West Metro POW: Yukon softball team
Some weeks are easier than others when it comes to picking the West Metro Player(s) of the Week. This is one of those weeks.
The Yukon Millerettes rolled to the Class 6A state softball championship with an impressive performance.
Whitney Ellis, Madi Ellis and Skylar Leathers all had big RBIs in the title game, but it was a total team effort throughout the weekend to pull of the title. Here’s Robert Przybylo’s story on the finals.
Other contenders
Brandon Taylor, David Glidden and Cole Williams, Mustang: Taylor threw for 338 yards and six TDs, Glidden caught four TD passes and returned a kickoff 84 yards for a score, and Williams came up with two fumble recoveries to set up touchdowns as the Broncos exploded for 59 points in beating Putnam City.
Corben Jones and Derek Deeds, Yukon: Filling in for Terry Jones as he works his way back from an ankle injury, Deeds broke loose for four touchdowns and 91 yards on 17 carries to keep the Yukon offense balanced. Corben Jones was sharp as usual, throwing for 208 yards and completing 19 of 26 passes.
Casey Curtis and Putnam City offensive line: Curtis broke free for his third straight 200-yard rushing performance and his fourth of the year. Behind an offensive line with several seniors, this Pirate run game just keeps churning out big yards.
Jace James and Sam Wolfe Putnam City North: James had his second straight 300-yard passing game and led the offense to a near-comeback victory against Yukon. James threw one TD pass and rushed for another in the fourth quarter. Wolfe rushed for two TDs, including a 64-yarder that sparked the rally.
Emily Helms and Andy Carroll, Mustang cross country: Helms won the girls race and Carroll the boys race at the Metro Conference meet — a good sign heading into regionals this weekend and state on Oct. 30.
Scott Massey, Yukon cross country: Finished fourth at the Metro Conference meet.
Send West Metro POW nominations to Scott Wright at swright@opubco.com
Mid-Del honor: Carl Albert softball team…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It could have been a magical weekend for Carl Albert. A football win over Guthrie added with a state softball championship. Could have been.
Instead, the softball team redeemed the weekend. There was no better team in 5A this entire year. And the girls proved it repeatedly and emphatically at the state tournament.
Pryor was up early before CA rolled ‘em. Down 6-0 to Tahlequah, Titans came back to win 12-10. Another win against Tahlequah set up the stage against McAlester and star pitcher Taylor Dewbery.
However, CA was able to touch up Dewbery with three 2-run homers. One by Krista Waggoner and two by Madisyn Long to claim the club’s first championship since 2007 in the 6-4 victory.
Pitcher Whitney Robinson was not great in the circle, but boy was she gutty. She gave us everything she had in the final three days of her high school softball career. She is one of the most complete players in the state and had a great tournament at the plate.
First baseman Molly Davison and Jenni Lane also came up with huge hits. Coach Colin White said once his team got rolling, there was no turning back.
He’s certainly right about that.
Other contenders
James Flanders, Midwest City, Football: With Choctaw stopping the passing attack, Flanders rushed for four touchdowns in the shutout of Choctaw. Read more about Flanders in Tuesday’s paper.
Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert, Football: It wasn’t the night the Titans were hoping for, but Hawkins threw for a touchdown and rushed for another in the loss to Guthrie.
Greg Johnson and Chazten Gonzales, Del City, Football: Each scored a touchdown though the team came up short against an inspired Lawton club.
Moore honor: Noemi Hernandez, Westmoore…
By Justin Hite
This week’s Moore player of the week choice was a tough one. On one hand, there was an athlete accomplishing something she’d never done before. On the other hand, there was an athlete who chose to do something I’d never seen before.
It was tough, but in the end I had to go with Noemi Hernandez of Westmoore.
Hernandez won the individual Mid-State Conference championship while leading the Jaguars to a team title by one point. Westmoore edged Edmond Memorial 47 to 48. It was Westmoore’s fourth-straight conference championship.
Hernandez finished with a time of 11:37, a career-best.
Others in consideration…
Vova Razryvin, Moore football: Razryvin jumped back behind center when starting quarterback Corey Reeves went down with an injury and threw for three touchdowns and 181 yards. He also ran for 82, but Moore still lost to Norman North.
More importantly, when Norman North’s D.J. Hicks was injured and being driven off in an ambulance, it was Razryvin that quickly organized a game-wide prayer at midfield.
“I go church every Sunday and every Wednesday I get a chance to,” Razryvin said. “I saw that hit and it didn’t look good. I just thought, ‘Hey, we can’t do anything but God can.’ And just prayed for him.”
Andrew Long, Southmoore football: In a 56-28 loss to Broken Arrow, Long rushed for three touchdowns and 154 yards against a tough Tigers’ defense. He also caught three passes for 15 yards. Long has been key for the SaberCats as quarterback Kendal Thompson continues to miss games.
Caleb McKee, Westmoore cross country: McKee finished in fourth at the Mid-State Conference meet and led the Jaguars for a third place finish. He ran in a time of 17:05.
Moore softball: Raegan Sampson’s game-winning hit Thursday looked like a sign of good things to come. However, the Lions were bounced by Jenks and finished another great season.
Edmond honor: Memorial volleyball…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
They had the target on their backs all season. They had to deal with Micha Hancock missing time for the Youth Olympics. And Mattie Burleson missing matches because of an OSSAA rule about traveling teams.
But frankly, none of that mattered last weekend in Shawnee and Oklahoma Baptist for the Edmond Memorial volleyball team. The Bulldogs were almost beyond dominant in winning another state championship.
How good were they? They didn’t drop a game in the state tournament. They were never pressed to play beyond 25 points in a game though Santa Fe gave ‘em a good 25-23 game in the final.
It’s one thing to be expected to be the best all season, and it’s totally another to be able to go out there every single night and bring it. And that’s what they did all season.
For Scott Wright’s coverage of the championship, here ya go.
Other contenders
Edmond Santa Fe football: Wolves picked up first win of season with 61-0 win vs. US Grant. A colleague told me Ty Hensley played well. Santa Fe fans, help a Boneman out. Any stats you got from Friday sure would be appreciated.
Troy Davis and Travis Townsend, North, Football: In the first must-win game of the season, each accounted for three touchdowns in the 38-15 victory against Westmoore. Defense also forced six turnovers.
Deer Creek offensive line: Once again, the Antlers were able to spread out the wealth with its rushing attack. Alex Christensen, Joel Blumenthal, Luke Bradshaw and co., another solid outing in win against Western Heights.
North softball: Just ran into a hot hitting team in Jenks. With only one senior that saw significant playing time, this team should be back contending for the state championship last year.
Santa Fe volleyball: Just one of dem years, you know? Alex Hodges and the rest of the girls probably win against the rest of 6A – just not this Memorial squad.
Taler Buck, Deer Creek, Cross Country: Buck dominated at the Suburban Conference meet and then helped the Antlers to an eighth-place finish at the event in Fayetteville.
Alex Shook, Memorial, Cross Country: Shook led the charge for the Bulldogs who placed 15th at the same Fayetteville event.
Meredith Farley, North, Cross Country: Farley placed second at the Metro Conference meet and the Huskies couldn’t be touched in the team race.
Softball 5A-6A: Day 2…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Alrighty, day 2 is less than 20 minutes from starting:
- The two-time defending champions are out. Owasso scores one in the eighth for a 3-2 win. It’s a slugfest in Moore-Jenks. Jenks leads 16-10 in the bottom of the sixth.
- And the slugfest is over. Jenks 17, Moore 12.
- And another two-time defending champion bites the dust. Grove eliminates Lawton Mac 4-3. Grove must beat McAlester twice to advance.
- Tahlequah takes out El Reno. Tahlequah has scored 29 runs in three games. Interesting to see if Whitney Robinson or McKenzie Jones gets the start for Carl Albert.
- Yukon’s Kilee Halbert with the call for this one. Owasso up 3-0 early.
- Yukon’s Kilee Halbert has settled down. And the Millerettes scored two runs on a wild pitch. Yukon 5, Owasso 3.
- Jenks is on a roll, battering both Madison Nordyke and Jordan Dixon. 6-0 bot 2nd.
- Yukon run rules Owasso to advance to the championship. Jenks run rules Edmond North to force ‘if’ game.
- Final update before I head to Carl Albert-Guthrie football. Carl Albert 7, Tahlequah 2 – top 5. McAlester 1, Grove 0 – bot 5.
Class 6A
Bracket A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Jenks 17, Moore 12
Game 6: Jenks 11, Edmond North 1
Game 7: Jenks 5, Edmond North 3
Bracket B
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Owasso 3, Broken Arrow 2 (8)
Game 6: Yukon 13, Owasso 3
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Jenks vs. Yukon, 3 p.m.
Class 5A
Bracket A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Tahlequah 9, El Reno 4
Game 6: Carl Albert 9, Tahlequah 3
Bracket B
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Grove 4, Lawton Mac 3
Game 6: McAlester 1, Grove 0
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Carl Albert vs. McAlester, 1 p.m.
Softball: 6A-5A Day 1…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
One week down, one more to go. Back here at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium to conclude the fall softball season. Updating here and on Twitter:
- Incredible comebacks in 6A. Moore was down 6-2 in bottom of seventh. Raegan Sampson hits game-winning 2-run single to win 7-6 vs. Jenks. Yukon down 4-1 in bottom of eighth. Madi Ellis hits game-winning two-run single to win 5-4. What a way to start.
- Hmm, upset in 5A to start things out. Grove blanks Lawton Mac 4-0. Wouldn’t rule out the Highlanders, of course, but pretty big surprise.
- Yukon rides momentum to victory. Edmond North is unstoppable. Jenks shows great heart in bouncing back. We’re done in 6A for Day 1.
- How quickly a 6-run lead goes away. Carl Albert has erased a 6-0 deficit with 6 runs in the top of the third. Wowzas.
Class 6A
Bracket A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Edmond North 12, Bartlesville 0
Game 2: Moore 7, Jenks 6
Game 3: Jenks 10, Bartlesville 2
Game 4: Edmond North 7, Moore 2
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Jenks vs. Moore, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Edmond North vs. Winner Game 5, 2 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
Bracket B
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Owasso 2, Mustang 0
Game 2: Yukon 5, Broken Arrow 4 (8)
Game 3: Broken Arrow 9, Mustang 2
Game 4: Yukon 6, Owasso 1
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Broken Arrow vs. Owasso, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Yukon vs. Winner Game 5, 2 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Bracket A winner vs. Bracket B winner, 3 p.m.
Class 5A
Bracket A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Carl Albert 7, Pryor 2
Game 2: Tahlequah 10, El Reno 4
Game 3: El Reno 4, Pryor 1
Game 4: Carl Albert 12, Tahlequah 10
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: El Reno vs. Tahlequah, Noon
Game 6: Carl Albert vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary), 8 p.m.
Bracket B
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: McAlester 5, Coweta 3
Game 2: Grove 4, Lawton MacArthur 0
Game 3: Lawton Mac 9, Coweta 2
Game 4: McAlester 4, Grove 2
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Lawton Mac vs. Grove, Noon
Game 6: McAlester vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary), 8 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Bracket A winner vs. Bracket B winner, 1 p.m.
Moore honor: Tyler Newton, Westmoore…
By Justin Hite
Westmoore’s defense showed on Friday that it is big-time. The Jaguars held Del City to only 6 points, but forced six-straight turnovers to end the game. One of the key forces on that defense is Tyler Newton, who is the Moore Player of the Week.
Newton finished the game with 9 tackles and two recovered fumbles. The second of the two fumbles was also the first touchdown of his career. He also gets the award for being one of the leaders on the defense.
To go along with Newton, Ricky Balogun, Bo Hurst, Cody Cates and Bryan Norris all had double-digit tackles.
Others in consideration:
Andrew Long, Southmoore football: Long rushed for 140 yards and scored three touchdowns in a loss to Norman. What makes this performance standout is that the junior almost led his team to a come-from-behind win. Two of his three touchdowns came in the fourth quarter. He also had one catch for 41 yards.
Zach VanDyke, Westmoore football: VanDyke factored into Westmoore’s victory in two ways. He returned a punt for a touchdown in the first half and intercepted a Del City pass in the second half as the Jaguars took control off the game. He also had 6 tackles out of the secondary.
Noemi Hernandez, Westmoore cross country: Hernandez set a new season-low as she finished fourth at the Edmond Pre-State meet. Hernandez ran in a time of 11:54.27 as Westmoore edge Jenks to win the event by less than two seconds.
Caleb McKee, Westmoore cross country: McKee finished seventh overall at the Edmond Pre-State 5k and posted a 16:43.33. It bettered his previous season-best by nearly 10 seconds.
Moore softball: What a shock (not really). Stephanie Riley’s girls are headed back to the state tournament, and it’s a wide open field
Mid-Del honor: Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
How pumped are you for Carl Albert and Guthrie? I’ll tell ya right now I have a lot planned for every day this week on the blogs and in The Oklahoman.
And it starts with the Mid-Del Player of the Week. This week’s honor is going to QB Taylor Hawkins for the Titans.
He was the starting strong safety for this team when Dillan Dansby was running the show. Of course, Dansby was injured and it’s been Hawkins leading the way.
In the last two games (albeit against teams CA should have taken care of), Hawkins and the passing game have come alive for Gary Rose.
Hawkins threw for four touchdown passes as the Titans put up 30 in the first quarter en route to a 72-0 victory against Southeast.
He’s got a different skill set than Dansby, but he’s no less effective. The Titans rolled up 539 yards of offense in the blowout win. Friday night can’t get here soon enough.
Other contenders
Midwest City defense: No comebacks necessary in this one as the Bomber defense did what it needed to do in blanking Moore 32-0.
Chazten Gonzales, Del City, Football: Gonzales scored the Eagles’ lone touchdown in a disappointing 30-6 loss to Westmoore.
Dwight Dobbins, Carl Albert, Football: Dobbins is making his name on defense, but he caught a pair of touchdowns in the win Thursday.
Carl Albert softball team: Colin White’s girls are ranked No. 1 and are one of the favorites to claim the 5A championship this week.
Shameka Sanders, Del City, Cross Country: Against a good field, Sanders placed second at the pre-state meet at Oklahoma Baptist on Thursday.
Best of the Rest honor: Little Axe softball team…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Little Axe softball won its first title Saturday night.
This could have gone to any number of the Little Axe girls on the softball team. I remember meeting with coach Mike Bread in August talking about his team. You could tell he was excited, but he didn’t want to seem too overconfident.
Well, turns out he was right. Led by an incredible group of seniors, the Indians won their first state softball championship Saturday night.
The Player of the Week honor could have gone to Bread, for sticking it out with Little Axe the last six years. To Lacey Williams for battling back from two torn ACLs. To Peyton Watson for setting the tone with HRs in the quarters and semis. To Amanda Edmundson for driving in three runs in the championship. To Andee Frazier for being a sophomore who didn’t crack under pressure.
So instead, it goes to the team and its 35-2 record.
Other contenders
Tanner Koons, Tuttle: Wow,what a Friday for Koons. Three passing TDs, three rushing scores, and all were needed in a double overtime win against Blanchard.
Haskell Browning, Luther: In a huge win against Lexington, Browning accounted for three touchdowns to give the Lions the upset victory.
Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie: His time to shine could be this week, but he added another three touchdowns in the rout of Noble.
Softball: Class 5A and 6A pairings…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Here ya go (I’ll be camped out at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium).
Class 6A
Bracket A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Edmond North vs. Bartlesville, Noon
Game 2: Moore vs. Jenks, Noon
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 2 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
Bracket B
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Owasso vs. Mustang, Noon
Game 2: Broken Arrow vs. Yukon, Noon
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 2 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Bracket A winner vs. Bracket B winner, 3 p.m.
Class 5A
Bracket A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Carl Albert vs. Pryor, 2 p.m.
Game 2: El Reno vs. Tahlequah, 2 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 6 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, Noon
Game 6: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary), 8 p.m.
Bracket B
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: McAlester vs. Coweta, 2 p.m.
Game 2: Grove vs. Lawton MacArthur, 2 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 6 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, Noon
Game 6: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary), 8 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Bracket A winner vs. Bracket B winner, 1 p.m.
