The Chargers recently attended a team camp at Kansas State, and won the 7-on-7 tournament on the final day of the camp. And over the weekend, Heritage Hall reached the finals of the Shootout of the South 7-on-7 tournament in Little Rock, Ark.

Heritage Hall was one of the smallest schools to reach the final eight, which also included Allen, Texas, and large Arkansas schools like Fayetteville and Little Rock Central, among others.

Lake Hamilton (Pearcy, Ark.) defeated the Chargers 37-28 in the finals on Saturday.

But the performance was important for a young Heritage Hall squad that will rely on several sophomores and juniors at the skill positions. Junior Matthew McLaughlin was named the event’s Outstanding Receiver, while others like junior quarterback Connor McGinnis and senior T.J. Schallner also stood out.

“We just came in and played really well,” coach Andy Bogert said. “Connor threw the ball really well, just had a great day.”

Heritage Hall beat Topeka in the finals of the Kansas State tournament.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced its All-State tennis teams Tuesday. The OCA All-State tennis event will be held July 30 at Tulsa Union.

BOYS
EAST
Jayden Black, Henryetta
Josh Ellis, Ada
Chase Gordon, Jenks
Levi Kerr, Grove
Andreas Kutt, Tulsa Union
Cameron Schuessler, Durant
John Stour, Ada
J.T. Tasker, Metro Christian

WEST
Andrew Ahshapanek, Anadarko
Oakes Arceneaux, Heritage Hall
Tanner Chambers, Edmond North
Riley Hale, Bishop McGuinness
Seth Moore, Yukon
Nathan Roper, Edmond North
Matt Taber, Carl Albert
Sylvester Yo, Westmoore

GIRLS
EAST
Mariah Burke, Jenks
Olivia Charvat, Metro Christian
Reynolds Chew, Metro Christian
Courtney Coon, Broken Arrow
Piper Huey, Jenks
Abby Jordan, Cascia Hall
Margo Martin, Ada
Lauryn Sullins, Perry

WEST
Samantha Cassidy, Duncan
Alexandra Dick, Enid
Kathryn Dillingham, Enid
Alex Morales, Ardmore
Ann Pepper, Edmond North
Shali Schoepflin, Edmond Memorial
Brittany Toone, Duncan
Lacie Unah, Anadarko

Stillwater sophomore Kaid Brock leads a group of 10 state wrestlers ranked by WIN magazine in its national preseason rankings.

Brock is No. 2 at 103 pounds.

Two other state wrestlers are in the top in their weight, Tuttle’s Zach Beard, No. 4 at 182, and Altus’ Keilan Torres, No. 5 at 160.

Berryhill’s Davey Dolan is No. 12 at 138, Heritage Hall’s Ethan Walker is No. 13 at 195 and Stillwater’s Joe Smith is No. 20 at 120.

At 113, Broken Arrow’s Markus Simmons is No. 17 while Collinsville’s Davion Jeffries is No. 18.

Two state wrestlers are also ranked at 220, with Edmond North’s Andrew Dixon at No. 13 and Chickasha’s Jacoby Brown at No. 15.

Norman North sophomore defensive lineman Stelen Covel, the son of country music star Toby Keith, was one of four state players selected for the 2013 Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl.

The fifth-annual game will be played Jan. 6 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The other players selected were Heritage Hall’s Luther Harris, a lineman, and running back/linebacker Terrell Love Jr. and Jenks defensive back Austin Quillen. All three are freshmen.

Love is the son of former U.S. Grant and Star Spencer coach Terrell Love.

The four will play for the USA Under-15 team against a team from Canada. The team is coached by former Oklahoma assistant David White.

The four will be presented with their jerseys Saturday at Keith’s restaurant in Bricktown during halftime of the Oklahoma-Iowa State game.

One-third of Ohio’s Oklahoma connection missed the Bobcats’ game against Norfolk State on Saturday.

Former Norman North quarterback Tyler Tettleton, who had thrown for 781 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception in Ohio’s first three games, was held out with an undisclosed injury.

USA Today reported that Tettleton’s injury was to his abdomen.

With Derrius Vick in Tettleton’s place, though, the Bobcats didn’t skip a beat.

Norman North product Beau Blankenship ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass in Ohio’s 44-10 win over Norfolk State. Blankenship ran for 109 yards, topping 100 yards for the fourth consecutive game.

Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster caught five passes, tying a career high, for 69 yards and two touchdowns, including Ohio’s first less than three minutes into the game. Blankenship’s 24-yard touchdown catch came just three minutes later.

—
Carl Albert’s David Oku ran for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Arkansas State’s 56-0 win over Alcorn State. Oku also had a five-yard reception.

—
Sequoyah-Tahlequah’s Nathan Stanley hit freshman tight end Taylor Jenkins for a three-yard touchdown pass with 2:39 left to give Southeastern Louisiana a 25-24 upset win over FCS No. 17 McNeese State.

Stanley, a transfer from Ole Miss, was 21 of 35 with 247 yards passing. Stanley also rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown and had a 42-yard punt.

—
Millwood’s Davion Pierson, a redshirt freshman, had two tackles and a fumble recovery in TCU’s 27-7 win over Virginia.

—
Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor had a team-high nine tackles–eight solo–in Oregon State’s 27-20 upset of then-No. 19 UCLA.

Doctor, starting at weakside linebacker, had one tackle for a loss.

Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman, who started at strong safety, added four solo tackles in the upset.

—
Midwest City’s Timothy Flanders kept up his big production for Sam Houston State against Central Arkansas.

Flanders ran for  125 yards and a pair of touchdowns and had one reception in the Bearkats’ 24-20 loss in Conway, Ark.

The 100-yard game was Flanders’ 17th of his career at Sam Houston State. He also moved to No. 5 in Southland Conference history in career rushing touchdowns with 39. The conference record is 52.

—
Owasso’s Nick Rosa caught a 16-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to put Drake ahead for good in its 28-25 win over Morehead State. Rosa finished with two catches for 22 yards and an eight-yard kick return.

Edmond North’s Cam Bohnert had three punts for a 34-yard average, including one inside the 20.

—
Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had four tackles, including a sack, and Jenks’ Orion Jones had three tackles in Toledo’s 38-28 win over Coastal Carolina.

—
Muskogee’s Shjuan Richardson had an 11-yard touchdown catch with less than four minutes left to help seal Emporia State’s 30-20 win over Northeastern State. Richardson had three catches for 53 yards and a 23-yard kick return in the win.

Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had a three-yard reception, Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis had 44 return yards and Del City’s Jeff Richards had a 23-yard kick return.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had eight tackles, Alva’s Derek Lohmann, Gaddis and Richards had five each and Luther’s Justin Wilson had two as the Hornets improved to 4-0.

Piedmont’s Jordan McAdoo, Norman North’s Lance Uhles and Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers started on the offensive line, which helped Emporia State post 452 yards of total offense.

—
A week after being part of Pittsburgh’s upset over Virginia Tech, the Panthers rolled to a 55-10 win over Gardner-Webb.

Tulsa Washington’s Isaac Bennett scored Pitt’s final two touchdowns in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Bennett ran for 52 yards.

—
This one has been covered a bit but Tulsa Washington’s Tyler Lockett had four catches for 37 yards and Jenks’ Tramaine Thompson had three catches for 49 yards in Kansas State’s 24-19 upset at Oklahoma.

Thompson had a third-down reception for a first down on each of Kansas State’s final two drives.

Thompson and Lockett each had one rushing attempt as well as a kickoff return each.

Tulsa Washington’s Dante Barnett had one tackle, while fellow Hornet Keenan Taylor started on the offensive line.

—
Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had four tackles in New Mexico’s 27-14 win over rival New Mexico State. Stoner also recovered a fumble and had a pass break up. The recovery was the sixth of Stoner’s career.

—
Glenpool’s Israel Maselera returned a punt for a touchdown to start Pittsburg State’s 59-17 win over Lincoln.

Sand Springs’ Darrack Harger ran for 12 yards and threw for 34 yards.

Sand Springs’ Tyler Smith started at left guard.

Defensively, Tulsa East Central’s Dino Teague had five tackles, Tulsa Washington’s Aries Herrion and Catoosa’s Joe Uzzel had two each. Sand Springs’ Matt Anderson and Maselera had one tackle.

—
Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes had a 10-yard touchdown reception but Princeton fell 21-20 to Georgetown. The catch was Hayes’ only reception.

Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson had two catches for a team-high 62 yards.

—
Heritage Hall’s Turner Petersen scored on a 30-yard run in the first quarter of Rice’s eventual 54-51 loss to Marshall in double overtime.

Petersen had 16 carries for 76 yards on the ground and caught a pair of passes for 20 yards.

—
McGuinness’ Kris Parham is a running back but his biggest play in Weber State’s 32-26 loss to Eastern Washington was a pass.

Parham threw a 33-yard completion in the second quarter. He finished with 31 yards rushing on three carries and had a pair of kick returns. Putnam North’s Josh Booker had a single four-yard carry.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher caught a late two-point conversion pass.

Defensively, Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales led the Wildcats with 16 tackles, three for loss. Another former Bulldogs standout, David James, added six tackles, as did Jenks’ Devin Pugh. Pletcher also had three tackles.

Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers and Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land had a tackle each.

—
Lawton’s Sonny Puletasi had a pair of tackles, including a sack for 11 yards, in Wyoming’s 40-37 overtime win over Idaho.

Puletasi’s sack came in the closing seconds of the first half and he both forced and recovered a fumble on the play.

—
Midwest City’s Ricky Reeves had a tackle in South Dakota’s 38-7 loss to Northwestern.

—
Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had seven tackles in Missouri’s 31-10 loss to South Carolina.

—
Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line for Dartmouth in its 13-10 win over Holy Cross. Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had one two-yard reception in the win.

—
Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had 12 tackles, one for a loss, in Arkansas’ 35-26 loss to Rutgers.

Muskogee’s Robert Thomas added four tackles and Tulsa Washington’s Eric Bennett three.

—
Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose had five tackles in Arkansas Tech’s 31-24 loss to Ouachita Baptist. Glenpool’s Tim Van Orsdol started on the offensive line for the Wonder Boys.

—
Tonkawa’s Jake Love and Tulsa Washington’s John Williams had two tackles each in Kansas’ 30-23 loss to Northern Illinois. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line.

—
Muskogee’s Vernon Scott had 14 yards rushing and a reception in Missouri State’s 14-6 loss to Southern Illinois.

Norman North’s Nick Canavan had five tackles and Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough had four in the loss.

—
Norman North’s Beau Traber had four tackles–assisting on a sack–in Bucknell’s 20-14 loss to Lafayette.

—
Idabel’s Kevin Rucker had a tackle in Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 24-21 win over Alabama State.

—
Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had three tackles and a pass breakup in Colorado School of Mines’ 42-37 loss to New Mexico Highlands.

—
Marlow’s Colt McCauley started on the offensive line for Southeast Missouri State in its 41-38 overtime win over Tennessee Tech.

—
Mustang’s Kyle Webster had two pass attempts with no completions and had 16 yards rushing in Missouri Southern’s 16-13 loss to Southwest Baptist. Bixby’s Michael Nelson had one carry for a seven-yard loss.

A look at how Oklahoma high school alums fared in out-of-state college action over the weekend:

A week before Kansas State comes to Norman, a couple of former Oklahoma high school stars turned in big performances in the WIldcats’ 35-21 win over North Texas on Saturday night.

The Mean Green took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when former Tulsa Washington standout Tyler Lockett returned the kick 96 yards to tie the game up.

The next two Kansas State touchdowns were scored by former Jenks standout Tramaine Thompson–one from 38 yards out and the other from 21.

Thompson finished with five catches for 102 yards. Lockett added another 23-yard kick return and a six-yard catch.

Tulsa Washington’s Keenan Taylor started on the offensive line for Kansas State. Dante Barnett (Tulsa Washington), Andre McDonald (Choctaw) and Zach Trujillo (Deer Creek) played but didn’t record any stats in the win.

—
This is becoming a weekly staple but once again the Oklahoma connection paid off for Ohio. Norman North’s Tyler Tettleton threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 35 yards, former Timberwolves standout Beau Blankenship ran for 102 yards and Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had three catches for 30 yards in the Bobcats’ 27-24 come-from-behind win over Marshall.

—
Former Tulsa Washington standout Isaac Bennett had two rushes for eight yards and two catches for 14 yards in Pittsburgh’s 35-17 upset of Virginia Tech.

—
Not much positive came out of Arkansas’ 52-0 blowout at the hands of Alabama.
Former McGuinness standout kicker Cameron Bryan came up with a nice play on special teams, sprinting down and downing a punt inside the 5 in the first half.

Bryan handled kickoff duties in eight games for Arkansas in 2009 but after Zach Hocker continued to solidify himself in the kicker roll just prior to the season, Brayn asked to be given a chance to play on kick coverage.

You can read more about him here: http://newsok.com/mcguinness-product-cameron-bryan-joins-arkansas-kickoff-coverage-team/article/3707537

Tulsa Washington’s Eric Bennett had six tackles, Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had one and Muskogee’s Robert Thomas had a pair of quarterback hurries.

—
Former Tulsa Central standout Demarco Cobbs had four tackles and Millwood’s Josh Turner had three tackles in Texas’ 66-31 win at Ole Miss. Cobbs got the start at strongside linebacker.

—
Former Carl Albert star David Oku ran for 44 yards and had 11 yards receiving in Arkansas State’s 42-13 loss to Nebraska.

—
Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had three tackles and Jenks’ Orion Jones had one in Toledo’s 27-15 win over Bowling Green.

—
Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had four tackles in Colorado School of Mines’ 42-19 win over Black Hills State. Hess also had a blocked pass.

—
NCAA Division II No. 1 Pittsburg State beat Southwest Baptist 52-9 on Saturday with the help of a few Oklahomans.
Catoosa’s Joe Uzzel had three tackles and Israel Maselera and Dino Teague (Tulsa East Central) had two tackles. Teague had a sack. Darrack Harger (Sand Springs) was 2-for 3 with 18 yards passing and rushed for -6 yards.
Uzzel started at defensive end, while Collinsville’s Chance Riley started at tight end and Sand Springs’ Tyler Smith at left guard.

—
Former Millwood star Davion Pierson continues to impress at Texas Christian. Pierson started and had five tackles–1.5 for loss (0.5 sacks)–in TCU’s 20-6 win over Kansas.
Tulsa Washington’s John Williams had three tackles for Kansas. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line for the Jayhawks.

—
Timothy Flanders, a former Midwest City star, scored a touchdown late in the first half as Sam Houston State built a lead on Baylor. But the Bears came back to win 48-23. Flanders ran for 84 yards and had another 56 yards receiving in the loss. Former Norman North standout K.J. Williams played for SHSU as well.

—
Lawton Sonny Puletasi usually starts for Wyoming at defensive end but made a mark on the other side Saturday, catching a two-point conversion pass in the second quarter of the Cowboys’ game against Cal Poly. It wasn’t enough, though, as Wyoming fell 24-22. Puletasi had three tackles, while Tulsa Washington’s T.J. Smith saw time for Wyoming as well.

—
Cayman Bundage, a freshman out of Douglass, didn’t start but saw playing time in Arizona’s 56-0 blowout of South Carolina State. Owasso’s Trent Spurgeon played for the Wildcats as well.

—
Brandon Swindall, a Millwood product, played for Utah State as the Aggies nearly pulled off a second consecutive upset, before falling to Wisconsin 16-14.

—
McGuinness’ Kris Parham ran for 23 yards and Putnam North’s Josh Booker ran for 9 in Weber State’s 35-21 loss to McNeese State. Parham also had 72 kickoff return yards on three chances. Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu led Weber State with nine tackles–all solo–in the loss. Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales had 6.5 tackles, Edmond Memorial’s David James had three, Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had two, and Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond, Jenks’ Devin Pugh and Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had one each.

—
Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had three catches for 27 yards in Dartmouth’s season-opening 35-7 win over Butler. Muskogee freshman Victor Williams had a carry for three yards and two catches for five yards. Tulsa Union’s Corbin Stall had a sack. Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line.

—
Former Muskogee standout Shjuan Richardson had seven catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns in Emporia State’s 42-14 win over UCO. Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had four catches for 48 yards and Ponca City’s Brent Wilson had two runs for eight yards in the win.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had three tackles and an interception, Alva’s Derek Lohmann and Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis each had five tackles and a forced fumble, Del City’s Jeff Richards had five tackles and Luther’s Justin Wilson had a pair of tackles. Norman North’s Lance Uhles, Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers and Piedmont’s Jordan McAdoo all started on the offensive line as Emporia State racked up 538 yards of total offense. Northwest’s Andre Maupin and Broken Arrow’s Josh Moses also played.

—
Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson caught a two-point conversion pass with about five minutes left to lift Princeton to within three but Princeton fell to Lehigh 17-14. Wilson had four catches for 40 yards to lead Princeton in receiving and added a 23-yard catch. Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes started at tight end for Princeton while fellow Comet Michael Major saw action.

—
Muskogee’s Vernon Scott ran for 46 yards and a touchdown, caught one pass and returned a kick in Missouri State’s 28-23 loss to Murray State. Norman North’s Nick Canavan had seven tackles and Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough added three in the loss. Jenks’ Ryan Boatright, Star Spencer’s Jason Fitch and Edmond Santa Fe’s Tre Kelley also saw time for Missouri State.

—
Former Heritage Hall star Turner Petersen ran for 47 yards and had 13 yards receiving in the Owls’ 56-37 loss to Louisiana Tech.

—
Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had five tackles in New Mexico’s 49-14 loss to Texas Tech. Another former Titan, Tre’ Porter, played for Texas Tech but did not record any statistics.

—
Norman North’s Beau Traber had six tackles in Bucknell’s 19-3 loss to Delaware.

—
Owasso’s Jacques Washington had a pair of tackles in Iowa State’s 37-3 win over Western Illinois. Washington started at free safety. Jenks’ Bob Graham also saw time on the offensive line.

—
Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had five tackles in the Missouri’s 24-20 win over Arizona State. Edmond North’s Xavier Smith had one. Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers also saw time.

—
Owasso’s Nick Rosa scored on a seven-yard touchdown pass and finished with five catches for 60 yards in Drake’s 27-10 loss to Indiana State. Holland Hall’s Seth Hedman had five tackles.

—
Bixby’s Michael Nelson had a nine-yard catch in Missouri Southern’s 21-14 win over Lincoln (Mo.). Norman North’s Riley Nolan also played in the win.

—
Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the offensive line for Houston in the Cougars’ 37-6 loss to UCLA. Norman’s Zach Johnson also saw time.

—
Marlow’s Colt McCauley started at left guard for Southeast Missouri in its 35-14 loss to Southern Illinois.

—
Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose, who started at linebacker, had a tackle in Arkansas Tech’s 73-34 loss to Henderson State. Glenpool’s Tim VanOrsdol started at left tackle.

Know someone I missed? Let me know in the comments or with an e-mail.

A look back at the weekend in college football involving Oklahoma athletes playing out of state:

Former Carl Albert and Tennessee running back David Oku found a new home at Arkansas State just before fall practices began. Once former Auburn standout Michael Dyer was denied a request for immediate eligibility, Oku immediately shot to the top of the Red Wolves’ depth chart.

Saturday in a 33-28 win over Justin Fuente-coached Memphis, Oku ran for 130 yards and a touchdowns–the game-winner.

Oku also had an 8-yard reception while former Oklahoma signee Josh Jarboe had 101 yards receiving for Gus Malzahn’s team.

—
Former Midwest City standout Timothy Flanders became Sam Houston State’s career rushing leader, running for 120 yards and a touchdown in a 54-7 win over Incarnate Word. Flanders now has 2,709 yards for the Bearkats. He also extended his school record for rushing touchdowns to 37. Both of Flanders’ touchdowns came in the first quarter.

—
Once again, Oklahoma high school products dominated a win by Ohio, this one a 51-24 win over New Mexico in the Bobcats’ home opener after they beat Penn State a week earlier.

Norman North grad Beau Blankenship rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns, fellow Timberwolves product Tyler Tettleton threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns and Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had a team-high five catches for 57 yards and a score.

—
A pair of former state standouts played big parts in Oregon State’s 10-7 upset over Wisconsin. Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman had seven tackles, tied for a team high, while Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor had three tackles in the win. Both started on defense, Doctor at linebacker and Zimmerman at strong safety. Another Lawton product, Jabral Johnson, saw action for the Beavers.

—
Former Tulsa Central star Demarco Cobbs had five tackles and former Millwood standout Josh Turner had two in Texas’ 45-0 win over New Mexico. Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had three tackles for New Mexico.

—
Millwood product Brandon Swindall had a pair of catches for 16 yards in Utah State’s 27-20 win over rival Utah. Another former Falcons standout, Cameron Sanders, had a tackle in the win.

—
Tulsa Washington’s Tyler Lockett continues to emerge as a star for Kansas State. Lockett had three catches for 59 yards in the WIldcats’ 52-13 win over Miami. He also had two rushes for 14 yards and returned two kicks for 54 yards. Deer Creek’s Zach Trujillo had a 58-yard catch late in the blowout while Jenks’ Tramaine Thompson had three catches for 57 yards and a 12-yard punt return. Choctaw’s Andre McDonald and Tulsa Washington’s Dante Barnett also saw time.

—
Former Millwood standout Davion Pierson started at defensive tackle and had a tackle for a loss in TCU’s 56-0 win over Grambling State. Del City’s Jamelle Naff also saw action for the Horned Frogs. Both are redshirt freshmen.

—
Owasso’s Jacques Washington, starting at free safety for Iowa State, had six tackles and a 26-yard interception return in the Cyclones’ 9-6 win over Iowa. Jenks’ Bob Graham also saw time for Iowa State.

—
Former Heritage Hall standout Turner Petersen ran for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Owls’ 25-24 win over Kansas. Petersen also had a 14-yard reception. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line for Kansas, while Tonkawa’s Jake Love and Tulsa Washington’s John Williams also saw action.

—
Carl Albert product Christian Smith had five tackles, including two for a loss (one sack) in Toledo’s 34-31 win over Wyoming. Jenks’ Orion Jones also saw action for Toledo. Lawton’s Sonny Puletasi started at defensive end for the Cowboys while Tulsa Washington’s T.J. Smith saw action.

—
Missouri didn’t have much luck in its SEC opener, losing 41-20 to Georgia but Edmond Santa Fe product Randy Ponder had four tackles. Edmond North’s Xavier Smith and Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers also saw action.

—
Houston lost again, this time 56-49 to Louisiana Tech but Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the Cougars’ offensive line that produced 693 yards of total offense.

—
Weber State didn’t do much scoring in its 45-13 loss at BYU but both touchdowns came courtesy of Oklahoma products. Putnam City North’s Josh Booker and McGuinness’ Kris Parham each found the end zone on 1-yard runs. Booker finished with 64 yards rushing, while Parham had 15. Booker also had 17 yards receiving while Parham added a 9-yard catch. Parham also had 5 kick returns for 93 yards, including one for 34 yards. On defense, Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu had eight tackles, Jenks’ Devin Pugh had five, Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond had five, Edmond Memorial’s David James had three, Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales had two, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had one and Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had a pass breakup. Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land also started on Weber State’s offensive line.

Class 4A state champion Trent Mewbourn of Heritage Hall is headed to Tulsa after a late offer changed his college plans.

Trent Mewbourn’s college plans encountered a late change.

Originally, the Heritage Hall golfer planned to go to school at Oklahoma, and possibly walk on with the golf team.

But a late offer from Tulsa has him on his way to the next level with a roster spot in hand.

Mewbourn finished his senior season strong, winning the Class 4A regional and state championships. Out of his 11 tournaments, he had five first-place finishes and was second three more times, with an overall stroke average of 71.2.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Now, coach Andy Bogert is going back to basics in his coaching with Tuesday’s first practice.

“We’re young and inexperienced,” Bogert said. “We can’t assume these guys know what the guys in the past knew. So we’re doing a lot of teaching early, and it’s a good time to teach, since we’re not in pads. We’re working on our basics and getting our terminology down.”

To emphasize Bogert’s point about the Chargers’ youth, there are 41 players on the team currently, and 19 of them are freshmen.

“We have a really nice freshman class, a really good group,” Bogert said. “But as far as getting on the field, there will only be a few of them that will get a chance. So we’re basically playing with 22 or 23 kids.”

And there’s no rush to get to the regular season. Clinton, Davis and Kingfisher — all state championship contenders in their respective classes — are on the Chargers’ schedule in the first four weeks.

Friday
Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
At Oral Roberts
Championship game, 2:30 p.m.

CLASS 5A
At Tulsa Union
Thursday
Game 1: Shawnee vs. Claremore, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Skiatook vs. Carl Albert, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Guthrie vs. Durant, 4 p.m.
Game 4: McAlester vs. Deer Creek, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
At Oral Roberts
Championship game, noon

CLASS 4A
At Shawnee
Thursday
Game 1: Berryhill vs. Heritage Hall, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Anadarko vs. Tecumseh, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Hilldale vs. Byng, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Weatherford vs. Oologah, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner. 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, 5 p.m.

CLASS 3A
Thursday
At Edmond Memorial
Game 1: Marlow vs. Jones, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Henryetta vs. Metro Christian, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Salina vs. Plainview, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Verdigris vs. Spiro, 6:30 p.m.

At Shawnee
Friday
Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 11 a.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, noon

CLASS 2A
At Dolese Park
Thursday
Game 1: Dale vs. Fairview, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Silo vs. Hennessey, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Ketchum vs. Tushka, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Oktaha vs. Wister, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
At Shawnee
Championship game, 2:30 p.m.

Heritage Hall’s baseball team made the semifinals last year and had most of its starters returning.

But an ambitious schedule and some uneven performances at the plate early in the season led to an under .500 record going into last weekend’s I-40 Classic.

But the Chargers put it all together, beating Class B No. 4 Lookeba-Sickles, Bethany, Class 4A No. 6 Weatherford and No. 2 Anadarko to win the tournament.

The Chargers (12-9) did it with four complete-game performances, including junior Tyler Huber’s no-hitter in a 4-3 win over Lookeba-Sickles.

Chad Nelson nearly no-hit Weatherford, allowing just a bloop single in a 3-2 win.

Freshman Ryan Huber got the win in an 8-2 victory over Bethany and Nathan Bowker went the distance against Anadarko in a 5-4 championship-game win.

“Our pitching has been strong all year but we’re just now starting to swing the bats as well,” Heritage Hall coach Pat Wasson said.

Among those bats coming on strong is Barry J. Sanders, who started in a bit of a slump but has heated up lately.

The Chargers are scheduled to play at Casady at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

OKLAHOMA TENNIS COACHES RANKING
CLASS 6A
Boys
1. Edmond North
2. Jenks
3. Tulsa Union
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Broken Arrow
6. Tulsa Kelley
7. McGuinness
8. Enid
9. Muskogee
10. Edmond Santa Fe

Girls
1. Jenks
2. Edmond North
3. Enid
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Tulsa Kelley
6. Broken Arrow
7. Tulsa Union
8. McGuinness
9. Bixby
10. Owasso

CLASS 5A
Boys
1. Metro Christian
2. Heritage Hall
3. Carl Albert
4. Oklahoma Christian
5. Cascia Hall
6. McAlester
7. Shawnee
8. Durant
9. Duncan
10. Ardmore

Girls
1. Duncan
2. Heritage Hall
3. Cascia Hall
4. Tulsa Washington
5. Tahlequah
6. Ardmore
7. Deer Creek
8. Carl Albert
9. Shawnee
10. Altus

CLASS 4A
Boys
1. Anadarko
2. Ada
3. Henryetta
4. Byng
5. Clinton
6. Elk City
7. Oologah
8. St. Mary
9. Seminole
10. Okmulgee

Girls
1. Ada
2. Metro Christian
3. Elk City
4. Perry
5. Midway  
6. Byng
7. Beaver
8. Seminole
9. Oklahoma Christian
10. Anadarko

Heritage Hall's Markus Wakefield committed to Howard on Monday. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Heritage Hall lineman Markus Wakefield committed play his college football at Howard University in Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon on his official visit to the school.

“The first thing was the top level education,” Wakefield said of his commitment. “Then I fell in love with the people.

“I also like coach (Gary) Harrell and the direction they were going with the program.”

Howard, which plays in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision, finished 5-6 last season, its first under Harrell.

Wakefield (6-foot-1, 280 pounds) was a first-team offensive lineman on The Oklahoman‘s 2011 All-State team, but he was key to the Chargers’ success on both sides of the ball.

Heritage Hall coach Andy Bogert said in November that his team, which featured Stanford commit Barry J. Sanders in its backfield, would “probably have trouble running the ball” without Wakefield.

Bogert said he designed the Chargers’ offensive scripts each week with Wakefield in mind on each play.

Wakefield will sign with Howard on Wednesday’s National Signing Day.

But he also knows well the lessons of Mandrell Dean‘s tragic demise.

Check out this video interview with Quintaz, where he talked to me about his dad, his mom and his family’s legacy.

(Note: This interview was filmed well before his official visit to Arkansas State, where he committed Sunday, was planned).

That’s exactly what Millwood’s Mandrell Dean did in junior high.

The footage is here, in a video I recorded with Oklahoman sports editor Mike Sherman, who covered Mandrell as a high school beat writer in the early 1990s.

We talk about Dean, his legacy, and his son, Heritage Hall’s Quintaz Struble.

Heritage Hall's Quintaz Struble committed to Arkansas State on Sunday. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Heritage Hall’s Quintaz Struble will do Wednesday what his father couldn’t nearly 20 years ago — sign with an NCAA Division I college football program.

Struble committed this morning to Arkansas State on his official visit, he said.

He held offers from some smaller, non-Division I schools, and Wyoming wanted him to “grayshirt,” meaning he’d join the program next January as part of its class of 2013.

Struble’s commitment to a Division I program is significant because of his father’s legacy. Mandrell Dean, considered one of Oklahoma’s greatest high school athletes ever, committed to Oklahoma out of Millwood but couldn’t qualify academically.

I wrote a feature in this morning’s Oklahoman about Struble and the lessons of his father. Struble found out late last month that he had qualified academically for D-I football.

Struble joins a Red Wolves team coming off a 10-3 season and an appearance in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Former Auburn, Tulsa and Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is entering his first season as Arkansas State’s head coach.

After his senior season, Struble was named to The Oklahoman’s elite, 25-man All-State football team.

Millwood legend Mandrell Dean's son, Quintaz Struble, is a senior at Heritage Hall. PHOTO BY DOUG HOKE, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

Five years ago today, an Oklahoma high school legend died.

Mandrell Dean is one of the greatest athletes in Millwood — and Oklahoma high school — history.

His 85 total touchdowns — including a stunning 28 on kick returns — had college football programs flocking to eastern Oklahoma City to recruit him.

He committed to Oklahoma in January 1993, but never signed with the Sooners because of academic issues.

After touring the country playing for semipro and arena teams, Dean returned home, became involved with the wrong people and was shot and killed while allegedly committing a home invasion.

His son, Quintaz Struble, is a senior at Heritage Hall and is on the verge of a college football career his father didn’t have.

This story was originally supposed to run two weeks ago, but we held it to gather more information and plan for a big presentation. I posted a blog about it then, but took it down when we decided to hold off on the story. I apologize for jumping the gun back then, but I think you’ll see this weekend that it was worth the wait.

Heritage Hall senior Quintaz Struble's father is Millwood legend Mandrell Dean. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Pick up a copy of The Oklahoman on Sunday to read the inspiring story of a young man with some of his father’s talent, but few of his personal burdens, and the mother who sacrificed everything to make him who he is today.

Also Sunday, on NewsOK.com, we’ll have lots of photographs, a video interview with Quintaz Struble about his dad and video highlights of Mandrell Dean.

I’ve been working on this story since October, and I’m so excited for you all to read the final product.

Defense
DL: Quintaz Struble, Heritage Hall
DL: Hunter Hart, Cascia Hall
DL: Grant Hamilton, Idabel
DL: Brett Gilstrap, Bethany
LB: Connor Sherwood, Cascia Hall
LB: Wes Satoe, Anadarko
LB: Justin Tomlinson, Berryhill
DB: Kyle Bert, Anadarko
DB: Cade Shearwood, Stigler
DB: Tanner Dearman, Anadarko
DB: Adam Dolan, Berryhill
P: Jake Blair, Kingfisher

The awards honor 21 coaches in 10 boys sports, 10 girls sports and one other sport that isn’t included in those categories. Doherty won for boys golf while Villaflor won for girls tennis.

Coaches are awarded state and sectional (Oklahoma is in a group with Texas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico) awards before reaching the national level. The NFHS Coaches Association advisory board, consisting of a chair and eight sectional representatives chooses the sectional and national winners.

EAST
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Andrew Hearon, Metro Christian
Tony Kiefer, McAlester

Running backs
Dakota Biswell, Stroud
Caleb Muncrief, Madill
Cole Scheulen, Catoosa
Willie Zackery, Woodland

Wide receivers
Levi Copelin, Broken Arrow
Michael Fraley, Adair
Ty Miller, Caddo
Victor Williams, Muskogee

Tight ends
Matt Gallagher, Owasso
Zac Veatch, Broken Arrow

Linemen
John Connor, Tulsa Kelley
Jeremy Iron, Pawhuska
Lance Kloker, Owasso
Talon Miles-Satepauhoodle, Hominy
Montana Poorboy, Catoosa
Sam Sabin, Jenks
Chris Wallace, Sperry

Punter/kicker
Tom Carwile, Tulsa Washington

DEFENSE
Linemen
Hunter Hart, Cascia Hall
Orion Jones, Jenks
Gcory Rahmings, Broken Bow
Travis Sandlin, Vian
Max Simmons, Lincoln Christian
Gary Wilson, Sand Springs

Linebackers
Patrick Bartlett, Woodland
Jevonte Cross, Tulsa East Central
Aaron Dolan, Berryhill
Connor Sherwood, Cascia Hall
Blace Walser, Tulsa Union

Defensive backs
Kent Booze, Spiro
Adam Boyd, McAlester
Kevin Peterson, Wagoner
Dillon Proctor, Caddo
Jermy Reynolds, Wewoka
Jesse Vester, Stillwater

Coaches
Mike Mobra, Catoosa; Eddy Scott, Pawhuska; Kevin Harmon, McAlester; Darren Melton, Lincoln Christian.

WEST
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Corben Jones, Yukon
Garrett Lorah, Elgin

Running backs
Casey Curtis, Putnam City
James Flanders, Midwest City
Josh Way, Wayne
Sheldon Wilson, Anadarko

Wide receivers
Gage Diffee, Bethany
Javis Flynn, Watonga
Tre Kelley, Edmond Santa Fe
Tylor Seabolt, Jones
Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall

Linemen
Blake Belcher, Guthrie
Daniel Burton, Putnam North
Brandon Dewitt, Lawton
Devin Dobbins, Millwood
Carrie Farmer, Minco
Adam Kelley, Wynnewood
Cole Parsons, Edmond North

DEFENSE
Linemen
Josh Crouch, Edmond Santa Fe
Patrick Diaz, Lawton
Kyle Factor, Westmoore
Markus Wakefield, Heritage Hall
Braylon Freeman, Lawton MacArthur
Ricky Rodriguez, Clinton

Linebackers
Landry Chappell, Guthrie
Zeke Lewis, Midwest City
Payton Marsh, Thomas
Brandon Nguyen, McGuinness
Wes Satoe, Anadarko
Jas’Sen Stoner, Douglass

Defensive backs
Rashaad Copeland, El Reno
Jared Griffin, Duncan
Rico Hogan, Norman
Aaron Holden, Temple
Aaron McCandless, Shattuck
Ivan Moreno, Hennessey
Michael Thomas, Lawton MacArthur

Coaches
Bob Ward, Thomas; Curtis Lorah, Elgin; Tracy Scott, Blanchard; Jeremy Dombek, Edmond North.

Coach of the Year: Andy Bogert, Heritage Hall
MVP: Sterling Shephard, Heritage Hall
Offensive Player of the Year: Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall
Defensive Player of the Year: Markus Wakefield, Heritage Hall
Back of the Year: Brett Gilstrap, Bethany
Co-Quarterback of the Year: Ryley Clayborn, Bethany
Co-Quarterback of the Year: Quinn Shanbour, Heritage Hall
Offensive Lineman: Hunter Endres, Kingfisher
Receiver of the Year: Cale Courtney, Heritage Hall
Defensive End of the Year: Quintaz Struble, Heritage Hall
Defensive Tackle of the Year: Willy Hanvold, Kingfisher
Outside Linebacker of the Year: Ross Clifton, Heritage Hall
Inside Linebacker of the Year: Colton Cheap, Kingfisher
Defensive Back of the Year: Grayson Haws, Bethany
Co-Kicker of the Year: Cole Rinke, Bethany
Co-Kicker of the Year: Ryan Ross, Newcastle
Special Teams Player of the Year: Gage Diffee, Bethany
Special Recognition: Mark Ryan, Centennial head coach
Injured Athlete Recognition: Brent Gaddis, Heritage Hall
Injured Athlete Recognition: Garrett McGrady, Bethany

Here are some of the players who are expected to sign this week:
BASEBALL
Blake Estep, Jones (Penn St.)
Isaac Hellbusch, Deer Creek (Arkansas)
Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert (OU)
Ty Hensley, Edmond Santa Fe (Ole Miss)
Chase Stephens, Deer Creek (UCO)
Jordan Watson, Edmond Santa Fe (OSU)

BOYS BASKETBALL
Aaron Anderson, Edmond Santa Fe (Fresno St.)
Blake Blanchard, Deer Creek (Southwestern)
Matt Christiansen, McGuinness (San Francisco)
Joe Edmonds, McGuinness (San Francisco)
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial (Tulsa)
D’Andre Wright, Lawton Eisenhower (Tulsa)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas (Missouri-Kansas City)
Ashley Clark, Midwest City (Tulsa)
Courtney Cowan, Kansas (Northeastern St.)
Ali Decker, Edmond Memorial (Wichita St.)
Toni Smith, Del City (Fresno St.)
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe (Texas A&M)

GOLF
Taylor Moore, Edmond Memorial (Arkansas)
Abby Thompson, Deer Creek (OCU)

GYMNASTICS
Keara Glover, Putnam North (Auburn)

SOFTBALL
Liz Broyles, Blanchard (Missouri-Kansas City)
Braxton Coil, Edmond North (Missouri St.)
Shalee Cordell, Newcastle (OBU)
Kaylin Hinshaw, Putnam North (Mid-America)
Leslie Miller, Blanchard (OU)
Kady Self, Edmond North (OU)
Caitlin Sill, Tuttle (Tulsa)
Bryana Wade, St. Mary (North Texas)
Brooke Zukerman, Lawton MacArthur (UCO)

TENNIS
Sarah Bowen, Heritage Hall (Hofstra)

VOLLEYBALL
Emily Belz, OCS (Henderson St.)
Sydney Fioretti, Edmond Santa Fe (OBU)
Hannah Holkum, Edmond Santa Fe (North Carolina St.)
Barbara Jackson, Edmond Santa Fe (OCU)

WRESTLING
Matt Manley, Perry (Missouri)

Heritage Hall senior Quintaz Struble, left, suffered a likely MCL tear during the Chargers' season finale against Kingfisher. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Heritage Hall senior tight end/defensive end Quintaz Struble sustained a likely medial collateral ligament tear during Friday’s regular-season finale against Kingfisher.

Struble has an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scheduled for Tuesday to determine the extent of his injury. At this point, it looks like he’ll be out three to five weeks, Chargers coach Andy Bogert said.

Struble (6-foot-1, 235 pounds) is being recruited by several NCAA Division I schools. He said in a text message on Saturday that he plans to return at some point during the playoffs, although he isn’t sure exactly when.

Heritage Hall opens the playoffs at home against Chandler on Friday, with a potential second-round matchup against either Tuttle or Madill ahead.

Large East
Sadie Schaffner, Bartlesville
Inky Ajanaku, Tulsa Kelley
Cat Roth, Tulsa Kelley
Sydney Eggers, Bixby
Cailyn Burd, Owasso
Aubrey Marsellis, Owasso
Alexa Knox, Tulsa Union
Kylie Johnson, Tulsa Union

Large West
Maddie Reddick, McGuinness
Skylar Conner, Edmond Memorial
Kristen Nashert, Edmond North
Heather Watson, Edmond North
Hannah Holkum, Edmond Santa Fe
Barbara Jackson, Edmond Santa Fe
Lexie Matthews, Norman North
Tori Thomas, Norman North

Small East
Kara Gleason, Lincoln Christian
Evette Allen, Lincoln Christian
Sunny Smarty, Oklahoma Union
Hayley Bryan, Copan
Aryn Dixon, Cascia Hall
Allie Murphy, Cascia Hall
Carolina Arnould, Victory Christian
Mayci Sparkman, Shawnee
Hannah McKenzie, Tulsa Wahsington
Morgan Allison, Catoosa

Small West
Dawnshate Blakes, Chickasha
Taylor Crismas, Oklahoma Bible
Bree Fritschow, Duncan
Danielle McGill, Big Pasture
Sydney Miles, Heritage Hall
Jessica Penner, Corn Bible
Jenny Pratt, Christian Heritage
Lindsey Smith, Big Pasture
Talie Stanley, Cache
Madison Ward, Cache

Last week:
Ryan: 6-4, 1-0
Jason: 8-2, 1-0
Scott: 8-2, 1-0

Overall:
Ryan: 65-26, 8-1
Jason: 63-28, 7-2
Scott: 60-31

Ryan
Heritage Hall 40, Kingfisher 14
Jenks 35, Norman 28
Tulsa Union 35, Stillwater 28
Lawton 26, Westmoore 21
Pryor 17, Tulsa Central 13
Deer Creek 34, Ada 7
Anadarko 42, Weatherford 7
Midwest City 42, Norman North 7
McAlester 35, Tulsa Washington 20
Blanchard 22, Bridge Creek 14
Lock of the week: McAlester over Tulsa Washington. The Buffaloes offense has been just too good this season and the Hornets have struggled at times offensively themselves. McAlester wins the district title and remains undefeated.

Jason
Heritage Hall 31, Kingfisher 17
Stillwater 42, Tulsa Union 38
Jenks 27, Norman 14
Westmoore 14, Lawton 10
Pryor 17, Tulsa Central 13
Ada 31, Deer Creek 28
Anadarko 45, Weatherford 14
Midwest City 42, Norman North 24
McAlester 24, Tulsa Washington 17
Blanchard 14, Bridge Creek 9
Lock of the week: Westmoore over Lawton. Westmoore’s defense has been
impressive all season  -  save for last week’s shootout with Mustang -
and I think the Jaguars can hold the Wolverines out of the endzone just
enough to come away with a win. A Westmoore win would likely throw the
2nd, 3rd and 4th playoff spots into a three-way tie between these teams
and Edmond North. All three teams are close in district points, so such
a scenario favors North, which ends its season with U.S. Grant.

Scott
Heritage Hall 31, Kingfisher 17
Tulsa Union 42, Stillwater 38
Jenks 28, Norman 24
Lawton 23, Westmoore 20
Pryor 28, Tulsa Central 22
Deer Creek 21, Ada 17
Anadarko 42, Weatherford 35
Midwest City 48, Norman North 21
McAlester 34, Tulsa Washington 28
Blanchard 12, Bridge Creek 8
Lock of the Week: Tulsa Union over Stillwater. Often, the loss of a key player at a key time — in this case, the suspension of RB Kendall Holmes, who was having a huge year – seems like it will be devastating for a team. And many times, it is. But many other cases, it becomes a unifying moment. This could have been the last poke the Redskins needed to wake up for a run to the state title.

St. Louis Rams linebacker Chris Chamberlain, left, chases DeMarco Murray on his 91-yard touchdown run during the Rams' 34-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. AP PHOTO

ARLINGTON, Texas — Chris Chamberlain led Bethany to the Class 2A state championship as a senior quarterback in 2003, went on to play linebacker at Tulsa and is now starting for the 0-6 St. Louis Rams.

He is in his fourth NFL season and started his second game at outside linebacker in Sunday’s 34-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, recording four tackles.

After the game, he talked about his performance, finally getting to start and Bethany’s upcoming game against Heritage Hall.

How did you feel about today’s game?

“Obviously we are disappointed in the result of the game. I was excited to come in and play close to home in front of friends and family. Personally I didn’t play my best game and a lot of my teammates would say the same thing.”

How does it feel to finally be starting in the NFL?

“It’s my fourth year in the league and I’ve been working hard. I’m finally getting an opportunity to play more on defense. I didn’t play my best game, but I’ll keep working hard and learning from my mistakes.”

What’s it going to take for the Rams to get this thing turned around?

“Just small mistakes here and there. Like on that long touchdown run (DeMarco Murray’s 91-yard, first-quarter TD run), we had one guy out of the gap and you see what happens. At halftime it’s a 10-point game.

“It’s just always the little things. It’s the detail, the communication. Missing tackles was a big thing in this game; we tackled terribly. That’s what happens when you do that against these kinds of players. We’re not far off; we’ve just gotta put a complete game together.”

Are you going to watch Bethany’s game against Heritage Hall on ESPNU on Friday?

“I’m excited to be able to watch them. I know Heritage Hall is a great team; they’re pretty stacked. It’s gonna take a great effort, but I know they’re gonna give everything they’ve got. It’s a big-time rivalry and two really good teams. I’m excited to watch them and root them on.”

Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley presents an Army All-American jersey to Heritage Hall's Barry J. Sanders on Tuesday. PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN

Barry J. Sanders was officially introduced as a participant in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Tuesday at Heritage Hall. Sanders has said that he will announce his college choice at the game, which is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2012 in San Antonio.

The ceremony itself was very cool. I’d have to say the highlight for me was the national anthem, which was performed beautifully by Heritage Hall’s choir.

I got a chance to talk with Barry after he was introduced by Army Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley.

A couple of times a year I throw out my rankings and start fresh, take an overall look at the season and don’t constrain myself with past rankings. This is one of those weeks and while their figures to be other classes that are more drastically affected, there is a bit of that here. The biggest questions in my mind were where to place Edmond Santa Fe (and Lawton) and what to do with Putnam City. I considered dropping Broken Arrow a spot but the Tigers still stand as the only team to really challenge Union this season and I’ll give them their small bump Friday. Edmond Santa Fe goes from just outside to No. 8 after their win at Lawton. The Wolverines drop to No. 10. Owasso stays in at No. 9 but has a tough test this week against Union.

Class 5A
1. Guthrie (2)#5-0
2. Lawton MacArthur (5)#5-0
3. Carl Albert (3)#5-0
4. Tulsa East Central (1)#5-0
5. McAlester (4)#5-0
6. Deer Creek (6)#4-1
7. Tulsa Washington (7)#2-3
8. Tulsa Kelley (8)#3-1
9. Ardmore (9)#2-3
10. Coweta (10)#2-3

There’s no shame in being any one of the top five teams here although there was some definite shaking up as I reevaluated from scratch. Guthrie has won every one of its game by 28 or more points, helping the Bluejays move to the top spot. Tulsa East Central falls to No. 4 after their close call against Coweta. Any of the five teams on top could come out with a gold ball but it was time to make some adjustments there. On the bottom half, it hurts that I can’t include Tulsa Central here but looking over their resumes, I’ve got to leave Ardmore and Coweta in ahead of them. Ardmore has played Carl Albert and McAlester tighter than anyone this season and their other loss was to Lawton MacArthur. Their schedule to start has been tough but they shouldn’t lose the rest of the way. Coweta pushed Tulsa East Central and Tulsa Kelley to the brink and their other loss was a close one to 4A power Wagoner. Tulsa Central gets its chance for a statement this week when it faces East Central.

Class 4A
1. Douglass (1)#4-1
2. Wagoner (2)#5-0
3. Catoosa (3)#5-0
4. Clinton (4)#4-1
5. Harrah (5)#5-0
6. Elk City (7)#5-0
7. McGuinness (8)#3-2
8. Hilldale (10)#4-1
9. Sallisaw (9)#3-2
10. Broken Bow (6)#3-2

There wasn’t much shuffling here, save for Broken Bow and Hilldale. Catoosa and Wagoner are on a collision course toward what should be a very entertaining game Oct. 20. Elk City has been impressive but gets a tough test this week against No. 7 McGuinness. Douglass and Clinton’s losses don’t count against them because of the competition they came against. Hilldale got its statement win at Broken Bow but the Hornets win Week 1 against Pryor is looking better and better and their only loss came to No. 2 Wagoner.

Class 3A
1. Heritage Hall (1)#5-0
2. Anadarko (2)#5-0
3. Cascia Hall (3)#5-0
4. Bethany (4)#4-0
5. Metro Christian (5)#5-0
6. Tuttle (6)#5-0
7. Purcell (7)#5-0
8. Kingfisher (8)#5-0
9. Seminole (9)#5-0
10. Berryhill (10)#5-0

I did the same thing here as in other classes and came up with the same thing I had. I considered swapping Seminole and Berryhill on the bottom end and Kingfisher and Purcell one step above that but didn’t pull the trigger in the end. Berryhill’s win over Glenpool in the first week doesn’t look as strong as it did then (not that it’s not a big win still) and Seminole beat a pretty good Stigler team on the road. Berryhill plays at Cascia Hall this week in what should be one of the week’s best games.

Class 2A
1. Davis (1)#4-1
2. Millwood (2)#4-1
3. Lincoln Christian (3)#5-0
4. Stroud (5)#5-0
5. Jones (4)#5-0
6. Vian (7)#5-0
7. Hennessey (6)#3-2
8. Colcord (8)#5-0
9. Talihina (10)#5-0
10. Frederick (NR)#5-0

Made a mistake last week here dropping Frederick out in the first place. Their win over St. Mary was very similar to Washington’s and Washington has two losses, which pushed Frederick into the rankings. Vian moves up a spot while Hennessey drops while Stroud and Jones switch places. Stroud has still given up just seven points all season and shut out four of its opponents. There are still six undefeated team that remain unranked: Comanche, Talihina, Newkirk, Chelsea, Wyandotte and Adair. All are in districts with ranked teams, though, so they’ll get their chances.

Class A
1. Woodland (1)#4-0
2. Thomas (2)#5-0
3. Wynnewood (3)#5-0
4. Minco (5)#5-0
5. Wayne (7)#4-1
6. Morrison (6)#4-1
7. Mangum (9)#4-1
8. Okeene (10)#3-2
9. Elmore City (8)#4-1
10. Foyil (NR)#3-2

At the top, this class was relatively easy as I was pretty comfortable with the top three. After that, there was some switching around after No. 4 Afton fell to Foyil 33-8. First, I swapped Wayne and Morrison. Wayne’s overall resume is slightly better at this point. Mangum and Okeene move up two spots while Elmore drops one after its loss to Wynnewood. Foyil moves in after an impressive win over Afton, beating out Rush Springs for that final spot despite Rush’s 5-0 record. That was a tough choice but Foyil’s two losses came to a pair of still-undefeated Class 2A teams–Chelsea and Adair.

Class B
1. Caddo (1)#5-0
2. Davenport (2)#5-0
3. Kiefer (5)#4-1
4. Fox (6)#4-1
5. Dewar (7)#3-2
6. Gans (4)#4-1
7. Cherokee (8)#4-1
8. Seiling (9)#4-1
9. Wetumka (10)#4-1
10. Pond Creek-Hunter (NR)#4-1

It was tough to drop Laverne all the way out from No. 3 but looking schedule-by-schedule, it had to be done. Laverne beat Cherokee, 45-8, in Week 2, but fell to Pond Creek-Hunter on Friday night. Pond Creek-Hunter’s only loss came to Seiling, who lost to Cherokee by two on Friday. So Seiling pulls off the rare moving up by dropping a game feat by leapfrogging Laverne. Pond Creek-Hunter has to stay in ahead of Laverne so Laverne falls all the way out but still has Seiling remaining on its schedule. It’s tough to ignore what Welch is doing in B-4 but they’ve beaten just one team that is above .500 to this point. They play Kiefer on Oct. 20.

Class C
1. Deer Creek-Lamont (1)#5-0
2. Timberlake (3)#4-0
3. Temple (4)#5-0
4. Sharon-Mutual (10)#3-2
5. Shattuck (2)#4-1
6. Covington-Douglas (5)#4-1
7. Tipton (6)#4-1
8. Coyle (7)#4-1
9. Forgan (8)#4-1
10. Ryan (9)#3-2

The big change here came due to Sharon-Mutual’s 38-22 win at Shattuck. Sharon-Mutual jumped all the way from No. 10 to No. 4. Its only losses came to Seiling and Timberlake and they remain the only team to score on Timberlake this season (They scored 44 in the loss). Shattuck drops just below Sharon-Mutual while Covington-Douglas, Tipton, Coyle, Forgan and Ryan all drop a spot. Arkoma is the lone undefeated team remaining unranked but Keota is the only over .500 team they’ve beaten.

Heritage Hall's Barry J. Sanders will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7 in San Antonio. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Heritage Hall running back Barry J. Sanders will be officially announced as a participant in January 7′s U.S. Army All-American Bowl at a ceremony at Heritage Hall on Oct. 4.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley will announce Sanders’ selection.

Sanders, No. 1 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30, has said he will announce his college choice at the game, held annually in San Antonio.

His top four choices are Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma State and Stanford.

2. Class A No. 8 Elmore City (4-0) at No. 3 Wynnewood (4-0)
Two of the three undefeated teams in District A-5 go head-to-head.

3. Class C No. 3 Timberlake (3-0) at No. 5 Covington-Douglas (4-0)
A week after squeaking out a win over Tipton on the road, Covington-Douglass gets another big challenge.

4. Class 5A No. 1 Tulsa East Central (4-0) at No. 10 Coweta (2-2)
The Cardinals get another solid test in a rough schedule as the defending runners-up try to solidify their place in 5A-4. Coweta hasn’t won a game by more than six points or lost by more than four.

5. Class 3A No. 9 Seminole (4-0) at Stigler (4-0)
Seminole has scored 41 or more points in all four games thus far while Stigler has topped 42 in three out of four.

6. Class 4A No. 10 Hilldale (3-1) at No. 6 Broken Bow (3-1)
Big win over Poteau last week lifted Hilldale into the rankings while Broken Bow has shut out two opponents last season.

7. Edmond Santa Fe (3-1) at Class 6A No. 6 Lawton (3-1)
Both teams started district play with statement wins and this game will feature two of the best defensive ends in the state in Lawton’s D.J. Ward and Santa Fe’s Michael Onuoha.

8. Class B No. 6 Fox (3-1) at Paoli (4-0)
Fox has shutouts in each of its three wins while Paoli has topped 53 points three times and scored 42 in its other win.

9. Commerce (3-1) at Class 2A No. 8 Colcord (4-0)
Commerce has two shutouts and its only loss came to a Kansas school. Colcord has won games primarily with its offense (41-14 at Salina last week) and with its defense (8-0 vs. Haskell on Sept. 16).

10. Class 4A No. 4 Clinton (3-1) at Piedmont (2-2)
Clinton blew out McGuinness last week at home while Piedmont got a statement win over Elgin.

Other good bets:
Heritage Hall at Tulsa NOAH
Millwood at Luther
Mustang at Edmond North
Woodward at McGuinness
Yukon at Norman North

By Ryan Aber

With Westmoore falling out from No. 8 after its loss to Edmond Santa Fe, there were two logical candidates to take the spot: Edmond Santa Fe, who was ranked before its loss to Midwest City the week before, and Stillwater. I chose the Pioneers based on their recent performances but just barely. Santa Fe gets a tough test next week at Lawton. A good performance there, win or lose, gives the Wolves a chance to move back in.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa East Central (1)#4-0
2. Guthrie (2)#4-0
3. Carl Albert (3)#4-0
4. McAlester (4)#4-0
5. Lawton MacArthur (5)#4-0
6. Deer Creek (6)#3-1
7. Tulsa Washington (7)#1-3
8. Tulsa Kelley (8)#2-1
9. Ardmore (9)#1-3
10. Coweta (10)#3-1

Ardmore and Tulsa Washington still in the rankings at 1-3? Absolutely. I’ve never understood why teams drop in rankings after they lose to a high ranked opponent (in most cases). While Tulsa Washington has plenty to work on, the Hornets are still very talented, especially on the defensive side. They lost to Carl Albert, Abilene, Texas, and Tulsa East Central. They’re going to be right there at the end, regardless of what their record now is. Ardmore is similar. They beat Ada to start the season before running into the murderer’s row of Carl Albert, McAlester and Lawton MacArthur the last few weeks. They shouldn’t lose the rest of the way. Speaking of Lawton Mac, I think next week is the week I totally deconstruct my rankings in this class especially and build from scratch. I think the Highlanders might be the best team in the class right now, although I think all five of the top teams are very good. The team I hate to leave out is Tulsa Central, who is 4-0 going into next week’s game against Grove.

Class 4A
1. Douglass (1)#3-1
2. Wagoner (2)#4-0
3. Catoosa (3)#4-0
4. Clinton (5)#3-1
5. Harrah (6)#4-0
6. Broken Bow (7)#3-1
7. Elk City (8)#4-0
8. McGuinness (4)#2-2
9. Sallisaw (9)#2-2
10. Hilldale (NR)#3-1

McGuinness drops four spots after getting manhandled on the road at Clinton. They might be a better team than that but hard to tell right now as the only varsity team they’ve beaten to this point was Tulsa Kelley, another team I’m not sure what to think of through four weeks. I suspect McGuinness will climb up. Hilldale moves into the rankings after a big win over Poteau gave the Hornets back-to-back blowouts after playing Wagoner pretty tough in Week 2. Piedmont and Cleveland gave me pause in those spots, though. Piedmont because of its offense and Cleveland due to its defense. Cleveland has allowed just 33 points all season. Elgin dropped out after getting thumped by Piedmont

Class 3A
1. Heritage Hall (1)#4-0
2. Anadarko (2)#4-0
3. Cascia Hall (3)#3-0
4. Bethany (4)#4-0
5. Metro Christian (5)#4-0
6. Tuttle (6)#4-0
7. Purcell (7)#4-0
8. Kingfisher (8)#4-0
9. Seminole (10)#4-0
10. Berryhill (NR)#4-0

I’ve been looking to get Berryhill into the rankings for a few weeks but since no team in my top 10 had lost a game through three weeks, I couldn’t do it. Sequoyah Tahlequah finally broke that stretch this week with its loss to Verdigris. Everything else remains the same with Seminole moving up one slot. There are several other undefeated teams in the class right now as well.

Class 2A
1. Davis (1)#3-1
2. Millwood (2)#3-1
3. Lincoln Christian (3)#4-0
4. Jones (4)#4-0
5. Stroud (5)#4-0
6. Hennessey (6)#2-2
7. Vian (7)#4-0
8. Colcord (8)#4-0
9. Washington (9)#3-1
10. Talihina (10)#4-0

Nothing changes here as all of the top 10 teams won last week. Hennessey is ranked at No. 6 because their only losses came close against Jones and to 3A No. 8 Kingfisher.

Class A
1. Woodland (1)#3-0
2. Thomas (2)#4-0
3. Wynnewood (3)#4-0
4. Afton (4)#4-0
5. Minco (5)#4-0
6. Morrison (6)#3-1
7. Wayne (7)#3-1
8. Elmore City (8)#4-0
9. Mangum (9)#3-1
10. Okeene (10)#2-2

Nothing changes here either as all of the top 10 teams won.

Class B
1. Caddo (1)#4-0
2. Davenport (3)#4-0
3. Laverne (4)#4-0
4. Gans (NR)#4-0
5. Kiefer (5)#3-1
6. Fox (6)#3-1
7. Dewar (7)#2-2
8. Cherokee (8)#3-1
9. Seiling (9)#4-0
10. Wetumka (2)#3-1

It’s hard to figure out where to slot Wetumka in here after a previously unranked Gans team beat them 52-22 Friday. I slid Davenport and Laverne up a spot before slotting Gans at No. 4. As I kept going down, comparing schedules, I wound up with Wetumka holding on at No. 10. They might be a bit better than that but of the teams ahead of them, only Cherokee has had a blowout loss (at Laverne). Wetumka isn’t likely to be challenged until the final two weeks of the season when they get zcaddo and Dewar back-to-back.

Class C
1. Deer Creek-Lamont (1)#4-0
2. Shattuck (2)#4-0
3. Timberlake (3)#3-0
4. Temple (5)#4-0
5. Covington-Douglas (6)#4-0
6. Tipton (4)#3-1
7. Coyle (8)#4-0
8. Forgan (7)#2-2
9. Ryan (9)#2-2
10. Sharon-Mutual (NR)#2-2

Covington-Douglas moves up a spot after beating previously fourth-ranked Tipton. Tipton drops a couple of spots to six after the close loss. Coyle continues to move up the rankings to No. 7 but they’ll get a tough test this week with No. 1 Deer Creek-Lamont. Sharon-Mutual moves into the rankings, replacing Thackerville in the final spot.

By Ryan Aber

When Heritage Hall has the ball: Heritage Hall is loaded with talent, and it all starts with running back Barry J. Sanders and receiver Sterling Shepard. Through the first two weeks, the duo has been as dominant as ever in blowout wins. In fact, the Chargers have been so dominant that the starters haven’t had to play much at all. Davis has a great defense, but it will be extremely difficult to slow down the Chargers.

When Davis has the ball: Davis has scored even more points than Heritage Hall through the season’s first two games. Wolves junior running back Deaundre Carr ran for 240 yards and three touchdowns past week while senior quarterback Cole Weber is a dual-threat who ran for more than 200 yards himself. The Chargers offense gets so much attention, and rightly so, because of big names like Sanders and Shepard. But the Chargers defense is really good itself. Markus Wakefield has a pair of sacks and an interception to go with 18 tackles through two games. Quintaz Struble also has a pair of sacks. The Chargers have also intercepted six passes in the first two games.

PREDICTION TIME
Jason: Davis could very well win the Class 2A championship, but Heritage Hall will be too much for the Wolves. Last week, the Chargers went to Class 4A Clinton and the Tornado Bowl and left with a 41-7 win. Heritage Hall is too talented, has too much momentum and is playing at home. Heritage Hall 35, Davis 10

Ryan: This Davis team might be better than last year’s squad, but Heritage Hall’s skill-position players are healthy and their offense is rolling even better than it was last year. Davis keeps the game close early but Heritage Hall’s depth wears them down late as the Chargers pull away. Heritage Hall 42, Davis 17.

Christin Jantz (Dobbs)

BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com

Former Putnam North softball player and current Heritage Hall softball coach Christin Jantz (formerly Christin Dobbs) is now in the NAIA record book.

Oklahoma Christian received notice this week that Jantz, who played for the Lady Eagles from 2008-10, is being included for her career batting average.

Jantz hit .414 in three seasons at Oklahoma Christian and one at Central Oklahoma. She had 292 hits in 705 at bats.

Jantz was a three-time All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection and in 2010 earned first-team All-America honors.

Last week:
Scott 7-3, 1-0
Ryan 6-4, 1-0
Jason 6-4, 1-0

Overall
Ryan: 14-6, 2-0
Jason: 13-7, 1-1
Scott: 13-7, 1-1

Ryan
Midwest City 21, Edmond Santa Fe 14
Jenks 28, Owasso 7
McAlester 35, Ardmore 14
Tulsa East Central 35, Tulsa Washington 10
McGuinness 21, Millwood 13
Heritage Hall 42, Davis 17
Bethany 28, Washington 13
Kingfisher 14, Hennessey 12
Ryan 22, Coyle 18
Tipton 33, Thackerville 22

Lock of the week: Kingfisher over Hennessey
This is a tough one for me because there was a lot I was impressed with last week when I watched Hennessey play Jones. But Kingfisher has the depth to wear down Hennessey a bit by the end of the game and the athleticism to not let Ivan Moreno and Levi Hill wear their defense down. The Eagles will be better for having played this game once district play begins but Kingfisher gets it done.

Jason
Edmond Santa Fe 21, Midwest City 20
Jenks 45, Owasso 24
McAlester 27, Ardmore 14
Tulsa East Central 24, Tulsa Washington 14
Bishop McGuinness 28, Millwood 17
Heritage Hall 35, Davis 10
Bethany 31, Washington 17
Kingfisher 24, Hennessey 21
Coyle 30, Ryan 27
Tipton 35, Thackerville 30

Lock of the week: Bishop McGuinness over Millwood
The Falcons have a tough power running game that will be tough for future opponents to slow down, but not the Irish. McGuinness’ defense — especially with their outstanding linebacking core of Brandon Nguyen, Danny Krenger and Nick Jeffries. Last season, Millwood won a shootout 48-41, but expect a more low-scoring game this time. Bishop McGuinness 28, Millwood 17

Scott
Midwest City 28, Edmond Santa Fe 24
Jenks 35, Owasso 24
McAlester 35, Ardmore 21
Tulsa East Central 30, Tulsa Washington 21
McGuinness 21, Millwood 20
Heritage Hall 41, Davis 17
Bethany 38, Washington 28
Kingfisher 21, Hennessey 20
Coyle 30, Ryan 27
Tipton 28, Thackerville 27

Lock of the week: McAlester over Ardmore.
Sitting in a press box in El Reno two years ago during the Class 5A semifinals, I began to take note of a talented McAlester team. Then I noticed the amount of young players on the roster, and I realized this was a team that would only keep getting better. Now we’re seeing it come to fruition, and I think this week will be another sign of things to come for the Buffs.

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.”

Heritage Hall senior cornerback Brent Gaddis tore his ACL during his team's rout of Casady last week. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Heritage Hall senior Brent Gaddis, who started at cornerback and saw lots of carries at tailback, is out for the season after tearing his ACL during last Thursday’s win over Casady, coach Andy Bogert said.

Gaddis was hurt when his knee buckled while lead blocking Thursday.

Bogert said they weren’t aware of the injury’s severity when it happened.

“He came off the field on his own,” Bogert said. “He just kind of limped off the field. We thought he just hyperextended his knee or something.”

Bogert said one possible solution on defense is to have starting quarterback Quinn Shanbour play safety and move receiving/safety Sterling Shepard to corner.

“We’re working all that out,” Bogert said.

Our man Jacob Unruh was at Heritage Hall’s 49-8 Polo Bowl win over Casady, and talked to quarterback Quinn Shanbour, receiver Sterling Shepard and running back Barry J. Sanders after the game. Enjoy!

Heritage Hall's Markus Wakefield may have broken his thumb during Thursday's scrimmage at Oklahoma Christian School. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

Heritage Hall lineman Markus Wakefield, an NCAA Division I recruit, suffered what is thought to be a broken thumb during Thursday’s scrimmage at Oklahoma Christian School.

Senior defensive end and tight end Quintaz Struble sat out the scrimmage after spraining his ankle last week.

Both are expected to be fine for next week’s opener against rival Casady.

Wakefield hurt the thumb on the Chargers’ first offensive series and sat out the rest of the scrimmage.

“Definitely,” he said when asked if he would play next week. “It’s my last Casady game.”

Junior quarterback Austin Brooks and OCS will host Heritage Hall in a scrimmage tonight. PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN

A big scrimmage is tonight in Edmond, as Heritage Hall and all its star power travels to take on Class 2A’s Oklahoma Christian School, which was 4-7 last year but returns lots of younger, but experienced, talent.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: OCS
Coach Derek Turner’s Saints return 16 starters — including nine on defense — from last year’s squad.

Junior quarterback Austin Brooks (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) is a player to watch for the Saints. He started last year as a sophomore when senior quarterback Jack Warren went down injured and gained good experience.

The OCS receivers took it upon themselves to improve this summer after a dreadful 7-on-7 camp in early June, during which Turner said they “dropped every other pass.” But when the same group arrived for two-a-days, their hands were much improved after hard work all summer with Brooks.

Senior wideout Logan Magill (6-2, 185) had 416 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Turner has cited the offensive line as a key unit for his team in 2011. The line returns three starters: Seniors Taylor Myers (6-4, 220) and Nick Lovelace (6-0, 250), and junior Jason Goff (6-6, 285).

The Saints’ leading returning rusher is senior Zak Anderson (5-11, 160 pounds). He ran for 257 yards and two touchdowns in 2010.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: HERITAGE HALL

If you’re coming to the scrimmage and expect to see OU commit Sterling Shepard catching passes, think again.

Shepard will play quarterback again this week while starter Quinn Shanbour awaits eligibility.

Shanbour will man the second-team offense, like he did last week against Holland Hall.

Running back Barry J. Sanders is obviously a player to watch. The big-time recruit had a huge scrimmage last week — Shanbour said his “shortest” carry was for about 11 yards.

But also watch for senior TE/DT Quintaz Struble (6-3, 240). Struble is another D-1 recruit who had 104 tackles and 15 sacks last season. That OCS offensive line will be tested in a big way with Struble and senior Markus Wakefield (6-1, 280), another D-1 prospect who also had 15 sacks in 2010.

Barry J. Sanders cheers during OSU's home game against Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. PHOTO BY DOUG HOKE, THE OKLAHOMAN

The top high school football recruit in the state of Oklahoma has strong Oklahoma State ties, but will that lead him to commit there?

As everyone knows, Heritage Hall running back Barry J. Sanders, No. 1 on The Oklahoman‘s Super 30, is the son of former OSU Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. He has grown up a Cowboys fan (see picture at right).

But there have also been signs that Sanders may want to leave Oklahoma.

“I’ve said since my freshman year that it’s not just whether I want to go there or not, it’s also a big question of whether I want to stay in state,” Sanders told The Sporting News this summer. “I’ve lived in Oklahoma 17 years so the question is really would I want to stay here for another three or four years or do I want to go somewhere else? That’s what it’ll come down to and I’ll talk with my mom and dad and see what they think, and I’ll just go from there.”

Sanders holds offers from schools all around the country, but said last year that his four favorites were OSU, Alabama, Florida State and UCLA. He also has offers from Notre Dame, Auburn, Stanford and many others.

Sanders is taking his time in making a decision, and will take more visits this fall.

Bottom line? OSU is certainly a big possibility, but in no way a certainty.

Here’s the question:

My answer: In truth, it’s probably a coin flip. Because as I try to formulate my thoughts as to why I’m picking Sanders, my mind keeps taking me back to Shepard’s second-half performance in the Class 3A state championship game against Kingfisher last December — 169 rushing yards and four touchdowns. All in the second half, after his team fell behind 14-0. Truly incredible.

But my head still tells me it’s Sanders.

Strong body. Great speed. Filthy moves. Soft hands. Leadership ability. He’s the total package.

Sanders has a group of very vocal critics, too. I still can’t fathom what pushes some adults to speak so negatively on a personal level about a high school kid, but that’s a different discussion.

Let’s look at some of those critics’ ammunition:

No. 1: He’s injury-prone.

Sanders missed eight games last year with an ankle injury that required surgery after the season. He tried to play on it in the playoffs, but couldn’t. He didn’t miss a game as a sophomore, and played in nine games as a backup when he was a freshman.

He has carried the ball 398 times over the last three seasons for 3,617 yards and 50 touchdowns, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Doesn’t sound too bad.

Besides, I remember back in 2006 when I was covering OU, hearing that Adrian Peterson was injury-prone and wouldn’t last in the NFL — probably even raised the question myself. But he seems to be doing just fine.

No. 2: Sanders plays in Class 3A and you can’t compare 3A talent to 6A talent.

Frankly, that argument is just tired. It will always exist, but if Troy Aikman, James Allen and Wes Welker aren’t enough to convince you that small-school kids can play big-time football, nothing will. And those are just three guys I came up with who played during my lifetime. I didn’t need to do any research to pull those names out.

Sure, there are a bunch of small-school players who didn’t make it. But there are a ton of 6A kids who flop just as hard.

No. 3: He only gets all that media attention and all those scholarship offers because of his name.

Regarding the media attention, this one is partly right. We’re in the business of writing things people want to read. And while the vocal minority will say they’re tired of him, they’re still the minority.

As for the scholarships, that’s goofy talk. Rick Neuheisel is fighting for his job at UCLA. Will getting Sanders committed save him if he only wins four games?

Does Nick Saban think Alabama will sell more tickets if Sanders is playing for the Tide next year?

Maybe North Texas or Louisiana-Monroe fire out an offer and hope for the best because of the impact it would have on their programs if they swooped in among a couple dozen of the country’s top programs and signed the son of the greatest running back to ever buckle a chinstrap.

But big-time football coaches want the best possible talent to put on the field to win games. They’re not interested in toying around with one of those 25 scholarships they can give out every year. Their jobs are kept or lost on talent evaluation, not gimmicks.

Whether his name is Barry Sanders or Barry Wright, the kid is getting all that attention for a reason. He can play.

Note: Be sure to check out Friday’s edition of The Oklahoman, which will include area-specific special sections for each of the metro area’s circulation zones, providing information on all of the city’s high school football teams. Our statewide season preview will be in Sunday’s Oklahoman, taking a look at some of the state’s best Dynamic Duos at OU, OSU and the high schools.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard has committed to OU.

BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com

Barry Sanders or Sterling Shepard?

The answer is easy, yet difficult.

Choose one and either way you get a fantastic player. But the choice is agonizing.

Both are terrific players with terrific bloodlines.

But sometimes tough decisions have to be made.

So I’m going with Sterling Shepard. Sanders might wind up being the better college player (and possibly beyond) of the two. But if I’m starting a high school team and I have the No. 1 pick, I’m going with Shepard.

Coming to the answer was not easy. The reason Shepard wins out in the end, though, is. Versatility.

Need a big-time, game-breaking run? Shepard can deliver. Need a dazzling catch to win a game? He can do that too. Need an arm to throw that pass? Shepard’s got that covered. Need a playmaker to go up and keep the other team’s top receiver from pulling down that pass? By now you’ve figured it out. Shepard can just about do it all.

Just take a look at his stats from last year, when he stayed healthy after suffering through concussion issues as a sophomore. He ran for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns, had 1,015 yards receiving and 18 scores, he threw for three touchdowns and racked up 103 tackles and eight interceptions on the defensive side.

You can’t go wrong with making Sanders the choice. Some get Barry Sanders burnout because we’ve heard about him for so long but go watch him play and you know he’s legit. If he had any other last name, he might not be quite as highly publicized but he’d be every bit as deserving.

But in the high school game, where creativity and versatility can get you a long way, I’ll take Sterling Shepard.

Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard, an Oklahoma commit, played quarterback with the Chargers' first team during last week's scrimmage against Holland Hall. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

Heritage Hall won’t display the full effect of its first team until Week 1 of the regular season.

Quarterback Quinn Shanbour, who is being recruited by several NCAA Division I schools, is ineligible to scrimmage with the Chargers’ first team because he transferred from Bishop McGuinness before the start of last season, so he worked with the second team during last week’s scrimmage against Holland Hall.

Senior receiver Sterling Shepard, an Oklahoma commit, was the signal caller for the first team.

The same arrangement will be necessary during Thursday’s scrimmage at Oklahoma Christian School.

Shanbour participated in both of McGuinness’ scrimmages last season and transferred before the opener. The OSSAA rule says that Shanbour has to sit out the same number of varsity contests he participated in last year.

Shepard said he will play quarterback some this season, like he did last year, in Wildcat-type formations.

“I hadn’t been practicing it at all,” Shepard said of quarterbacking. “I just went into the scrimmage dry. But I did OK. I completed most of my passes.”

Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey
Friend me on Facebook

The Chargers will host the Bronchos Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPNU.

That will be the series’ second stop in Oklahoma. Tulsa Union hosts Louisiana’s Evangel Christian in the season opener on Sept. 2, which will also be broadcast on ESPNU.

Heritage Hall and Bethany met twice last year. In Week 9, Heritage Hall won at Bethany 14-7 in a game that sealed the district title for the Chargers. The two teams met again in the Class 3A semifinals, with the Chargers taking a 28-14 decision and going on to win the state championship over Kingfisher the next week.

The chance to play on ESPNU is an exciting one for the players.

“It’s gonna be incredible,” Bethany quarterback Ryley Claborn said. “It’s a great chance for the guys on the team that haven’t been looked at by colleges, especially. It’s a great way to get exposure for our players and our school. It’ll be fun to have that feeling, then go home and watch the game and know you’re on national television.”

Fifteen of the 16 games for the ESPN series were announced Thursday and include 30 teams from 13 different states. Here’s the full schedule.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Heritage Hall receiver Sterling Shepard already has good chemistry with his new quarterback, Quinn Shanbour. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

I wrote for Wednesday’s Oklahoman that new Heritage Hall quarterback Quinn Shanbour, who sat our last season after transferring from Bishop McGuinness, is getting comfortable in his role as the Chargers’ starting quarterback.

Receiver Sterling Shepard, an Oklahoma commit who had 1,015 yards and 18 touchdowns a year ago, said he’s a surprised with the chemistry he and Shanbour already have on the field.

“It was just crazy because at (7-on-7 camps), it didn’t take us that long to get chemistry,” Shepard said. “Usually you’d think it would be hard for a quarterback and a receiver to get chemistry but it didn’t take us long at all.”

Shanbour had a busy summer and is getting noticed nationally after attending the invite-only Top Gun All-Star Camp in Williamsburg, Va., last month, as well as DeBartolo Sports University’s Elite Quarterback Camp in Tampa, Fla.

I watched Heritage Hall’s morning practice today, and it’s clear that Shanbour is not only well acquainted with the offense but also has strong rapport with his teammates.

But how was it for Shanbour last season, having to watch the Chargers’ firepower while knowing he’d be part of it as a senior?

“It was like watching a highlight reel all day long,” Shanbour said. “It was like flipping on ESPN and watching the best guys in the nation. That’s what we have here.”

Heritage Hall players Markus Wakefield, Barry Sanders and Sterling Shepard. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

Happy first day of practice, Oklahoma high school football fans!

Fall practices begin today for Oklahoma high schools, and I, along with my fellow high school writers Scott Wright and Ryan Aber, will be out and about all week visiting practices around the Oklahoma City area.

My Tuesday begins by checking out Barry Sanders, Sterling Shepard and the defending Class 3A state champion Heritage Hall Chargers. I’ll then head to Edmond Memorial to check out quarterback Ry Huff and the Bulldogs, and wrap up my day of practices with an afternoon visit to new coach Chris Stiles and the Mount St. Mary Rockets.

I’ll also be calling coaches all day to check in, so be sure to stay with this blog and NewsOK.com, and to follow these Twitter accounts: @jasonkersey, @ryaber, @ScottWrightOK, @HSVarsity and @NewsOKSports. Also, be sure to like our high school coverage on Facebook.

- JK

Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming listed Heritage Hall’s Barry J. Sanders as the No. 2 running back recruit in the nation for the class of 2012 when he released his top 25 at the position on Monday.

No. 1 on the list was Texas commit Johnathan Gray from Aledo, Texas.

Sanders is the only Oklahoma player on the list. He is still uncommitted and has said he is considering Oklahoma State, Stanford, Alabama and Florida State.

If you’re interested, here’s the full list.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

The Wes Welker Foundation’s board of directors have approved $29,000 in grant money to four Oklahoma City-area schools, the organization announced Monday.
The grants were awarded to Star Spencer’s volleyball and athletic department, U.S. Grant’s football program, Putnam City West’s football and athletic department and Crooked Oak’s athletic department.

The foundation, founded by former Heritage Hall and current New England Patriots standout Wes Welker, was founded five years ago with the aim of helping underprivileged kids.

The foundation awards grants twice a year to schools and organizations in the Oklahoma City area. It also provides free sports camps for at-risk youth and a coach and leadership development program.

The foundation has given more than $192,000 in grant money in the past four years.

U.S. Grant is a two-time recipient.

Other organizations that have received the grants in the past have included Life Change Academy, Astec Charter School, Douglass High School, Memorial Park Boys and Girls Club and Western Village Academy.

A healthy Cole Swayze is a dangerous Cole Swayze for Purcell.

Well,  if you love quarterbacks, assume you have enjoyed the last few days of The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for the class of 2012.

And we’re not done yet for a mini-spoiler alert. But first, a look back at Nos. 25-22.

25. Markus Wakefield, DL, Heritage Hall
I don’t have much to add on Wakefield than what I’ve already said. He’s such a smart player who understands the game so well. His quick feet will also make him a name to watch in the future. You know how much he’s valued by how nice Barry J. Sanders and Sterling Shepard treat him. Always treat the big boys well who are leading the way for ya.

For my story on Wakefield, go here.

24. Corben Jones, QB, Yukon
Among the incoming seniors I’ve seen in person, Jones is the best pure quarterback I’ve seen. The qualifier to that, of course, is we don’t get to see a lot of Tulsa area kids as much as we used to, but Jones is about as good quality as they come. With a new stadium and a bevy of weapons to choose from, this year should just build on a solid 2010 season.

For Scott Wright’s story on Jones, go here.

23. Cole Swayze, QB/ATH, Purcell
Tempted to remove the ‘QB’ tag from Swayze. Pure coincidence that Swayze wears No. 23 in football and basketball, and he’s No. 23 on the countdown. Scott Wright raved about his time with Swayze, said he was one of the best kids he’s talked to. The elephant in the room is his health. Coming off yet another major injury, Swayze has to show he can do it for a full season. Still holds an offer from Oklahoma State and appears ready to put past injuries behind him and come up big in the fall.

For Scott Wright’s story on Swayze, go here.

22. Adrian McDonald, QB/ATH, Lawton Eisenhower
OK, the ‘QB’ label should be taken away from McDonald. You watch him in the open field, yea, that’s not a quarterback, my friends. McDonald forced us to take notice of him with how well he played last season in leading Eisenhower to a quality season. Sometimes that ‘tweener’ label of being good at so many spots can hurt a kid so we’ll just have to see how it all plays out.

For Tariq Lee’s story on McDonald, go here.

Who is No. 21? It’s another quarterback is all I’m going to say. Find out in Monday’s Oklahoman. And if you’ve missed out on any of the previous installments, the Super 30 page is here.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Heritage Hall's Markus Wakefield is ready to become one of the team leaders for the Chargers.

He’s certainly not the fastest Heritage Hall player. He’s not the biggest. But if you ask me, there isn’t a smarter Charger than lineman Markus Wakefield. His dedication to film and to scouting reports really started to show up during this past season.

Will intelligence be the thing that grabs colleges’ eyes? Not sure, but if someone takes a chance on Wakefield, they’re not taking a risk in the character department.

Wakefield first stood out to me before his sophomore season. Unfortunately for Wakefield, his story is all too familiar. He was a big boy going into his sophomore year. Now going into his senior? Well, he’s pretty much that same big boy.

Put Wakefield in that same spot as Guthrie’s Landry Chappell, Midwest City’s Zeke Lewis, Millwood’s Marc Robinson and Connor Myers of Edmond Memorial from last year. ‘Two inches taller’ and they’d be breaking down his door.

Wakefield does have an offer from Colorado State, and he should pick up at least a couple of more. When talking about Wakefield, also have to mention his quick feet. He has tremendous footwork for a big man.

He’s the first Heritage Hall player to make the Super 30. Obviously he won’t be the last. And if you love quarterbacks, well, you’re going to enjoy the next couple of days of the Super 30.

And for my story on Wakefield, go here.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Heritage Hall's Barry J. Sanders in no rush to make a verbal commitment.

Heritage Hall running back Barry J. Sanders was at Florida State earlier this week for a camp, but he said that it is not an indicator that he is closer to committing.

Sanders, who has said in the past he wants to wait before committing, stood by that stance Thursday.

“I’m not going to rush into any thing,” Sanders said. “Right now I’m just taking a couple of visits before I narrow it down.”

Sanders said he plans on naming a top five when the school year begins and those five schools will be where he makes his official visits.

Sanders named Oklahoma State, Alabama, Florida State and UCLA as his four favorites last year. Stanford has also become one of his favorites.

Though Sanders was at FSU for the second time, he didn’t work out. He said he is not 100 percent recovered from foot surgery in the winter.

“I’m close. Definitely. I would say in the 90s (percent), but I’m not there, and I don’t want to risk anything,” Sanders said.

Sanders, a four-star prospect, has offers from more than 15 schools, including Tennessee, Auburn and Notre Dame, to go with his top four schools and other universities.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Villaflor was the only Oklahoma coach to win a national honor.

“I was kind of stunned,” Villaflor said. “This is really pretty amazing.”

Villaflor led Heritage Hall to another Class 4A state championship. The year was also special for Villaflor as it was the final time he would be able to coach one of his kids.

His daughter Carissa, who has signed to play at Newman University in Kansas, won her third state championship.

There were eight Oklahoma coaches up for the national honor. In order to be considered, each had to earn the Region 5 award, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The other Oklahoma coaches considered were Okmulgee’s Danny Morgan (athletic director), Red Oak’s Trey Booth (baseball), Capitol Hill’s Donny Tuley (boys basketball), Bethel’s Jerry Johnson (girls basketball), Ardmore’s Steven Ross (golf), Barnsdall’s <strong>Joe Gilbert (softball) and Muskogee’s Bobby Jefferson (wrestling).

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

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.

Top 7-on-7 Teams Invade Bluebird Complex

7th Annual Shootout of the South Begins Friday in West Little Rock

The Shootout of the South 7-on-7 Football Tournament has become one of the

more prestigious tournaments in the region. This year’s tournament attracts top

7-on-7 teams in Arkansas as well as teams from Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama.

Each of the twenty-four teams will compete in five pool play games on Friday

beginning at 11 a.m. at the Mighty Bluebird Complex at 6800 Pinnacle Valley Road

in Little Rock. The last pool play games will begin at 5:25 p.m. Pool play results

will seed Saturday’s tournament, which is a guaranteed-two game format,

beginning at 10 a.m. The finals for the championship and consolation brackets will

be at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The tournament champion will qualify for the 7-on-7

National Championship on July 21-23 in Hoover, Alabama.

Seven teams will travel across state lines to compete highlighted by Allen High

School and Belton High School in Texas, and Heritage Hall from Oklahoma City.

Allen won the tournament in 2006 and finished runner-up in 2007, 2008, and 2010.

Belton won the Belton 7-on-7 Texas State Qualifying Tournament on Saturday, and

Heritage Hall, the 2007 Shootout Champions, won the Kansas State 7-on-7 last

week, a tournament that featured over 30 teams. Other out of state teams

includes Prattville Christian Academy out of Prattville, Alabama and three other

Oklahoma schools – Afton, Hilldale, and Stigler.

The Arkansas teams participating will be 7A schools Bryant, Conway, Fayetteville,

and Rogers Heritage; 6A State Champion, El Dorado, along with other 6A members

Lake Hamilton, Parkview, and Russellville; 5A teams Central Arkansas Christian, Hot

Springs Lakeside, Magnolia, and Watson Chapel; and 4A Dumas, Nashville, Pulaski

Academy, and Warren. Three of those teams are former Shootout winners – Lake

Hamilton (2008), Fayetteville (2009), and Pulaski Academy (2010). Pulaski

Academy won the Sonic Air Raid in Searcy on June 4 and the ASPC 7-on-7 Summer

Showdown on June 9, Lake Hamilton won the Ouachita Baptist 7-on-7 Tournament

on June 9, and Central Arkansas Christian won the Auburn Passing Camp

Tournament last week.

Although this year’s tournament isn’t laced with as many BCS quarterback

commitments as 2010, there are several who can wing it in their own right. Allen

senior Alec Morris has offers from Wake Forest and North Texas. Three of the top

senior quarterbacks in Arkansas this year will be on display in Neal Burcham of

Greenbrier, Fredi Knighten of Pulaski Academy, and Levi Runyan of Lake Hamilton.

Two interesting juniors to watch will be Austin Allen of Fayetteville and Lucas Reed

of El Dorado. Allen is filling the shoes of brother Brandon, who signed with the

University of Arkansas, and Reed is stepping into the starting role that was

occupied by his brother, Taylor, who inked with the University of Memphis.

Another junior, Bryant’s Hayden Lessenberry, should soon be on the radar of

college coaches. He may remind some Arkansans of former Razorback and

Russellville Cyclone, Landon Leach, as Lessenberry was the starting catcher for

Bryant’s state championship team. Rogers Heritage sophomore Josh Qualls will

look to make a splash out of the gate as he is projected as one of the top

quarterbacks in the 2014 class.

No bigger name, and likely no bigger recruit, will be at the Shootout than Heritage

Hall’s running back, Barry Sanders, Jr. Sanders has at least 14 BCS offers, including

Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, and Florida State. Other running backs

to watch for are Russellville’s Kendall Bond, Conway’s Cordarius Irby, Fayetteville’s

Brice Gahagans, and Watson Chapel’s Marquis Handley.

Heritage Hall boasts another player with NFL bloodlines in wide receiver, Sterling

Shepard, son of the late Derrick Shepard, who played five seasons as a receiver for

the Dallas Cowboys. Shepard is committed to Oklahoma. Highlighting this year’s

receiving class in Arkansas is Warren’s Jalen Cobb, who has committed to play for

the Hogs. The most electric player at the tournament may be Bryant’s Dillon

Winfrey, who will play both receiver and cornerback. Winfrey ran a 4.33 40-yard

dash at Arkansas State’s camp and is starting to receive some attention from

colleges. Other receivers to keep an eye on will be Afton’s Sam Shepard,

Lakeside’s Ajalen Holley, Nashville’s Tasean Green, Conway’s Brandon Cox and

Corven Alexander, El Dorado’s Wendell Thompson, Lake Hamilton’s Dre Bennett,

Magnolia’s James Gaines, Allen’s Andrew Rodriguez and Oliver Pierce, and Pulaski

Academy juniors LJ Wallace and Hunter Henry. Henry is projected as a tight end at

the next level, and has offers from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Auburn, and Ole Miss.

Watson Chapel’s Cedric Burnett and Allen’s L.B. Bates lead the list of top defensive

backs for this year’s tournament. Pulaski Academy will make it difficult for

quarterbacks to go deep with Jeremy Brady and Aum’Arie Wallace roaming at the

two safety spots. Bryant’s Caleb Thomas, along with Winfrey, Belton’s Tramaine

Rose, El Dorado’s Quincy Hardwell, Dumas’ Trey Winchester, Fayetteville’s Brooks

Ellis, Lake Hamilton’s Dante Ransom, and Afton’s Dusty Henry all look to impress in

the secondary this weekend. Henry had 10 interceptions in 11 games in 2010, 6 of

those were brought back for touchdowns.

Although linebackers don’t get to show their strengths in 7-on-7, they can still

show off their skills in their pass defense. Allen’s Thaddeus LaGrone, who

committed to Baylor last week, will likely be the top linebacker in attendance.

Other linebackers to watch will be a pair from Lakeside, Houston Hunter and

Harlen Jones, Warren’s Austin Thompson, Tyler Lindsey from Lake Hamilton, and

Pulaski Academy sophomore Tyler Colquitt.

Mighty Bluebird Complex is off Highway 10 West on Pinnacle Valley Road.

Admission to the tournament is $5 per car each day. Concessions will be available.

The tournament is sponsored by Baptist Health Orthopedic Center, Chenal Heights

Nursing and Rehab, SportStop, Latitude Solutions, The Val Hansen Real Estate

Team, Moggle Inc., Hatcher Insurance Agency, Nike, Gatorade, and Roller Chenal

Funeral Home.

List of all 24 teams:

Afton HS (OK)

Allen HS (TX)

Belton HS (TX)

Bryant

Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock)

Conway HS

Dumas HS

El Dorado HS

Fayetteville HS

Greenbrier HS

Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City)

Heritage HS (Rogers)

Hilldale HS (OK)

Lake Hamilton HS (Pearcy)

Lakeside HS (Hot Springs)

Magnolia HS

Nashville HS

Parkview HS (Little Rock)

Prattville Christian Academy (Prattville, AL)

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Russellville HS

Stigler (OK)

Warren HS

Watson Chapel HS (Pine Bluff)

*****************

Previous Winners:

2005 Rogers

2006 Allen

2007 Heritage Hall

2008 Lake Hamilton

2009 Fayetteville

2010 Pulaski Academy

Heritage Hall's Markus Wakefield received an offer from Colorado State on Wednesday night.

Colorado State representatives were one of several teams to show up at Heritage Hall’s spring football practices. Now it’s clear why.

Chargers lineman Markus Wakefield picked up his first offer as the Rams offered Wakefield on Wednesday night, Wakefield told The Oklahoman.

Wakefield, a force on both sides of the ball, had 137 tackles and 15 sacks last season and will be entering his third year as a starter for Heritage Hall in the fall. Wakefield is listed at 6-foot-1 and 270 pounds. Coach Andy Bogert said Wakefield is going to continue to attract attention because of his excellent footwork and football intelligence.

Wakefield recently participated in the OkVarsity.com combine last weekend and said, like many other top recruits, he plans on attending a lot of camps this summer.

Wakefield becomes the fourth Charger senior to pick up an offer. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard has committed to Oklahoma. Running back Barry J. Sanders is a four-star prospect with more than 20 offers, while Quintaz Struble earned an offer from Arizona two weeks ago.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Putnam City's Casey Curtis star was on full display with a 4.32 effort in the 40-yard dash Saturday.

Is he really that fast? Yep, Putnam City running back Casey Curtis really is that fast. After posting a sub 4.40 40-yard dash in his first attempt, people were wondering if it was faulty timing.

So the Pirates star lined up and did it again. Five different people were timing him, and bam, 4.32. Yep, 4.32 for Curtis in the 40-yard dash Saturday morning at the OkVarsity.com combine at Yukon’s Miller Pride Stadium.

Fellow chum Scott Wright has been high on Curtis for a long time. I haven’t doubted it, but it was great to see it with my own eyes. We have Curtis currently ranked No. 20 on our Super 30 recruits for the 2012 class. A new list will come out within the next month so it might change.

Curtis was actually a little disappointed with his shuttle run time, but all I had to do was remind him 4.32 and his smile came back.

The 40-yard dash was one component of multi-part combine presented by OkVarsity.com, the Oklahoma high school site of Rivals.com. Players also participated in the power ball toss, shuttle run, vertical leap and had the option of participating in the bench press.

Other thoughts and observations

- First time to see Ponca City quarterback Brent Wilson. This combine isn’t really a skills showcase, but Wilson fared well from what I saw. And like some others, just good to see who some of these kids are after reading so much about him. Wilson said he’s excited about this year because a lot of the Wildcats have grown up.

- This was in Yukon’s backyard so no shock to see plenty of Millers there. However, Valliant and Forgan? Huh? Valliant brought a good chunk of kids and coach Brett Jones was more than happy to make the trek for his kids to get some recognition and get tested.

- Santa Fe’s Trevan Smith had a really good 40 time as well. I wanna say 4.37 but don’t quote me. Wolves brought a good chunk of kids. Tellin’ ya, a lot of talent for Lance Manning and company to mold into a cohesive force.

- Power ball toss just sounds like a World’s Strongest Man competition. A lot of the kids had trouble with the first toss because either had never done it before or were too busy trying to get it high. The key to power ball toss is to chuck that thing forward and not so much about the height. Heritage Hall’s Markus Wakefield said it was weird, at first, because he’d never done anything like that before. I thought he fared well in both tosses.

- Piedmont’s Cassius Calhoun was on hand. The Wildcats running back is making the move from Casady to Piedmont. And Piedmont has a new coach in former Stillwater assistant Craig Church. Calhoun said he is ready to show what he can do. He’s a lot more comfortable and ready to be a leader for Piedmont.

- Missed out on Jared Benway from Edmond North. He was finishing up as I was still getting a grasp on the format of the day. Very excited to see a healthy Benway. The Huskies are one of my destinations for the second week of spring practice.

- Results, according to OkVarsity.com’s Justin Mitchell, will be available either Sunday or Monday. When I get ‘em, I’ll post them. Good camp, hope the kids took advantage of their opportunity. The Tulsa side is next Saturday at Broken Arrow. Also, look for plenty of videos on NewsOK.com in the upcoming day(s). Able to talk and meet with a lot of kids.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Wow, are they really seniors? Time flies, no? I still remember Barry J. Sanders first carry against Casady as a freshman being a 4-yard loss. And I still remember thinking who is that No. 3? He looks like a star (Sterling Shepard).

They were super sophs and amazing juniors and now they’re seniors. Heritage Hall, after not being senior heavy the last couple of years, has 18 seniors on this year’s football team.

And coach Andy Bogert might run the most fun spring practice ever. No pads, basically just having fun by going through plays for an hour. The Chargers wrapped up practice this week. They started last week though some of the starters couldn’t make it.

The focus in the spring is to get ready for the 7-on-7 circuit. Heritage Hall is always involved in a top-notch tournament or two and that won’t change this year. Bogert said he doesn’t understand why anybody would go all-out during the spring. With the kids coming off playing different sports, they’re not in football shape or mentality.

Went down to Heritage on Tuesday and still cannot believe how big Sterling Shepard is. He caught every single pass Quinn Shanbour put in his vicinity. Sanders was out there. He admittedly didn’t have his best day, but he looked fine and was running full speed. That foot injury is a thing of the past.

Shanbour is going to add a lot to this team at quarterback. That’s saying something because Cooper Cloud was one heck of a leader last year.

Then you got linemen like Quintaz Struble and Markus Wakefield. A defensive back like Brandon Moews and a wide receiver like Cale Courtney. Players waiting in the wings like Chedon Shockley and A.J. Knowles, and it’s a fun time to be a Charger.

However, Bogert is a little concerned because 18 of the 48 players on the team are seniors. I’ve said it before. We know how great this group is, but who is going to come in after?

College coaches have made Heritage Hall one of their stops. In the last few days, reps from Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, UCLA and Florida State have made the trek to the campus. Bogert knows once June 1 comes around, it’s gonna be a madhouse.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

It began Wednesday as defensive end Quintaz Struble was offered by Arizona, the junior told The Oklahoman on Wednesday night.

After having nearly his entire sophomore season wiped out because of a knee injury, Struble was dominant at defensive end last year.

Struble finished the season with 104 tackles and 15 sacks. He also caught two touchdowns at tight end but said he is being recruited more as a defensive end and as an athlete and not as a tight end.

Struble’s offer comes on the heels of quarterback Quinn Shanbour also receiving interest from the Wildcats. After being forced to sit out last season after transferring from McGuinness, Shanbour is also expected to make a splash for Heritage Hall in the fall.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

However, Sanders and teammate Sterling Shepard are among the three Oklahoma players that have made the cut for the Rivals 250, a list of the top 250 football recruits for the 2012 class.

Sanders is the highest ranking Oklahoman at No. 121. Jenks star running back Alex Ross, who has committed to Oklahoma, is No. 183.

Shepard, who has also committed to the Sooners, is No. 220. All three are rated as four-star prospects. Sanders is No. 1, Ross is No. 2 and Shepard is No. 4 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for 2012.

***

Won’t argue with any of these guys making it, obviously. I still feel names like Donovan Roberts of Norman and Cayman Bundage of Douglass aren’t getting enough love but that can still change.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Shepard was officially nominated for the US Army All-American game in January in a ceremony in the Upper School’s commons, while Sanders was recognized for being selected as a participant for the game.

The Charger stars join Jenks running back Alex Ross as the other football stars from Oklahoma to be considered. More than 400 players from the nation will be nominated for the game.

“I was surprised. I had no idea about this (presentation),” Sanders said. “It’s really cool to have Sterling be nominated, too. He didn’t have any idea, either.”

Shepard and Ross have both committed to Oklahoma. Shepard, a wide receiver has been hitting the weight room since the end of the season, putting on 15 pounds of muscle.

Sanders, who had foot surgery following the year, said he is still not 100 percent. He said he’s doing a lot better, and he’s been the designated hitter for the Chargers baseball team.

Look for (yet) another video with Shepard and Sanders on NewsOK.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

The eight seniors of the Heritage Hall football team (Graham Busby, Andrew Johnson, Sami Horani, Bill Johnston, Cooper Cloud, Shaun Tkach, Coby Brownrigg, Dru Bullard).

Heritage Hall athletic director Rod Warner passed this along, just thought I’d share. Here are the eight seniors for the Heritage Hall football team. Obviously, they are the winningest group the school has ever had.

2007: 14-1 (2A runner-up)
2008: 15-0 (2A champions)
2009: 8-5 (2A quarterfinals)
2010: 15-0 (3A champions)

In fact, the only way the junior class right now (Barry J. Sanders, Sterling Shepard, Quintaz Struble, Markus Wakefield, Cale Courtney, etc) can surpass this mark is with a 15-0 record. If they go 14-1, they’d tie. Anything less, they won’t have the mark. With a 15-0 record, they would be 53-5. This senior year’s record: 52-6.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Too early for 2013 class talk? Maybe, but Deer Creek's Joel Blumenthal is one to watch.

Before we get to the weekly news and notes on some of the top recruits, really think some recruiting experts are missing the boat on the class of 2012.

Heritage Hall’s Barry J. Sanders dominates the headlines and has for the last couple of years. And then when a program like Oklahoma offers players such as Jenks’ Alex Ross and Heritage Hall’s Sterling Shepard, that obviously makes people stand up and notice.

Those three again were recognized with Sanders at No. 51, Shepard at No. 85 and Ross at No. 89 of the Scout 300. And then that was it. Really?

No love for Norman RB Donovan Roberts or Douglass OL Cayman Bundage? Or an OL like Blake Belcher from Guthrie? And we might all be sleeping on just how good Ramsey Hamilton of Beggs after how well he has fared in workout/combine atmospheres.

I really like this class. Hey, maybe I’m overestimating how good this class is going to be, but I can tell you that I’m already excited for the fall. Heck, even spring practice.

With that said, more news and notes:

- Edmond Santa Fe has been off the radar lately, but that should change this year. Not only is Ty Hensley a top baseball/football prospect, defensive back Conner Bays performed extremely well at an Under Armour combine last weekend in Houston. It’s going to be a new looks Wolves team so it will be very interesting to see how this team gels together.

- When you start talking about the 2013 class, it starts in Lawton with D.J. Ward, but I’m wondering just how far up the ranks Deer Creek’s Joel Blumenthal is going to go. He performed well at a combine in Dallas in late March and has been invited to Tampa for a top camp in the summer. It is invite only with 25 quarterbacks from 15 different states.

- Mention Casady recruiting for 2011, and you go right to DL Graham Bennett and LB Garrison Lee. However, don’t forget about Mac Katigan. He’s going to Princeton’s Junior Day this weekend and has also been invited to the junior days at Yale and Dartmouth. Dartmouth seems like a natural fit considering his older brother, Austin, is a freshman on the football team.

- Incredibly busy time of year when it comes to combines. Casey Curtis of Putnam City is off to a couple more on this weekend. We won’t call Curtis ‘Scott Wright’s boy,’ but Scott is very high (rightfully so) on the ability of Curtis. With more info, read Scott’s blog.

- OKVarsity.rivals.com is going to have its in-state combines next month. The Oklahoma City area one is May 21 at Yukon, while the Tulsa area is May 28 at Broken Arrow. For much more info, here ya go. I definitely intend to attend both combines but have no idea if I’ll be able to. Justin Mitchell does a great job with the OKVarsity site, and it’s a very well-run exhibition.

- A couple of forgotten kids are starting to make some noise. Edmond North RB Jared Benway missed all of his junior season with a broken leg but is back and looking good. Same can be said for Heritage Hall quarterback Quinn Shanbour. Shanbour left Bishop McGuinness a day before the season opener. HH coach Andy Bogert said Shanbour played a vital role in helping the team practice against opposing QBs last year. Shanbour just returned from a visit to the University of Arizona.

- As always, you got info, drop me a line. You went to a camp? Let me know how it went.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

All three are ranked in the top 90 but nobody else from the state made the list.

Sanders tops the list at No. 51. Sanders has listed Oklahoma State, Alabama, Florida State and UCLA as his favorites. He has been busy making the rounds and has said he is looking for the right fit.

There are no questions regarding Shepard and Ross and where they’re going to attend. Both have already committed to Oklahoma. Shepard is ranked No. 85, while Ross is No. 89.

Sanders is No. 1, Ross is No. 2 and Shepard is No. 4 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for 2012.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Championships
No. 1 singles: Haworth, PCN, def. Nate Roper, EN, 6-2, 6-0
No. 2 singles: Rodwell, PCN, def. Stein, EN, 7-5, 7-5
No. 1 doubles: Hager-Olsen, EN, def. Hays-Proctor, MC, 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 doubles: Lilley-Spring, EN, def. Cohlmia-Shear, HH, 6-2, 6-1

The battle lines have been drawn. Putnam City North has arguably the two best singles players in the state in Chris Haworth and Wil Rodwell. Edmond North has easily the deepest team of anybody in the state.

So when state comes around, might we get something eerily similar to what transpired this weekend? The Huskies playing for all four championships shows just how strong from top-to-bottom that group is.

Haworth bounced back beautifully after the loss in the USTA event Wednesday. If anything, I think that loss should have given him even more confidence. If he can contend on the world stage, he’s going to be able to certainly dictate play at the high school level.

The biggest statement, for me, would be from Metro Christian. The Patriots have had their fair share of solid players and tied for the championship last year. Would not shock me to see Patriots win it outright this time around.

All ‘n all, everything you would expect from this great tournament. A lot of quality play, and you can kinda gauge where the teams are at midway through the season.

Chiaf earns title

It’s evident that the Bishop McGuinness girls tennis team won’t be the dominant force that it’s been in recent years.

But don’t think the Irish still won’t be in the hunt for another state championship. Senior Ashleigh Chiaf earned the No. 1 singles championship with a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Heritage Hall’s Sarah Bowen on Friday afternoon at the Tournament of Champions at Heritage Hall.

It was the first time the girls had played against each other in two years when Bowen had defeated Chiaf at this same tournament.

“It was about ‘want to’ today,” Chiaf said. “I really wanted this win. We always play tough matches, but I was able to persevere in the tough points.”

It is the first year at singles for Chiaf after winning three state championships in doubles.

Bowen had a three-set battle with Piper Huey of Jenks in the semifinals, while Chiaf cruised to the final. Chiaf was really on her game in this tournament. You can tell that she is taking a lot of pride in being a senior and leading this team.

Bulldogs win team championship

If Friday’s competition was any indication of what the state tournament is going to be like, it’s an open field.

Four different teams won the individual championships with Edmond Memorial taking home the team title.

For the Bulldogs, it was about consistency. Every player won at least two matches and No. 2 singles player Megan Montgomery earned the championship with a win against Edmond North’s Annie Hayes.

The Huskies and Jenks tied for second, while McGuinness and Enid tied for fourth in the eight-team field.

Gonna be interesting to see the lineups being tinkered with. Definitely think Edmond North is going to be  fluctuating all season until coach Dee Ann Wallar makes up her mind. A lot of talent there, just about finding the right spot.

Kinda surprised that Edmond Memorial took home the crown but says a lot about what Randy Mays is doing there. You go 9-3 against a field like this, well, you have nothing to be ashamed about.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Heritage Hall junior running back Barry J. Sanders isn’t any closer to making a commitment, but he did earn another honor.

Sanders was named the 10^th best recruit for the class of 2012 by Tom Lemming as Lemming released his top 100 recruits Tuesday.

Lemming has spent more than 30 years evaluating recruits. Sanders was the only player from Oklahoma in the top 100. Dorial Beckham-Green, the Springfield, Mo., wide receiver, was ranked the top prospect.

I’ve admit that I’m bias toward the Oklahoma kids, but I was amazed that Alex Ross of Jenks, Cayman Bundage of Douglass, Sterling Shepard of Heritage Hall and Donovan Roberts of Norman didn’t sniff the list. Feel people are sleeping on this class still.

- Edmond Santa Fe junior Ty Hensley said he wants to keep his options open for football. Meanwhile, the baseball honors continue to roll in for the star pitcher.

Hensley has been invited to participate in the Under Armour All-America baseball game Aug. 13 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Hensley is one of 36 players invited and is the lone Oklahoman on the roster. The game will be televised live on MLB Network (Cox 264). The players participating were chosen by a committee of Baseball Factory scouts.

The game will punctuate a four-day event for the players that will include a formal workout for MLB scouts, a home run derby and a meet-and-greet with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.

- Sand Springs quarterback Darrack Harger was among one of the top performers at the Under Armour combine in Dallas last weekend.

Harger, 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, has added 15 pounds since the end of last season and was said to be the best quarterback in the bunch by Rivals.com

Harger doesn’t have any official offers but is receiving interest from several Big 12 schools, including Oklahoma State.

Top QB prospect is going to be a battle. The four early favorites: Harger, Kason Key of Owasso, Ramsey Hamilton of Beggs and Corben Jones of Yukon. It feels like every week that is something different to report on at least one of them.

- A name to watch is definitely Stillwater wide receiver Jesse Vester. He’s been just as busy as anybody else, attending Tulsa, OSU and KU Junior Days. His April is going to be pretty busy, too. And with new coach Tucker Barnard officially in Stillwater and QB Jerame Littell, Pioneers will definitely have a different look.

- Southmoore has produced one top talent after another in the last couple of years and don’t look for that to stop in this upcoming season. Running back Andrew Long is definitely the gem of the SaberCats, but linebacker Jackson Stallings is starting to come on the radar. Neither have any official offers, but coach Chris Jensen has done a great job of getting his kids noticed.

- Any news or notes you wanna contribute? Drop me a line, appreciate it.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

For those that have seen Heritage Hall junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard play, these highlights really won’t shock you at all.

But for any Oklahoma Sooner fans who haven’t seen the all-around threat play, here is a taste of what you’re going to get to see in Norman.

Stopped by Heritage Hall after school Tuesday to talk with Shepard about committing to OU. Personally, probably could have included a lot more highlights but here ya go.

Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard is running his way to Norman. Shepard committed to OU on Monday.

Heritage Hall star wide receiver Sterling Shepard really did intend to wait before making his commitment.

He wanted to be patient and look to see what else was out there, but the truth is his heart has always been with Oklahoma.

Shepard made it official, verbally committing to the Sooners on Monday. Shepard joins Jenks running back Alex Ross as two in-state recruits of the class of 2012 to commit to OU.

“This is where my heart is,” Shepard said. “There is great tradition here. My father, my uncles went here. It was time.”

For the full story, go here.

***

Not a shock at all to any that know Shepard. He was genuinely shocked when the offers started to come his way. He just doesn’t think of himself that way. However, he was definitely hoping an OU offer would come his way.

His mother was going to be supportive, no matter what, but the name Shepard means a lot to OU and the Sooners mean a lot to the Shepard family.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

What do you think? For more on it, here is my story from Monday’s paper. And for Alabama’s response to the situation, here ya go.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Heritage Hall's Barry J. Sanders was offered by Florida on Friday afternoon to give him 14 offers now.

The hits keep coming at Heritage Hall. A day after teammate Sterling Shepard was offered by Oklahoma, another Heritage Hall star has received another major offer.

Junior running back Barry J. Sanders was offered by Florida on Friday afternoon, the running back texted The Oklahoman.

The Gators become the 14th school to offer the Chargers star. Sanders has listed Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma State among his favorites.

Sanders is recovering from foot surgery and missed most of the second half of the 2010 season.  In just 96 carries, Sanders rushed for 1,168 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Sanders said he plans on visiting Alabama for the second time in the near future. Sanders made the Rivals 250 list for the 2012 class earlier this week and Scout.com has Sanders as a four-star prospect.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

More reasons to celebrate for Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard. He was offered by OU on Thursday.

Heritage Hall junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard was already having a nice birthday Thursday afternoon when he got the best gift yet.

The Chargers star was offered by Oklahoma to give him five offers.

But the Sooners’ invitation means a little bit more, obviously, because of the Shepard family connection to OU.

Shepard’s father, Derrick, was a star wide receiver for the Sooners and played in the NFL. Derrick died of a heart attack in 1999. Sterling’s uncles, Woodie and Darrell, also played football for OU.

“Oh yeah, it’s great to have gotten this offer,” Shepard said. “OU has been like my second family. It definitely means a lot.”

Despite the offer, it won’t accelerate his thought process. Shepard has said in the past that he plans on being patient before making his commitment.

Shepard has also received offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Kansas State. He said he plans on attending the Junior Days at Notre Dame and Clemson in the upcoming weeks.

“I’ve missed out on some Junior Days because of the weather and school stuff, but I definitely hope to get out to more of them,” Shepard said.

Shepard was a break out star this year for Heritage Hall. After a concussion-filled sophomore year, Shepard made some changes and stayed healthy as a junior.

When star running back Barry J. Sanders went down with a foot injury, coach Andy Bogert ran the same type of offense with Shepard as the team had run with former Heritage Hall star and current New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker.

Shepard was an all-around threat in helping the Chargers win the 2010 state championship. Most schools view him as a wide receiver though he is also receiving attention as a defensive back.

***

Shepard was understandably excited about everything and a little incoherent on the phone. It is his birthday, after all. Plus, Heritage is in the midst of a six-day weekend as the school had already planned to be off Friday and Monday for mid-winter break.

Shepard knows he doesn’t have the best size, but his highlight DVD should make up for that. I’ve watched that DVD a couple of times. I don’t know how any school could watch that and not offer him…but that’s just me.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

The list, released Wednesday, did not include number rankings.

Sanders has 12 offers, including Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma State. He said he plans on visiting Alabama in a couple of weeks. It will be his second visit to Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Ross became the second verbal commitment to Oklahoma for the 2012 class. Ross committed to the Sooners late Tuesday night.

***

If I may be so bold, I thought for sure at least one (if not all three) would be on this list: Sterling Shepard of Heritage Hall, Norman’s Donovan Roberts and Douglass OL Cayman Bundage.

Yea, there might be some OKC-area bias there as I’ve seen these kids often and know what they can do but really feel they are among the top 250 in the nation.

Roberts is one of the best college-ready RBs I’ve seen in my short time. Bundage has impressed on the field and at combines. And Shepard, well, you guys know how I feel about his playmaking ability.

For those wondering, Scott Wright and myself have been working on a Super 30 for 2012. That will be unveiled Sunday.

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Barry Sanders talks about what he likes at his four current top choices.

Recently had a chance to speak with Heritage Hall junior Barry J. Sanders. The running back is now up to 12 offers. However, his four favorites remain the same from when he unveiled them in October: Alabama, UCLA, Florida State and Oklahoma State.

Here’s a little insight as to why Sanders is interested in each program.

Alabama — “It’s a proven program that’s always looking to get better. Coach (Nick) Saban is a great coach who always has his players bound for success. I went down there for their game against Ole Miss, and it was fantastic.”

UCLA — “They struggled a little bit this year, but coach (Rick) Neuheisel takes a very active approach. With everything that’s happening at USC, they (Trojans) might be down. This is UCLA’s chance.”

Florida State — “I think they have the No. 1 recruiting class for this year. I love what coach (Jimbo) Fisher is doing there. He knows the tricks of the trade, and he has recruits excited about the program.”

Oklahoma State — “If I choose to stay close to home, it would be pretty easy. The facilities are tremendous. The people there are great. And it’s another program that keeps growing as coach (Mike) Gundy is doing big things there.”

The other I asked Sanders about was is there anything he’s looking for when it comes to these schools’ recruiting classes and personnel:

“I definitely look at the running backs at each school and who they’re bringing in and where I might fit in. I wouldn’t mind going somewhere where I could learn from a great back for a year. Alabama’s Trent Richardson would be a senior if I went that way, and he would be a good person to learn under.”

As time permits, I plan on doing more of these one-on-one breakdowns with some of the top recruits for the class of 2012.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Heritage Hall junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard received an offer from Notre Dame on Wednesday, said Heritage Hall coach Andy Bogert.

Shepard was an all-around threat for the Chargers in helping lead the team to a Class 3A state championship.

Notre Dame is the second school to offer Shepard. Oklahoma State offered him in December. UCLA, Missouri and Alabama are among the other schools currently showing interest.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

And that’s why there is no logic in comparative scoring even if you’ve seen it with your own eyes. I saw Oklahoma Christian School dominate at Casady in December. Last week I saw the Cyclones take it to Heritage Hall for four quarters.

So OCS at Heritage Hall, what are you to expect? Yeah, didn’t happen like that. And though Heritage was playing without Markus Wakefield and Quintaz Struble, um, you didn’t really notice.

Not with the way Tanner Tepe came out firing. He notched three 3s in the first quarter en route to 17 points and a rather convincing 52-38 victory against the Saints.

Eh, shows what I know.

Tepe and James Lima really got things going on the right foot, the opposite of what happened last week at Casady. Lima added another 15 points.

Heritage took a 27-20 lead into halftime, but a Jack Warren three made it 35-32. I thought here comes OCS. But it didn’t happen as the Chargers went on a 10-0 run after that point and never looked back.

T.J. Holland and Warren were up to snuff as usual. Holland had 17 points, while Warren had 13. The trouble, much like last year, is finding a consistent No. 3 option. Jackson Ogle has one of the best strokes I’ve seen, but it just wasn’t his night in this one.

Heritage Hall 56, OCS 49 (Girls)

Maybe I should have seen the boys result coming after the way Leslie Warner’s girls played. This was the best I’ve seen Heritage Hall play, and Warner admitted as much following the game.

Carter Cloud scored 10 of her 16 points in the second quarter as the Chargers found their rhythm in a 24-14 advantage in the second quarter.

Freshman Erika Wakefield continues to become a more complete player with each game I see from her. She notched another 15 and drove hard to the rim early, which opened up other things for her teammates.

However, the story of this game (I think) was the play of post players Corbyn Wheeler and Randi Booker. The only two seniors came off the bench for 17 combined points.

With Jordan Gooch and Alyssa Puckett in the post, thought the Saints would pound it in the post. And then that would lead to Dani Childress getting on a roll.

But it didn’t turn out that way. Childress had 16 points and Gooch had 14, but it was a little too late.

Heritage Hall is at Kingfisher for the Buckle of the Wheatbelt Tournament, while OCS begins play in the Bruce Gray Invitational on Thursday. I’ll be roaming both tournaments so I might see both teams again.

Been making the rounds with some of the kids that participated in the US Army National Combine in San Antonio. Here are some of their thoughts and impressions on last weekend:

Cayman Bundage, OL, Douglass

Douglass junior offensive lineman Cayman Bundage doesn’t have any official offers, but he turned a lot of heads at the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio.

Bundage, 6-foot-2 and 293 pounds, was a reason why the Trojans won their first state football championship since 1976.

Recruiting experts said Bundage was light on his feet and had one of the best techniques in pass blocking.

Bundage became a name to watch last summer after a strong performance in a Florida State camp. The Seminoles have continued to show interest in him. Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama and several others have been in contact with Douglass coach Willis Alexander regarding Bundage.

“Cayman has been ready to play since he was in the ninth grade just because of his quickness, his footwork and his understanding of how to play the game,” Alexander said. “He’s getting a lot of interest from BCS conference schools. He’s a center or guard in college, even though we’re playing him at tackle.”

Sterling Shepard, WR, Heritage Hall

There is no question that Heritage Hall junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard showed this season he is among the best in the state.

But at the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio last weekend, Shepard said he learned he can compete with other elite athletes from across the nation.

“I was really happy with the way everything turned out,” Shepard said. “They taught me a few things when it came to technique.”

Shepard said interest has increased dramatically. Shepard picked up his first offer from Oklahoma State in December and said Missouri, Alabama and UCLA are also showing strong interest.

Shepard also said it appears most schools have him pegged as a wide receiver. Defensive back was once an option but not too many schools are looking at Shepard there anymore.

Derek Deeds, WR/DB, Yukon

Deeds said, much like Shepard, the combine really helped him realize he can compete with some of the other top talents in the nation.

Deeds is a veteran of these all-star competitions as it feels like he was at just about every one imaginable in the summer.

The Millers star said three schools have heavy interest in him: Oklahoma State, Missouri and Tulsa.

Hunter Dinkines, Deer Creek

Dinkines has a rather odd story. Somewhere along the way this season, Dinkines broke his pinky finger.

From his father, Bill: “The week of playoffs against Tulsa Washington, he shows it to me and he can not straighten it out.  We taken him to the doctor and they enlighten us that not only is it broken but it had already healed.”

Dinkines had to have surgery to re-break the finger so that it could be put back properly. However, he was cleared to participate at the combine.

Barry J. Sanders, RB, Heritage Hall

Still recovering from foot surgery, Sanders did not participate in the 2011 combine. However, he did announce he will be playing in the 2012 US Army game.

Sanders has listed Alabama, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Florida State as his four early favorites and said the next couple of months he will be focusing a lot more on his recruiting.

***

I sent feelers out to some of the top recruits I knew were there. If they respond, I’ll have a Part II update. If you’re one of them, hey, drop me a line.

Horrible news to start the day, great news to end it for the Casady boys basketball team. In front of a standing-room-only crowd at Grantham-Griffing Fieldhouse, Cyclones got out fast and never looked back.

Guard Matt Silver connected on three three-pointers in the first quarter as the Cyclones took care of rival Heritage Hall 48-33 on Tuesday night.

I thought Casady would win in a tight one. However, once I found out Preston Sullivan tore his ACL, I flip-flopped to the Chargers.

But boy did the Cyclones come out fired up and inspired to play for their fallen leader. It started with Silver, who made the gesture to wear the No. 12 jersey the rest of the season. Sullivan had worn it and this was Silver’s way to honor his friend and teammate.

Just as important was the dunk by Graham Bennett. All it did was make it 5-0 at the time, but the building went nuts on the dunk and really never let up until Casady had the game in control.

Back-to-back big games by Bennett as he is starting to put it together more in basketball. We all know he’s a great football player, but he’s learning how to use his size on the court.

I won’t say Heritage would have won, but Quintaz Struble picking up two fouls in the first four minutes of the game was HUGE. He sat the rest of the first half and it was 29-13 at halftime. Struble actually finished with a game-high 13 points, but the Chargers never made a serious run.

Casey Roberts had 10 points for Casady, while Bennett led the way with 13. Look for a video with a bloodied Silver (he’s OK) on NewsOK on Wednesday.

Heritage Hall 42, Casady 18 (Girls)

I don’t want to call Ericka Wakefield a star just yet, but the freshman is an incredible talent. Every game I see her she is getting smarter and smarter out there.

She’s learning when to shoot the three, when to drive and when to look for her teammates. In fact, that first half was the best I’ve seen Leslie Warner’s club look all year.

Wakefield scored 15 of her 17 points in the first half as Heritage took a 29-6 lead into halftime. After a pedestrian 7-4 first quarter, the Chargers came alive and outscored the Cyclones 22-2 in the second quarter.

Much like the boys, Casady was playing without its leader, injured Shelby Cornelson.

Madison Garrett had seven points to help the cause for Heritage, who moved to 6-5 with the victory.

Good rivalry week coming up in my neck of the woods in basketball. Gonna kick it off (or tip it off) Tuesday night with Heritage Hall and Casady. Edmond North and Edmond Santa Fe are going at it Tuesday as well and Midwest City and Del City will lock up Friday night (I’ll be there).

As for the Chargers and Cyclones, expecting a couple of tight, competitive games for the boys and girls.

Like what the Chargers are doing under first-year coach Chris Hamilton. Quintaz Struble has emerged as a beast and interested to see how Tanner Tepe, a transfer from Piedmont, looks now that he has a week under his belt.

As for Casady, I’d be lying if I didn’t say the first person that comes to mind is Preston Sullivan. However, a couple of other players came up big for Allen Dukes at the Crooked Oak Bricktown Bash.

One we know from football as junior Graham Bennett played all 32 minutes and scored a career-high 19 points in the third-place win against Crooked Oak.

The other, junior Casey Roberts, went off for a career-high 23 points in the 73-58 victory.

Intense tournament for the Cyclones and great preparation for what’s in store the rest of the way. Pulled out a thrilling 52-51 win vs. Harding Prep in the first round. Came back and lost to Capitol Hill 45-43 when a game-winning three caromed off.

Should be a fun atmosphere at Casady on Tuesday night.

Though it may have felt weird to see Alabama football coach Nick Saban taking a tour of the Heritage Hall campus Wednesday, no recruiting violations occurred because the coach was in town.

Under the NCAA ‘s rules and regulations, from Nov. 28 until Jan. 29 is an open contact period for college coaches.

During this time, coaches are allowed to visit recruits off campus. Coaches can make only one visit per week to individual recruits.

However, it’s not as open-and-shut as that, though. In between that time, there are also ‘dead’ and ‘quiet’ periods.

From Dec. 20 through Jan. 3 was a dead period where coaching staffs were only allowed to have contact with recruits who have been admitted for mid-year enrollment. The next ‘quiet period’ is Jan. 9 (Sunday), so Saban followed NCAA guidelines in his visit.

EDIT: Juniors are a little bit different. Did this fall in a gray area? A basic hello? What’s the definition of a basic hello? I believe it’s a basic hello, but I’m a pretty lenient fella.

“A college coach is only permitted to contact you in person off the college campus only on or after July 1st when you have completed your junior year of high school. If the coach meets with you or your parents and says anything to you or them then this is considered a contact. Anything more than a very basic hello is a contact.”

Short meet-and-greet visits are rather normal this time of year, said Heritage Hall athletic director Rod Warner. Saban did the same thing with Dorial Green-Beckham. For that, here is the story from Matt Schoch of the Springfield News-Leader out of Springfield, Mo.

“They (coaches) come in. We show them the campus. Introduce them to the recruits, and then they take off,” Warner said.

Warner and head coach Andy Bogert were not at Heritage Hall on Wednesday. Instead, it was defensive coordinator Mark Adams and strength and conditioning coach Chris Gfeller showing Saban and Alabama recruiting coordinator Curt Cignetti around Heritage Hall.

Saban was in town to visit Heritage Hall junior running back Barry J. Sanders. Back in October, Sanders listed the Crimson Tide as one of his top four choices among the schools that have offered him. Oklahoma State, UCLA and Florida State are also in the running.

Sanders said he hopes to attend the junior days for Alabama and Florida State in the upcoming weeks. He won’t be able to participate because Sanders is recovering from foot surgery, but he would like to show up.

With Saban at the school, the Chargers also gave the coach a highlight film of junior all-around athlete Sterling Shepard. Shepard emerged as a star this season and received an offer from Oklahoma State in December.

Even while recovering from foot surgery, Heritage Hall RB Barry J. Sanders can make news. Alabama coach Nick Saban met with Sanders on Wednesday.

Guess this is just the kind of stuff to get accustomed to in the upcoming months with Heritage Hall running back Barry J. Sanders.

When you have that name with that kind of talent, the coaches flock to you. In this case, it was Alabama coach Nick Saban visiting Heritage Hall on Wednesday for a short meet-and-greet with Sanders.

Saban would later do the same thing with Springfield, Mo., star Dorial Green-Beckham, a junior WR out of Hillcrest High. He flew from Oklahoma City to Missouri. He didn’t waste any time.

Sanders is still recovering from foot surgery. I saw him Monday at the Heritage Hall and Weatherford basketball game. It’s not quite a scooter, but it’s something of that nature that Sanders is driving around. “I won’t be on crutches.”

Rumors ran rampant in a few short hours. First thing I heard was coach Andy Bogert and AD Rod Warner watched film with Saban for a few hours. Not true. Bogert is vacationing in Playa del Carmen in Mexico, while Warner was taking a personal day. No film was watched though it did give Heritage Hall a chance to pump up Sterling Shepard to Saban.

Also it was reported that Saban told Sanders that Mark Ingram was leaving. When I asked Sanders about it, he said that’s what Saban believes Ingram will do.

Anyway, on what was supposed to be my ‘off day,’ it got busy in a hurry. Ya just never know. Rest up tonight and hit the Bishop McGuinness Classic for three days of basketball.

For my story on Saban’s visit, here ya go.

How many players can fit on one bench? Heritage Hall had 13 players score as the Chargers beat Weatherford for the second time in three days.

Guard James Lima scored a game-high 10 points off the bench in a 54-31 victory against the Eagles on Monday night at Heritage Hall. The game was rescheduled from its original Dec. 10 date as that was the same night of the 3A football championship.

It was 5-5 midway through the first when Heritage Hall simply took over with an 18-0 run that went midway into the second quarter.

Quintaz Struble was dynamite Friday against Weatherford. Eagles stopped him, but just too many different options on this night for Chris Hamilton’s club.

Weatherford worked it down to 37-25 early in the fourth quarter but never got any closer.

The game marked the first effort for Heritage Hall’s Tanner Tepe. He had three points in limited time. He’s a transfer from Piedmont that the coaching staff is very high on.

Weatherford was paced by Zak Tuggle and Luke Stark, who each had nine points. Enjoyed getting to see Stark play in the last week.

Weatherford 43, Heritage Hall 31 (Girls)

Thought I was gonna have to eat my words there for a second. Figured the Eagles were going to be hungry after the McGuinness loss and run the Chargers out of the gym.

That didn’t happen but a good road win for Rick Wilson’s club. The Chargers just didn’t have the size to contend with Chandler Roof. When the game was still in doubt, Roof came up big and scored a game-high 17 points.

It was 20-20 midway through the third when Weatherford started to turn it on. Real good execution by Leslie Warner’s girls, but way too many missed free throws for the Chargers liking. Heritage was in the bonus for most of the second half but couldn’t convert from the charity stripe.

Freshman Ericka Wakefield continues to impress me as she had 10 points, while Carter Cloud had 7 for the Chargers. The confidence is building, though, for sure.

Kiley Brennfoerder had 9 for Weatherford, while Kimmi Sawatzky added 7 more.

It’s not technically the second half of the season, but it’s close enough. After winter break, the games mean more and you start to see what teams are really made of.

Let’s start, shall we?

Bishop McGuinness
Boys: Look out, 5A. With Joe Edmonds back, this team is going to do some damage in the next couple of months. Matt Morrissey and Miles Newcomb have come up big, and Matt Christiansen should only become even more of an impact player with Edmonds back in the saddle. Get to see the complete Irish team this weekend at the McGuinness Classic (gonna be a fun 3 days).

Girls: Umm, though not original, look out, 5A. The Irish have not played their best ball, said coach Jennifer Burch. However, their only loss is to Santa Fe and have wins over Cache and Edmond Memorial and Weatherford. Great balance, led by Alexa Lienhard and Elyse Hight. The development of Kate Andrews and Theresa Nash is going to be key.

Heritage Hall
Boys: With the football boys back in the saddle, first-year coach Chris Hamilton should be able to perk up. Quintaz Struble might actually be better in basketball than football, something I would not have said last year. And with Tanner Tepe becoming eligible, Chargers have a chance to surprise some people.

Girls: It’s one thing to be young, it’s another to look young. Leslie Warner’s girls are incredibly small but showed some signs last week. Ericka Wakefield is going to become a player, and I think sophomore Carter Cloud is really going to develop as long as she becomes more aggressive. She gets down on herself too easy. She’s good. Starting lineup is three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior.

Casady
Boys: Coach Allen Dukes is loving his first year with the Cyclones, but the schedule is about to get infinitely tougher with Southwest Prep Conference play beginning this month. Preston Sullivan makes this team go, but it will be interesting to see how Matt Silver and Cecil Ray, among others, develop over the second half of the year.

Girls: I’ve heard it said that as a coach, Jen Warden might be the best coach in the Oklahoma City area. There is good improvement from last year in Warden’s second year, but it will be tough for the Cyclones. Shelby Cornelson should lead the charge.

OCS
Boys: Feel like I can repeat what I said from last year. You know what you’re getting with T.J. Holland and Jack Warren, but who will be that consistent third option? If Trent Toler finds one, Saints will be punching that state tournament ticket, I guarantee it.

Girls: Sometimes the ambitious boys schedule hurts the girls, but this is not a bad 3A team. From junior guard Dani Childress to post Jordan Gooch (stay healthy), the Saints have the pieces for a solid season.

Mt. St. Mary’s
Ohh, gotta admit I haven’t seen either team play yet (it’s on my list of things to do). I know Lenny Hatchett’s boys will be around come March. Not sure when I’ll see dem Rockets, but I’ll figure it out.

Varsity writer Robert Przybylo says Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers was the best player in the state

You’ve been on pins and needles, admit it. You’ve been wondering what my top 10 players in the state ballot would look like.

Well, wonder no more. We’ve named Aliston Cobb, Brandon Swindall, Donovan Roberts and Kentrell Brothers as Players of the Year in one form of another. David Glidden captured the NewsOK.com honor. Now here’s the even more ‘prestigious’ Boneman Award.

10. Alex Ross, RB, Jenks

Ooh, this was tough. Between Ross and QB Sawyer Kollmorgen, one of the Trojans was getting on this list. But after watching some Jenks’ games on Cox onDemand (hey, blatant plug), Kollmorgen had the consistency, but Ross had the wow factor. Where did this kid come from? Excited for his senior year.

9. Tyrequek Zimmerman, WR/DB, Lawton

For most of the year we didn’t really get to see what he could do. The Wolverines dominated the district. However, when the playoffs came around, Zimmerman was on full display on both sides of the ball. Zimmerman is headed to Oregon State (joined by teammate Jabral Johnson).

8. Donovan Roberts, RB, Norman

Take what I said about Ross and paste it here. Tremendous size, great speed, future is incredibly bright for the Tigers RB. Workhorse, doesn’t fumble, scores and gains yards against some of the toughest teams in the state. It may not be possible, but I think he might be even better next season.

7. Aliston Cobb, RB, Douglass

Not much more needs to be said about Cobb’s record season for the Trojans. All I point to is his two TDs against Wagoner. He gets hurt, team doesn’t get another first down. Now that’s an impact on a team.

6. Brandon Swindall, WR/DB, Millwood

Cannot believe schools aren’t busting his door down with offers. Some might say playing in 2A helps his numbers. I say if he was playing against bigger classes, he would have no problem adapting his game and have just as big an impact. All the great ones adjust.

5. Derrick Alexander, DL/LB, Booker T.

You could make a great argument that Alexander was the best defensive player in the state this season. The Hornets were loaded with incredible talent all over the place, but Alexander stood out. I mean you always knew where Alexander was on the field.

4. David Glidden, WR/DB/KR, Mustang

Always loved watching Glidden play. Week 2 against Edmond North last season — I was officially on the bandwagon. He was a little banged up at times this season so I don’t think we saw his full potential, but it does hurt when you’re trying to rank his season. We’ll see his full potential at Oklahoma State.

3. Christian Hood, WR/DB, Union

Now this is a kid I wish I could have seen on a weekly basis. Love the way he plays the game. And what can you say about his performance against Jenks in the championship? Another great prospect teams are sleeping on.

2. Sterling Shepard, QB/RB/WR/DB/KR, Heritage Hall

I won’t say too much here (haven’t I said enough at this point). When a play had to be made, Shepard did it — no matter what. Won’t forget that Kingfisher outing anytime soon.

1. Kentrell Brothers, RB/WR/DL, Guthrie

If I didn’t know Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins and his staff so well, I would venture to say they don’t know how to figure up stats. Those couldn’t be real numbers, right? Brothers is legit in every way, shape and form. He should make a fine transition to LB at Missouri, and I agree with Watkins who said in his All-State nomination form, “Kentrell is the best player in the state.” He was.

He jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Mustang’s David Glidden has always been a popular fella, and he proves it on these polls. He’s a likable kid who busts his butt off on the football field. Glidden easily won the first ever NewsOK.com Player of the Year, with Kentrell Brothers in second and Sterling Shepard right behind him.

Looking forward to great things from Glidden at Oklahoma State.

For Scott Wright’s All-State story on Glidden, here ya go.

Poll results for NewsOK.com Player of the Year:

1. David Glidden, Mustang – 597 votes, 32.7 percent
2. Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie – 480 votes, 26.3 percent
3. Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall – 466 votes, 25.5 percent
4. Aliston Cobb, Douglass – 164 votes, 9 percent
5. Brandon Swindall, Millwood – 117 votes, 6.4 percent

The Varsity staff would like to thank everybody for their participation. It was great discussion on the blogs, and 1,824 votes were tallied. I’ll be back Monday with my personal top 10 players of the year.

The Irish girls were dominant in winning the Chesapeake Challenge

Chesapeake Challenge
At Heritage Hall
Friday
Boys
Sunrise Academy 64, Cascia Hall 41 (championship)
OKC Storm 56, Holland Hall 46 (third place)
Heritage Hall 46, Weatherford 24 (consolation championship)
Kingfisher 43, OKC Knights 40 (seventh place)
Girls
McGuinness 52, Weatherford 22 (championship)
OKC Knights 41, Kingfisher 30 (third place)
Cascia Hall 34, Heritage Hall 33 (consolation championship)
OKC Storm 59, Sunrise Academy 44 (seventh place)

Boys
OKC Storm 56, Holland Hall 46
Holland Hall*16*6*18*6 — 46
OKC Storm*14*10*12*20 — 56
HH — Rogers 18, Tisdale 11, Elbert 9, Sexton 5, Miles 2, Lade 1.
Storm — Trier 27, Malone 17, Farmer 9, Roth 2, McGee 1.

Heritage Hall 46, Weatherford 24
Weatherford*10*9*3*2 — 24
Heritage Hall*16*9*10*11 — 46
WF — Kincannon 11, Stark 5, Hill 5, Boyd 3.
HH — Struble 17, Wakefield 7, Lima 5, Cloud 4, Mewbourne 3, Thompson 3, Chatay 3, Cassell 2, Price 2.

Kingfisher 43, OKC Knights 40
OKC Knights*6*14*10*10 — 40
Kingfisher*10*11*6*16 — 43
Knights — Maloy 17, Miller 6, Graham 5, Pineda 5, Duggan 3, Daniels 2, Capers 2.
KF — Patterson 24, Blair 6, Hyatt 3, Newton 3, Ulsaker 3, Buck 2, Cheap 2.

Girls
McGuinness 52, Weatherford 22
Weatherford*6*4*8*4 — 22
McGuinness*8*7*16*21 — 52
WF — Sawatzky 9, Whedbee 5, Roof 4, Brennforder 2, Davis 1, Martin 1.
BM — Hight 18, Andrews 8, Cameron 6, Pedulla 5, Nash 5, Oliphant 4, Lienhard 3, Conner 2, Winterstein 1.

OKC Knights 41, Kingfisher 30
OKC Knights*12*11*10*8 — 41
Kingfisher*12*0*13*5 — 30
Knights — Young 13, Daniels 8, Tunnell 7, Williams 6, Hadelberg 3, Davis 2, Dile 2.
KF — Layn 18, Kannady 5, McAdam 3, Prim 2, Meat 2.

Cascia Hall 34, Heritage Hall 33
Cascia Hall*10*0*10*14 — 34
Heritage Hall*4*10*7*12 — 33
CH — Rahilly 12, Spoerl 10, Wallace 7, Ward 3, Derr 2.
HH — Wakefield 13, Cloud 11, Garrett 7, Zerby 1, Miller 1.

OKC Storm 59, Sunrise Academy 44
OKC Storm*16*10*16*17 — 59
Sunrise*16*7*8*13 — 44
Storm — Haxton 27, Alford 18, Wolfley 7, Ward 4, McGee 2, Santelman 1.
SA — Adair 24, Calebrese 9, Kidd 4, Weiser 4, Cockrell 3.

Boneman’s Breakdown

- Since no OKC-area team was playing in the boys championship, I admit I didn’t watch much of Sunrise Academy predictably beating Cascia Hall. That team was just too dang good for this tournament.

- Did not see the Irish girls winning by 30 points today. Must say that is a good sign for Jennifer Burch’s club. Weatherford did a great job of slowing the game down as it was 15-10 after the first half. However, Elyse Hight scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half and the defense did the rest. I’m also in agreement with Burch’s assessment that her team has not even come close to playing their best game yet. Scary to think when they are clicking.

- Eighth-grader Allonzo Trier bounced back beautifully today against a good Holland Hall team. He scored 27 points and made his free throws down the stretch. Had a chance to spend some time with Trier after this one. Really humble and respectful. He was 1-on-1 with Holland Hall stud Kwame Sexton. Good battle…then you realize Trier is 14 years old.

- Heritage Hall’s Quintaz Struble is really putting it together in basketball. I’ve thought all along he’s a football prospect on defense. Um, he might not be. He’s got some real good basketball game and is a beast in the post.

- OKC Knights girls is a solid club. Enjoyed watching that team execute its plan. Not much size so they have to do the little things right. You know what? For the most part, they do.

- Boneman’s Super 5 for boys (that I saw is the big qualifier): Derek Patterson, Kingfisher; Quintaz Struble, Heritage Hall; Zach Rogers, Holland Hall; Thomas Cargile, Cascia Hall; Allonso Trier, OKC Storm.

- Boneman’s Super 5 for girls (that I saw): Alexa Lienhard, McGuinness; Elyse Hight, McGuinness; Kimmi Sawatzky, Weatherford; Elisabeth Daniels, OKC Knights; Shelby Jo Layn, Kingfisher.

- Look for videos with Trier and Hight on NewsOK sometime soon.

- Have a Happy New Year, Varsity readers.

Chesapeake Challenge
At Heritage Hall
Friday
Boys
Championship: Cascia Hall vs. Sunrise Academy, 4 p.m.
Third place: OKC Storm vs. Holland Hall, 12:40
Fifth place: Heritage Hall vs. Weatherford, 4 p.m.
Seventh place: Kingfisher vs. OKC Knights, 12:40
Girls
Championship: McGuinness vs. Weatherford, 2:20
Third place: Kingfisher vs. OKC Knights, 11 a.m.
Fifth place: Heritage Hall vs. Cascia Hall, 2:20
Seventh place: Sunrise Academy vs. OKC Storm, 11 a.m.

Thursday
Boys
Sunrise Academy 52, Holland Hall 42
Weatherford 56, OKC Knights 50
Cascia Hall 54, OKC Storm 50
Heritage Hall 42, Kingfisher 37
Girls
Weatherford 42, OKC Knights 40
Cascia Hall 56, OKC Storm 49
McGuinness 53, Kingfisher 19
Heritage Hall 55, Sunrise Academy 44
Wednesday
Boys
Sunrise Academy 51, Weatherford 33
Cascia Hall 53, Kingfisher 44
Holland Hall 65, OKC Knights 39
OKC Storm 46, Heritage Hall 34
Girls
Weatherford 59, OKC Storm 39
McGuinness 69, Sunrise Academy 31
Kingfisher 48, Heritage Hall 40
OKC Knights 61, Cascia Hall 56

Boys
Cascia Hall 54, OKC Storm 50
Cascia Hall*18*12*6*18 — 54
OKC Storm15*13*13*9 — 50
CH — Cargile 16, Varner 8, Keeling 7, Frizzle 6, Moeller 5, Rouse 4, Sherwood 4, Wood 4.
Storm — Trier 21, Farmer 13, Malone 10, Adams 4, Rice 2.

Weatherford 56, OKC Knights 50
Weatherford*11*18*15*12 — 56
OKC Knights*10*10*16*14 — 50
WF — Stark 23, Tuggle 12, Hill 8, Lemay 4, Boyd 4, Kincannon 4, Caulkins 1.
Knights — Maloy 15, Graham 10, Miller 7, Pineda 6, Gehling 5, Daniels 4, McCullough 3.

Heritage Hall 42, Kingfisher 37
Heritage Hall*8*7*15*12 — 42
Kingfisher*8*8*5*16 — 37
HH — Struble 14, Mewbourne 9, Lima 5, Wakefield 4, Cassell 4, Cloud 3, Thompson 3.
KF — Patterson 13, Blair 10, Hyatt 6, Newton 4, Ulsaker 4.

Girls
Weatherford 42, OKC Knights 40
Weatherford*14*8*6*14 — 42
OKC Knights*7*11*9*13 — 40
WF — Brennforder 11, Sawatzky 8, Roof 8, Davis 6, Stark 5, Whedbee 4.
Knights — Daniels 11, Tunnell 8, Williams 7, Young 6, Davis 3, Hinckle 3, Heidberg 2.

McGuinness 53, Kingfisher 19
Kingfisher*5*8*5*1 — 19
McGuinness*14*8*13*18 — 53
KF — Layn 5, Meat 4, Kannady 3, Haffey 3, Endres 2, Prim 2.
BM — Lienhard 18, Hight 15, Cameron 6, Andrews 4, Winterstein 4, Nash 3, Pedulla 3.

Heritage Hall 55, Sunrise Academy 44
Heritage Hall*16*11*10*18 — 55
Sunrise*8*14*10*12 — 44
HH — Wakefield 22, Ma. Garrett 10, Mo. Garrett 8, Miller 7, Cloud 5, Wheeler 2, Zerby 1.
SA — Weiser 17, Adair 16, Cockrell 4, Calabrese 3, Cundiff 2, Kidd 2.

Cascia Hall 56, OKC Storm 49
OKC Storm*11*6*18*14 — 49
Cascia Hall*11*5*21*19 — 56
Storm — Haxton 22, Alford 11, Wolfley 6, McGee 6, Ferguson 4.
CH — Spoerl 17, Ward 12, Derr 10, Rahilly 7, Wallace 7, Stagg 2, Jordon 1.

Boneman’s Breakdown

- Real good day of basketball today. And of course, good food

- Alonzo Trier of the OKC Storm is the real deal as an eighth-grader. He didn’t convert on some free throws down the stretch, but he looked a lot more comfortable out there today. With Trier and Rex Farmer, that’s a scary combo.

- Great effort by Cascia Hall in the win against the Storm. Thought it was over at 41-32, but the Commandos kept coming back. Don’t like anybody’s chances against Sunrise Academy, though.

- Started with a good one between the Weatherford and OKC Knights girls. Both teams had a lot of foul trouble in the first half. Intriguing to see how each coach handled that situation. Weatherford substituted offense for defense the entire third quarter. In the end, it was two free throws by Chandler Roof with 1.9 seconds left to give the Eagles the win.

- And Weatherford is playing Bishop McGuinness. This should be a good one. Love Weatherford’s toughness. Love the versatility of the Irish.

- Finally, a tip of the hat to Shelby Jo Layn of Kingfisher. Her mother died after an eight-year battle with cancer Dec. 23. Layn hasn’t missed any time and has actually been the leading scorer the first two games. Extremely impressed with her character and composure during our interview. Look for a story on Layn in Friday’s paper.

I’m going for the food … and I guess I’ll stay for the basketball. I’ll be floating around Heritage Hall the next three days for the Chesapeake Challenge.

Here’s the schedule. The Chargers have two gyms so games will be going on at the same time.

Chesapeake Challenge
At Heritage Hall
Wednesday
Girls
Bishop McGuinness vs. Sunrise Academy (Kan.), 11 a.m.
Weatherford vs. OKC Storm, 11 a.m.
Heritage Hall vs. Kingfisher, 2:20
Cascia Hall vs. OKC Knights, 2:20

Boys
Kingfisher vs. Cascia Hall, 12:40
Weatherford vs. Sunrise Academy (Kan.), 12:40
Heritage Hall vs. OKC Storm, 4 p.m.
OKC Knights vs. Holland Hall, 4 p.m.

Will update after each day with the pairings for the following day.

Is Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard the NewsOK.com Player of the Year?

Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall
Class: Junior
Team record: 15-0 (3A state champions)
Stats: 56 catches for 1,015 yards and 18 touchdowns. 50 carries for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns. Three touchdown passes. Six interception/kick returns for scores. 103 tackles and eight interceptions.

The case: Really? Do I really have to write something? Can I not just show the second half of the championship game against Kingfisher and say ‘case closed?’

Shepard’s sophomore season was an uneven one, marred by concussions and trying to actually find his place with the team. That was not a problem as a junior.

Running back Barry J. Sanders got a lot of the attention coming in, but it’s Shepard who is getting just as much publicity heading into his senior season.

And why not? There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do on the field this season. Heritage Hall staff had no problem just telling quarterback Cooper Cloud to throw it up there and let Shepard go make a play. And nine times out of 10, that was exactly what Shepard did.

He could turn a game around at the receiver spot. In the playoffs, he showed he had the toughness to be the running back. And he never avoided a big collision in the secondary. Heck, there was one play in the championship where Shepard went head on with Kingfisher’s Derek Patterson. It was a meeting of the two best players on the field. Both survived and went back to their huddles.

Shepard didn’t get much attention with Barry J. Sanders in the same backfield. It’s not like when Sanders went down, Shepard became a different player. It was more that with Sanders out, people just started to notice what Shepard was doing more.

Following his masterful performance against Kingfisher, it was less than a week after that Oklahoma State offered Shepard. Could it be a sign of things to come for Shepard at Boone Pickens Stadium?

Heritage Hall coach Andy Bogert sums it up beautifully:

“When Barry went down, we modeled things for Sterling (Shepard) like we had for Wes (Welker),” Bogert said. “Put him everywhere so nobody could find him. That’s what teams were trying to do was figure out where he’s at and double him. Good players are always going to find a way.”

Having a bubbly and respectful demeanor doesn’t make him a good football player, but it’s easy to see why people gravitate toward his personality. His spirit is infectious.

The best thing about Shepard? We get to see him for one more season.

Voting for the first NewsOK.com Player of the Year is open until Friday. Every day this week Varsity writers Robert Przybylo and Scott Wright will tell you why a certain player should win the award. The winner will be announced Jan. 2, the same day The Oklahoman’s All-State team comes out.

Monday: Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall (Przybylo)
Tuesday: David Glidden, Mustang (Wright)
Wednesday: Brandon Swindall, Millwood (Wright)
Thursday: Aliston Cobb, Douglass (Wright)
Friday: Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie (Przybylo)

Still a week left to vote for the first ever NewsOK.com Player of the Year. David Glidden of Mustang has a commanding lead over Kentrell Brothers of Guthrie as we come down the stretch.

Starting Monday, Scott Wright and myself will write about one candidate per day and why that player should win.

As of Sunday morning, the percentages are as follows:

David Glidden, Mustang — 552 votes, 35.4 percent
Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie — 446 votes, 28.6 percent
Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall — 236 votes, 20.9 percent
Aliston Cobb, Douglass — 133 votes, 8.5 percent
Brandon Swindall, Millwood — 102 votes, 6.5 percent

Voting is open until Friday.

Back again. This time around we’re looking at the private schools in the Oklahoma City area. Plenty of good choices, couple of tough calls.

Here ya go:

All-Private schools
Offense
QB — Cooper Cloud, Heritage Hall
RB — Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall
RB — LaRone Richardson, Bishop McGuinness
WR — Skyler Sikes, OCS
WR — Jake Peace, Mt. St. Mary’s
WR — Charlie Cho, OCA
OL — Markus Wakefield, Heritage Hall
OL — Connor Morrison, Casady
OL — Bill Johnston, Heritage Hall
OL — Graham Bennett, Casady
OL — David Krenger, Bishop McGuinness

K — Keegan Carter, OCS
P — Kenny Wooldridge, CHA

Defense
DL — Zach Collums, Mt. St. Mary’s
DL — Nick Callaway, Bishop McGuinness
DL — Quintaz Struble, Heritage Hall
DL — Dakota Leftwich, Bishop McGuinness
LB — Garrison Lee, Casady
LB — Josh Blair, CHA
LB — Brandon Nguyen, Bishop McGuinness
LB — Graham Busby, Heritage Hall
DB — Mac Katigan, Casady
DB — Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall
DB — Tyler Konarik, Bishop McGuinness

KR — Jamaal Whitney, Bishop McGuinness

Offensive Player of the Year: LaRone Richardson, Bishop McGuinness
Defensive Player of the Year: Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall
Coach of the Year: Andy Bogert, Heritage Hall

Where to put Sterling Shepard became the biggest question. I had him at WR, KR and DB before deciding DB was where he could help this team the most. Bennett should be a DL, but he can be an OL, too, so we’ll be OK. No doubts on my three awards. If I switched and made Shepard offense, I would have gone with Lee of Casady as the defensive player.

This was a fun 30 minutes earlier this week.

***

Collected Wisdom with Heritage Hall football coach Andy Bogert
Interviewed by Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Age: 52
Residence: Oklahoma City

Coaching football is in Andy Bogert’s blood. In the championship program, the coaches are asked who they would like to have dinner with. Bogert’s answer: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick — to talk even more football. Since coming from John Marshall in 1999 and becoming head coach in 2005, Bogert has built up the Chargers football program. In the last four seasons, Heritage Hall has won two championships and reached another final. The Chargers won their third state championship last weekend in a classic battle with rival Kingfisher to finish another perfect season.

We moved around a little bit. My dad was in the oil business. I was actually born in Charleston, South Carolina, my dad was in the Air Force. We moved to Enid when I was in first grade. Then we went to Sidney, Nebraska, in second grade and then to Oklahoma City in the third grade and have been here ever since. I graduated from John Marshall.

For college, I graduated from Oklahoma State. At my 10-year reunion at John Marshall was where I started to get into coaching. We had four different coaches in four years when I was at John Marshall. I came back for the reunion and the coach we really wanted to coach would decline it every time, Clyde Ellis. His freshman team had never lost a game. But he was so busy with track, winning all those titles. I ran into Clyde at the reunion. Clyde said he was taking the coaching job.

I told him anything you need for help, just let me know. He said ‘well, you can help me by being out on this field with me.’ I was working for my dad in the oil business at the time. I asked if there was any way we can make this work. He said, ‘if you want to do it, do it.’ So I worked with Clyde, and we learned football together.

Started coaching defensive backs, worked my way up to offensive coordinator and was at that spot for five years. We won it in 1995. Clyde retired. I stayed one more year and then came to Heritage Hall.

We got on a roll (in 1995) and John Marshall hadn’t had much success. It was just building up and building up, and it all came together. Our lowest weight on the line was 240 pounds. We had two 300-pounders on the line. Justin Matthews carried it 50 times in the championship game. We had Reggie Tate at QB. We had a bunch of big kids. We had a transfer from Heritage Hall that really helped and opened the holes at fullback. That was the year we went undefeated in football and basketball. It was a great time, all kinds of athletes.

It was tough (to see John Marshall split). We tried everything we could. We built a weight room there, furnished the weight room. Tried everything we could to make it OK. It’s just difficult because they didn’t have the funding that some of the other schools had at the time.

At the time, Oklahoma City Public Schools wouldn’t hire a lay coach to be the head coach. I was unpaid there the entire time at John Marshall. I just loved football and loved what I was doing. Loved the kids, the whole thing. Love of football and love the school was why I did it.

I decided to stay around one more year after Clyde retired. Not the same without Clyde. Rod (Warner) had been saying you need to come to Heritage Hall. From fifth grade on, my oldest son, Brian, went to Heritage Hall. I had been around there, and that’s where I got to know Rod. It was good to get paid, too.

It was a lot different (going to Heritage). But the kids weren’t that different. Wanted to play football and wanted to learn. They didn’t do much in the summer at Heritage. At John Marshall, we had been going to passing leagues for years. It bonds your team and makes your team. So at Heritage, we started doing stuff in the summer. To me, it’s a big part of bonding and forming your team for the next year.

Tracy Holland was the head coach here. Then he got the job at OCS, it was a promotion of some sort. He said, ‘I’m going to recommend you for the Heritage spot.’ I had to think about it for a while. I had been an assistant for so long. I wanted to make sure the staff stayed intact. It did and I said OK, let’s go.

The guys that I will never forget are the freshmen from 2005. That class that finished in 2008 is a very special class to me. They bought in to everything. There were a lot of great kids on those teams. There were 14-15 seniors on that team. They were on a mission. They lost in the championship the year before and were focused. They didn’t want any close games. From the day we started, they were on a mission and never let up.

This year was a lot like 2008, both sets of seniors kept everybody in line. Teams can go one way or the other based on the players. You need leaders to step up. Cooper (Cloud) was a big part of that. He would go around barking at people, and you got to have that type of leadership. This year might have actually been closer than the 2008 group. They melded in the summer.

In 2007 I had open heart surgery. I couldn’t coach from the sidelines and to coach from the press box. I stayed up there all of 2007. The clarity up there is so much different. Used to being bumped on the sidelines and there is so much clutter. The clutter gets to me now. It’s tough to think down there now. I can think really clearly up there. I can see things there when there is no way I can see them on the sidelines. Give the plays to Brett (his son) and let Mark Adams run the defense defense. I’m basically giving him info and that’s it. I don’t interfere with what he does. I’ve got guys that I can completely trust.

I coached Wes Welker, I was the offensive coordinator at the time. He lived and died football. He had the instinct, knew where the ball was going. People forget what a great defensive player he was. He made so many tackles. When Barry (Sanders) went down, we modeled things for Sterling (Shepard) like we had for Wes. Put him everywhere so nobody could find him. That’s what teams were trying to do was figure out where he’s at and double him. Good players are always going to find a way.

Turner Petersen is another kid who really stood out. He was special from the get go. He was a leader by example. When it comes to guys like Wes, Turner and now with Sterling, they are first in sprints. Back and forth, no matter what we did, they were first. They wanted to step up and be the leaders.

I missed some things with Brian (his oldest son). But he was also a tennis player so I got to see all his matches. I get to see my kids every day. I got to see Brooke every day. I’m at work and get to see them — that’s pretty cool. I coached Brett for four years. Brooke played three sports and was a cheerleader and got to see most of everything she did. That was one thing I’ve always tried to do — make every event they’ve ever been in.

I don’t know (how much longer he’ll be coaching). Don’t know. I can go out there at least a couple of more years, though. I just can’t see sitting at home on Friday night. If I’m not coaching, I’ll be at a game. Once it gets in the blood, tough to let it go.

It frustrates me some (the public-private debate). It takes away from what the kids have done. Takes away the blood, sweat and injuries and those kids working their tails off and people making excuses why they’ve won. It’s tough, though, I can see both sides of it. I can’t tell you a solution, and I don’t know what it is going to happen. I know the kids and coaches are working hard.

Scott Wright and myself have made our selections, but now we want to hear from you. Who did you feel was the best player in the state in the greater Oklahoma City area?

Your candidates are:

* Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall – Shepard did a little bit of everything for the Chargers. From passing to running to receiving to intercepting to returning kicks, he became THE MAN for Heritage Hall when Barry J. Sanders went down.

* David Glidden, Mustang – As said before, a lot of pressure on Glidden to produce after committing to Oklahoma State last winter. He delivered in every way possible on both sides of the ball. Named Gatorade Player of the Year.

* Brandon Swindall, Millwood – With all the talk of teammate Josh Turner, Swindall had one of the most eye-popping stat lines of the year. He had 17 interceptions and returned a national record eight of them back for TDs and was always a force at wide receiver.

* Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie – What didn’t the Missouri commit do for the Bluejays? He could take over a game at wide receiver where Bryan Dutton would just throw it up to Brothers and watch him work. Or he could dominate the game from the defensive line. Pick your poison.

* Aliston Cobb, Douglass – I expected big things from Cobb this year but not this big. He became the ultimate clutch performer in leading the Trojans to the state championship. Against Douglass’ toughest foes, Cobb was at his best, a true mark of a leader and great player.

The voting is open now and will be open until Dec. 31. The winner will be announced Jan. 2, here on the Varsity blog, the same day as when our All-State Football package will run in The Oklahoman.

That didn’t take long. Fresh off helping lead Heritage Hall to the Class 3A state championship, Chargers junior Sterling Shepard was offered by Oklahoma State on Tuesday, said head coach Andy Bogert.

Shepard did a little bit of everything for Heritage Hall this season. He ran for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had 56 catches for 1,015 yards and 18 scores. He threw for three touchdowns. He picked off eight passes and had six returns for touchdowns.

In the championship game at Oklahoma State, Shepard scored four rushing touchdowns in the second half to pave the way to a 28-21 victory against Kingfisher.

Shepard said he has also been receiving interest from UCLA, and he competed at Oklahoma’s Junior Day last Saturday.

There were only three games last weekend yet there was still a lot of drama, a lot of fun and a lot of me scratching my head.

Record: 2-1 (Right: Heritage Hall over Kingfisher, Woodland over Stratford. Wrong: Davis over Hennessey).

Heritage Hall and Kingfisher went about the way I thought. Woodland over Stratford is so nuts when compared to Union and Jenks. The Redskins and Trojans combined for 97 points. The Cougars and Bulldogs netted six and needed overtime to do it. Ya just never know what you’re gonna get in the championships.

Speaking of which, cannot say enough about Hennessey’s defense. Now Cole Weber not being 100 percent played some role in things, but Hennessey was just a team possessed Saturday.

Week 5: 2-1
Week 4: 7-4
Week 3: 15-7
Week 2: 31-13
Week 1: 65-23
Overall record: 120-48.

Your champions:

6A – Union 50, Jenks 47
5A – Booker T. 32, East Central 3
4A – Douglass 20, Wagoner 13 – OT
3A – Heritage Hall 28, Kingfisher 21
2A – Hennessey 14, Davis 0
A – Woodland 6, Stratford 0 – OT
B – Cherokee 62, Wetumka 32
C – Deer Creek-Lamont 28, Shattuck 0

Granted full access by the Heritage Hall coaching staff for the 3A championship against Kingfisher allowed me to see the things I normally don’t.

One of those was the group of Charger seniors huddling together separate from the rest of the team for one last final speech about what they mean to each other and what this season meant to them.

I won’t reveal anything that was said as that moment was for those nine seniors. Coach Andy Bogert would always have the seniors stand up first after the postgame talks, and he did it one more time Friday night.

And though a lot of talent resides in that spectacular junior bunch, those kids were quick to point out the leadership of the senior class and how that made all the difference starting from last year’s loss to Pawhuska.

The nine seniors: Graham Busby, Cooper Cloud, Shaun Tkach, Coby Brownrigg, Sami Horani, Dru Bullard, Blaine Kennedy, Andrew Johnson and Bill Johnston.

Seniors were members of 14-1, 15-0, 8-5 and 15-0 seasons.

Other contenders

Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall: If you don’t know by now, Shepard scored all four of the Heritage Hall touchdowns and all in the second half of a classic 28-21 win over Kingfisher.

T.J. Holland, OCS, Basketball: He’s done it again. Man does he look sharp early on this season. Road win at Casady, followed by a tournament championship at Luther…not bad.

Alexa Lienhard, McGuinness, Basketball: In an incredibly brutal Edmond Open, the Irish beat Memorial and Cache with Lienhard doing significant damage.

Matt Silver, Casady, Basketball: I really like the potential of Silver this season. Cyclones were able to bounce back from OCS loss for consolation championship at Luther.

Yes, it’s your Saturday Morning Quarterback on a Sunday afternoon. You’ll have to forgive me, it was a long (and great) weekend of football and basketball.

The weekend got started with a bang in a fantastic Class 3A championship played by Heritage Hall and Kingfisher. The Chargers needed a second half rally to claim their third state championship and second in three seasons.

Class 3A final – Heritage Hall 28, Kingfisher 21 – for my story, go here.

Boneman’s Breakdown

- First off, huge thanks to my fellow chum Scott Wright. With him taking stats from the press box, it allowed me to do what I love best and watch (and video) the game from the sidelines. Love getting a feel of the atmosphere from that perspective.

- What a game. I predicted 28-23 so 28-21 sounded about right to me. A lot of people said I was just trying to build up the hype for the game, not true. You had to watch Kingfisher the last couple of weeks. This was not a 28-point underdog or anything like that.

- I was at Heritage Hall practice and the team ran that first play of the game so much. Sterling Shepard runs wide, pulls up and throws it to Cooper Cloud…touchdown. First play vs. Yellowjackets, picked off by Derek Patterson. Oh yea, game on, baby!

- Kingfisher gave an incredibly gutty effort. Patterson did what he could through the air and on the ground. Freshman running back Landon Nault once again totally kept his poise on the big stage and scored two touchdowns himself.

- The Yellowjackets will be kicking themselves when they watch this film again. They forced four turnovers (3 INTs, 1 fumble) and only had a 14-0 lead. Tremendous scouting and preparation by the Kingfisher staff. When a defensive lineman (Cole Cameron) gets a pick, it can normally be attributed to coaching. Cameron was in the right spot and made the play. Jeremy Smith also had an interception.

- Give credit to coach Jeff Myers. Both of Kingfisher’s touchdowns in the first half came on fourth down runs. I love a coaching playing to win instead of playing the percentages. It was working as Patterson and Nault gave the team the 14-0 lead at halftime.

- Everybody knew the first drive of the second half was going to be pivotal. If Kingfisher drove and scored, turn out the lights on Heritage Hall. If the Chargers stopped the Yellowjackets and score, game on (again). Heritage forced a three-and-out and then let Shepard go to work.

- I’ve talked a lot about Shepard the last two seasons, but I don’t know what to say about his second half against Kingfisher. I think what stood out most to me was how calm he was after busting out big run after big run and touchdown after touchdown. So focused.

- The Heritage Hall offensive line accepted the challenge in the second half. Bogert trusted in Shepard, and the combo led to the desired results for Charger fans.

- Shepard scored from 38 yards out with less than eight minutes left in the third, and the Charger sideline was going bonkers, just a fantastic atmosphere.

- Shepard’s third score came early in the fourth quarter, and I thought Kingfisher had nothing left. It was a valiant effort but nothing was left in the gas tank…WRONG.

- Nault scored at the goal line to tie it 21-21 with less than four minutes left. You knew it was too soon and gave Heritage Hall too much time left. However, you also knew Kingfisher had to get that score. How much time was left could not be one of your top priorities.

- I chickened out on Shepard’s final touchdown, a 38-yarder with 1:12 left. He came right my way on the sideline, and I got scared so I didn’t exactly get the best video of that.

- Yellowjackets again made a charge to set up the final play. Patterson did a great job of escaping pressure and lofted it into the end zone, but it fell incomplete.

- Whew, what a game (that’s the kind of analysis you can’t get anywhere else

- Special thanks to both teams for allowing us pregame access. For coach Myers’ pregame speech to his kids, go here.

- Heritage Hall ends the year at 15-0, while Kingfisher’s run concludes at 10-4.

I’m tired and pumped at the same time, huh? Anyway, what a fantastic game between Heritage Hall and Kingfisher.

The Chargers come back from a 14-0 deficit to win 28-21 and earn their third state championship.

Junior star Sterling Shepard scored four rushing touchdowns in the second half to lead the way.

Much much more on this later. The last two games I predicted 28-16 over Bethany when it was 28-14. For this one, I said 28-23 Heritage Hall when it was 28-21. I don’t know, just felt like I knew how these games were going to go down.

I am humbled by the efforts of the Yellowjackets and Chargers. That was one heck of a football game and one classic championship.

For my story on Heritage Hall’s championship, go here.

For Scott Wright’s story on Kingfisher falling just short again, go here.

For Bryan Terry’s great photo gallery from the championship, go here.

I watched the game from the sidelines and shot more video than you can shake a stick at. That will be on NewsOK sometime this weekend. Loved being on the sidelines to get a feel of the atmosphere.

Ready to do it all over again Saturday for Hennessey and Davis.

Heritage Hall (14-0) vs. Kingfisher (10-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium (Scott Wright and myself will be there)

I say Pt. II because we went through this situation in Week 10.

Heritage Hall
Why the Chargers can win: Because of coach Andy Bogert’s game plan. He’s always got something cooking. For the state championship, figure he is really going to let it loose. The defense has forced all of us to take notice of their talents, led by linemen Quintaz Struble and Markus Wakefield. The offense is still anchored by all-around talent Sterling Shepard, who tore it up in the teams’ first meeting.

Quote:

We’ve learned to not take anything for granted or be overconfident about anything. This is what we’ve been working all season for.” – Struble

Kingfisher
Why the Yellowjackets can win: Because they’ve caught fire. Instead of questioning it, should just enjoy the ride. Some teams hit this roll and just cannot be stopped. RB Landon Nault has risen to the occasion time and time again. The defense has proven it can stop good running teams like Tuttle just as much as it can passing attacks like Metro Christian. Jeff Myers has instilled this team with confidence. What’s not to like?

Quote:

Going back to a third championship game is something everybody has wished for. There’s been a sense of urgency for us seniors all playoffs. Now we just have to finish the job.” – QB Derek Patterson

Key matchup: Derek Patterson vs. Sterling Shepard. Not against each other, but simply put: whoever has a more effective game between these two stars, their respective team is going to be holding up the gold ball. Or maybe whichever one gets the chance to make a play late in the fourth quarter is more accurate.

The pick: Heritage Hall 28, Kingfisher 23. I’ve spent time at both teams’ practices this week. I’m expecting an electric environment between a fantastic budding rivalry in the state.

Boneman’s Heritage prediction record: 14-0.
Boneman’s Kingfisher prediction record: 10-3.

Final week (tear). Only three games, here we go:

Class 3A championship: Heritage Hall (14-0) vs. Kingfisher (10-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Boone Pickens Stadium

Score: Heritage Hall 28, Kingfisher 23

Breakdown: Going with this year’s history on this one. I’ve loved what the Yellowjackets have done in the postseason. But every time I’ve felt Heritage Hall is going to get that test or lose, coach Andy Bogert has had the recipe for success. I’m not betting against him in this one. Gonna be a battle. Turnovers, obviously, could play a huge role. A big defensive play by the Chargers ends up being the difference.

Class 2A championship: Hennessey (11-3) vs. Davis (12-1), 1 p.m. Saturday, Boone Pickens Stadium

Score: Davis 26, Hennessey 24

Breakdown: Oh, this is going to be fun. Two teams who know what their identities are going after it. Cannot wait for this one. The Eagles have looked great in the playoffs, while Davis’ only setback is against Heritage Hall. Ironically, the 3A finalists beat the 2A finalists in Week 3 this year (Kingfisher won at Hennessey, Heritage won at Davis). Cole Weber does enough to secure the gold ball.

Class A championship: Woodland (13-0) vs. Stratford (12-2), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Boone Pickens Stadium

Score: Woodland 30, Stratford 19

Breakdown: Rejoice, Stratford fans. I haven’t been right all postseason. I’ve also picked Woodland to win in all four weeks so something’s gotta give with this one. Loved the Stratford defense last week, but Woodland held a great Thomas team to 9 yards rushing and survived its scare against Velma-Alma. Joe Sindelar, in his first year, takes home the championship.

Heritage Hall (14-0) vs. Kingfisher (10-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium (Scott Wright and myself will be there)
Stories: Cale Courtney has found a home at wide receiver. Markus Wakefield and Quintaz Struble anchor a strong defense.

Before we all get geared up for the rematch for the Chargers and the Yellowjackets for the state championship, here’s what you need to know about Heritage Hall:

- What will Kingfisher do to stop Sterling Shepard? The junior scored four times in the 42-14 win against Kingfisher in Week 10. Shepard has been dominant against every team he’s played (though Bethany did a good job of containing him). The team has learned to spread the wealth without Barry J. Sanders, but when the chips are down, you can expect Shepard’s number to be called.

- The running back spot is a question. Freshman A.J. Knowles was in a boot at practice and is questionable for the game. If he’s out, expect to see a lot more of Chedon Shockley.  Coincidentally, Shockley had his best game against the Yellowjackets. Brent Gaddis will probably receive the bulk of the carries.

- It will be interesting to see the thought process of the coaching staff. Will Andy Bogert go crazy and throw out more trick plays? Or will he just trust the players can execute a sound plan? To go with that, will Cooper Cloud see most of the snaps at QB, or will it be a mix of Cloud and Shepard?

- The defense has forced everyone to notice them. From Quintaz Struble to Markus Wakefield to Ross Clifton to Graham Busby and everyone else, the defense has been sensational, especially in the postseason. Spiro scored some points late in the game when it didn’t matter. Other than that, it’s been 14 points or less. Heritage does a great job of getting pressure on the QB.

- Special teams can make or break this team. Shepard is about as dynamic a returner as you’ll find in the state. But the punt game leaves something to be desired. Cloud isn’t a bad kicker, but he is so close to center when he punts, that it certainly leaves the opportunity for a blocks and deflections.

- These kids remember what happened last year at Pawhuska, and that’s why I don’t think they’ll be overconfident. That loss showed them you can’t underestimate anybody, and I don’t think they have all this season. They certainly can’t against the Yellowjackets on Friday.

- What will happen if the Chargers are trailing in the fourth quarter? It hasn’t happened all year. Heritage was down at half to Bethany in Week 9 but led 14-7 going into the fourth quarter. Will this team tense up when the pressure is on?

- Last year’s team lacked leadership, said the coaches and players. Will this year’s team finish the job? We’ll all find out Friday.