Justin Schanbacher leads eight-man all-star roster
Cherokee’s Justin Schanbacher led the Chiefs to a magical run and a state championship in 2010. He’s hoping to do the same thing Saturday.
Schanbacher will be a part of the Gold team in the Gold-Green eight-man all-star football game Saturday night at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Tickets will be available at the gate and are $6 for adults and $3 for students. Game time is 7 p.m. The Oklahoma Eight-Man Football Coaches Association also will give out $10,000 in scholarships for the athletes that are continuing their education.
Gold
Coby Iliff, Shattuck; Tayler Eagan, Forgan; Cody Cottom, Sharon-Mutual; Matt Morris, Forgan; Connor Babcock, Shattuck; Tyler Lai, Tyrone; John Srader, Shattuck; Dylan Sterling, Covington-Douglas; Levi Reese, Deer Creek-Lamont; Patrick Swaggart, Deer Creek-Lamont; Josh Dickson, Covington-Douglas; Dustin Maxwell, Waukomis; Trevor Lopez, Coyle; Hunter Whitehead, Deer Creek-Lamont; Logan Latta, Timberlake; Justin Schanbacher, Cherokee; Cody Coats, Pond Creek-Hunter; Tony Herara, Pond Creek-Hunter; J.R. Haliburton, Laverne; Derek Maly, Garber; Chase Wallace, Cherokee; Eddy Pittman, Seiling; Matt Kennedy, Geary; Ross Britt, Dewar; Dalton McCarroll, Dewar; Taylor Freeman, Wetumka; Terrance Yahola, Wetumka; Roger Beherens, Caddo; Kaleb Kepke, Gans; Scott Manuel, Allen; Chris Roberts, Dewar; Brett Tiger, Dewar; Brayden Nixon, Cherokee; Clint Tevebaugh, Boise City; A.J. Phillips, Covington-Douglas.
Coaches: Bryce Schanbacher, Cherokee; Josh Been, Dewar; Doug Bowles, Forgan; David Zachary, Deer Creek-Lamont.
Green
Caullen Alexander, Alex; Zach Crabtree, Bowlegs; Charlie Cho, Oklahoma Christian Academy; Tyler Teafatiller, Fox; Ryan Day, Macomb; Chris Freeman, Paoli; Ray Pierce, Cyril; Jeromy Russell, Central; Tyler Deshazo, Kiefer; Danny Bradley, Summit Christian; CJ Ashwood, Kiefer; Dillons Edens, Watts; Mark Mitchell, Depew; Josh Stanley, Copan; Sergio Shadowens, Kiefer; Eddie Loco, Oaks; Trevor Bettis, Ryan; Isaiah Wilson, Ryan; Houston Huff, Tipton; Ethan Ladymon, Cement; Kyle Baze, Temple; Tyler Henry, Corn Bible; Kevin Rice, Duke; Colten Wolfe, Tipton; Shane Bailey, Maud; Michael Campbell, Midway; Cody Williams, Maud; Chaz Moody, Maud; Trey Hale, Maud; Jake Hollingshed, Midway; Kerry Hollie, Bokoshe; Joseph Madwell, Midway; Spencer Huiatt, Corn Bible; Joseph Puente, Tipton; Johnathan Mefford, Kiefer; James Root, Welch.
Coaches: Justin Savage, Alex; Josh Calvert, Kiefer; Stan Mueggenborg, Ryan; Bruce Harrell, Maud.
Douglass’ battle with DeSoto (Texas) set
Douglass and Jas'sen Stoner will have a national spotlight to showcase their skills Sept. 5 vs. DeSoto, Texas, on Fox Sports.
Douglass is the lone Oklahoma participant in the seventh annual Kirk Herbstreit National Kickoff Classic, and the Trojans will be taking on DeSoto (Texas) on Fox Sports.
The classic is a two-day event on Labor Day weekend with games in Ohio on Sept. 4-5 that will be broadcast on the ESPN networks. Sept. 5 games will also be played at Cowboys Stadium and all games will be broadcast on Fox Sports.
Douglass, the reigning Class 4A state champions, plays DeSoto at 4:30 and is the third of four games. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under. Tickets are on sale through Douglass High.
Though Douglass, coached by Willis Alexander, lost some key parts from last year’s championship squad, the Trojans still have plenty of talented players including running back Diontay Washington and linebacker Jas’sen Stoner.
Teams from Ohio, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana and Florida will also be competing in the classic.
“We are thrilled to join Intersport in showcasing some of the best high school football in the country on national television,” Kirk Herbstreit said in a press release. “Each year, our event helps shine a light on the top young football talent throughout the country and provides a great way to kick off the season.”
Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Sept. 4
St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) vs. Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio) /Noon ET/ESPNU
Springfield (Springfield, Ohio) vs. Upper Arlington (Columbus, Ohio)/3:30 p.m. ET/ESPNU
Sept. 5
Camden County (Kingsland, Georgia) vs. Cleveland Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)/Noon ET/ESPN
Indianapolis Cathedral (Indianapolis) vs. Centerville (Dayton, Ohio)/4 p.m. ET/ESPNU
Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sept. 5
Edna Karr (New Orleans) vs. Arlington Bowie (Arlington, Texas)/10 a.m. CT/FSN
Cocoa (Cocoa, Fla.) vs. Skyline (Dallas)/1:15 p.m. CT/FSN
Frederick A. Douglass (Oklahoma City) vs. DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas)/4:30 p.m. CT/FSN
Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, Texas) vs. Denton Guyer (Denton, Texas)/7:45 p.m. CT/FSN
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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
McAlester’s Adam Boyd commits to Tulsa
At this point last week, Tulsa had only two in-state commitments and none of them were on the offensive side of the ball.
Seven days later, and the Golden Hurricane have received three more in-state verbals and all three could play offense.
McAlester’s Adam Boyd became the latest in-state recruit, committing to Tulsa on Tuesday night.
“I think it’s the best fit for me,” Boyd told InsideTulsaSports.com. “I called Coach (Bill) Blankenship. He said he was very excited. He said they don’t know what I’ll play yet, but it will probably be inside receiver, safety or I might grow into a linebacker.”
Midwest City running back James Flanders and Madill running back Caleb Muncrief have also committed to Tulsa in the last week.
Tulsa was Boyd’s only offer at the moment though he had been receiving heavy interest from several Big 12 and Ivy League schools.
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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Jones ready for next step
Kris Vaughn has graduated, but Jones hopes to pick up right where it left off following a successful 2010 season.
Nobody was on the Jones bandwagon more than yours truly last year. And I heard it from Millwood fans and Davis fans for picking the Longhorns so much.
Still early in the game but get ready for the same thing. Jones is losing some quality players like Micah Thompson, Jeremy Barnhill and Tyler Bayless, among others, but a strong group returning has coach Dave Martin rightfully excited about the fall.
And why not? Jones beat state champion Hennessey 21-0 in Week 2 and lost 26-20 in overtime at Davis in the second round of the playoffs. Martin said watching the Eagles and Wolves battle for the gold ball is all the motivation his team has needed.
“We felt we were right there in that company,” Martin said. “Winning a championship is no longer something to hope for. It has become a reality to these kids.”
When looking at Jones, it starts with star wide receiver Tylor Seabolt. For the last two years feel he’s been a little underrated and perhaps overshadowed by kids like Bridge Creek’s Caden Locke and Millwood’s Brandon Swindall. Those studs are gone. Gotta believe it’s Seabolt’s turn to take the spotlight.
The development of quarterback Michael Lowe throughout last year was the No. 1 reason why I felt Jones was so competitive. Ya had to figure the defense was going to be stout, and it was. However, the question mark was on offense and Lowe answered that emphatically.
This is going to be a special year for Martin. This year’s crop of seniors were freshmen when Martin started out. You can ask any coach and those are the classes they normally remember the most. Maybe some teams are better, but you never forget that first group.
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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Heartland Classic baseball schedule
Yukon graduate Cisco Factor and Norman North graduate Caleb Simpson are going to be baseball teammates at Seminole State next season.
But they’ll get a head start on getting to know each other this week as the duo are two members of Team Oklahoma in the Heartland Classic that begins Tuesday.
The event is in its second year and has replaced the Sunbelt Classic. Games this year will be played at Norman High, Norman North and Southmoore.
Oklahoma will be joined by teams from Canada, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Maryland, Arkansas and Arizona.
Games will be played all week, culminating in the championship at 6 p.m. Saturday at Norman.
Oklahoma roster
Cooper Ansell (Shawnee), Tanner Hessman (Choctaw), Garrett Crain (Edmond Santa Fe), Kyle Lacy (Edmond Santa Fe), Denver Johnston (Midwest City), Brad Honeycutt (Edmond Memorial), Grant Hamilton (Bethany), Dylan Raper (Glenpool), Travis Remillard (Norman), Caleb Simpson (Norman North), Ryan Wright (Midwest City), Edward Layton (Pioneer-Pleasant Vale), Sean Patton (Jenks), Cisco Factor (Yukon), John Lassiter (Edmond Memorial), Kyle Vail (Moore), Koda Glover, Jace James (Putnam City North)
Coaches: Wayne Dozier (Carl Albert), Todd Boyer (Shawnee), Colin White (Carl Albert), Kevin James (Yukon).
Heartland Classic
Tuesday
At Norman North
Canada vs. Texas, noon
Oklahoma vs. Maryland, 3:30
Ohio vs. Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
At Southmoore
Ohio vs. Georgia, noon
Arkansas vs. Arizona, 3:30
Canada vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m.
At Norman
Texas vs. Georgia, 3:30
Maryland vs. Arizona, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
At Norman North
Arkansas vs. Maryland, noon
Oklahoma vs. Arizona, 3:30
Georgia vs. Canada, 7 p.m.
At Southmoore
Georgia vs. Oklahoma, noon
Ohio vs. Texas, 3:30
Arkansas vs. Ohio, 7 p.m.
At Norman
Maryland vs. Canada, 3:30
Arizona vs. Texas, 7 p.m.
Thursday
At Norman North
Arizona vs. Ohio, noon
Texas vs. Arkansas, 3:30
At Southmoore
Maryland vs. Texas, noon
Oklahoma vs. Canada, 3:30
At Norman
Arkansas vs. Oklahoma, noon
Arizona vs. Georgia, 3:30
Friday
At Norman North
Georgia vs. Arkansas, noon
Canada vs. Arizona, 3:30
Georgia vs. Maryland, 7 p.m.
At Norman
Canada vs. Ohio, noon
Maryland vs. Ohio, 3:30
Texas vs. Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
Saturday
At Norman
Seventh place, 9 a.m.
Fifth place, noon
Third place, 3 p.m.
Championship, 6 p.m.
Kingfisher’s Landon Nault ready for bigger role
Sophomore RB Landon Nault is going to be front-and-center this year for Kingfisher.
Poor Kingfisher football coach Jeff Myers. For the first time in what feels like forever he has to ‘actually’ make a quarterback decision.
I kid, but it is true. With Derek Patterson graduating and signing with Tulsa, the quarterback race is wide open. Myers said there are a couple of good candidates. And though I prodded him to let loose the names, he decided to not put any pressure on the two boys just yet.
One person there will be pressure on? Running back Landon Nault. Hey, he’s a victim of his own success. When you’re a freshman and run for 1,345 yards and 20 touchdowns, well, the cat’s out of the bag.
In my head I’m thinking Nault will play a bigger role, but defenses will be ready to key in on him and Nault should fall just a tad this year.
Myers doesn’t quite share that same sentiment. Biggest reason? He likes his offensive line.
“Our offensive line might be even better than last year,” Myers said. Hmm, that would explain the confidence.
I was very impressed with the maturity of Landon Nault last year. Went into the season expecting to write about Logan Nault all year. Logan was mentioned a lot, but Landon became a star on the rise.
That district didn’t get any easier, though, so it will be interesting to see if Yellowjackets can do it one more time and make another long playoff run.
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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Varsity readers’ favorite moments of ’10-11
The emotion of wrestlers winning championships. Eric Waggoner of Carl Albert.
Asked for readers’ submissions, and I got them. So here they are, the Varsity readers choices for their favorite moments of the year (my comments in parentheses):
JP Fulmer: Santa Fe vs. Deer Creek baseball game in April. (No doubt, made No. 6 on my list).
Brian Waggoner: As always, thanks for all that you do covering HS sports. I’m gonna hit you with a couple. Yes, I know I’m biased, but how about Whitney Robinsons’ performance(s) on the mound in the fast pitch state tournament? Madison Long hitting two 2 run HRs, (along with my daughter Krista’s 1) in the championship game? And, of course, Kyle Garcia winning his third title and Eric Waggoner with his first going out as a senior.
Tony Peak: How about the Roff Tigers winning the Class A state spring baseball championship in one of those “nobody gave us a chance” moments?
Gary: Sterling Shepard and Alex Ross committing to Oklahoma. (No doubt, big ‘gets’ for the Sooners and both kids deserve the moment.)
Mike: Can’t have a top HS moment without mentioning Edmond Santa Fe girls knocking off the MW City girls in the class 6A finals. Ended a 50-game winning streak and it was a 20 point route. (yep, the ‘no fear’ attitude of Santa Fe was something. No. 4 on my list.)
Paul Weaver: Even though you didn’t see it, Max Preps listed the Union-Jenks Championship Game as the greatest game of all championship games in the nation. If you didn’t catch the Lawton-Union 2OT game in the semi-finals, you missed another. (I know, the whole west side thing made me miss some great east side gems).
Chuck: Kentrell Brothers, week 1 vs Duncan 5 sacks, 3 receptions 172 yds, 3 TDs. something insane like that, get with Chris Evans for exact stats, but it was something unheard of.
Westmoore Cody Feuerborn was a beast all year for the Jaguars.
Username HALLOFFAME : Sterling Shepard’s 4 tds in the second half to beat Kingfisher in the 3A state championship 28-21. 200 yards rushing by a receiver??? Tremendous athlete! (Say no more as we all know how I feel about Sterling).
Username Winner: Kentrell’s 5 sacks against OU’s Duncan recruit in front of the OU recruiter. Who is an excellent lineman great footwork. He pretty much set the tone in the first game on how the rest of the season would play out for the Blue Jays.
Tim Berney: Ethan Berney’s field goal in McGuinness 9-7 victory over Douglass. (What I remember about that night was opening night ending at like 11:45 p.m. because of weather delays.)
Jessica: The east side had some great moments, too. How about Booker T. beating East Central in an all-Tulsa Public Schools football championship? Or Booker T. winning another basketball championship? (Miss having football coach Darrell Hall around at Star Spencer. Doing a great job at BTW.)
John: Nothing about Westmoore and the upset at Midwest City? That showed what happens when you get a great defense that plays with discipline. (Former correspondent Justin Hite LOVED that moment.)
Bill: Douglass-Woodward quarterfinals 4A basketball. Doesn’t get much better than that. (Scott Wright would agree with you 100 percent.)
Ava Johnston: Union beating Lawton in double overtime in semis. Incredible game with great drama. (No question about that one. I was at Guthrie-BTW on that night.)
Janelle: Maybe other people didn’t care, but Putnam West football winning a game to end the losing streak was something I won’t forget. (Good one, for sure).
Thanks for all those that participated. Enjoyed looking back at 2010 and hope for even better moments in 2011-12.
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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Heritage Hall looking to claim another 7-on-7 title
Sterling Shepard and Heritage Hall are running their way to Arkansas for a 7-on-7 event this weekend.
Another year and another loaded field at the Shootout of the South 7-on-7 football showcase this weekend in Arkansas.
Heritage Hall, who won the event in 2007, is one of the 24 teams competing. Each team is guaranteed to play seven games. Each team will play five games Friday. Those results will determine Saturday’s seeding. The championship final and consolation final will be 4 p.m. Saturday. The tournament champion qualifies for the 7-on-7 national championship July 21-23 in Hoover, Ala.
Heritage Hall won last week’s 7-on-7 event at Kansas State despite running backs Barry J. Sanders and Chedon Shockley and defensive back Brandon Moews not competing. Sanders and Moews are both expected to play this weekend.
Teams from Texas, Arkansas and Alabama will also be competing. Other Oklahoma schools participating are Stigler, Afton and Hilldale. It could be a showcase event for Afton wide receiver Sam Shepard, who has picked up a lot of interest in the last couple of months.
Irish duo Matt Christiansen and Joe Edmonds commit to San Francisco
Bishop McGuinness stars Matt Christiansen (pictured) and Joe Edmonds have committed to San Francisco.
The last couple of years it’s been hard to talk about Bishop McGuinness boys basketball without bringing up Joe Edmonds and Matt Christiansen.
The two have been the cornerstones for the Irish the last two years and are expected to lead McGuinness in the upcoming season.
But they don’t want it to end there. Edmonds and Christiansen have confirmed to The Oklahoman they have both committed to the University of San Francisco.
“Matt and I had always talked about being a package deal, and San Francisco gave us that opportunity,” Edmonds said. “It’s just a great place and program, and I can’t wait to get out there again.”
Edmonds said one of the biggest reasons they committed was because of the staff, led by head coach and former Kansas star Rex Walters.
Christiansen, 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds. Edmonds, 6-foot-5, averaged 14 points, five rebounds and shot 90 percent from the free throw line. Christiansen is a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com.
“It’s definitely a surprise to me because I didn’t think I would commit this early,” Christiansen said. “I had to weigh all my options, and I know this is a program on the rise.”
Christiansen had just come off a visit to Seton Hall and was supposed to visit Davidson and Butler but said he has canceled those visits.
“The coaching staffs across the nation have been great,” Christiansen said. “I enjoyed my time at all the schools, but I can tell how committed San Francisco is to having a winning program.”
Edmonds was also receiving interest from Davidson, Pennsylvania, Stanford and Army.
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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Midwest City’s James Flanders commits to Tulsa
Midwest City's James Flanders committed to Tulsa on Wednesday night.
Another Flanders is heading up the turnpike. Midwest City running back James Flanders committed to Tulsa University, he confirmed to The Oklahoman on Wednesday night.
Flanders’ older brother, John, is a starting defensive back for the Golden Hurricane. Another Flanders, Timothy, originally committed to Tulsa before signing with Kansas State. Timothy Flanders is now at Sam Houston State.
One of the major reasons James Flanders committed to Tulsa was his position. While some schools were looking at Flanders as a defensive back, Tulsa recruited Flanders as a running back and that was something very important to Flanders, he told The Tulsa World.
After becoming a starter in his sophomore year, Flanders cemented himself as one of the top backs in the state last year. As a junior, Flanders rushed for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Flanders, 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, was also receiving interest from several Big 12 schools. He joins Lawton MacArthur teammates Daniel Schwarz (kicker) and Michael Thomas (safety) as in-state commits to Tulsa.
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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
