District previews: Classes 6A-C
If you missed your school’s district football preview, here’s all the links for every district.
District previews: Classes 6A-C
Class 6A
District 6A-1: Lawton’s Sunny Puletasi learns quickly
District 6A-2: D’Juan Brooks stepping up for Edmond Memorial
District 6A-3: Jenks still strong without Jarrett Lake
District 6A-4: Choctaw trying to build tradition
Class 5A
District 5A-1: Coach Tom Cobble says it’s a good time to be in El Reno
District 5A-2: Carl Albert QB J.T. Realmuto could see time on defense
District 5A-3: Tulsa Washington unanimous No. 1
District 5A-4: McAlester poised to rebound; East Central wants more
Class 4A
District 4A-1: McGuinness’ offensive line a concern
District 4A-2: Tecumseh is strong up front
District 4A-3: Home playoff game is Collinsville’s goal
District 4A-4: Broken Bow coach high on Eric Dockins
Class 3A
District 3A-1: Tuttle battling lack of experience
District 3A-2: Madill trio has coach Kerry Roberts looking for big things
District 3A-3: Jody Iams’ Eagles rely on Wing-T
District 3A-4: Metro Christian gains valuable asset in QB Beau Marsaln
Class 2A
District 2A-1: Marc Robinson still growing for Heritage Hall
District 2A-2: Little Axe ready for breakthrough?
District 2A-3: Washington’s Chance Pistole moving to fullback; Bridge Creek rebuilding its line
District 2A-4: Atoka QB commands attention
District 2A-5: Chandler counting on Brandon Cummings
District 2A-6: Toughness key for Valliant
District 2A-7: Verdigris has 15 experienced seniors
District 2A-8: Colcord hoping to build on strong finish
Class A
District A-1: Hennessey avoids logjam at quarterback
District A-2: OCS’ Jack Warren hasn’t forgotten loss
District A-2 notes: Trio vying for QB job at CHA
District A-3: District loaded with talented teams
District A-4: Bray-Doyle deals with adversity
District A-5: Tough three weeks for Stroud
District A-6: Talihina a cut above the rest
District A-7: Morrison ready to reload
District A-7 notes: Barnsdall seniors looking for wins
District A-8: Commerce looks to preserve streak
Class B
District B-1: Could district dominance repeat?
District B-2: Paoli defense is a strength
District B-3: Weightlifting competition inspires OCA
District B-4: Copan’s secret is out
Class C
Shattuck closing in on record win streak
District C-1: Finding running back key for Forgan
District C-2: Aaron Vondrak to lead Thackerville
District C-3: Seiling to turn QB Zach McDonald loose
District C-4: Maud’s Jarrid Resler works way back
Manship a cut above the rest…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Another Saturday, another trio of all-state softball games. This time it was the slowpitch variety at the OU softball complex.
And once again, it was the Small East winning, followed by the Middle West and Large West coming out on top. Pretty conclusive where the power of the respective sides were at this season.
My No. 1 thought after watching all six games: Southeastern got the steal of the state in getting Ali Manship of Harrah.
She is ridiculously good. She showed it last Saturday with her pitching, hitting and base running.
Then two days ago, it was her fielding. She threw out two runners from her knees at shortstop, showing tremendous arm strength.
Her bat was as strong as ever, knocking in four runs on a two-run single and a pair of RBI singles in a 20-3 whipping of the Large East.
I talked to Harrah coach David Shannon around the time of All-City selections, and I’ll never forget what he said about her: “she’d cut your throat if it meant a win.”
Good stuff. The Manship family is not gone from Harrah as Ali’s younger sister, Beth, will be a senior next season. Shannon said Beth’s swing is more natural than Ali. That’s a scary thought.
I focused on Southmoore’s Brittany James because two things: 1. Thought it was interesting for her to leave Moore to go to the first-year school. 2. Wondered what her thoughts were about playing with those Moore and Westmoore girls again.
The MVP was probably Kayla McKinley of Westmoore. She drove in four runs but oddly enough, it was her pitching that raised my eyebrows.
She pitched six of the nine innings and only gave up one run. More importantly (well, to me), she threw so many strikes that the game flew right on by.
It was a Moore (and Westmoore) thing. Leslie Martini of Moore missed a HR by inches and had to settle for a two-run 3B. WM’s Taylir Ross had a two-run double.
Jay’s Samantha Robertson had the biggest blast of the game, a solo home run that was gone as soon as it hit the bat. It didn’t clear the bleachers, but it was pretty high up there.
In the middle contest, it was a Morrison thing as Adrian Henington, Meagan Wright and Megan Snowden drove in five of the 13 runs in a 13-9 win.
Henington had the big blast. Other than that, it was simply playing station to station as Washington’s Taylor Hancock and Caitlyn Marcum, Fletcher’s Lauren Whitefeather, Hobart’s Jamie Bingham, Wayne’s Amara Martin and Healdton’s Andrea Pemberton all had RBI singles.
Rachelle Reeve knocked one out of the park for the East.
The small version was just the opposite as the East put it on the West good, 14-7.
Cameron’s Kenetta Vickery had a home run while Red Oak’s Sarah Mauzey and Cayce Coleman each brought home a couple of runs. Tupelo’s Josie Soukup had two hits, including a triple.
Bethel athletic director and longtime softball coach Tommy Block was one of two coaches to be inducted into the Oklahoma Slowpitch Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as well.
Prague’s David Smith was also honored. He led Prague to a state championship in 1994 and was inducted into the hall of fame for fastpitch in 2002.
The OSSCA also named its coaches of the year. Moore’s Robert Wakefield received the large schools honor. He led Moore to the semifinals.
Paul Watts of Rattan earned the middle schools award while Bobby Sifers of Moss was named for the small schools.
