Casady: Youngsters growing up…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Casady’s season is going to come to a close Friday night with a visit from rival Holland Hall. All that’s left to play for is pride and the spoiler role.
At 3-6, the Cyclones have lost their last three games, and the last two have been by a combined 94-16 score. But this is a rivalry game, and you throw out the records here.
In talking to coach Koby Scoville after last week’s game, he said there were a lot of positives, most notably with a couple of young players starting to grow up.
I thought Scott Fisher played his best game of the season. He’s starting to get real comfortable. Tripp Kerr was another kid that played well. We’re getting there.” – Scoville
Holland Hall has been incredible this season. From non-conference wins against Cascia Hall and Lincoln Christian to conference wins against teams like Houston St. Johns, not much this team hasn’t been able to do.
Casady has a solid run game with Cassius Calhoun and Ronnell Johnson, and you figure they’ll be playing with a ton of emotion.
The game is Friday at 7.
Private schools honor: LaRone Richardson, McGuinness…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Gonna keep this short because you can read much in Tuesday’s paper. I thought I had lost my chance to name LaRone Richardson the best player of the week.
Seriously, how do you top his five-score outing in a loss to Millwood? Um, well, he did. Richardson found the end zone six times in a dominating win against Piedmont.
Always one of my favorite kids to talk to, look for his story in Tuesday’s paper.
Other contenders
Garrison Lee, Casady: Found out the day before the game he would be playing defensive line, and he was one of the best players on the field in the loss to Bellaire Episcopal.
Chris Easterly, OCS: Playing running back just because the Saints have no one left. How’d he do? Five touchdowns in the OCS win against Northeast.
Josh Bivens, OCA: I was really pumped about this team until the Parker Randell injury. Bivens notched four touchdowns in the win against Macomb, the Eagles’ first of the year.
Ray Frazier, Mt. St. Mary’s, Cross Country: Frazier was impressive at the state meet, placing fourth overall as the Rockets earned seventh.
Maddy Hill, McGuinness, Cross Country: The Irish girls were dominant at the 5A regional, placing second, third, fourth and sixth in winning the event.
Note: No Heritage contenders because SeeWorth Academy forfeited the game last week.
Private schools: Playoff synopsis…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Two games left. Where do the Irish, Chargers and Cyclones stand?
Heritage Hall (8-0, 4-0)
Games remaining: at Bethany, vs. Kingfisher
Prognosis: Not too shabby. A Chargers win against the Bronchos will clinch the district championship (I think). I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that’s right.
The biggest question is the healthy of Barry J. Sanders. He needs to get healthy here down the stretch run. Biggest plus for this team is they’re going be incredibly fresh.
Bishop McGuinness (5-3, 3-2)
Games remaining: vs. Cache, at Guymon
Prognosis: Pretty good. Can still earn a district title through some insane scenarios. Most likely looking at either a second or third-place finish.
Like I said last week the good thing for Irish fans is they went through the ringer early. Now they can watch the rest of the district beat itself up.
Casady (3-6)
Game remaining: vs. Holland Hall
Prognosis: N/A. Cyclones are playing for pride this week against one of their biggest rivals. It won’t mean much to this year’s three seniors, but next year’s Casady team is going to be very very good.
SMQ: Short-handed Casady falls…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Even though Casady was the home team, I had a road and underdog team’s mentality when it came to its game against Bellaire Episcopal.
Simply put: make a statement early and you’re in a fight. Get down early, and it’s going to be a long night. Unfortunately for Casady and its supporters, it was the latter.
Bellaire Episcopal 42, Casady 9
It was a perfect storm of everything going wrong in the first quarter. A bobbled punt snap, a fumble. Short field repeatedly for the Knights.
Not even midway through the first quarter, Episcopal had four plays and three touchdowns. Yea, just one of dem nights for the Cyclones.
Casady suffered a huge loss when Graham Bennett was diagnosed with mono this week. Not only is he one of the best players on the team, but it made Garrison Lee play defensive line for the first time in his career.
And it’s not like Lee did bad. He’s such a natural athlete, said coach Koby Scoville, that he was able to produce from his unfamiliar spot. I don’t know how many official tackles he had, but I know he had at least two big tackles for loss and one big sack.
Like I wrote in Saturday’s piece, was impressed with the team’s toughness. Had every reason to quit, but they never did. And though they didn’t execute well, they were disciplined. Seriously, unless I’m wrong (no doubt a possibility), I didn’t have Casady with one penalty in the game.
But Bobby Magness and James Melody and Dillon West were too much for the Cyclones on this night. Especially Magness, he was a star. He accounted for three touchdowns and had a punt return for a score called back because of a running into the kicker.
Boneman’s Breakdown
- Excited to see what happens with the chemistry between Mac Katigan and Michael Parry. Really feel Parry is going to be a good one with another year (and some pounds) under his belt. He’s already the team’s best receiver, but he’ll be that much and more in the future.
- Same thing goes at running back where Cassius Calhoun and Ronnell Johnson have that position on lock for the next year. Wasn’t exactly the best game to see them, but you could definitely tell there are signs of both doing real big things. Calhoun had a 37-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
- Not going to win a game with seven turnovers. There just wasn’t a lot of energy at Hoot Gibson Field on this night. I don’t know if it was the Rangers playing the Yankees or the weather or what, but the team reflected the crowd, especially in the first half.
Up next: Casady (3-6) has rival Holland Hall (9-0). Wow, the Dutch are good. But it is a rivalry, and you just never know….but really, Holland Hall is good.
Bellaire Episcopal vs. Casady Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bellaire Episcopal (4-4) at Casady (3-5)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hoot Gibson Field (I’ll be there)
Bellaire Episcopal
Why BE can win: Because even though they’re not as good as many Southwest Prep Conference gurus thought they would be, this is still a solid ball club. People were remarking about Kinkaid beating them as a big upset but Kinkaid has ended up being a great team. 4-4 against a tough schedule.
Casady (L – FWAll Saints; L – Heritage Hall; W – OCS; L – Kinkaid; W – Cistercian; W – Greenhill; L – St. Marks; L – St. Johns)
Why the Cyclones can win: Because they’re back home after a rough outing against Houston St. Johns. The last two weeks have not been what Casady was expecting, but Koby Scoville’s kids have a chance to end on a positive note with wins here and next week against Holland Hall.
Key matchup: Bellaire offense vs. Casady defense. The Cyclones defense is going to need to step up and force some turnovers. St. Marks pulled it out late and HSJ put up 52 points. It’s time for the pride of the defense to come through.
The pick: Bellaire Episcopal 33, Casady 20. Cyclones are definitely going to be fired up but won’t have the firepower to get in a shootout with Episcopal.
Boneman’s Casady prediction record: 6-2.
Casady vs. Houston St. Johns Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Casady (3-4) at Houston St. Johns (6-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: HSJ
Casady (L – FWAll Saints; L – Heritage; W – OCS; L- Kinkaid; W – Cistercian; W – Greenhill; L – St. Marks)
Why the Cyclones can win: Because they’re angry about last week. Casady let a very winnable game slip through its fingers and now must go on the road against a very good St. Johns team that hasn’t lost at home yet this season.
Houston St. Johns
Why HSJ can win: Because they’re supposed to. If this team has any hopes of staying alive for an SPC championship, this is a must-win. Most impressive stat on this team is that through seven games, St. Johns is giving up less than 13 points per game.
Key matchup: Casady’s mental state. I don’t think this team is just going to rollover and quit. Well, in fact, I know they won’t quit. But what will happen if St. Johns gets off to a great early start? Will the Cyclones be able to respond?
The pick: St. Johns 32, Casady 14. Even if Casady had won last week, this is a pretty big hill to climb. Cyclones find footing in second half, but it’s a little too late.
Boneman’s Casady prediction record: 5-2.
Private school honor: Bryana Wade, Mt. St. Mary’s…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
There were a lot of heroes in the Mt. St. Mary’s softball team winning its first state softball championship. Morgan McCalmon was phenomenal in the circle. She gave up two runs in three games.
Freshman Sable Hankins came up huge in the championship with a couple of hits and RBIs to lead the Rockets past Washington.
But this team has an unquestioned leader. And the great news for MSM fans is that catcher Bryana Wade will be back for one more season.
Wade was incredible, hitting a home run in the semifinals and the championship. Definitely in the running for Little All-City Player of the Year (no, I haven’t decided that yet).
Other contenders
Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall, Football: Had more than 330 total yards and scored five touchdowns in a dominating win against Newcastle.
Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall, Football: In limited time, rushed for 162 yards and two long touchdown carries in the first half.
Irish offensive line: A statement was made in a rout of Elk City. LaRone Richardson had another big game with the line leading the way to 364 rushing yards.
Mac Katigan, Casady, Football: In a rather surprising loss (to me, anyway), Katigan ran for a score and threw for another against Dallas St. Marks.
Skyler Sikes, OCS, Football: Still operating without Jack Warren, Sikes came up huge with three touchdowns in the win against Perry.
Jake Peace, MSM, Football: Did they break the scoreboard in Lindsay? In a 71-40 loss, Peace scored four touchdowns for the Rockets.
Heritage Hall and CHA volleyball: Both had tremendous seasons. Chargers were ousted in the quarterfinals while CHA was downed by Cache in the championship.
Irish volleyball: Girls are one of the favorites to walk out with the 5A championship this weekend in Shawnee.
Irish cross country: Strong showing by both boys and girls in Edmond. Girls, led by Mary Kate Roy, placed third. Boys, led by Brett Scott, earned the 5A championship.
Dallas St. Marks vs. Casady Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Dallas St. Marks (0-5) vs. Casady (3-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hoot Gibson Field
Dallas St. Marks
Why DSM can win: Honestly? Not sure. I mean Casady is playing as well as it has all season. St. Marks hasn’t won a game. About the only thing you can hang your hat on is the team nearly averages 20 points per game, which is a lot for a winless team.
Casady (L – FWAll Saints, L – Heritage Hall, W – OCS, L – Houston Kinkaid, W – Cistercian, W – Greenhill)
Why the Cyclones can win: Because their big guns have been coming to play. Nobody is going to say this is the most talented team they’ve ever seen or the deepest club ever, but coach Koby Scoville is getting every little thing he can from his guys. It’s showing now.
Quote:
I wish I could say we’re doing something special. But we’re not. This is nothing fancy, but we’re clicking on all cylinders right now.” coach Scoville
Key matchup: Casady passing game vs. DSM secondary. One of those games where Mac Katigan and Cassius Calhoun should be able to run up and down. However, with showdowns against St. Johns, Episcopal and Holland Hall coming up, might be a good time to get that passing game going.
The pick: Casady 34, St. Marks 7. The strong, consistent effort continues for Casady. Look for Michael Perry to have a couple of big plays.
Boneman’s Casady prediction record: 5-1.
Casady: Confidence high for Cyclones…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Casady went through some growing pains in the early part of the season, but the Cyclones are finding their groove now.
After a tough 10-7 win last week, the offense exploded for a season-high 42 points in a 42-14 win at Dallas Greenhill on Friday.
“It was nothing fancy, but we are playing well right now,” coach Koby Scoville said. “We’re on a high right now, both emotionally and with our confidence.”
The running game continues to lead the charge. Junior Cassius Calhoun rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Mac Katigan rushed for 140 yards on nine carries and added three touchdowns.
Scoville had to miss the game with a back injury but said the Dallas Greenhill administration sent him an e-mail complimenting the Casady staff and players for the way they conducted themselves.
***
Gotta admit I was wrong about this team. It wasn’t just that they were 0-2, but with a pair of losses by a combined 38 points, it felt like it was going to get worse before it got better.
A couple of things happened. The first, obviously, is that they got more comfortable in their new spots. Cassius Calhoun and Mac Katigan have become big offensive forces.
Kinda knew they would have to for this team to be successful, but that’s a lot different than actually going out there and doing. And what that is allowing is for Garrison Lee and Graham Bennett to dominate on defense. There is no pressure on them to have to pick up the offense.
Really good stuff by Scoville’s kids. And with Dallas St. Marks coming to town, it’s a really good bet this team is going to be 4-3 after starting 0-2.
Private schools honor: Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
He’s set the bar so high for himself that’s it has become increasingly tough to be surprised at the skills of Heritage Hall junior Barry J. Sanders.
But what he did Friday night in a blowout of Tulsa NOAH had my jaw dropping again. Sanders rushed for 313 yards and five touchdowns as the Chargers continue to make a statement in Class 3A.
Sanders has routinely put two- or three-touchdown outings that I don’t bat an eye at those. However, this was the type of statement that sure silence some critics. And in the short term, it’s this performance that has earned him the Private Schools Player of the Week.
The Chargers have another big test this week with Newcastle (I’ll be there).
Other contenders
Jamaal Whitney, McGuinness, Football: Whitney broke through for a big one with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 21-14 victory at Woodward.
Mac Katigan, Casady, Football: Gets better with every game. Katigan is proving to be a solid running option for the Cyclones, rushing for three touchdowns in the Dallas Greenhill thumping.
Cassius Calhoun, Casady, Football: The workhorse for the Cyclones was at it again with 160 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.
Tom Frantz, Irish, Cross Country: Frantz placed eighth in leading McGuinness to a second-place finish at Holland Hall.
Mt. St. Mary’s softball: Back to the state tournament go the Rockets. Definitely a contender for the 3A championship.
