Westmoore sweeps top spots at Little Axe event
Westmoore’s Taylor Painter and Toby Bothwell each posted decisive victories at the Little Axe Invitational cross country meet on Thursday. Westmoore’s girls team, which is defending its 2009 Class 6A state championship, had five runners in the top seven. Painter ran the 2.8K course in 11:07, 13 seconds ahead of the field. Bothwell won by 14 seconds, posting a time of 12:04 on the 3.6K course.
Painter and Bothwell also were individual winners at Saturday’s Moore War Run, which is an open-to-the-public road race.
Putnam City schedule breakdown
With a new offense and a stalwart defense, hopes are high at Putnam City under first-year coach John Wofford. And after the Pirates’ Thursday night debut, they face a couple of familiar foes from the west side of the OKC metro, in PC North and Mustang before jumping into district play. Here’s a look at their schedule:
Sept. 3 vs. Choctaw: Modest opener for the program that hopes to climb the rankings this season.
Sept. 11 at Putnam North: Always a big rivalry game with so many familiar faces on the other side of the ball.
Sept. 18 at No. 9 Mustang: Like PC North, Mustang will provide a barometer for the Pirates’ progress in the new offense.
Sept. 25 at Westmoore: At the end of the year, this could turn out to be a meaningful game in the playoff race.
Oct. 2 vs. Lawton Eisenhower: Same as the Westmoore game.
Oct. 9 at Edmond North: Two good defenses going at it; also the Pirates’ last game away from PC Stadium.
Oct. 15 vs. Norman: The Tigers are better than last year’s 2-8 squad.
Oct. 22 vs. No. 3 Midwest City: The most athletic team PC will face.
Oct. 30 at Putnam West: Could be more than local pride riding on this one.
Nov. 6 vs. Edmond Memorial: The Bulldogs’ offensive playmakers will push the PC defense.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
PC North schedule breakdown
With new starters at several positions on both sides of the ball, Putnam City North will need the non-district schedule to get those players acclimated to varsity football at the Class 6A level. And the Panthers only have to play away from PC Stadium twice in the first six weeks. Here’s a look at the schedule:
Sept. 4 at Putnam West: Two teams with speed and experience in the skill positions.
Sept. 11 vs. Putnam City: First major test for the Panthers’ smaller-than-usual linemen.
Sept. 18 at Choctaw: Will Bob Wilson still be playing two QBs here?
Sept. 25 vs. Norman North: Stout district opener for two teams that could be playing for the same playoff slot.
Oct. 2 at No. 6 Southmoore: One of a few tough tests for the Panthers’ experienced secondary down the stretch.
Oct. 9 vs. Moore: Time to show how much the Panthers’ young offense learned in the first half of the season.
Oct. 15 at Edmond Santa Fe: The start of a challenging stretch run.
Oct. 23 vs. No. 9 Mustang: Strength meets strength in Mustang passing game, PC North DBs.
Oct. 30 at Lawton: Some serious jockeying for playoff spots in this one.
Nov. 5 vs. Del City: Eagles’ passing attack could have them near the top of the rankings by this point.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
PC West schedule breakdown
Coach John Jensen’s third year is showing positive results already, and now the Patriots hope those results will produce victories. They’ll need to take advantage of the home field. Some of the Pats’ toughest games come on the road. Here’s the breakdown:
Sept. 4 vs. Putnam North: Won’t overmatch the Pats with size on the lines like in years past.
Sept. 11 at Yukon: Winning or hanging close in an early season game like this would be a big boost.
Sept. 18 vs. Edmond Santa Fe: Catching the Wolves early in a rebuilding season.
Sept. 25 at Norman: The Pats have the athletes to match up with teams like Norman this year.
Oct. 1 vs. Edmond Memorial: PC West will have to avoid getting overpowered at the line of scrimmage.
Oct. 9 at Westmoore: A chance to show some progress against a 2008 playoff team.
Oct. 16 vs. Lawton Eisenhower: To climb the district ladder, the Patriots will need to start winning games like this.
Oct. 22 at No. 10 Edmond North: Another tough road test.
Oct. 30 vs. Putnam City: The only game between PC schools to be played later than Sept. 11.
Nov. 6 at No. 3 Midwest City: A brutal way to close the year, visiting perhaps the metro area’s most talented team.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
T-Wolves runners edged at end, still place high
Norman North cross country runners Danielle Riley and Dustin Barrier each placed third at Thursday’s Little Axe Invitational. And both of the runners just barely missed the runner-up spot.
Riley came in just two seconds behind Southmoore’s Ashley Spara, running the 2.8K course in 11:22. Meanwhile, Barrier, a junior, was a mere one-second behind runner-up Lucien Corriveau of Riverside. Barrier posted a time of 12:19 on the 3.6K course. Kyle Wardwell also placed in the top 10 for the Timberwolves, coming in fifth at 12:29.
Irish: Volleyball off to good start…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
There’s no question Bishop Kelley has been the best of the best in volleyball for Class 5A here lately.
But fellow chum and resident volleyball expert Scott Wright said the Comets might be in for a real challenge this season from Bishop McGuinness.
Guess we’re going to find out how good the Irish are Tuesday night when McGuinness plays at Kelley.
The Irish are 5-1 and have beaten a pair of top 6A teams in Stillwater and Putnam City. Their only loss is against No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe. Should be a fun one.
Week-by-Week in OKC: Best games to check out each week
All right, I wrote this morning on the top games each week across the state. But was thinking earlier about different groups of games. I’ve already posted what I think are the top All-City Athletic Conference Games each week (sticking mostly to city-area games). Here’s my pick for best games to watch in the city-area each week. So if you’re just a fan wanting a good game each week, give this schedule a whirl.
Week 1: Tulsa Washington at Carl Albert. A rematch of last season’s Class 5A state title game, and should be every bit as explosive this year, with Tulsa Washington’s Eric Bennett and Carl Albert’s Tre Porter among the season’s top recruits.
Week 2: Douglass at Millwood (Saturday). The Soul Bowl is always one of the most entertaining games around and this year will be no different with talent (and state championship hopes) overflowing both places.
If you’re really wanting a Friday game, check out El Reno and Guthrie. Tom Cobble did a fantastic jon helping turn around El Reno last season and the Indians should be really good again this year. Rafe Watkins always has Guthrie among Class 5A’s best. Or, if you’re just wanting to see one of the state’s best players in a game that might not be extremely competitive, check out Tulsa Central at Northeast. Central featured Demarco Cobbs, the state’s top overall player.
Week 3: Millwood at McGuinness. Yes, here the Falcons are for a second consecutive week but the non-district schedule the play makes for good games each of the first three weeks. The Falcons should be really good for a 2A team and the Irish should also be competitive at the top of 4A despite losing stars like Gabe Ikard and Ryan Randolph from last year’s team. RB LaRone Richardson and WR Sam Crabtree especially should be fun to watch.
Week 4: Southmoore at Del City. These could be the most improved teams in the state regardless of class. Del City made great strides late in the season last year but just missed a playoff berth. Southmoore was 2-8 last year but had talent, especially on offense. The SaberCats have added to that talent stable with several key move-ins. This game could last 3 1/2 hours.
Week 5: Heritage Hall at Kingfisher. This matchup features two of the top sophomores in the state in Heritage Hall’s Barry Sanders and Marc Robinson. The Chargers, the defending champions in 2A, won’t run over Kingfisher, though. The Yellowjackets were semifinalists last season and return 10 starters.
Week 6: Madill at Bethany. This should be a great game overall but its also a chance to catch some of the best players in the state in a rare trip to the city area. Kerry Robert’s Madill team has senior RB Darryl Fields, junior QB Spencer Bond in addition to a pretty good receiver in Roberts’ son.
Week 7: Double dip this week. Carl Albert at Guthrie (Thursday). This one is always a classic. Last season, Carl Albert snuck Daytawion Lowe onto the field wearing a different number in a play that wound up being a touchdown and wound up making a difference in the outcome. Who knows what craziness awaits this year.
Douglass at McGuinness (Friday). This one featured a wild ending last year that saw McGuinness come out ahead. Douglass has revenge on their minds already.
Week 8: Okeene at Hennessey. Sure, I could tell you to check out Norman North at Southmoore or Guthrie at Shawnee, but there’s a lot to be said for small-school football. Jeff Wardlaw does a great job with the Whippets and Hennessey has plenty of talent to challenge Okeene in this one.
Week 9: Edmond North at Edmond Memorial. This could (should?) be for the Edlam title. Kameron Doolittle is a fun player to watch for Memorial, as are Joe Aska and Qua’Don Henderson for Edmond North.
Week 10: Mustang at Southmoore. If you can make the drive, do it this week, checking out Star Spencer as they head to Glenpool in a game that figures to be for a district title. Otherwise, be perfectly content to stay in the city area and see another game that could face two teams battling for a district title. Southmoore figures to be loaded and Mustang, while losing a good number of starters from last year’s 12-1* team (*Yes, I know it’s 13-0, after considering Jenks’ forfeit), seems to always find a way to be really good.
By Ryan Aber
Twitter: @ryaber
OCS: Ready for Sulphur challenge…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
After scrimmaging the preseason No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A, Heritage Hall, No. 8 Sulphur should be no problem for Oklahoma Christian School, right?
That’s faulty logic, but coach Derek Turner definitely feels like his team is prepared for Friday night when Jim Dixon and Sulphur come to town. Part of that is because of how the team fared against Heritage.
Turner thought his defense played well against the Chargers. He said it’s always a strange situation when OCS and Heritage Hall get together.
There is a lot of familiarity among the teams and schools, but there is also that competitive drive for the programs.
Offensively, the Saints showed signs of brilliance and then signs of, well, not so much brilliance. Every team goes through it.
The biggest thing has been getting the snap back to Jack Warren. It’s only natural with a new center for there to be some bumps and bruises. It’s not something Turner is overly worried about.
I’ll be doing a lot more with OCS this week for our “Friday Night Lights” series. But I’m not giving it away that easy. You’ll have to wait and see like everybody else.
Southmoore offensive line: Stronger = better
With four starters back from a year ago, Southmoore knew experience wouldn’t be a problem on the offensive line. And this pre-season, the SaberCats have found out that talent isn’t in short supply, either.
“The offensive line has looked good,” said Southmoore coach Chris Jensen. “We only lost one guy and we’re stronger and more physical than last year.”
Mason Myers (6-3, 276 pounds) and Kimes Gilbert (6-0, 221) have stood out, but the overall strength of the line has made everyone better.
“Last year, we weren’t as strong or big as we needed to be for the long haul,” said Jensen. “Not having a weight room until Week 9 had a lot to do with it. But we’ll be better prepared for games late in the season this time.”
Ed Memorial: Still looking for vocal leader…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Nelson Medeiros is showing signs of being the vocal leader for Memorial.
Edmond Memorial coach Justin Merideth’s mantra for the season has been: “we’ll go as far as the offensive line will take us.”
He might be right, but I’m always interested in the type of leadership a team has more than anything.
With the Bulldogs, I see potential leaders. But through the second scrimmage, Merideth admitted nobody is stepping up to be the vocal ringleader.
Especially on defense where I feel a vocal presence must be there.
It’s pretty clear that linebacker Adrian Shoecraft will anchor the front seven. With the way he plays, he sticks out like a sore thumb. Merideth has raved about Shoecraft the whole time, and his opinion hasn’t changed yet.
But right now, it appears as though cornerback Nelson Medeiros is going to be the guy that is stepping up.
He’s not a bad choice and will lead the secondary. Feel a unit responds better when there is that voice that is leading the charge.
Memorial is in a great spot heading into Thursday’s battle with Southmoore. The SaberCats are the “it” team right now. But with the wealth of experience coming back for the Bulldogs, yea, wouldn’t count ‘em out.
