Ryley Claborn, Corben Jones and Tyler Bush make college choices
A trio of high school football players on the west side of the metro have made their college decisions this week.
Bethany quarterback Ryley Claborn verbally committed to Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford. Yukon quarterback Corben Jones will sign with Emporia (Kan.) State, and Yukon offensive lineman Tyler Bush has committed to Southeastern State in Durant.
Claborn quarterbacked the Bronchos to the state semifinals and quarterfinals in his final two seasons. As a senior, he threw for 1,883 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, completing 122 of 207 passes (58.9 percent).
As a three-year starter for the Millers, Jones guided the team to three consecutive playoff appearances, snapping a decade-long postseason drought. In his senior year, 1,999 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight picks with a completion percentage of 59.6 (140 of 235). He also rushed for 500 yards and nine touchdowns.
Bush anchored the line of an offense that has averaged 32.2 points per game the last two seasons.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Yukon’s Derek Deeds commits to Washburn
After an enjoyable visit Friday and Saturday, Yukon safety Derek Deeds decided Washburn was the place for him.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior verbally committed to the Topeka, Kan., school on Saturday.
Deeds, a second-team All-State selection by The Oklahoman, had 67 tackles and was among the best in Class 6A with seven interceptions in helping the Millers to a 7-4 season. He also had 46 receptions for 596 yards with four touchdowns and rushed for 270 yards.
Washburn coaches want to utilize him as a free safety.
“The facilities are awesome and the coaches are really cool,” Deeds said. “We definitely will have a chance to win it all.”
The Ichabods were ranked No. 11 in the final coaches’ rankings of 2011, the school’s highest final ranking since joining NCAA Division II.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
OCA All-State
The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced its All-State football team Monday. The OCA All-State Football Game will be played at 8 p.m. July 27 at a to-be-dtermined site in the Tulsa area.
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.
District 6A-1 All-District team
Here’s the 6A-1 All-District team. I also have the 6A-2 team to post a bit later. Have another? E-mail me at raber@opubco.com.
District 6A-1 All-District
Awards
Coach of the Year: Steve Huff, Midwest City
Most Valuable Player: James Flanders, Midwest City
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Corben Jones, Yukon
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian McDonald, Lawton Eisenhower
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Daniel Burton, Putnam North
Running Back of the Year: Dre Holman, Putnam North
Wide Receiver of the Year: Tae Douglas, Lawton Eisenhower
Defensive Player of the Year: Zeke Lewis, Midwest City
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Tyrone Beverly, Lawton Eisenhower
Linebacker of the Year: Taylor Lewis, Moore
Defensive Back of the Year: Derek Deeds, Yukon
All-District team
Choctaw: Luke Cotton, LB; Marcese Dickson, LB; Zac Reynolds, OL; Jared Nelson, OL; Jay Styers, WR.
Edmond Memorial: Matt Hickman, LB; Gavin Fouts, RB; Jon Scheihing, OL; Ry Huff, QB; Mac Wilsey, OL; Bryce Robinson, DB.
Lawton Eisenhower: Kacey Totte, LB; Kevin McClain, DB; Nick Shegog, DB; Grayden Gatlin, OL; Devante Baker, LB; Dee Simmons, DB; Dajon Reed, DL.
Midwest City: Ricky Reevs, DB; Zeke Lewis, LB; Ronnie Davis, DB; Austin Roberson, LB; James Flanders, RB; C.J. Smith, DL; Dakota Moran, OL; Chris Shannon, DL; Michael Wisby, WR; Devin Crisp, OL; Deonn McKay, LB; Antonio Martin, DB.
Moore: Brandon Eddins, LB; Grant Linstead, WR; Taylor Lewis, LB; Joe Haddox, LB; Jamal Carter, DL; Corey Reeves, QB; Dakota Gilbert, OL.
Norman North: Riley Nolan, C; Joe Toney, OL; Brad Birchfield, WR.
Putnam North: Daniel Burton, OL; Dre Holman, RB; Bray Humphreys, DL; Gaige Webster, WR; Vidale Grant, DB; Leigh Comfort, OL; J’mon Ratliff, OL.
Yukon: Corben Jones, QB; Derek Deeds, DB; Austin Bevill, WR; Tyrell Barker, DL; Lantz Parks, C; Sheldon Kearby, DL; Hunter Meyn, DB; Tyler Bush, OL; Will Paddock, OL; Zach Hazebaker, OL; Jansen Jarrett, LB.
Picks: First round of the playoffs
Ryan stayed in first place with another strong week despite missing on Tulsa Central, Ada and Bridge Creek. Jason was the only one to miss on his lock, losing out on Westmoore-Lawton.
Last week:
Ryan: 7-3, 1-0
Scott: 7-3, 1-0
Jason: 6-4, 0-1
Overall:
Ryan: 72-29, 9-1
Jason: 69-32, 7-3
Scott: 67-34, 8-2
Ryan
Midwest City 35, Westmoore 21
Owasso 21, Norman 17
Edmond North 21, Yukon 19
Tulsa East Central 32, Tulsa Washington 20
Tulsa Kelley 28, Coweta 14
Duncan 14, Ada 7
Glenpool 35, Piedmont 27
Harrah 21, McGuinness 20
Sequoyah Tahlequah 28, Berryhill 27
Lawton 21, Norman North 14
Lock of the week: Tulsa East Central over Tulsa Washington. East Central won the regular-season matchup at they’ll win again here as their defense slows down the Hornets while their offense continues to roll.
Jason
Midwest City 31, Westmoore 24
Owasso 21, Norman 14
Edmond North 27, Yukon 14
Tulsa East Central 23, Tulsa Washington 14
Coweta 27, Tulsa Kelley 21
Duncan 24, Ada 14
Glenpool 31, Piedmont 17
McGuinness 17, Harrah 13
Sequoyah Tahlequah 35, Berryhill 24
Lawton 31, Norman North 17
Lock of the week: Edmond North over Yukon. Yes, Yukon is fired up because of the way last year’s game ended. But that won’t be enough to make up for the Huskies’ talent. Edmond North wins and moves to a showdown at Tulsa Union.
Scott
Midwest City 35, Westmoore 21
Owasso 28, Norman 17
Yukon 21, Edmond North 20
Tulsa East Central 35, Tulsa Washington 24
Tulsa Kelley 28, Coweta 24
Ada 28, Duncan 24
Glenpool 33, Piedmont 27
Harrah 21, McGuinness 17
Sequoyah Tahlequah 38, Berryhill 28
Lawton 28, Norman North 21
Lock of the Week: Owasso over Norman. Norman RB Donovan Roberts is a game-changer. If he’s able to play, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll be at full speed after the ankle injury he suffered last week. And the Tigers need him to be effective to keep the offense balanced. Without that X-factor, Owasso should put this one away.
More 6A game times changed
Edmond North and Yukon had already made the decision to move their playoff game on Friday up to a 7 p.m. start.
Tuesday, at least two more Class 6A games were pushed up 30 minutes: Westmoore at Midwest City and Lawton Eisenhower at Edmond Santa Fe.
This isn’t a surprise as most 6A games on this side of the state start at 7 p.m. during the regular season.
Yukon looking to finish regular season strong
Running back Chance Leggett and the Yukon Millers hope to go into the postseason on a winning note with Friday's regular-season finale at Edmond Memorial.
Last year at this time, Yukon was heading into the final week of the regular season on a five-game winning streak. Just like this year.
The Millers were taking on an Edmond Memorial team playing to keep its postseason hopes alive. Just like this year.
And that’s where Yukon wants last year’s similarities to end. Memorial won at Yukon, and that hiccup in momentum carried over to the first round of the playoffs — a home loss to Edmond North.
“This is a big game on Friday, because we won’t want to limp into the playoffs like last year,” said senior Derek Deeds, who is among Class 6A’s top defensive backs with seven interceptions.
“We want to keep that momentum. It’s Memorial’s senior night and they have to win to have a chance at the playoffs, so we know we have to play our hardest.”
The Millers’ season has taken quite a turn since starting 1-3, with losses to Midwest City, Edmond Santa Fe and Stillwater — all teams ranked in the top 10, and potentially all district champions. The Millers have won five in a row, coming off a 70-point outing from the offense in a rout of Choctaw last week.
The Millers could finish either second or third in District 6A-1, the difference between a home playoff game or going on the road in the first round. In either case, the possible opponents for Yukon in the playoffs would be Lawton, Edmond North or Westmoore.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Yukon, Putnam City North battling QB injuries
The playoff race in District 6A-1 already looks to be a wild one, and now, a couple of the top contenders for postseason bids are facing quarterback injuries suffered in last week’s games.
Yukon was without senior Corben Jones in the second half of last Friday’s 42-14 loss to Midwest City after he suffered a concussion.
His availability for this week’s game at Norman North is uncertain, but Hayden Somerville was solid in his place. The sophomore completed six of 12 passes for 119 yards and two TDs with one interception.
Putnam City North could be without starter John Robert Simon for a couple of weeks, including this week’s game at No. 3 Midwest City, after he sprained his MCL in the 31-24 loss to Edmond Memorial. Starting safety Alex Clark will step in for Simon behind center.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Game preview: Midwest City at Yukon
Yukon is looking for its first win at the new Miller Stadium.
A year ago, Yukon started the season 8-1, and the only loss came at Midwest City, so you know the Millers have been looking forward to this game. If you’re going to win District 6A-1, you’re doing to have to beat the Bombers, so this is a big game for Yukon.
“We know they’re good, and we haven’t come through as a team the last couple weeks,” Yukon senior lineman Tyler Bush said. “We know that line play will be a key factor in the game, so we’ll have to be ready.”
Of course, Midwest City isn’t interested in giving up that district crown, and they have to believe Yukon is arguably the top challenger to the throne.
It’s only the first week of district play, but I’m expecting an all-out brawl between these two teams tonight in Yukon.
What to watch for: Midwest City
I’m excited to see the Bombers, because I haven’t seen them live since the first scrimmage of the preseason. And that night, I came away unimpressed. I knew the talent they had, and I knew coach Steve Huff would have them ready to go when the real games started — and he did.
I figured the Bombers would be the best of the west in 6A, and it looks that way so far. Keep an eye on RB James Flanders tonight. The last time I saw Yukon in action against Edmond Santa Fe, they had some difficulties tackling in space. If that is an issue tonight, Flanders will make them pay.
What to watch for: Yukon
With the 1-2 start, Yukon is reeling just a little bit, so the fresh start of district play is important. They could put all of that behind them with a win tonight, which would be the first one in the new house.
Yukon will need to get the run game going, because MWC has too much talent in the secondary to let them sit on the pass. You have to make them think you can run the ball.
There are a couple of Division I prospects in the MWC secondary, so seeing the battle between them and Yukon QB Corben Jones — a D-I prospect himself — will be a fun one to watch.
The Pick: Midwest City 27, Yukon 24. Though the 1-2 start has been frustrating for Yukon, I don’t take it as a sign that they’re significantly worse than last year’s team. They should be able to keep this one close, but the Bombers have just a little too much. Keep an eye on MWC linebacker Zeke Lewis. I think he could play a pivotal role in limiting Yukon’s run game.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Scott’s Weekend Rewind: PC North, Edmond Santa Fe, Douglass with big wins in Week 2
The opening of Yukon's new Miller Stadium was one of many events during a busy weekend of football.
I can already tell this is going to be a long week. Since Sept. 1, I haven’t gone more than two days without covering a high school football game. Friday can’t get here soon enough.
And after the three games I covered this weekend, it’s going to be hard for the next 13 weeks of football to live up to the standard.
On Thursday night, I watched Putnam City North knock off Mustang in double-overtime when sophomore kicker Richard Gallegos booted through a 17-yard field goal to clinch it. Friday brought the debut of Yukon’s new stadium, and a late rally by Edmond Santa Fe to spoil the opener at the Millers’ new home. Then we had the usual amount of drama on Saturday afternoon at the Soul Bowl.
Here’s a look back at what we learned about the teams in those three contests, starting with the double-OT thriller at PC Stadium.
