West Metro Speed Reads
Only a few seconds left until the microwave dings, then your gourmet lunch will be awaiting you. Just enough time for a Speed Read:
Mustang
Still no official word on Daniel Farrow’s availability, but when I stopped by Bronco practice on Monday, they were working like he’ll be there. The most interesting thing will be seeing him as a middle linebacker in Mustang’s 3-4 defense. He seems more suited for a safety position, but with his speed and decent size at 6 feet, 190 pounds, he could turn out to be a scary linebacker.
His biggest impact is likely to be at running back, where the Broncos have been hot and cold this season. Someone with his talent could add a new dimension to an already strong offense. We’ll see if the injuries that have hampered him during the last few weeks (ankle, hamstring) are a factor in his first varsity game of the year.
Yukon
Despite 144 yards and another TD from receiver Kollin Retter last week, coach Todd Wilson isn’t concerned about defenses starting to double-team the junior, mainly because Yukon keeps so many receivers in their pass patterns, that opposing secondaries can’t afford to sacrifice a safety to watch one guy.
“(Quarterback Corben Jones) does such a good job of finding the open guy that teams can’t really do that,” Wilson said.
Putnam City North
Though not much went right for the Panthers in last week’s loss, coach Bob Wilson was pleased with Dre Holman in his varsity debut. After missing a month with a high ankle sprain, the sophomore got his first action in the 38-17 loss, rushing for 88 yards on 22 carries. No one will be taken aback by the numbers, but the quality of his work was was Wilson liked.
“He ran hard in his first game,” the coach said. “It was encouraging to be able to let him run it that much, see what he can do. Let him get his nose in there. He had a 23-yard run. It was a positive thing for us.”
Putnam City
Establishing the running game is still Priority No. 1 for the Pirates, but the coaches were glad to see the defense have a good bounce-back game after giving up 42 a week earlier. Coach John Wofford said the biggest problem in the overtime periods was Westmoore’s size advantage, allowing them to power it in for touchdowns.
“We’re not real big up front, but you’ve got to play big,” he said.
Putnam City West
Last week had to be a hard loss to swallow for the Pats, who viewed it as one of the seriously winnable games on their schedule. Bouncing back this week won’t be easy against an Edmond Memorial team that will overpower them at the line of scrimmage. The key will be working quickly on offense to get the ball to the edge, and using their defensive speed to pursue backs and receivers to help out the guys up front.
Ed Memorial: Q&A with Aubree Young…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The cross country battles almost become simply another version of Edlam as all three Edmond schools (Memorial, Santa Fe and North) have solid programs.
And it’s not just the boys or the girls. The Edmond girls are three of the top seven (No. 1 North, No. 3 Memorial and No. 7 Santa Fe) while the boys are the top 3 (No. 1 North, No. 2 Memorial and No. 3 Santa Fe).
One of those star runners for Memorial is Aubree Young. Here is a short Q&A with her.
What was your “welcome to Varsity sports” moment?
Young: The timetrial my freshman year was in 100+ degree heat. I was running for the 6th or 7th spot on Varsity, and right before the finish I blacked out, fell down, and barely crossed the line. One of my coaches knelt down next to me, lying there only half conscious. I felt her pat my shoulder and heard her say “You got your spot on varsity.”
Other than you, who is the best athlete in your family?
Young: I look up to my aunt as a triathlete, and my uncle as a cyclist.
Who is one person you would like to trade places with and why?
Young: A missionary helping out in a really underpriveledged area. They do such amazing work helping others and I would love to be able to have contributed a little help to someone.
What do you do to get away from sports?
Young: It’s part of who I am.. how could I get away from that, and why would I want to?
Casady: Q&A with John Ratliff…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Casady is in a weird spot. Not just because it’s not in the OSSAA, but also because it’s one of the only schools that has field hockey and a boys volleyball team.
Because of that, sometimes those sports get lost in the shuffle. Here is a Q&A with senior volleyball player John Ratliff.
What was your “Welcome to Varsity sports” moment?
Ratliff: My freshman year I played football, and on my first play, an offensive lineman grabbed me by the neck. I knew it was real then.
What has been the most life-changing event in your life so far?
Ratliff: In terms of sports, my life-changing event was switching from a popular sport like football to volleyball.
What are five things on your “Bucket List” as of now?
Ratliff: Go to Mardi Gras, go to China, surf, live on a golf course and own a ridiculously fast sports car.
Who is one person you would like to trade places with for a day?
Ratliff: God, so I could know everything for a day…ever seen the movie Bruce Almighty?
Volleyball: More shuffling atop the 6A poll
I’ve officially stopped trying to figure out the coaches’ volleyball polls at OKRankings.com. One thing that seems to be apparent is that head-to-head victories don’t mean a whole lot.
Two weeks ago, Tulsa Union had defeated Edmond Santa Fe, but remained behind them in the rankings. Then last week, when both teams went unbeaten, Union jumped ahead. This week, Santa Fe beat Union, but lost to Edmond Memorial — which also beat Union — and Santa Fe jumped to No. 1, Memorial to No. 2 and Union fell to No. 3.
Shawnee made its debut in the 6A rankings. Had they remained in 5A, I think they’d be a top contender for a spot in the state tournament, but in 6A that’ll be tough. They’re a talented team, though.
In 5A, not much has changed, with Tulsa Kelley, McGuinness and Carl Albert holding the top three spots. Tulsa Washington has faded, sliding from No. 2 to No. 5 over the last few weeks. But Tuesday night’s win over McGuinness was a good statement win for a team that people were unsure about.
In 4A, Oklahoma Bible Academy and Christian Heritage both made a move to No. 3 and 6, respectively. Christian Heritage is an interesting team, which I will be writing about in Thursday’s Oklahoman. It’s still hard to tell if anyone out there will be able to challenge Heritage Hall for the crown. Head-to-head, Heritage has beaten just about every one of the top 4A teams during the season.
The 4A regionals begin Thursday and will be completed by Saturday, so we’ll know the state tournament field this weekend.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Heritage: Barry Sanders Jr. video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Or maybe I should say “another Barry” video. You take someone who stands out because of his name (first), add in his own tremendous skills (second) and his outgoing personality (third), and it’s easy to gravitate toward Heritage Hall sophomore Barry Sanders Jr.
Waiting for him before Tuesday’s practice, it’s almost as if he knew I would be coming. With his type of game, pretty hard to avoid talking to him. The 265 rushing yards is a career high. Four touchdowns and an interception rounded out his day in a 56-0 win vs. Alva.
It won’t be that easy Friday night at Kingfisher. In fact, it won’t be easy at all trying to beat the Yellowjackets at their place.
Anyway, here’s a video with Sanders talking about Kingfisher and how good it felt to get that monkey off the team’s back.
West Metro Players of the Week
Here are the top players from the West Metro over the last week. To nominate someone, e-mail swright@opubco.com.
Football
Zac McKay, LB, Mustang: Maybe the Broncos would have gone on to win anyway had Edmond Santa Fe forced a second overtime. But maybe not. Or maybe Mustang would have only won by three, or by just a point, in a second overtime. In District 6A-1, every win is extremely valuable, and district points will be crucial, too. So it’s almost guaranteed that the game-ending tackle McKay made on Santa Fe’s Brian Mills will have a major impact six weeks from now. Had the play come in Week 9 with playoff spots hanging in the balance, we’d be talking about it as possibly one of the most impactful plays of the year.
Softball
Amanda Madden, P, Yukon: In her first week as the No. 1 starter following the season-ending injury to Dani Fox, Madden announced her presence with authority. Madden tossed a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over Edmond Memorial, striking out 12 along the way.
Volleyball
Kayla Swan, Putnam City: Swan has anchored the Lady Pirates through a rough stretch in the schedule that had them facing several of the state’s top teams. Now they’re back on the winning track, with seven straight wins to close the regular season. PC will learn its regional tournament future on Thursday afternoon.
Cross Country
Emily Helms, Mustang: Only a freshman, Helms finished second at an event hosted by Mustang at Wild Horse Park last week. Her time of 11:59 was just four seconds off the pace set by Norman’s Megan Johnson. As a team, the Mustang girls finished second behind Edmond North.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
MWC: Trevon Lewis video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
There was a deflected pass late in the fourth quarter of Midwest City’s 22-7 at Edmond Memorial last week.
Out of nowhere, junior Trevon Lewis picked it off and ran untouched for the game-clinching touchdown.
From my vantage point, I couldn’t tell how big Lewis was. I didn’t know if he was one of those big linemen just stumbling across.
No, sir.
Lewis is a beast. And as a junior, who knows how good he’s going to become later this season and next year.
Anyway, had a chance to catch up to him after the game for a short video.
Q and A: Blake Henderson RB at Bridge Creek
Blake Henderson, RB, Bridge Creek
What was your welcome to the varsity moment?
When I ran right through Blanchard’s running back like it was nothing.
What’s your hidden talent?
I sing.
Other than yourself, who is the best athlete in your family?
My brother, he was ranked fourth best receiver from 6A down his senior season.
Your five favorite things in life?
Playing music, lifting wights, swimming, hanging out with friends, spending time with my family, and dreaming about that first game of the season!
What’s on your bucket list?
Skydive, fly a plane, ride a bull, be one of the best athletes to play the game of football, and be famous.
Who would you trade places with for a day?
My brother in law, Johnny Hendricks, because he is a UFC fighter and it would be fun.
Norman North sports this week
Here’s a look at the week to come in Norman North athletics:
THURSDAY
Softball: Westmoore at Norman North,, 6 p.m.
Volleyball: McGuinness at Norman North, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Football: at Moore, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Volleyball: at Edmond Memorial, 10:30 a.m.
Cross country: at Marlow, 9 a.m.
MONDAY
Softball: at Southmoore, 5:30 p.m.
Volleyball: Putnam City North at Norman North, 6 p.m.
TUESDAY
Volleyball: Norman at Norman North, 6 p.m.
Norman sports this week
Here’s a look at the week to come in Norman athletics:
THURSDAY
Softball: Edmond Memorial at Norman, 6:30 p.m.
Volleyball: Shawnee at Norman, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
Football: at Edmond North, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Cross country: at Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, 9 a.m.
TUESDAY
Volleyball: Norman at Norman North, 6 p.m.
