Semifinal sites set
Here’s the semifinal times/dates:
Class 6A
Jenks vs. Southmoore, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City Stadium
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, University of Tulsa
Class 5A
El Reno vs. Carl Albert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Putnam City Stadium
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Stillwater High School
Class 4A
Weatherford vs. Douglass, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon
Star Spencer vs. Sallisaw, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa
Class 3A
Seq. Claremore vs. Cascia Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook
Class B
Garber vs. Laverne, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward
Ryan vs. Canton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman
Class C
DC-Lamont vs. Timberlake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Enid
Seiling vs. Forgan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward
Deer Creek: Cale Coshow Signing Day video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I look at Cale Coshow, and I don’t see a college baseball player. I see a big, strong offensive lineman. But man can Coshow play some baseball.
The Deer Creek senior made it official this last week, signing his letter of intent to play for Oklahoma. It was fun talking to Coshow because you can tell how conflicted he was between OSU and OU.
But then you realize how much love and passion he has for the Sooners, and you see how big his smile I got talking about it.
Coshow will be joined by Putnam North’s Casey Coyle at OU. Cale was at Casey’s signing in the morning and Casey turned right back around and was at Cale’s signing in the afternoon.
Deer Creek: Ian Davis video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
A lot of audio issues with all the Signing Day videos I shot. Some just couldn’t be recovered, so that stinks. Here is a short one with Deer Creek golfer Ian Davis.
Davis is easily one of the best golfers in the state. He made it official, signing with Oklahoma State and the Cowboys this week.
Interesting to see what he has in store for his senior season. He will be roommates with fellow star, Carl Albert’s Talor Gooch.
Boneman: Signing Day thoughts…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I’m a softie at heart, so signing day is one of my favorite days of the sports year. It’s right up there with All-City and All-State days where the kids are allowed to relax and have fun.
I totally forgot about Signing Day until Sunday. With all the football playoff stuff, just plum forgot. But I definitely made the rounds today.
Started off the day at Heritage Hall at just past 10 a.m. and the signing of Julie Labarthe to Quinnipiac for tennis. As a HUGE tennis fan, I wasn’t going to miss this. Nice crowd, love to see the support of the students for some of the ‘minor’ sports. You can’t call tennis minor to me, but I understand not everyone’s cup of tea is a five-set, four-hour epic.
Went into the office and put that video in and blogged about it. Then it was off to Deer Creek for a trio of signings with Corbin Campbell (OBU, soccer), Ian Davis (OSU, golf) and Cale Coshow (OU, baseball). It was scheduled for 1:30.
Who made those posters of the kids? Those were beyond cool. Again, I have no artistic ability at all, so I marvel at stuff like that.
Each gave a brief speech before making it official. While there, Van Shea Iven joined the party and told me about the Edmond Santa Fe signing ceremony at 2:30. Hmm, why not?
We weren’t sure we were going to make it. The Antlers ceremony was nice and had a chance to talk with both Davis and Coshow.
Funny how each had OU and OSU in their final choices. Davis chose the Cowboys while Coshow will be a Sooner.
Also weird that each will have a roommate from a local high school. Davis will be with Carl Albert’s Talor Gooch while Coshow’s roommate will be Casey Coyle of Putnam North.
So after more video at Deer Creek, it was off to Santa Fe where the Wolves were honoring six kids.
Two stood out to me just because I’ve talked with them before and covered them with Sierra Bronkey (Arkansas, softball) and Jordan Lopez (Texas Tech, baseball).
Also honored were golfers Matt Helms (Wichita State) and Cody Reed (Northeastern State), volleyballer Tate Hardaker (UCO) and basketball player Jimi Blagowsky (Air Force).
This was probably the coolest environment of the three as the girls basketball players were going nuts for Jimi.
Shot short videos with Bronkey and Lopez, so those should be up on NewsOK later this week.
I’ve never shot more video in one day. Not all of it was good (some audio issues), but I’m interested to see how it all turned out.
Like Ryan posted, if you know of any other signings that we don’t have, send ‘em our way. Thanks a bunch.
OKRankings.com Girls Basketball Poll
The OKRankings.com Preseason Girls Basketball Coaches’ poll has been released. These are the rankings that eventually go toward deciding playoff pairings. So here they are (first-place votes in parentheses):
Class 6A
1. Midwest City (18)
2. Tulsa Union (1)
3. Norman
4. Edmond North
5. Edmond Memorial
6. Edmond Santa Fe
7. Lawton
8. Del City (2)
9. Norman North
10. Putnam City North
11. Jenks
12. Broken Arrow
13. Sapulpa
14. Owasso
15. Ponca City
16. Yukon
17. Enid
18. Southmoore
19. Bixby
20. Choctaw
Know of a player signing?
With signing day coming up Wednesday, The Oklahoman is once again compiling a list of players across the state who have signed to play college athletics at any level.
If you have a signing to report, e-mail it to Ryan Aber at raber@opubco.com ro post it on the comments section here (on the main high school blog at http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports )
Edmond POW: D’Juan Brooks, Memorial…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
This was supposed to be the year for Edmond Memorial’s D’Juan Brooks. He was supposed to be the focal point of an explosive offense.
An injury in Week 3 derailed that from happening, but Brooks is healthy at just the right time and came through with the biggest game of the season.
Brooks rushed for 171 yards and his first touchdown of the season in a 15-0 win at Putnam City. His effort is good enough for him to be named the Edmond Player of the Week.
The running game has been solely Cale Olbert and Kameron Doolittle. But with Brooks back, it’s added another dimension and given Bulldog fans reason to be thinking big as the playoffs begin.
Brooks returned for the North battle two weeks ago but wasn’t at his best. He couldn’t have been. He was more just happy to be able to get the chance to play. Now he’s executing like the coaches thought he would.
He’s worked his way back into shape and should play a big role in the showdown with Mustang on Friday.
Other contenders
Joe Aska Jr., North: Offensive line getting a little healthy, and Aska goes off again. The senior ran for four touchdowns in a 43-0 thumping of Westmoore. He is over 1,000 yards this season.
Brian Mills, Santa Fe: His last run was a touchdown run that put him over 1,000 yards for the year. Mills rushed for 137 yards and two scores in a 34-14 win against Moore.
Joel Blumenthal and Hunter Dinkines, Deer Creek: It wasn’t a pretty night for the Antlers, but Dinkines and Blumenthal gave a tremendous effort to try to help the Antlers into the playoffs.
Will Long, Santa Fe: Only played the first half but was very efficient in throwing for two touchdowns in the win vs. Moore.
Will Conant, Memorial: I’d vote him Big All-City kicker right now. He is so accurate with such a strong leg. Boomed a 40 and a 41-yard FG in the win at PC.
Edmond: Week 10 recap…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
We were one game away from an Edmond sweep this week. But to be honest, Lawton Mac was never in real danger against Deer Creek. Couple of teams are staying home and couple are moving on to the playoffs.
Memorial (7-3, 6-1)
Welcome back, D’Juan Brooks. With Cale Olbert hurtin’, Brooks was the running force for the Bulldogs in a 15-0 win vs. Putnam City, scoring his first touchdown of the year and running for 171 yards.
Second shutout in a row for the defense and third in the six-game winning streak as that group is just plain stingy.
And if you read Sunday’s paper, I give some overdue credit to kicker Will Conant. He’s been so solid that he no longer stands out in my mind. But he is very impressive.
Up next: First-round home date with Mustang. I’ve called it the best first round game in the state. It’s a debatable point (for sure), but for my money, it’s the cream of a delicious crop.
North (8-2, 5-2)
Welcome back, Joe Aska Jr. Not that he really went anywhere, but Aska was back to being the beast we all know he is in a dominant 43-0 win against Westmoore.
This was exactly the type of game the Huskies needed heading into the playoffs. A no-doubt-about-it blowout win.
Townsend looked good (from the reports I had) and that is just as key. And the defense did what it always does.
Up next: Ooh, a tough one at Lawton (I’ll be there). When North has been tested recently, it has fallen short. Here’s a chance for redemption.
Santa Fe (3-7, 2-5)
Not much more to add about Bruce Gowen’s club that I haven’t already said. A great finish to a tumultuous season as the Wolves closed the 2009 campaign with a 34-14 win against Moore.
Here’s what was fun, though. In the second half, you had freshman Trevan Smith (Reggie’s brother) lined up at one corner and Phillip Sumpter (Steven’s brother) on the other.
Interested to see where Brian Mills heads up. He’s got a bunch of Ivy League schools knocking on his door. Safe to say, he has a bright future ahead.
Deer Creek (4-6, 3-4)
A 3-0 early lead turned into a 34-3 Lawton MacArthur lead, and the writing was on the wall in a 48-30 loss.
Antlers were down several key members, and Hunter Dinkines and Joel Blumenthal gave it their best shot at quarterback.
Good thing is several key components will be back for the Antlers. Injuries had this season taking a detour from what could have been.
Deer Creek vs. Lawton Mac Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Deer Creek (4-5, 3-3) vs. Lawton MacArthur (6-3, 4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Cameron Stadium, Lawton
Deer Creek (W, Piedmont; L, Shawnee; L, Woodward; W, NWClassen; W, WHeights; L, Duncan; L, El Reno; W, Chickasha; L, Altus)
Why the Antlers can win: Because sometimes when a team has been hit with so many key injuries like this team, the younger kids decide it’s their time to step up and play WAY over their heads for one night. For one night, these kids have to be a special.
Quote:
In my 26 years as a coach, I’ve never had a year like this with the injuries. We’ve run out of tape, but we haven’t run out of fight.” – coach Grant Gower
Lawton Mac
Why the Highlanders can win: Because on paper, they are the better team. The 6-3 record is actually surprising to me as I thought LM would be playing for a district championship. Offensive is explosive, averaging nearly 37 points per outing.
Key matchup: Deer Creek QBs vs. Lawton Mac defense. Hunter Dinkines will make his first start at QB. How will he do? Will he have the poise to lead the team. Will freshman Joel Blumenthal make an appearance? A lot of questions on this one.
The pick: Lawton Mac 21, Deer Creek 10. DC is going to run out of bodies and after a tight first half, just won’t have anything left in the tank. DC and LM fans, the Boneman would appreciate Twitter updates tonight on this one @BPrzybylo.
Deer Creek: Playoff scenario…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Courtesy of ace reporter Ryan Aber:
Deer Creek: Third with win and Chickasha win. Fourth with win and Altus win where Deer Creek gains 10 or more district points on Altus. Fourth with loss and Chickasha win where Deer Creek gains 10 or more district points on Altus.
***
So if you’re an Antler fan, put on your Chickasha hat and cheer on Chase Rodgers and the Chicks.
Deer Creek is in a tough spot in having to go to Lawton Mac this week as banged up as Grant Gower’s boys are.
If the offense stumbles early, I fully expect Joel Blumenthal to come in and try to save the day. I’ve actually had a couple of people compare him to former Tulsa QB Paul Smith. We’re not going to put the weight of the world on his shoulders yet, but the whispers have me curious about his talent.
DC’s best bet is that final scenario, if you ask me. It’s going to be tough to pull out, but it should make for an interesting night of scoreboard watching.
