All-Best of the Rest football team…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours from the Varsity staff. I’ma go back to being Uncle Bob to my niece and nephew here in Kansas.
Here’s the final installment with an all-best of the rest. Basically, teams in the OKC area that aren’t in one of the set zones.
Here ya go:
All-Best of the Rest
Offense
QB — Ryan Spangler, Bridge Creek
RB — Devin Campbell, Bethany
RB — Blake Riojas, Newcastle
WR — Caden Locke, Bridge Creek
WR — Abraham Luna, Santa Fe South
WR — Travis Carroll, McLoud
OL — Landon Chappell, Newcastle
OL — Caleb Craig, Harrah
OL — Blake Belcher, Guthrie
OL — Dexton Robertson, Cashion
OL — Gonzalo Delatorre, Kingfisher
K — Nathan Lee, Jones
P — Derek Patterson, Kingfisher
Defense
DL — Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie
DL — Darren Davenport, Bethany
DL — Micah Thompson, Jones
DL — Derrick Luetjen, Hennessey
LB — Kenny Dennison, Blanchard
LB — Landry Chappell, Guthrie
LB — Jeremy Seaton, Cashion
DB — Tanner Koons, Tuttle
DB — Tylor Seabolt, Jones
DB — Orlando Pina, Hennessey
DB — Mike Miller, Davenport
KR — Jeremy Smith, Kingfisher
Offensive Player of the Year: Derek Patterson, Kingfisher
Defensive Player of the Year: Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie
Coach of the Year: Shannon Watford, Hennessey
Kinda get a glimpse into a lot of our Little All-City team with this list. I’ll have much more to say when the LAC team comes out Thursday, Dec. 30.
LOCK: Bridge Creek wins Blanchard city title…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Uh oh, I’m reeling. After a 6-0 start, I’m 1-2 in the last three weeks of making LOCK picks. I’m like a boxer on the ropes. I was all set to make Bethany over Newcastle my selection, but Scott Wright beat me to it.
But I’m staying in 3A and going with Bridge Creek over Blanchard and earning second place in 3A-1 and a home playoff game.
After Elgin whipped Bridge Creek in Week 1, wondered if maybe I had overrated Jerry Wallis’ club. No, still don’t think so.
The Bobcats earned one of their biggest wins in team history against Tuttle in Week 4 and were in a good battle with Anadarko before falling.
Now this is a chance to show Bridge Creek belongs in the top echelon of the class. This is the type of game where the Bobcats can make a statement. A win in a tough road environment is the exact type of momentum you want heading into the postseason.
Blanchard, meanwhile, has weathered the storm as RB John McCracken continues to try to battle back. He’s not 100 percent, but his 80 percent is better than most runners’ top. He notched three more touchdowns in the huge road win at Marlow to punch the ticket to the playoffs.
Bridge Creek has had a couple of weeks to get ready and healthy. The Week 8 game vs. Kingfisher turned into a JV game. Week 9 against Riverside was against an undermanned club. Ryan Spangler, Blake Henderson, Caden Locke and Josh Pershica will be ready.
The pick: Bridge Creek 31, Blanchard 20.
Boneman’s LOCK record: 7-2 (Guthrie over Duncan, Heritage Hall over Clinton, Purcell over Lexington, Midwest City over Yukon, Jones over Morris, Norman over Southmoore, Carl Albert over Guthrie, Clinton over Elgin, Tuttle over Anadarko).
Best of the Rest honor: Jameson Ballinger, Santa Fe South…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
From talking to Santa Fe South coach Jerry Braziel and quarterback Jameson Ballinger, it is extremely easy to see that coach Mike Cartmill still lives on in every way possible at that school.
Cartmill died in the spring, and the Saints have dedicated their season to his memory. He musta been smiling at what he saw Friday night.
SFS overcame a 40-18 deficit in the fourth quarter to win 46-40 at Cushing for the team’s first ever district victory.
Ballinger threw for six touchdowns (3 apiece to Ivan Zavala and Abraham Luna) and also caught the first touchdown of his career.
In all the wackiness of scenarios, you won’t find Santa Fe South in any of them. This, however, was their night.
For more, here’s my piece from Monday’s paper.
Other contenders
Sheldon Wilson, Anadarko: Not his most impressive in terms of stats but more than 200 total yards and 2 TDs was most significant outing in 14-7 road win at Tuttle.
John McCracken, Blanchard: Kameron Doolittle and Kendal Thompson weren’t the only big names back. McCracken scored three touchdowns to help the Lions to a HUGE 27-20 road win at Marlow.
Derek Patterson, Kingfisher: Quarterback accounted for three touchdowns in win against Centennial. Sets stage up for battle at Heritage Hall on Friday.
Adam Boyd, McAlester: There are other stars besides QB Tony Kiefer. Boyd had four receiving scores, a PR touchdown and two picks in a win for the Buffs.
Best of the Rest honor: John McCracken, Blanchard…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Gonna keep this one brief because you can read much more about Blanchard’s John McCracken in Tuesday’s paper as the Player of the Week.
We always have a media day for all the local teams to come in for photos and conversations and things like that. Blanchard’s Jeff Craig is one of the most consistent coaches to bring his kids.
The Lions showed up this year but not McCracken. Where did he come from? This junior has exploded through five games. He has 15 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores.
His success is leading to a lot of team success and Blanchard is 4-1 and right on the cusp of being ranked in the crazy-deep Class 3A.
Let’s just say the key for McCracken has been mental maturity as much as anything else. Read more Tuesday.
Other contenders
Blake Henderson, Bridge Creek: The Bobcats didn’t have great success on the ground in the win against Weatherford, but Henderson did score four touchdowns.
Chase Rodgers, Chickasha: In one of the most emotional scenes of the season, Rodgers threw for five touchdowns in the Chicks’ first home game since the death of Kody Turner.
Louis Durant, Lawton Eisenhower: The Eagles haven’t lost since a Week 1 defeat to Lawton and Durant is a heckuva running back. Durant had three more touchdowns in a rout of Choctaw.
Jeremy Seaton, Cashion: The Wildcats remain the No. 1 team in Class A and Seaton notched another four touchdowns in Cashion’s win against Crescent.
Best of the Rest honor: Deaquan Wojciechowski, Lawton…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
There were other numbers that were more impressive. Running backs that ran for more yards. Quarterbacks that put up gaudy numbers.
But what Lawton’s Deaquan Wojciechowski did against a rival in a big-game atmosphere, well, that’s gotta mean something. Wojciechowski rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown and set the tone in a 41-9 thrashing of a good Lawton MacArthur team.
We’ll keep this short because I’ve written about Wojo for Tuesday’s paper, but he has taken this move from WR to RB and made it a seamless transition.
Other contenders
Brayle Brown, Shawnee: Brown threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for two more in a 33-26 victory against Deer Creek.
John McCracken, Blanchard: What a start to the season for the Lions. McCracken added another four touchdowns in a win against Lindsay.
Caden Locke, Bridge Creek: You want an all-around game? Three receiving touchdowns, a rushing score and recovering a blocked punt for his fifth touchdown. Not bad.
Jeremy Seaton, Cashion: When the Wildcats needed it the most, Seaton powered his way for one big play after another in a win against Morrison.
Best of the Rest honor: Bryan Dutton, Guthrie…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
When you have a top recruit like Kentrell Brothers of Guthrie, the attention gravitates toward him. And when you score three touchdowns like he did, more attention is given.
But you don’t score three touchdowns without an accurate quarterback, and that’s why the Best of the Rest Player of the Week is Guthrie quarterback Bryan Dutton.
Dutton missed one pass. Check that, had one incompletion. It wasn’t an actual miss as he was throwing it out of bounds. He was 12-of-13 for 203 yards and had two of those scores to Brothers.
A lot of teams made statements in Week 1, but the 25-0 win against the Demons is arguably the biggest one made in the state.
Other contenders
Travelle Pelkey, Lexington: Bulldogs didn’t have much time with new coach Waymon Scott but made it count. He rushed for 233 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Sulphur.
John McCracken, Blanchard: McCracken had four touchdowns in a 32-29 win at Bethany. This was easily one of the best games of the opening week.
Softball: Yukon looks like team to beat…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Tuesday is shaping up to be a pretty big day. On one hand, it’s the start of two-a-day football practices. But it’s pretty big elsewhere as the softball season gets officially underway.
Got ya covered with a softball guide in Tuesday’s paper, but here are some more thoughts I have going into this season:
- I don’t know how a team can beat Yukon this year. The loss of Dani Fox was killer last year, but the Millerettes return so many top stars.
Don’t believe me? You could easily argue that Amanda Madden, Kylie Lang, Madi Ellis and Caitlyn Halbert are four of the best players in the state. Madden and Lang are seniors and Madden was already good enough to make my first team All-City last year. Ellis and Mustang’s Kierra Miles might be the two best sophomores.
- Will this be a year of redemption for Purcell? Dragons were so close but got nipped in the championship. Still absolutely loaded with talent like Kayla Wyatt (my Little All-City Player of the Year), Bailey Goldsby, Logan Huey, etc. Nobody is going to be feeling sorry for coach Jamie Roberts anytime soon.
- Are Moore and Broken Arrow still the queens of the circle? I admit I don’t know much about BA but based on what they always do on a yearly basis, gotta think these two teams will be among the eight in October at ASA.
- Tuttle and Blanchard should be a great battle. Lions took out the Tigers in the championship last year. Leslie Miller and Liz Broyles (among others) return for Blanchard. Tuttle still has Caitlin Sill and if healthy, Nicole Workman is incredible. Amazingly, Miller and Sill are just juniors.
- Edmond North is so young, but I don’t think that’s going to matter. With girls like Kady Self and Jordan Dixon leading the charge, Huskies should be knocking on the door again.
- Caught up with Washington coach Bryan Howard at the coaches clinic. He is excited (rightfully so) about this year. Now that he’s in his second year, he’s a whole lot more comfortable. And if you had a pitcher like Lacey Paulk or a senior star like Jill Clemence, you’d want to get out there, too.
- Little Axe will intriguing to watch in all sports. How will the school respond after the devastating tornado in May? Indians got a couple of stars in senior Peyton Watson, a great leadoff hitter, and slugger Lacey Williams.
- And it will be good to see Chelsea Jones back pitching for El Reno. Family issues had her at Putnam City North last season, but she has returned to the Indians.
Got softball news and notes? Send ‘em this way.
OTC: Graduates movin’ on…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Deer Creek graduate Typ Whinnery
Some stories slip through the cracks, that’s why I love doing these ‘off to college’ pieces. You can’t write about everybody and sometimes you find out the story a little too late.
I got to write three of these stories this year, focusing on swimming, baseball and wheelchair basketball.
Typ Whinnery, Deer Creek: I’ve called him the silent assassin the last couple of years. He just goes out there and gets the job done when he gets in the pool.
I would have loved to have seen him in different events, but he was so dominant in the 500 free and 100 breaststroke that it’s tough to dispute the decision.
The Antlers didn’t have a coach, but with Whinnery, Logan Testi and Slater Pennington, they had three solid competitors.
Blanchard graduate Blaine Smith
Whinnery’s just been solid. Maybe he doesn’t shine or stand out (he’s pretty quiet), but he was easily one of the best swimmers in the state the last four years.
Whinnery is moving on to Army.
For Whinnery’s story, here ya go.
Blaine Smith, Blanchard: Here was an interesting story that I had no knowledge of during the year. Smith, a catcher, broke his neck in the first game of the football season but made it back.
It was interesting listening to him and his mother talk about the trials and tribulations of trying to come back. The little hand exercises they would do. And how Blaine would constantly push that envelope to go as far as he possibly could until being cleared.
Getting through homecoming week of football was huge – that was an emotional time. He got through it and got things back on track.
Piedmont graduate Colin Cutter
Catcher is the most grueling position in baseball, but the injury didn’t change the way Smith approached the game.
Smith actually had his best offensive season of his career this year, hitting .402 and earned a scholarship to Rose State.
For Smith’s story, check out Monday’s paper.
Colin Cutter, Piedmont: We’ve actually watched him grow up through all the Endeavor Games events, but this was the first time we put the spotlight on his school activities.
I was humbled talking to Cutter. He really is quite the character and none too bashful. I enjoyed getting to hear all about his incredible story. He’s earned a scholarship at Missouri to play wheelchair basketball.
He rightfully takes a lot of pride in everything that he has accomplished, and he’s done incredible in track and field and basketball.
It was interesting hearing his thought process when it came to Penn State and Missouri before he finally decided on the Tigers.
His heart is going to be in coaching, no doubt about it. Once he’s done playing, he’s going to work like crazy at being a coach and trying to get the word out on wheelchair basketball.
For Cutter’s story, here ya go.
Bill Tipton VI set for Carl Albert, Shawnee
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Carl Albert and Shawnee will co-host the Bill Tipton VI Baseball Tournament beginning today and wrapping up Saturday at Carl Albert.
The tournament features nine teams ranked in the top 20 of their class, including seven ranked in the top 10—four from Class 4A.
The event kicks off today with four games at each site, including Class 5A No. 2 Carl Albert vs. 4A No. 5 Clinton at 1:30 p.m. at Carl Albert.
Other top teams participating include 6A No. 6 Yukon, 5A No. 10 Lawton MacArthur, 5A No. 12 McAlester, 5A No. 16 Ada, 4A No. 1 Weatherford, 4A No. 4 Blanchard and 4A No. 7 McGuinness.
The championship game will be played at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Carl Albert.
Wednesday
at Carl Albert
Carl Albert vs. Noble, 11 a.m.
Carl Albert vs. Clinton, 1:30 p.m.
Blanchard vs. Clinton, 4 p.m.
Weatherford vs. McAlester, 6:30 p.m.
at Shawnee
Shawnee vs. OKC Broncos, 11 a.m.
Shawnee vs. Ada, 1:30 p.m.
Yukon vs. Ada, 4 p.m.
McGuinness vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday
at Carl Albert
Weatherford vs. Noble, 11 a.m.
Weatherford vs. Blanchard, 1:30 p.m.
Clinton vs. McAlester, 4 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. McAlester, 6:30 a.m.
at Shawnee
Ada vs. Lawton MacArthur, 11 a.m.
Yukon vs. Lawton MacArthur, 1:30 p.m.
OKC Broncos vs. McGuinness, 4 p.m.
Shawnee vs. McGuinness, 6:30 p.m.
Friday
at Carl Albert
Blanchard vs. McAlester, 11 a.m.
Blanchard vs. Noble, 1:30 p.m.
Clinton vs. Noble, 4 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Weatherford, 6:30 p.m.
at Shawnee
Yukon vs. McGuinness, 11 a.m.
Yukon vs. OKC Broncos, 1:30 p.m.
Ada vs. OKC Broncos, 4 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
at Carl Albert
10 a.m., Seventh-place game
12:30 p.m., Fifth-place game
3 p.m., Third-place game
5:30 p.m., Championship game
OBCA All-Region Teams
Here are the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association’s boys All-Region Teams:
Region One
Chris Fitzpatrick, Enid
Trevon Hartfield, Watonga
Seth Heckart, Woodward
Jabe Karr, Okarche
Bryce Lamer, Garber
Dakota Martin, Chisholm
Chris Mustain, El Reno
J.D. Pugh, Texhoma
Rhett Radcliff, Forgan
Hayden Vencl, Garber
Player of the Year: Tyler Miller, Garber
Coach of the Year: Dusty Torrey, Garber
Region Two
Chris Boyd, Okemah
Patrick Buntt, Frontier
Bryan Champion, Perkins
Tyler Dean, Prague
Jordan Gipe, Yale
John Lazenby, Glencoe
Alex Moore, Cleveland
Chase Mongold, Ponca City
Kalian Watkins, Preston
Dillon Worley, Mason
Player of the Year: Ralston Moore, Pawnee
Coach of the Year: John Lazenby, Glencoe
Region Three
Parker Ballard, Pryor
Robert Boyles, Claremore
Jake Bullard, Vinita
Dakota Caudill, Claremore
Cale Elam, Oktaha
Oren Faulk, Muskogee
Courtney Gaston, Fort Gibson
Jon Griggs, Tahlequah
Devon Rinehart, Gore
Pud Ross, Locust Grove
Billy Waltrip, Fort Gibson
Player of the Year: Courtney Gaston, Fort Gibson
Coach of the Year: Gary Hendrix, Fort Gibson
Region Four
Derrick Bull, Altus
Nick Herrington, Erick-Sweetwater
Tevin Johnson, Binger-Oney
Dee Robinson, Lawton MacArthur
Kas Sanders, Fletcher
Gavan Steinmetz, Fort Cobb-Broxton
Josh Sweat, Big Pasture
Tanner Thompson, Cache
Dane Thrash, Cheyenne
Clay Walker, Hammon
Player of the Year: Levi Richardson, Mangum
Coach of the Year: Jeff Carlisle, Mangum
Region Five
Jared Beal, Norman North
Tanner Bell, Purcell
Blaine Brooks, Blanchard
Corbin Byford, Bray-Doyle
Trey Cohee, Ardmore
Conner Davey, Washington
Kyle Forehand, Lexington
Zach Hibbard, Lindsay
Gary Inglett, Plainview
Shea Longman, Newcastle
Dalen Qualls, Stratford
Player of the Year: Ryan Spangler, Bridge Creek
Coach of the Year: Jason Sanders, Bridge Creek
Region Six
Jordan Burrell, Valliant
Dwight Camp, Red Oak
Jimmy Doolin, Dale
Jordan EagleRoad, Talihina
Kchris Griffin, Haworth
Kolby Johnson, Caddo
Dylan Lemley, Roff
Taggart Lockhart, Talihina
Dayne Parker, Roff
D.J. Shanklin, Hugo
Player of the Year: Cale Jackson, Bethel
Co-Coaches of the Year: Kale Simon, Roff; Troy Miller, Holdenville
Region Seven
Adrien Anderson, Tulsa Memorial
Desmond Butler, Tulsa Edison
Jack Cameron, Tulsa Kelley
Quan Carter, Tulsa Union
Tharone Chilton, Tulsa Washington
Steven Hamilton, Tulsa Edison
Braeton Hightower, Owasso
Damian Hooks, Tulsa East Central
Jake Toupal, Broken Arrow
Drew Wilson, Tulsa East Central
Player of the Year: Cameron Downing, Tulsa Memorial
Co-Coaches of the Year: Eric Savage, Tulsa Memorial; Beau Wallace, Tulsa East Central
Region Eight
Stephen Clark, Douglass
Trez Colbert, Midwest City
Larry Cunningham, Carl Albert
Obi Emegano, Edmond Memorial
Amric Fields, Putnam West
Xavier McClish, Midwest City
Dominique Raney, Putnam City
Josh Richardson, Edmond Santa Fe
Kendre Talley, Star Spencer
Jameel Whitney, McGuinness
Player of the Year: Tyler Neal, Putnam West
Coach of the Year: Terry Long, Douglass
