Heritage Hall readying for tough test at Clinton
Running back Barry J. Sanders and Heritage Hall will face a tough test on Friday at Clinton. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Class 3A No. 1 Heritage Hall may have easy disposed of rival Casady in its season opener last week, but a much tougher test awaits Friday.
Barry J. Sanders, Sterling Shepard and the star-studded Chargers play at Clinton, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, on Friday, facing a perennial power that is loaded with talent.
“It’s gonna be a tough one out there,” Chargers coach Andy Bogert said. “They’ve got a lot of speed at the skill positions, and their secondary is really good.
“And playing in the Tornado Bowl is intimidating in itself,” he added about Clinton’s well-known and unique stadium.
Clinton is coming off a 40-6, Week 1 win over its rival, Weatherford. Senior running back Jalee Rainge rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Is Heritage Hall mentally ready for such a challenge after last week’s easy, 49-8 win, which saw the Chargers up 42-0 early in the second quarter before pulling starters?
“They will be ready for this,” Bogert said. “They know Clinton’s tradition. We’ve very much stressed it.
“They’re locking in pretty good.”
Jason Kerseyjkersey@opubco.com
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Bill Tipton VII Baseball Bracket
Bill Tipton VII
Wednesday
At Carl Albert
McAlester vs. OKC Broncos, 11 a.m.
Carl Albert vs. Weatherford, 1:30
Blanchard vs. Duncan, 4 p.m.
Blanchard vs. Clinton, 6:30
At Shawnee
Yukon vs. Lawton Mac, 11 a.m.
Yukon vs. Bishop McGuinness, 1:30
Shawnee vs. McGuinness, 4 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Ada, 6:30
Thursday
At Carl Albert
Duncan vs. Carl Albert, 11 a.m.
Clinton vs. Carl Albert, 1:30
Altus vs. Clinton, 4 p.m.
Altus vs. Weatherford, 6:30
At Shawnee
McGuinness vs. OKC Broncos, 11 a.m.
McGuinness vs. Ada, 1:30
Yukon vs. McAlester, 4 p.m.
Lawton Mac vs. McAlester, 6:30
Friday
At Carl Albert
Blanchard vs. Altus, 9:30 a.m.
Blanchard vs. Weatherford, noon (I’ll be there)
Duncan vs. Weatherford, 2:30
Duncan vs. Clinton, 5 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Altus, 7:30
At Shawnee
McAlester vs. Ada, 9:30 a.m.
OKC Broncos vs. Ada, noon
OKC Broncos vs. Lawton Mac, 2:30
Lawton Mac vs. Shawnee, 5 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Yukon, 7:30
Saturday
Games at both sites at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m. Championship game is at Carl Albert at 4 p.m.
High school baseball at the Brick expanding
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
The last two years, the Mayor’s Cup between the three Edmond and three Moore high schools has been a regular event at the ballpark now known as RedHawks Field at Bricktown.
This season the schedule of games at the park expands with 17 high school and one college game scheduled for the park during April.
The 2011 Mayor’s Cup will be played Saturday with Edmond North and Moore at 11 a.m., Edmond Santa Fe and Westmoore at 2:30 and Edmond Memorial and Southmoore at 6 p.m. (Boneman’s note: I will be at The Brick for the Saturday games).
Crowder and Stuart will play at 7 p.m. Friday to start the series.
World Baseball Outreach will hold a baseball equipment drive during the Mayor’s Cup. Fans are asked to bring new or gently used baseball and softball equipment to help the organization provide equipment to at-risk youth in the state.
Other than the Mayor’s Cup, the other games in the series are free to the public.
Schedule (gates open an hour before game time):
Friday: Crowder vs. Stuart, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Edmond North vs. Moore, 11 a.m.; Edmond Santa Fe vs. Westmoore, 2:30 p.m.; Edmond Memorial vs. Southmoore, 6 p.m.
Tuesday: UCO vs. USAO, 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Amber-Pocasset vs. Cashion, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 7: Yukon vs. El Reno, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 8: Sterling vs. Elgin, 4 p.m.; Purcell vs. Sayre, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 9: Kansas vs. Westville, 5 p.m.
April 23: Stroud vs. Wellston, 2 p.m.; Cushing vs. Lone Grove, 5 p.m.
April 26: Carnegie vs. Clinton, 4 p.m.; Holdenville vs. Konawa, 7 p.m.
April 27: Carl Albert vs. Shawnee, 7 p.m.
April 28: Jenks vs. Choctaw, 7 p.m.
April 30: Midwest City vs. Muskogee, 2 p.m.; Comanche vs. Velma-Alma, 5 p.m.
District 4A-1 awards…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
District 4A-1 Awards
MVP- Will Davis, Elk City
Co-Offensive Players of the Year- LaRone Richardson, Bishop McGuinness;
Saul Pina, Clinton
Defensive Player of the Year- Lane Kinney, Clinton
Co-Offensive Backs of the Year- Tanner Thompson, Cache; Dakota Pearson, Elgin
Co-Quarterbacks of the Year- Casey Cobalt, Woodward; Colten Headrick, Guymon
Tri-Receivers of the Year- Drake Smithton, Woodward
Cody Lake, Elk City, Tanner Jackson, Elgin
Lineman of the Year- James Twins, Clinton
Offensive Lineman of the Year- Dirick Hatfield, Elgin
Co-Defensive Linemen of the Year- Carl Devorce, Elk City
Jesse Huff, Woodward
Co-Inside Linebackers of the Year- Steven Ferguson, Elk City
Mason Semmel, Woodward
Co-Outside Linebackers of the Year- Jacob Lee, Clinton
Josh Glenn, Woodward
Co-Secondary Players of the Year- Jason Butler, Elgin
Chalmer Wyatt, Elgin
Co-Special Teams Players of the Year- Trey Todd, Piedmont
Devon Willcox, Cache
Coach of the Year- Mike Lee, Clinton
All-District
Bishop McGuinness-Jamaal Whitney, Dakota Leftwich, Nick Callaway, David Krenger
Cache- Terrell Evans, Ryan Burnett, Brad Bowen, Sam Houston, Shawn Roberto, Dante Irby, Grant Vaden, John Gabelmann
Clinton- Teontre Murphy, Cole Higbee, Dakota Sutton, Ruben Gutierrez
Elgin- Ryan Curtis, Dylan Deluca,Shane Neighbors, Trevor Dudark, Gabe Griego, Taylor Fort
Elk City- Michael Hufford, Jacob Leal, Rhett McAbee
Guymon- Jace Melton, Fernando Acosta, Dang Dang, T. J. Anderson, Kolten Renteria
Piedmont- Dustin Hand, Austin Cowan, D. J. Landry, Jordan McAdoo, Dalton Carney
Woodward- Tanner Ward, Jacob Troy, Shawn Taylor, Kale White
Honorable Mention
Bishop McGuinness- David Krahl, Collin Douglas, Blake Burgess
Cache-Byron Brewer, Allan Johnston, Landon Harper, Deon Butler
Elgin- Dayton Yarbrough, Delvin Thurman, Caleb Lagrone
Elk City- Justice Rheaume, Kade Coulter, Chance Cook, David Clinton, Cacy Connor
Woodward-Jacob Gilreath, Josh Crow
LOCK: Clinton gives Elgin first district loss, 28-20…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Uh oh, coming off my first LOCK loss of the year, how will the Boneman respond?
After a Week 2 loss to Heritage Hall, was kinda wondering where this Clinton team was going to end up in Class 4A. Was the jump up too much?
But a road victory at Bishop McGuinness shut me up, and Mike Lee’s boys have been rolling since that point bringing a 6-1 record into Friday’s game against Elgin.
Speaking of Elgin, who thought the Owls would be here at this juncture? Thought for sure replacing Kwame Tate was going to be a chore and a half and this team would straddle the .500 mark at best.
Eh, shows what I know.
However, Clinton should assert its dominance in the district with a victory here. The Owls are coming off a big win of their own against the Irish but winning at Clinton is a whole ‘nother story.
Love what Lane Kinney is doing at QB for the Red Tornadoes. Not forcing things, making sound decisions through the air and ground.
Sometimes the best things to do is just keep it simple. Let RBs Saul Pina and Jalee Rainge carry the load. They’re showing that they are more than capable of doing so.
And the wild card up front is James Twins. He can dominate a game and frustrate opponents.
Been a good run for Garrett Lorah and the rest of the Elgin squad, but I see Clinton coming out of this one with a decisive victory.
The pick: Clinton 28, Elgin 20.
Boneman’s LOCK record: 6-1 (Guthrie over Duncan, Heritage Hall over Clinton, Purcell over Lexington, Midwest City over Yukon, Jones over Morris, Norman over Southmoore, Carl Albert over Guthrie).
SMQ: Clinton too strong for Irish, 29-14…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
So who is the real Bishop McGuinness team? The one that played a memorable shootout against a great Millwood team? Or a team that looked lifeless from the second quarter on and got overpowered by Clinton?
I don’t know. But through four weeks of the season, I didn’t think I would have as many questions about the Irish as I do right now.
Clinton 29, Bishop McGuinness 14
The first quarter had me thinking we were going to have a fun one. Both teams had 13-play drives that ended in touchdowns and took nearly the entire first quarter.
It was fun watching great backs like Saul Pina and Jalee Rainge of Clinton and LaRone Richardson of the Irish for four quarters.
But this game was turned around by the play of a ‘big ugly’ James Twins. Listed at 6-4 and 285 pounds, Twins dominated the line of scrimmage from the second quarter until the end of the game. Got in the backfield and stopped Richardson. Batted down passes from Camden Tharp.
Clinton had two big plays that stole all momentum from the Irish. Pina had an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the final play of the first quarter. Then Rainge iced the game with a 90-yard run down the sideline in the fourth quarter.
Rainge also had a pretty big interception in the first half that turned a 13-7 game into a 19-7 game and had McGuinness playing catch up the rest of the way.
Good, strong win by the Red Tornadoes in a tough place to pick up a win.
Boneman’s Breakdown
- Irish coach Kenny Young said he isn’t worried about it, but the lack of a passing game is worrisome. McGuinness has been unable to get a consistent aerial attack. In this game, McGuinness completed five passes for only 29 yards. Not enough balance.
- Loved what I saw from Rainge. I was expecting Pina to be the one I was saying ‘wow’ about. But man, Rainge is something else.
- The play of Lane Kinney cannot be applauded enough. In his first start, he completed three passes for 90 yards and also gashed the Irish on a few QB runs.
- Tharp also had some big runs himself. But the offense is going to have to find more ways to put points on the scoreboard if this team is going to have success late in the season.
Up next: McGuinness (2-2, 0-1) has a tough date at Woodward (3-1, 1-0). Boomers are a solid team with its only defeat at the hands of a much bigger Garden City, Kan., club. Clinton (3-1, 1-0) hosts Piedmont.
Clinton vs. McGuinness Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.om
Clinton (2-1) at Bishop McGuinness (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Pribil Stadium (I will be there)
Clinton
Why the Red Tornadoes can win: Because they survived against Plainview. That was big to not be coming to the Irish with back-to-back losses. And they showed a lot of heart in coming back against a good Indians team and should have a lot of confdience.
Bishop McGuinness (W – Douglass 9-7, W – BKelley 14-7, L – Millwood 48-41)
Why the Irish can win: Because the loss to Millwood may have hurt their pride, but it shouldn’t have a long-term impact on this team. Offense busted out of its shell after not scoring more than 14 points in either of the first two games with LaRone Richardson notching five touchdowns.
Key matchup: Irish passing game vs. Clinton defense. I’m going to beat this sucker into the ground because I feel it so much to be true. Camden Tharp can throw well (saw it last year), time to get these receivers involved and also let Richardson run wild out of the backfield. The balance makes this team a championship contender, I’m sure of it.
The pick: Irish 26, Clinton 22. Actually expect both teams to find some holes and make some big plays, be it Saul Pina or Jamaal Whitney or someone like that. But in the end, it’s a big defensive stand that gives the Irish a leg up in the quest for a district championship.
Boneman’s Irish prediction record: 3-0.
Heritage Hall vs. Clinton Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Clinton (1-0) at Heritage Hall (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Pop Murray Field
Clinton
Why the Red Tornadoes can win: Because as good as Heritage’s Barry J. Sanders is, Clinton’s Saul Pina does not have to take a backseat to anybody. He was the one who kept this team together after Delans Griffin’s injury last year. This is Pina’s team, and backed by that strong offensive line, that’s a good thing.
Heritage Hall (W – Casady 35-16)
Why the Chargers can win: Because everybody is growing up and clicking now. Heritage took its foot off the gas pedal in the second half against the Cyclones. That first half showed exactly what this team can do when healthy. You know the stars, but the supporting cast is why this team can make a run.
Key matchup: Heritage passing game vs. Clinton secondary. Let’s say the running games cancels each other out. Cooper Cloud and Sterling Shepard are going to have to keep the Red Tornadoes honest when it comes to the passing game.
The pick: Heritage 27, Clinton 23. Should be a fun one, a real fun one. Said it in Friday’s piece that I think this is the night Quintaz Struble makes a big play.
LOCK: Heritage Hall 27, Clinton 23…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Because of some technical difficulties and mis-communication, the LOCKs of your Varsity writers didn’t appear last week.
It’s after the fact, but I’ma telling ya right now my LOCK was Guthrie over Duncan. Did I think it would be 25-0? Heck no, but I thought the Bluejays would pull it out.
People’s views on LOCKs are different. I’ve always looked at it as a game that could go either way, but you have a strong opinion. I’ve never viewed it as the most obvious game.
For this week’s LOCK going to Heritage Hall. This game should be great between the Chargers and the Red Tornadoes.
Both teams are coming in off of very similar wins. Clinton won at rival Weatherford. Heritage won at rival Casady.
So why in a battle between 3A’s No. 3-ranked Chargers and the seventh-ranked Red Tornadoes of 4A, do I think it’s a LOCK that Heritage wins?
One word: maturity.
That super sophomore class is now a super junior class. They’re all bigger and stronger and smarter. And most importantly, healthy.
The way Quintaz Struble and Sterling Shepard dicatated the Casady game was incredible. You add in Barry J. Sanders and seniors like Shaun Tkach and Cooper Cloud, and there ya go.
Clinton’s Saul Pina will be a tough challenge, no doubt. And like I said, this game should be close. Ultimately, Chargers pull it out.
Boneman’s LOCK: Heritage Hall 27, Clinton 23.
Last week: 1-0, Guthrie over Duncan. Overall: 1-0.
Football: Weatherford’s Jake Barrios, Clinton’s Delans Griffin ignite win…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
That was the first all-state football game I’ve covered and gotta say it was a lot of fun. Maybe it’s because I didn’t spend the entire night wondering if I had the stats right, but I love getting a chance to watch the game from the sidelines.
Behind Weatherford’s Jake Barrios and a blocked PAT by Carl Albert’s Markell Walker and Watonga’s Trevon Hartfield, the West pulled out a 21-20 victory Friday at Jenks HS.
By the way, that was the first time I’ve been to Jenks. What a strange sight. It seems like a nice little town, and then bam, you’re hit in the head with this HUGE (and beautiful) stadium and athletic facilities.
Wonder how the parking is for regular Jenks games. Sure seemed like a mess Friday, but that’s just my first impression.
Back to the game, rivals became friends again this time with Weatherford’s Jake Barrios and Clinton’s Delans Griffin.
If I was smarter, I would have had the video rolling for the final play of the first half. Alas, I did not.
Barrios rolled out toward the sideline around the 50 yard line. He didn’t have enough strength for it to reach the end zone, but two East defenders deflected the ball right into Griffin’s hands. He went the final 10 yards for an improbable score to make it 14-14 at halftime.
Eh, better to be lucky than good, I guess.
Barrios will move on to play baseball in college, but I really enjoyed watching him play football. Barrios and Kale Sawatzky helped bring the Eagles back to prominence, and those boys brought it every night.
Fun to see Metro Christian’s Beau Marsaln play. He’s got a good arm and that 88-yard touchdown pass to Bartlesville’s Mike Thompson was easily one of the highlights of the night.
Though if you want the moment of the night, hmm, think it’s gotta go to Tulsa McLain’s Kerry Burks. He picked up a fumble and ran nearly 70 yards for a touchdown. Big boy’s got some wheels.
That set the tone for the game. We were scoreless for the first eight minutes and that seemed to either loosen everybody up or get everybody pumped again.
Former Star Spencer coach and now Tulsa Washington head man Darrell Hall was honored as the Coach of the Year while Putnam North’s Dillon Schooley was named Player of the Year. Schooley had an interception Friday.
***
That wraps up All-State week. The memory of Kyle Lewis was present all five days and won’t go away anytime soon. It sure felt strange for me driving by the Stroud exit late Friday night.
Look for a video with Barrios on NewsOK this weekend.
