Santa Fe not looking past Lawton
By Matt Patterson
Class 6A No. 7 ranked Edmond Santa Fe hits the HE Bailey Turnpike for a game with Lawton at Cameron Stadium. The Wolverines aren’t ranked and are 4-3 so far this season, but that doesn’t mean the Wolves are looking past what has been a traditionally tough foe toward a showdown with Norman North next week.
“We can’t slip up right now,” Santa Fe coach Dan Cocannouer said. “We lose a game and there’s a chance we can’t play at home in the first round. Mustang beating Norman North put them in the drivers seat. It’s going to be hard for them to get beat so now everyone is fighting for second place.”
Santa Fe has lost to Lawton 2 of the last 3 seasons, including last year.
Douglass faces tall task with Weatherford’s Sawatzky
By Matt Patterson
mpatterson@opubco.com
When Class 4A No. 9 Douglass visits Weatherford, their task on defense will be simple — control Weatherford running back Kale Sawatzky who has 700 yards on the ground and five touchdowns this season.
“He’s a darn good football player, probably one of the best we’ve seen,” Douglass coach Willis Alexander said. “I’d put him in the same class as the kids at Star Spencer. He’s big, strong and fast and they do a great job of getting the football to him. We have to tackle, we have to get off them and tackle.” Douglass has plenty of weapons of its own including receiver Destin Stewart and running back Cortez Threat who had 135 yards against McGuinness last week.
Wrapping up softball…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Sometimes you get lucky, other times you get burned. In no way, shape or form did I really care who won the Class 5A and 6A softball championships. But it just so happened I knew a lot more about both Shawnee and Westmoore than Lawton Mac and Broken Arrow.
So when the Highlanders won their first and the Tigers won their 10th title, well, I had a couple of good stories that will have to be kept in my back pocket.
First off, how good was Shawnee’s Ashley Brokeshoulder? It wasn’t inconceivable to believe we were about to see 7-inning, 21 K outing. Lawton Mac freshman Brooke Zukerman got ahold of one and put it over the left field wall. It happens.
Shawnee had its chances but just couldn’t execute. The problem for the Wolves the last couple of seasons have been errors and not getting that big hit. Well, the demons showed their ugly faces once again.
I was really impressed with Shawnee junior Sidni Boyer. She’s come a long way since when I would cover the team on a day-to-day basis. She should since she was only a freshman ‘n all but still. She’ll be a major player next year.
And the award for most subdued celebration goes to Mac pitcher Amanda McClelland. You would have thought the Highlanders just won a Tuesday regular season game or something. I thought it was funny.
Congrats to coach Dennis Furr and the Lawton Mac girls on the 2-1 win.
In 6A, I wondered aloud how much Quintero had left after that instant classic (if there is such a thing in HS softball) vs. Choctaw. But after talking to Broken Arrow after the game, I don’t think it would have mattered.
The Tigers came in with a plan. A solid, almost fool-proof plan to attack Quintero. They did. Stephanie Brewer started it, Chelsea Lyon pitched in and Megan Sullivan ended. Each had HRs for the Tigers in the 6-2 win.
Westmoore had defeated Broken Arrow, 1-0, in nine innings earlier in the season. Lyon said Quintero had a nasty change-up, so that’s what the girls worked on. Job well done, ladies.
Jaguars showed fight and narrowed it to 4-2, but the damage was done. I don’t even think it was WM rejoicing too much from the Choctaw game. I think it was just a physically and emotionally draining game against Kalynn Schrock and the Yellowjackets.
While it’s great Cox 7 was there for the game for exposure for the girls, I think it threw off the rhythm of all four teams having to wait around to be told to play. Both games had good time, but I didn’t get out of there until about 6:30, which is ridiculous.
The 1 p.m. game started 10 minutes late (who knows why), and the 6A game didn’t start until 3:50. Disrupting the rhythm of a pitcher would be the worst reason to lose. I’m not saying it had an impact on any of the four hurlers, but if it did, that sucks.
Both the championships will be shown on Fox Sports in November.
Other observations: I don’t care if it’s not in the school colors or not, Lawton Mac’s black jerseys rocked the house…Broken Arrow is the Moore champion, having defeated Moore and Westmoore en route to the crown…Can someone explain to me how the bond between El Reno and Lawton Mac started? That was weird. It’s not like they’re local rivals, but the Indians were out in full force for the championship…That Muskogee girl who turned “I’m Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood to a Muskogee team song was awesome. I didn’t know if I should start laughing or joining in…Taylor Deweberry of McAlester will make sure the Buffs are back the next couple of years. She’s special.
Well, that’ll about do it. Now it’s time for the real dilemma, who are my Big and Little All-City players of the year? I think I know who on both counts, but I want some confirmation. Great two weekends, almost sad I won’t be out there again this week.
Douglass comes up short
Douglass coach Willis Alexander brought up an interesting point today. The Trojans have lost 2 games at the goal line this season. The first came at Star Spencer when the Bobcats intercepted a Trojan pass when it seemed like Douglass was about to go in for what would have been the wining score. The second was Friday against McGuinness when QB Antyoun Smith was stopped short on a sneak play at the goal line.
“We need to learn how to make plays at the end of the game when it matters,” coach Willis Alexander said. “But nobody is over here getting crazy or losing their minds over it.”
Prep football: Weighing in on MWC
Edmond Santa Fe coach Dan Cocannouer has seen his share of good teams in his 24 years of coaching but one thing he and the rest of the coaches around the state are trying to get a handle on is just how good are the Bombers.
“I’ve seen them on film and they’ve got a lot of speed,” Cocannouer said.
But like a lot of people, he wonders how good MWC would be if they played in a tougher district. 6A-2 is down this year with only three teams posting winning records through seven games. In contrast, 6A-1, where Santa Fe plays, has six teams who are 5-2 or better.
“I think if they were over here they’d be fighting for their life like the rest of us,” he said. “I don’t think they’ve had anyone challenge them. We know they’re a very good team, but until you get tested you never know how good .We’ve been in that position over here before.”
Shawnee at Guthrie — series history
By Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Shawnee and Guthrie will square off Friday at Guthrie’s Jelsma Stadium in a key District 5A-2 battle. Throughout this week, I will have posts on the game.
For today, I will look at the series history between these two teams.
1971: Shawnee, 35-18
1986: Shawnee, 9-6 (OT)
1987: Shawnee, 36-20
1988: Shawnee, 7-6
1989: Guthrie, 34-14
1990: Guthrie, 40-13
1991: Shawnee, 25-6
1992: Shawnee, 24-12
1993: Guthrie, 14-7
1994: Shawnee, 34-12
1995: Shawnee, 6-5
1996: Guthrie, 22-6
1997: Shawnee, 21-12
1998: Shawnee, 14-12
1999: Shawnee, 23-7
2000: Guthrie, 21-15
2001: Shawnee, 10-7
2002: Shawnee, 25-14
2003: Shawnee, 28-22
2004: Guthrie, 21-7
2005: Shawnee, 35-7
2006: Guthrie, 19-7
2007: Guthrie, 42-10
2007: Guthrie, 61-34 (playoffs)
Overall series: Shawnee leads, 15-9
Longest Shawnee win streak: 4 (1971, 1986-88)
Longest Guthrie win streak: 3 (2006-present)
Current streak: Guthrie, 3
Playoff games: 1 in 2007 (Guthrie won, 61-34)
Overtime games: 1 in 1986 (Shawnee won, 9-6)
Week 7 Player of the Week candidates
By Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
To nominate someone for The Oklahoman‘s high school football player of the week, leave a comment on this post. Here are some early candidates:
Shane Leiter, RB, Bridge Creek: Leiter had 26 carries for 300 yards, and also caught three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown in Bridge Creek’s 34-20 win over Hobart.
Randy Ponder, RB, Edmond Santa Fe: Ponder had 125 yards rushing on 24 carries and three touchdowns in Edmond Santa Fe’s 42-14 win over Putnam City North.
Travis Bish, WR, Hobart: Bish had six catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns in Hobart’s 34-20 loss to Bridge Creek.
Ronnell Lewis, RB, Dewar: Lewis, an OU commit, touched the ball five times, and scored five touchdowns. Three were rushing, one was an interception return and one was a punt return.
Darren Madden, QB, Washington: Madden was 15-of-19 for 228 yards and a touchdown in Washington’s 42-7 win over Crooked Oak.
Michael Coats, WR, Bethany: Coats, a senior, caught four passes for 121 yards and four touchdowns in Bethany’s 41-14 win over Dickson.
Chris Potter, QB, Community Christian: Potter completed 28 of 39 passes for 506 yards and seven touchdowns in a 72-66 loss to Destiny Christian.
Arthur Mahoney, RB, Destiny Christian: Mahoney rushed 34 times for 352 yards and five touchdowns in a 72-66 win over Community Christian. Mahoney set a school season rushing record in the effort.
Matt Mitchell, RB, Sallisaw: Mitchell, a senior, ran 27 times for 256 yards and four touchdowns in Sallisaw’s 31-7 win over Poteau.
Tyler Pelzer, RB, Cement: Pelzer had 34 carries for 224 yards and three touchdowns in Cement’s 52-22 loss to Victory Life. He also had 10 tackles.
That’s why I love softball…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Every now and then, someone will ask me why I love boxing. Then a fight like Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo will come along. And I just say: That’s why I love boxing.
Well, the same can be said for softball Friday. After watching Westmoore pitcher Kaci Quintero and Choctaw pitcher Kalynn Schrock duke it out for 13 innings…that’s why I love softball. Westmoore won, 1-0.
I went into the game thinking the Jaguars would have a little difficulty with Schrock. Kalynn is one of the best in the state, but I thought some combo of Breyonna Phillips or Tiffanie Knox or Quintero would manage to scrounge a run.
It wasn’t so…well, at least for a LONG time.
I didn’t get to the game until the sixth inning. I was watching Shawnee and El Reno to try to see who would win that one (El Reno did, but then Shawnee won the second game).
But I knew it was the makings of something great when I looked at both team’s fences. They were absolutely littered with paper K’s for every strikeout the two had.
When it was all said and done, I had Schrock for 25 and Quintero for 23. If I’m wrong, I apologize, but that’s what I got when I added them up.
I had never noticed it before (and tells you how much I look at the program), but Quintero bats left and throws right. Schrock does both left. And they were matching each other pitch for pitch.
Both teams had some golden opportunities to bring a runner home, but as is the case with all great pitchers, that’s when Quintero and Schrock threw their best stuff.
It’s horrible that the game had to end on an error by Choctaw to score Knox for the Jags. And I don’t know if Schrock realizes it now, but that was one for the ages. Put that in a capsule and save it. Or better, send it to any college coach and wait for the scholarship offer.
Westmoore coach Steve Schwarz said after that it was the best pitchers’ duel he’s ever seen. I’m not the oldest guy on the block, but I’m inclined to agree with that so far. It was sensational.
And you know what else? Had Choctaw won, the two teams would have to meet one more time, and all bets would have been off for that one.
Quintero’s job is not done. She’s thrown 28 scoreless innings so far at the state tournament and was still smiling after the game. Ice that arm, and she’ll be back out there. And so will I to conclude two great weekends of softball.
For the record, I said Westmoore and Lawton Mac were going to win the championships. They may not win ‘em, but I want at least a half point for both making it to the finals.
Lawton MacArthur (Amanda McClelland) vs. Shawnee (Ashley Brokeshoulder), Class 5A final, 1 p.m.; Westmoore (Quintero) vs. Broken Arrow (Chelsea Lyon), Class 6A final, 3 p.m. I’m guessing on the pitchers, but I think it’s a safe assumption.
