2019 MN-C Football Preview by mcalesternews

McAlester

A FOOTBALL LIFE:

MAZEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNEY TO LEADING MCALESTER

2019

INSIDE

>MCALESTER >CANADIAN >EUFAULA >HARTSHORNE >QUINTON >SAVANNA >WILBURTON

PRODUCED BY McAlester

MEDIA PUBLISHER ED CHOATE EDITORS IN CHIEF ADRIAN O’HANLON III COREY STOLZENBACH EDITORIAL DESIGN MARSHA ERWIN COVER PHOTO BRITTANY GALVAN PHOTOGRAPHERS ADRIAN O’HANLON III KEVIN HARVISON COREY STOLZENBACH BRITTANY GALVAN FILE PHOTOS ADVERTISING DIRECTOR REINA OWENS SR. ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE CONNIE POOLE SALES EXECUTIVE JANA WEDDLE

Cover Photo/Brittany Galvan

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

GRI DIR TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

L e tte r f r o m t h e P u b l i s h e r

Mc A le s te r B u f f a lo e s

Ca n a d i a n Co u ga r s

Hartshorne Miners

Q u i n to n S ava ge s

S ava n n a B u l ldo g s

Wi l b u r to n D i gge r s

Eu f a u l a I r o n h e a d s

Fo r r e s t M a zey : A Fo o t b a l l L i f e

To p 5 S to r yl i n e s

5 P l aye r s To Wa tc h

Co a c h e s Re f le c t o n A l m a M a te r

Ho o k E a le s S ta d i u m H i s to r y

Fo o t b a l l S c h e d u le s

OU Fo o t b a l l

O S U Fo o t b a l l

N S U Fo o t b a l l

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LETTER FROM T HE Publisher

here are few states in the country that can match Oklahoma’s devotion to high school football. High school football stadiums will be filled throughout the state each week as another season kicks off this week.

There is so much to love about high school football. High schools — particularly their football teams — become ambassadors for their communities. High school football is the living embodiment of a community. Cities and towns take a sense of pride in their local high school. Most cities in Oklahoma have one high school. It’s one of the things that many residents have in common — you went to the same high school. Homecoming is so much more in Oklahoma than in many parts of the country. There is a connection between graduating classes that is almost palpable.

ED CHOATE | PUBLISHER

Cities — such as McAlester — take on the persona of their school mascot. The sculptures of buffalo throughout the city ensure visitors know they are in McAlester Buffalo territory. Football games are not just about the team, though. Many others are a part of the pageantry of Friday night football. Cheerleaders raise the spirit of the fans and keep them supporting their team.

Each year is a new beginning for the coaches, players, and fans. McAlester High School has a particularly strong feeling for a renewal this year. The Buffaloes have a new coach. Forrest Mazey brings new members to the football staff. He brings a fresh beginning for the next chapter of Buffalo football. In this edition of our football preview you will find an in-depth interview with Mazey. Fans will find previews of their high school teams from the area. Each is designed to give you information to get you ready for the upcoming season. Every team begins the new season with the same high hopes — to win a championship. Each year, the McAlester News-Capital spends many hours putting together an annual high school football preview section. It’s truly a team effort — Sports Editor Corey Stolzenbach and News Editor Adrian O’Hanlon III put in a lot of hours to provide you with this magazine. This is one of the biggest times of the year for our advertising staff — Advertising Director Reina Owens, Connie Poole and Jana Weddle. They work tirelessly to help produce this magazine and the Buffaloes program, which is sold by the Quarterback Club as a fundraiser. There are many more whose work supports the production of this magazine including our designer Marsha Erwin, and our photographers Kevin Harvison, Derrick James, O’Hanlon, Stolzenbach and Erwin.

The band performs at halftime, but also plays throughout the game — particularly the school’s fight song. We hope this magazine helps get you fired up for the upcoming high The drill team and spirit squads help school football season. make the games more of a spectacle. Football also helps mark the beginning of another school year. There is a freshness to going back to school that is embodied by each school’s football team. GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

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+ MCALESTER FOOTBALL

FO R R EST M A Z E Y I S E XC I T E D A B O U T H I S N E W T EA M.

new chapter

T H E M C A L EST E R FO OT BA L L COAC H WA S H I R E D I N JA N UA RY A N D SA I D H E I S E XC I T E D A B O U T M U LT I P L E FAC E TS O F H I S T EA M S O FA R, I N C LU D I N G T H E P L AY E RSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; C H E M I ST RY A N D M E N TA L I T Y.

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR

Photo BY | Brittany Galvan

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“I like the way this team is gelling together,” — Forest Mazey McAlester Foootball Coach

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“I like the competition aspect,” Mazey said. “They’re starting to understand what I want about competition. They’re starting that there’s a winner and loser, and that goes for everything, including life.” He added to realize it’s not necessarily a failure if somebody loses. Mazey wants to know if those who lose can pick themselves up and learn from their mistakes. Mazey has preached mental toughness, and the importance of focusing on one play instead of the bigger picture. He said the mind must be stronger than the body when the body is tired. He said it’s tough getting up early to get to Summer Pride at 6:30 a.m., but it must be done. Mazey set a 90 percent attendance rule, where players could only miss Summer Pride twice, otherwise they find a way to make it up before receiving a uniform or practice gear. 8

“That’s stuff the kid can control,” Mazey said. “He can’t control the outcome of the game. He can’t control other people’s emotions, but he can control his effort, attitude and toughness individually,— and if we can do that collectively, then you’ll start to see more wins.” Mazey said there’s a competition at every spot, and nothing is locked down, with starters varying from week to week. It won’t be until prior to the Sept. 6 opener against Muskogee that team captains are selected, and the new coach said a player doesn’t have to be a senior to be a captain. He will share offensive coordinator duties with quarterbacks coach Brady May. Mazey said he will be the one calling the plays, but the two will game plan together. He praised May’s offensive mind, and thinks May will be calling plays more after this year. The two will also split duties in the passing game. Mazey will tell May some things he wants to implement with his quarterbacks, and May will fine tune them. The new McAlester coach will be working with the wide receivers this season. He plans on teaching his wideouts how to block, then run routes and catch.

Photos BY / Brittany Galvan

He said he didn’t bring anything new to Summer Pride compared to his past programs, just that he’s wanted to instill a winning culture. Mazey said the team must only speak positively, but it will take time. Mazey has also introduced an acronym – EAT. EAT stands for effort, attitude and toughness. There’s no question to him that McAlester has bought into that this summer, and if somebody hasn’t bought in, they’re likely not part of the team.

Mazey further elaborated on his spread offense, and said his play selection will depend on what the defense gives McAlester. He said he wants to call 70 percent passing plays and 30 percent run plays, and vice versa. He said his quarterbacks, senior Chris Hilton and sophomore Trent Boatright, have sometimes tried to do too much. Mazey is looking for a game manager and not necessarily a game breaker, at quarterback. “With kids I’ve had in the past, some of them have had to make that jump, and understand that they don’t have to win or lose the ballgame,” he said. “ They have to manage a ballgame because I’m going to put them in a position to be successful.” 9

Hilton was a dual -threat quarterback in 2018. He carried the ball 169 times for 552 yards and five touchdowns. He was 91-of-178 passing for 992 yards, throwing 10 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. Boatright was 9-of-17 for 129 passing yards and a touchdown. Mazey said schematics will dictate how Hilton is used at quarterback. He thought it wasn’t fair to Hilton that he was asked to do a lot of the same things as a sophomore that other past quarterbacks did as seniors. However, he said the senior quarterback has athleticism with his arm and feet that are as good as others who have come through the program. Mazey said longtime assistant Kevin Harmon will be defensive coordinator in 2019. He praising the job Harmon has done in the past, and how much the players love him. Mazey added the Buffs will be running a 3-4 defense with multiple fronts. One standout who is back on the defensive front this year is Chase Faber, who was second only to the graduated Austin Dugan last year in team tackles with 64. Faber is entering his sophomore year. “I don’t think you’ll ever question Chase’s work ethic and his commitment to winning,” Mazey said. “That’s what I think he brings to the table.” Parker Singleton returns for his senior year. He made 51 tackles with two sacks as a defensive end. Colby Squyres is also going to be a senior. Squyres racked up 40 tackles, had an interception and a fumble recovery as an outside linebacker in 2018. Mazey is focused on is the home opener against the Roughers. He looks to make Hook Eales Stadium a dangerous place to play with the fan base, atmosphere and physical play. Mazey wants the Buffs to take a step forward and be detailed in what they do. “We have got to where we prepare to win and not just prepare to play,” he said. GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

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+CANADIAN FOOTBALL

first-ever

CANADIAN H O P ES I TS P L AYO F F FO RT U N ES A R E DIFFERENT T H I S S EA S O N.

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

The Cougars have been to the playoffs in each of the last three years, but lost in the first round all three times. Their most recent playoff defeat was a 46-0 mercy-rule loss last year at Dewar that gave players motivation to never let it happen again. “I don’t want to have that feeling again,” senior Carson Thompson said. Thompson got the job done with his arms and legs last year. His stats, among those Canadian provided, included going 105-of-164 passing for 1,277 yards, and 16 touchdowns against five interceptions. Thompson also ran the ball 144 times for 683 yards and 15 touchdowns. Canadian was not able to provide stats for one of its games. The senior quarterback is part of a team that has their sights on a district championship and to go farther than ever. “Breaking that barrier is something that has made me hungry since that day in November,” new head coach Wes Jackson said. “It’s not so much who. It’s how, and I want this more for those kids, and for this community, more than I’m going to say most people in the world. I’m wanting it for Canadian High School.” Jackson spent the previous four seasons as an assistant for Canadian, and wants to make sure the players buy in and win every snap. He has a pair of assistants who have been met with fanfare by the team in Joseph Baughman and Zane Rose. Rose is new to Canadian after coming over from Gore. He will be the defensive coordinator for the Cougars, and his new players love what he brings to the table. They have a sense of confidence in their defense that they did not have in 2018.

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

“We have a really good defensive coordinator who…knows what he’s doing,” Thompson said. “He’s been there before.” Jackson will be maintaining his offensive coordinator duties for the Cougars, so Baughman will be the assistant coordinator for both sides and will serve coaching the secondary and wide receivers. Jackson said summer attendance among has increased among seniors and praised their leadership this year, too. He thinks a sense of family around the players that he has not seen before. He said this year’s team is driven. “They just want more — more, more, more,” Jackson said. “You have to pull them off the field. They don’t ask for breaks. They stay on the field and say, ‘Let’s get some more. Let’s get some more.’” Jackson expresses a desire for increased parental and community involvement in the program and wants the success of the Cougars to be for the community as well. Jackson’s passion for Canadian athletics is flowing through and said the support his family is giving him as the new head of the Cougars has lit another fire under him. He said weight room attendance can always be better, but is excited for that and said the Cougars have been asking for more conditioning. Jackson added that this year will only feature two days per week of contact practice instead of four days. The other days will focus on individual things such as footwork, feet, hands and scheming. Jackson said the biggest strength the Cougars have going into this season is heart. “Heart in these kids can overpower a lot of talent,” Jackson said. “I’m not saying we’re not talented, but heart and talent that we have right now is something scary. Talent without heart and heart without talent, it can’t get it all done, but we have talent and heart ready to go into this season with big goals and big dreams.”

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

+ HARTSHORNE FOOTBALL

‘

O U TS I D E T H E H A S K E L L JENNINGS FIELDHOUSE I N H A RTS H O R N E, T H E M I N E RS A R E E N G AGI N G I N CO N E D R I L L S A N D CO N D I T I O N I N G

fun to‘ watch 17

EA R LY I N T H E M O R NI N G, W I T H T H E S U N ST I L L CO M I N G U P A N D FO OT BA L L S EA S O N O N T H E H O R I ZO N.

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Players are sprinting against each other to and from cones at the direction of coach Jeff Beare.

expects players to progress throughout the year.

The 3-7 mark they finished with in 2018 did not sit well with them, and players are motivated to make themselves better. “3-7 is not a record we’re very proud of, for sure,” sophomore Bryson Cervantes said. “Our goal is district champs — but our main goal is to at least make the playoffs.” Many of last year’s players are back, but the offensive line is going to look different in 2019. Gone is Josh Rentie, who was honored as All District Offensive Lineman of the Year multiple times. Rentie has since signed to play as a defensive lineman for Pittsburg State University, an NCAA Division II school. Tyler Colbert and Joe Benedict also graduated after last year and Anthony Lee transferred to McAlester for his senior season. Beare said the line will be played by committee, but he GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Running backs had driven the offense in recent years for Hartshorne. Chance Parker and Justin Johnson both rushed for more than 1,000 yards as seniors in consecutive seasons for the Miners. Micah Baker ran for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns on 134 carries last season to finish as the third leading area rusher and returns this year. Beare said it’s yet to be seen how much the quantity of turnover on the offensive line will impact the run game. He said this year depends on Micah Baker, Bryson Cervantes and sophomore Dallas Colbert from the skill positions. “That’s definitely going to be who we hang our hat on,” he said.

Cervantes got time at quarterback last year as a freshman, going 32-of-79 passing for 330 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions. Beare would not commit to naming anybody the starter just yet, but thought Cervantes filled in well. The sophomore has leadership skills that have earned the respect of his Hartshorne teammates.

to be focused on the Sept. 9 home opener against Stigler, but discussed the effect the loss to the Diggers had on the Miners. “It impacted us as a group, as a team — hard, very deep,” Beare said. “Me personally, I took a lot of that on myself, but it is what it is. We move on.” The coach said the Miners were not going to run the 4-3 defense again this year, but declined to specify which one they were switching to. He did say he was pleased with how his youth played on that side of the ball when the season ended.

“He steps up every day,” senior Wyatt Baker said. “He shows everybody what he can do.” The Miners feel they have taken things more seriously this summer, using last year’s record as motivation. One of those seven losses was a 34-14 defeat against Wilburton — the first time the Diggers beat the Miners since 2006. Players said they have Oct. 25 circled on their calendar when they travel to Wilburton for the rematch. Beare, a 2002 Hartshorne graduate, said his players need

The season is approaching fast, as Aug. 12 is scheduled to be the first day of practice, and the Miners are set to host Talihina Aug. 23 in their first scrimmage of the year. “I just can’t wait,” Wyatt Baker said. “We’re ready to get back on the field.” “It’s going to be fun to watch,” Micah Baker said.

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+QUINTON FOOTBALL

Q U I N TO N K N OWS T H E 2019 FO OT BA L L S EA S O N I S I M P O RTA N T. I T CO U L D B E T H E L A ST Y EA R O F T H E SAVAG ES P L AY I N G W I T H O U T A D I ST R I C T A N D N OT B E I N G E L I G I B L E FO R T H E P L AYO F FS U N D E R O K L A H O M A S ECO N DA RY S C H O O L AC T I V I T I ES R U L ES.

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

quinton docket 22

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Quinton switched from 11-man football to eight-man football in 2017 after districts were already assigned. This made the Savages independent for 2018 and 2019, but they could be eligible for districts and playoffs by next season. “I think it’s vital that we go out and have a good year,” coach Kenny Hokit said. “It’s going to be a tougher schedule.” Quinton has 10 games scheduled this year, and Hokit said Empire and Velma Alma were going to be tough opponents. He said Graham-Dustin will be improved, that Destiny Christian will once again be a quality opponent and thinks Decatur (Ark.) will be a good opponent, too.

The second-year head coach wants the Savages to compete for a state championship, and knows opening up the passing game is a necessary switch. Switching to a new style of offense means Quinton will also be switching to a new quarterback from junior Blaize Bray to senior Dakota Gragg. Hokit said the reason for the switch was because of Gragg’s ability to throw the ball, but thinks Bray is smart enough to still get some time at quarterback. Bray was 2-of-5 passing for 45 yards, no touchdowns and an interception last season.

The 2018 Savages were scheduled for nine games, played in six and won five of them. They finished 8-1 due to cancellations and forfeits from their opponents.

Gragg didn’t get any looks at the position last year, but did score three touchdowns and ran the ball 18 times for 76 yards. Hokit said Gragg would to be able to throw the ball deeper down the field, and the coach has the confidence he’ll learn how to by opening night.

“I think it gave our school confidence, our community confidence and our kids confidence,” Hokit said. “Everybody’s excited about football again.”

“Nobody on this whole team works harder than Dakota, that’s for sure,” he said. “Not one day has he missed in the weight room. He will stay here until midnight if you want him to.”

Now, the Savages have made it their goal to go 10-0, and Hokit said that is very feasible. He’ll be coaching Quinton’s defense in 2019, and said his team will be tough on that side of the ball.

The Savages are scheduled to begin their first day of practice Aug. 12. Hokit said they will need more reps on offense. He knows they’ll be out of shape. Getting in game shape by opening night, he said, will be nearly impossible, but Quinton must work as hard as it can.

The Savages have implemented some changes this season. Assistant coach Jonathan Miller will be handling the offense, which will be more of a spread than the power football style that Hokit has liked to run in the past. The Savages lost running back Haven Barnes to graduation. Barnes rushed for 1,762 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2018. He set a new eight-man state record with 620 rushing yards against Immanuel Christian. Hokit said it will be tough trying to fill Barnes’ shoes, but it would have been nearly impossible to do so if the Savages didn’t change their offense for the 2019 season. He said junior Caden Birckel was likely the front runner to fill that spot this year. He said Birckel is quick, and while he doesn’t have Barnes’ strength, spreading the offense out will give Birckel more running lanes. Birckel had one touchdown and 29 yards on eight carries in 2018. 25

“I’m thinking we should step up, work harder, put the work where it’s needed,” senior Trace McMinn said. The coach of the Savages said Summer Pride and the kind of summers the team has needs to improve if they want to take that next step. He said they could maybe make the playoffs and win a game or two, but their offseason work ethic will need to improve for a deep playoff run. “When they’re out there, they work pretty hard,” he said. “They work really hard, but when it’s not mandatory, they struggle a little bit.” Quinton’s season is scheduled to begin Aug. 30 at home against Empire. “I expect them to be real physical, and play really hard opening night,” Hokit said. GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

+SAVANNA FOOTBALL

I T ’S A N E W COAC H, B U T N OT A N E W ST Y L E AT SAVA N N A.

future

TAY LO R BA R R, A 2010 G R A D UAT E, P L AY E D U N D E R JA M ES B O N D, T H E H EA D COAC H O F T H E B U L L D O G S F RO M 2003-2017, A N D BA R R SA I D H I S CO R E VA LU ES A R E S I M I L A R TO B O N D’S.

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

“We want the kids to act right, do right,” Barr said. “My number one goal is when these men leave the program is to be good contributors to society.” He makes sure to keep his players accountable. Members of the team had to redo extensive conditioning on July 22 when he said they were laying down toward the end of practice. Some of Barr’s players said they are receiving him well, though it’s not easy having a third coach in three years. “It’s a completely different game plan, each coach, but Coach Barr and (assistant) Coach (Matt) Murdaugh, they run everything pretty much just like Coach Bond did,” senior Clay Wageman said. The former McAlester defensive coordinator was hired May 6 to replace Bob Pool, who went 2-7 in his only season at Savanna. The Bulldogs lost five in a row to end the year, and they seek to improve in 2019. “We expect more effort,” senior Preston Timmons said. “We expect a better season.” The Bulldogs may have had a skid at the end of the season, but had some accomplished players who are back for 2019. Wageman was named the Co-Linebacker of the Year in District A-8, and Barr said he’ll be the team’s starting running back. Wageman ran the ball 95 times for 567 yards and three touchdowns in 2018. Barr said depth will be Savanna’s biggest challenge, but running back will be the exception. He cited sophomore Pakes Garnett and senior Chase Wood as other options in the backfield. Wood earned district honors as a defensive back in 2018 and Barr said he’ll play many different positions. GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Barr said Wood will also play at wide receiver, running back and quarterback, but said there is a quarterback competition between Wood and Ayden Fry, who is Bond’s youngest grandson. “He’s very, very football savvy,” Barr said of Fry. “He’s got a great football IQ and understands how to read. If I want to him to read the inside backer or the defensive end or the outside backer, safety to corner, he understands what we want in particular situations.”

The coach said the decision will be made before Savanna’s first game of the season against Antlers on Sept. 6. Barr said he will also handle offensive coordinator duties with Savanna running a balanced offense in 2019. He doesn’t think a team can win a state championship without running the football, but is also going to balance his receivers. He said Murdaugh will handle defensive duties, and the Bulldogs will run a 3-4 defense. The two of them said their 29

main strength is their secondary. Wood, sophomore Dawson Jones, senior Trey Ledbetter, freshman Levi Franklin and junior Cody Randazzo will all get some looks at cornerback and safety. Sophomore Ty Hoffman can also play in the secondary, and is expected to be a big contributor this year. “I want 11 blue hats around the football at all times,” Murdaugh said. “I want these guys to come together and swarm and just be a pack.” GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

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+WILBURTON FOOTBALL

P EO P L E A R E ST I L L TA L K I N G A B O U T W I L B U RTO N’S 34-14 W I N AG A I N ST H A RTS H O R N E L A ST S EA S O N. I T WA S T H E F I RST T I M E S I N C E 2006 T H AT T H E D I G G E RS E M E RG E D V I CTO R I O U S I N T H E BAT T L E O F G OW E N M O U N TA I N. COAC H J E F F M A RS H A L L SA I D I T WA S A B I G W I N FO R T H E CO M M U N I T Y, S C H O O L A N D H I S P L AY E RS.

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COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

“It’s something that you can definitely build off of,” Marshall said. “Even though we didn’t take advantage of if at the end of the season, it’s still something we can build off next summer and going into the next fall.”

“We always want to be able to run the football, but we do feel like we have some good threats at receiver and some good athletes that we want to get the ball in their hands as much as possible also,” he said.

Marshall never thought that game was in hand, even when looking at the score during the game. The fourth-year head coach thought the Diggers kept grinding and maintained their enthusiasm and intensity.

Marshall said Wilburton is going to be taller and more athletic at receiver this year. He praised the job incoming sophomore “I get the speed of the Jordan Miller did at slot receiver last year. He had game now,” Mathis said. 12 catches for 244 yards to “It will be way slower for lead the team. me this season.”

He said these Diggers don’t quit, and feels good about the upcoming season as long as they keep that attitude.

The Diggers lost running back Tanner Arnold to graduation after the 2018 season, and Marshall said the team will be doing a running back by committee. He touted Camacho and incoming sophomore Lane Spruell as options in the backfield. Marshall said anybody who wants the job needs to show consistency and the duties could vary by quarter.

Members of the team feel conditioning and knowledge of the game have improved. “I think we all feel way better conditioned than what we were last year,” said Aubrey Runkle, who is entering his sophomore season. “We know the offense better, we know the defense better,” said Ralph Camacho, who is entering his junior year. The Diggers opened up the passing the game toward the end of the 2018 season. Marshall is adamant about running the football, but said Wilburton is going to run a more spread offense in 2019.

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Mathis was 35-of-81 passing for 557 yards, four touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He thinks he is better than last year, and credited the Wilburton coaching staff in helping him with his technique. Mathis said his accuracy and fundamentals have improved from the past 12 months.

Marshall said the Diggers would continue to run an odd stack defense this year, though that could change. He said the secondary is the most improved unit on the defensive side of the ball. Runkle, Camacho and Miller were names he touted in that aspect.

T h e D i g ge rs co a c h added that they are miss“If somebody’s hot that ing some graduated playgame and really producing ers in Arnold and Cameron for us, then we’re going to Dehart. He added, though, keep giving him the ball,” that players like Spruell, he said. fellow sophomore Jason Somebody who is back Justice and junior Chrisis quarterback Grayson tian Gockel showed during Mathis, who is entering team camp they can conhis sophomore year. Martribute. shall said Mathis was as calm of a freshman quarMarshall said the plan terback as anybody he had was to have Justice at ever been around, and that he has established keep- defensive end, while ing the field general role Gockel and Spruell would this season. be linebackers.

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

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CNHI Photo Eufaula’s Noah Alexander pushes away an Antlers defender in a game that got the Ironheads their first district championship since 2007. Eufaula hosts Spiro in a first-round game tonight.

+ EUFAULA FOOTBALL

L A R RY N E W TO N D O ES N’T R E LY O N S LO G A N S TO M OT I VAT E H I S P L AY E RS —

MAKE HISTORY 39

I N ST EA D R E M I N D I N G P L AY E RS O F T H E H I STO R I C TA L E N T TO CO M E T H RO U G H E U FAU L A.

ADRIAN O’HANLON III | NEWS EDITOR

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

The Ironheads football coach tells his players they need to continue working toward being remembered as some of the best players to come out of the state — with the likes of J.C. Watts, and the Selmon brothers, Lucious, Lee Roy, and Dewey, graduating from the school. “I talk a lot about the legends that have walked through here and challenging yourselves to honor those guys,” Newton said. “And I just always feel like there’s no motto, nothing that’s going to do that.” Newton recalls the famed Selmon brothers who graduated from Eufaula before going on to play at the University of Oklahoma and professionally, while Watts also played in college and in the pros before leading a successful political career. He said his players should strive to become the next greats to come from the school and use that motivation to get better every day. Last year, the Ironheads started the year with a 1-2 non-district record before rattling off nine consecutive wins on the way to District 2A-6 title. Eufuala finished 10-3 overall and advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2005 before losing to eventual 2A champion Sperry Pirates. Jacob Fitzer helped spark the Ironheads’ success last season. Eufaula struggled early in the year to find a center who could snap it consistently to Fitzer at quarterback before he volunteered to move into the spot. Fitzer previously played center and brought consistency at the position, also allowing Nic Jones to take over at quarterback and flourish. Jones also returns this year to at quarterback after growing about three inches over the summer to reach 6-feet-1-inch tall. “We just knew that he was on being man eventually, and then he just turned it loose, but man, he’s grown,” Newton said. “And he probably was my best worker over the summer.”

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

CNHI Photo

Eufaula’s Tye Pippinger wraps up Coalgate’s Blade Horton for loss during the Ironheads’ 30-14 win in the Class 2A second round on Friday.

Some spots will be available on both sides of the ball after Eufaula lost five on defense and six on offense to graduation from last season. The graduated seniors might have been a little small, but they also included three who scored better than a 30 on their ACTs, Newton said. “When you lose those guys or you lose those starters it hurts because that’s some smarts,” Newton said. There was also some talent on the quarterfinals team. Zac Anderson played a key role as a linebacker and on the offensive line before graduating and going on to earn a spot on Northeastern State University’s football team this year. They also lost John Bailey and Logan Kreitemeyer to graduation. Newton said junior Ty Pippenger will lead by example with his work ethic and he expects him to stand out on the offensive line this year. Two transfers from Texas schools and another from California who moved to Eufaula over the summer are also expected to strengthen the Ironheads’ core, Newton said. Junior running back Noah Alexander is back after a breakout season a year ago and a solid offseason. Newton said Eufaula “had a pretty good off season” with decent numbers in summer pride workouts and believes that will help set up his young team for success.

CNHI Photo

Eufaula’s Nick Jones overcomes an attempted tackle by Antlers’ Zion Wood to break away for a sizable gain during the Ironheads; 19-2 win on Friday in Eufaula.

But he wants his players to continue working to become some of the best in the program’s history. “We still haven’t replaced the Selmons, we still haven’t replaced JC Watts — but somebody’s going to,” Newton said. “The legends we have here, they still haven’t been replaced so who’s it going to be?”

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

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A football life: Mazey’s journey to leading McAlester BY

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR

Forrest Mazey remembers climbing under fences with his friends in third grade to watch high school football. He said the high school players looked “larger than life” when coming out of the locker rooms and likened them to NFL players at the time. Mazey became consumed with the sport, getting football magazines and going out to play football alone to imitate the moves of his favorite professionals.

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Photo BY / Brittany Galvan

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Football has provided opportunities for Mazey. His coaches and dad, a former semipro football player, were his role models. His ability to play football at the college level helped him obtain multiple degrees. He met his wife and provides for his family through coaching football. Now, Mazey is in his first season as McAlester’s football coach and has the opportunity to lead the Buffaloes back to the playoffs. “I think it’s a great opportunity, and I’m pumped about this,” he said.

Playing Mazey is a former student at McAlester’s Emerson Elementary School and remembers playing in parks and the Bob Brumley Gymnasium. He moved around growing up, playing quarterback at Hugo before going on to Coalgate. The 2000 Coalgate graduate played quarterback at Independence Community College in Kansas, where he was named to the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference’s all-conference second team in 2002 after going 135-of-239 passing for 1,298 yards and six touchdowns. He transferred to Northeastern State University, where he went 142-of-231 passing for 1,703 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior in 2003. Mazey set NSU single-season records at the time for completions, completion percentage (61.5) and total offense (1,913 yards). His single-season completion percentage ranks second in school history, while Mazey’s 2003 pass efficiency of 133.6 in 2003 and 120.9 career pass efficiency are both fifth all time. GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Mazey graduated from NSU in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science, and earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from East Central University in 2010. He credits different people with helping to shape who he is today. Father Steve was a semipro football player and a veteran of the Gulf War. He said his stepdad, Jason Williams, also played a part in molding who he is. The new coach of the Buffaloes said his high school coach, Joe McCulley, influenced him as a coach. Mazey wants to make his players into winners in life. He said McCulley showed him how to mold winners and be hard in making his players accountable. “You got to be able to tell kids and show kids that when they get knocked down that they got to get back up,” he said.

Coaching Mazey believed he was destined to be a head coach after starting his career as an assistant at Northwestern State University in 2005 and later at Tom Bean High School in Texas in 2006. He sent dozens of applications for a head coaching job until he landed in Atoka for 2007. The Wampus Cats went 0-10 in his first season as head coach — but he said that year might have been his best as a coach after Atoka improved to 5-5 the following season. “How many teams come back from 0-10 and go 5-5 with the same group of kids?” Mazey said. Under Mazey’s guidance, Atoka quarterback L.T. Pfaff was the first high school quarterback in state history to eclipse 10,000 passing yards. He finished with a state record 11,358 passing yards, which has since been broken. 47

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Mazey said that Pfaff may be the best player he’s ever coached. Pfaff went on to appear at quarterback for Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 2013 and later worked on power lines. Mazey finished with a 16-25 record at Atoka in four seasons — but not before meeting his wife Brittany, the sister of L.T. Pfaff. The two of them began dating toward the end of Pfaff’s high school career and the couple now has three boys: Kacin, 11 Adric, 8 Nixon, 3 and a daughter, Bexli, 1. A friend told him that the head coaching position in Pratt, Kan. was open after the person originally hired opted to stay with his old program. Mazey spent two seasons as coach of the Greenbacks in 2011 and 2012, where he went 8-11. His reason for coming back to Oklahoma was getting married and having a family. He thinks people tend to return to their roots when they have children, but said he’s met great people wherever he’s gone. He returned to coaching in 2014 at Mangum, which finished 2-8 in his lone season at the helm. Although he left after one season for Poteau, Mazey took partial credit for the Tigers rebounding to 7-4 the next season and compared the turnaround to what he did at Atoka. “Those are seasons that define me, really, more than anything else of the resilience of what I hope my teams have,” Mazey said. Mazey took over at Poteau in 2015 and led the Pirates to a CCCC record and the Class 4A state semifinals in his first year. Adrian O’Hanlon III | Staff File Photos

One of the teams Poteau knocked off in the playoffs along the way was Tulsa McLain, which featured running back Josh Jacobs before he went on win an NCAA national championship with Alabama and was selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Jacobs finished that game with 26 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns, but the Pirates took a 47-19 win. The worst record Mazey had with the Pirates was a 6-5 mark in 2016 after losing 19 out of 22 starters from the state semifinal team. Poteau got back to the state semifinals in 2018 before Mazey left for the McAlester job. Mazey went 37-11 in four years at Poteau.

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

McAlester It was during a playoff game with Poteau that he once ran the same play 16 times in a row because the opposing defense could not adjust, and said what the opposing defenders give the Buffs will dictate play calling. Mazey has praised the history McAlester boasts in football, and has done some redecorating in the coach’s office. The new coach has put several McAlester trophies on display, including the 1988 state championship trophy. He wants coaches who are recruiting to see them when they visit town. He said he always goes to places with a five-year plan. Mazey said his five-year plan with the Buffs is a series of questions. He wonders if McAlester can change things and the culture. Mazey asked if the Buffs can make it to the playoffs, which he thinks is possible. He talked of going on a state championship type of run. Mazey then said he would then evaluate towards how well his five-year plan was working out. He said one must set another five-year plan if the team was reaching their goals in a timely manner.

Mazey’s Coaching Career YEAR — School, Position (head coach record) 2005 — Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach 2006 — Tom Bean (Texas), Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach 2007-2010 — Atoka, Head Coach, (16-25) 2011-2012 — Pratt (Kan.), Head Coach, (8-11) 2013 — Salado (Killeen, Texas), Offensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach 2014 — Mangum, Head Coach, (2-8) 2015-2018 — Poteau, Head Coach, (37-11) 2019-Present — McAlester, Head Coach Overall record: 63-55

He said it’s only a matter of when, not if, the Buffs return to the playoffs, and has no doubts it can happen this year if they will themselves through it.

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Top 5 Storylines BY

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR

1. What can McAlester do in its first season under Forrest Mazey? The former Poteau coach is trying to transform the culture in McAlester and restore the Buffaloes’ winning tradition. It should be interesting to see how Chris Hilton grows in his senior season with a former quarterback as his coach. Hilton threw for 10 touchdowns against 13 interceptions last year. Opportunities are open at running back following the graduation of A.J. Martin. Whoever wins the starting job will have major shoes to fill given Martin’s game breaking speed and ability to run all over defenses when healthy. However, whoever is out in the backfield is capable of making a difference just like Martin did. Then there’s Chase Faber, who was second only to the graduated Austin Dugan last year in total tackles. Faber is going to be a sophomore, and fans ought to keep their eyes on how big of a jump he could make under Mazey.

Adrian O’Hanlon | Staff Photo

2. What does Hartshorne’s offense do after losing linemen? Losing Josh Rentie to graduation alone is going to leave a big spot to fill for the Miners. Rentie was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year in his district multiple times in his high school career, and is continuing his career at Pittsburg State University, an NCAA Division II school in Kansas. But with the Miners also losing three other offensive linemen, it brings opportunity for others and questions on how the team adjusts. Last year, as a sophomore, Micah Baker was one of the most prolific rushers in the area with 820 yards and 10 touchdowns. Performances like these are a testament to the runners, but also to the offensive line. Changes can either lead to keeping the line moving, or perhaps force Hartshorne to rethink its strategy. COREY STOLZENBACH | Staff Photo

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3. Is this finally the year Canadian wins a playoff game? Of course, the Cougars would have to get there first, but they are returning a quality senior class featuring Carson Thompson, Terrell Crawford and Trett Yandell. Those same faces on the field will be coached by new faces on the sidelines. Wes Jackson has been around Canadian football for a while and brought in two new assistants in Joseph Baughman and defensive coordinator Zane Rose. A coaching change has these players excited, and know it’s often the intangibles, chemistry and the work ethic that can take a team far. Jackson said these Cougars are hungry. They sure don’t want to relive last year’s 46-0 mercy-rule playoff loss at Dewar.

COREY STOLZENBACH | Staff Photo

4. What can Grayson Mathis show at quarterback for Wilburton? It’s summer and there’s an abundance of position battles for nearly every position on every team. Then there are the rare exceptions and Wilburton coach Jeff Marshall said sophomore Grayson Mathis will once again be the team’s quarterback this year. Marshall has full confidence in the quarterback who took the reigns as a freshman last year. Mathis finished 35-of-81 passing for 557 yards and four touchdowns with 10 interceptions last year. For a coach to have that much praise about a player that young and for him already to have quarterback of all positions locked down going into the year speaks volumes.

COREY STOLZENBACH | Staff Photo

5. How will Quinton look in its final independent season? What a turnaround the Savages experienced last season. They didn’t play in a district, nor were they eligible for the playoffs, but switching from 11-man football to eight-man football brought a world of difference. This team won one game in its final season of 11-man in 2017. It lost one game in eight-man in 2018. It’s a big year for the Savages, who lost only one game last year in large part due to the graduated Haven Barnes running over opposing defenses. Will Caden Birckel be a viable option in the backfield? Continuing to grow under second-year coach Kenny Hokit could provide some momentum as the program continues its resurrection in hopes of playing districts and the playoffs next year. COREY STOLZENBACH | Staff Photo

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KEVIN HARVISON | Staff File Photo

Marsha Erwin | Staff File Photo

Five Players to Watch BY

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR COREY STOLZENBACH | Staff Photo

COREY STOLZENBACH | Staff Photo

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

Chris Hilton, McAlester, Senior, Quarterback If the Buffaloes make it back to the playoffs, Hilton will be a big reason why. His development should be one to watch this season in how he is with his decision making, but his assets are far beyond passing. Hilton can be a dual-threat quarterback and pick up some big yardage on the ground. Hilton was 91-of-178 passing for 992 yards last year, throwing 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He ran the ball 169 times for 552 yards rushing and five touchdowns.

Chase Faber, McAlester, Sophomore, Linebacker Going from freshman to sophomore is a big leap, and if Chase Faber’s sophomore year is better than his freshman year was, then Buffs fans are in for a real treat. Faber’s 64 tackles as a ninth grader last year were second only to the 100 the graduated Austin Dugan had. Dugan and Faber developed a friendship off the field. Will that friendship and the habits of the 2019 all-stater rub off on the sophomore Faber? Micah Baker, Hartshorne, Junior, Running Back One of the most prolific running backs a season ago returns in 2019. Baker carried the ball 134 times for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns, a lot of productivity. Hartshorne is motivated to put last year’s 3-7 record in the past, knowing it can do better. The Miners fell one game short of being district champions two years ago, and now the team is making a district championship their goal. Any success Hartshorne might have this season will have Baker’s fingerprints on it.

Grayson Mathis, Wilburton, Sophomore, Quarterback Maturity comes faster for some, and that seems to be the case with Wilburton quarterback Grayson Mathis, who already has the starting job locked down again, according to Diggers coach Jeff Marshall. Intangibles are a big part in this game, and Mathis seems to have the right temperament. The only question now is how his decision making will be as tries to improve on his touchdowns passes (four in 2018) versus his interceptions (10).

Carson Thompson, Canadian, Senior, Quarterback The Most Valuable Player of the McAlester News-Capital’s 2017 all-area football team turned in another brilliant campaign during the 2018 season to earn him first-team all-area honors with 643 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns on 144 carries. He was 105-of-164 passing for 1,277 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, per the stats for games Canadian provided. Thompson is bound to have a big senior season. The question is if the lefty field general and his Cougar teammates will continue to have that same hunger for success they’ve had this summer. A playoff win still eludes the program, and it may come down to just how badly Thompson and the Cougars want it.

Micah Baker, Hartshorne, Junior, Running Back One of the most prolific running backs a season ago returns in 2019. Baker carried the ball 134 times for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns, a lot of productivity. Hartshorne is motivated to put last year’s 3-7 record in the past, knowing it can do better. The Miners fell one game short of being district champions two years ago, and now the team is making a district championship their goal. Any success Hartshorne might have this season will have Baker’s fingerprints on it.

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AL Coaches reflect on leading alma MA maters MA TE A lot has changed since three local coaches played at their alma maters.

Jeff Beare played for Hartshorne before graduating in 2002 and going on to play at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. He said the recruiting process was different then, compared to the process he has seen as the Miners’ coach.

Some of the changes have been in technology with social media and smartphones. Jeff Marshall, a 1997 Wilburton graduate, said those technologies weren’t around when he played and “kids have changed.” But coaching players hard hasn’t changed, and neither has the environment on gameday.

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR

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an assistant and also the head coach for two years, going 18-4 and District 2A-8 Coach of the Year in 1992. Jeff recalled the times he’d be with his father in the summer and football season. They later coached the offensive line together. Mickey passed away in December 2009. Jeff thinks his father would be proud that his son took over the program if he was still here, but said Mickey didn’t express himself too much. The current Miners coach said he’s pumped up when the lights were on, while his father had a more quiet style.

“I know he’s a lot smarter than me,” Jeff said. “I don’t know how we’d be “You can’t duplicate a Friday night,” similar at all.” Beare said. “Those are special, speJeff has never been anywhere else cial nights.” as a coach except at his alma mater, Hartshorne-grown and therefore, knows exactly what to do. He knows his players, their famiBeare was a fullback like Marshall lies and their relatives. Jeff knows their was. He also played inside linebacker. backgrounds and what the program is Beare is now entering his third season getting from them. as head coach. “I know them when they walk in the “I grew up in this locker room,” Beare door,” he said. “I know how to push said. them, how to get what we’re trying to get out of them because I just know Beare’s father, Mickey, coached at who they are.” Hartshorne for 30 years. Mickey was

Wilburton ‘a blessing’ Marshall is entering his fourth season as coach. The former fullback and outside linebacker took over the football program in 2016 and led them to the playoffs. He coached baseball at his school’s alma mater before trading in the diamond for the gridiron in an effort to bring consistency to the program. “You coach it a lot differently than you coach baseball, obviously,” Marshall said. “It comes with a little bit more enthusiasm, I’ll say, a little bit more grind to it. So, no, I didn’t see myself being a head football coach, especially here, but it’s been a blessing to do it.” Marshall said the locker room outside Seldon D. Taylor is the same as it was when he played there, save for some minor renovations. He said Wilburton replaced its bleachers in recent years and is trying to replace its track, but the field and lockers are the same. A memorable moment for him when he played was when Wilburton started off 0-3 as a senior, but then went 6-1 and claimed the District 2A-8 championship. Marshall had a nine-yard touchdown run in the 39-6 clincher against Panama on the last day of the regular season. However, the Diggers underwent an overtime loss at home to Henryetta that ended Marshall’s playing career. It was after Marshall’s two-yard run for a score that Wilburton went for the two-point conversion, only to be stopped, and thus, giving Henryetta a 14-13 win in OT. Marshall said Wilburton football taught him what it meant to be respectful and do what’s expected.

“You try to carry that throughout life with you,” he said. “Show up to your job, show up to your marriage, show up for your kids, all those things and if you show up and work hard for them, then good things will happen.”

Returning to Savanna Being back at Savanna brings back a lot of memories for Taylor Barr. The 2010 graduate has lived in the town his whole life, and grew up across the street from the field. He remembers attending games on Friday night as a child, and playing on the field during the summer with friends. Being back reminds Barr of former head coach James Bond, and former assistants Brian Brown and Brian Haynie.

KEVIN HARVISON | Staff File Photo

Hartshorne’s Jeff Beare carries the football in a 12-6, overtime loss against Savanna in the District 2A-8 opener. This snapped Hartshorne’s 12-game winning streak against Savanna.

“You walk in here (the locker room) and it’s just instant memories,” Barr said. “It makes you think about those guys and the fun times you had.” Getting to coach at Savanna means the world to him because of how much the community has supported him in his life. He hopes to put a good product on the field and give the town something it can be proud of.

Staff File Photo

Wilburton’s Jeff Marshall in action here in the 1995 edition of the Battle of Gowen Mountain against Hartshorne

Returning an interception for a touchdown in the season opener his senior year against Konawa in 2009 stands out as a memory, and also had three touchdown receptions in a 40-20 win against Pocola later that year. Barr said Savanna defensive coordinator Matt Murdaugh and he coach the Bulldogs the way James Bond coached them. “He was dang sure hard on us, and he would get up in our face when we needed it,” he said of Bond. “I was upfront with the kids. That’ll happen. If they’re not giving me what I think they can give, max effort, I’ll correct it.” 55

Staff File Photo

Savanna’s Taylor Barr (Center) runs a play in a May 2009 inter-squad scrimmage.

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HOOK EALES STADIUM HAS LONG, INTERESTING HISTORY BY

COREY STOLZENBACH | SPORTS EDITOR

When this year’s Buffaloes take the field Sept. 6 against Muskogee, they will be playing on a field with a lot of history. Construction began on Jeff Lee Stadium, Jeff Lee Pool and the National Guard Armory in February 1936 as a Works Progress Administration project. The Buffs took to their new home on Sept. 18, 1937 after previously playing at the Fairgrounds. They dropped a 19-0 loss to those same Roughers they’re scheduled to host in this year’s opener. McAlester’s first win at Jeff Lee Stadium happened on Oct. 1 in a 13-0 shutout of Pauls Valley. Archives from the News-Capital first make reference to its present name, Hook Eales Stadium, during the 1983 season. Tom Crowl, a 1948 McAlester graduate, said it was attorney Wes Brown who went to the school board to ask for the name change. Generations of players, coaches and fans have known that be the home for McAlester high school football from 1937 and forward, but the area wasn’t used for football alone. GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

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Staff file photos

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Hook Eales Stadium underwent renovations in 2013. The football field first got artificial turf and a new track was installed at the stadium. Mid America Sports installed the turf with a $663,400 contract and Vibra Whirl installed the track with a $215,400 contract, according to McAlester Public Schools. First National Bank, the Bass Foundation and other community members helped fund the project.

The McAlester Rockets were an affiliate of the New York Yankees, and operated from 1947-1956. The Rockets played their home games at Jeff-Lee Park, which was located at the south and southwestern areas of the present Hook Eales Stadium. Paul Crowl, Tom’s uncle, served as the team’s president. “At the time, my uncle wouldn’t allow the radio station to broadcast the home games,” Tom Crowl said. “He was afraid it would take away from the attendance, but they broadcast all the away games.” Their success in the Sooner State League mirrored that of the big league club. McAlester won league championships in 1947 and four in a row from 1950-1953. These were all years that the Yankees won the World Series. McAlester drew the largest crowd in the history of the Sooner State League in the deciding game of the 1952 championship with a 6-2 win against Pauls Valley. It is estimated 5,000 people saw the Rockets complete their three-peat at Jeff -Lee Park, according to “McAlester: The Capital of Little Dixie,” by Clyde Wooldridge. However, attendance numbers declined in later years, and the Rockets folded in the beginning of 1957. The entire Sooner State League went defunct two years later.

Perhaps the most high stakes game in the history of Hook Eales Stadium was in 1988 when the Buffs hosted Lawton MacArthur in the Class 4A state semifinals. “It had rained,” McAlester athletic director John Homer said. “The field was wet, definitely home field advantage. The town was excited. It was packed.” Homer couldn’t gauge how loud the venue was that night, since he was wearing headphones as an assistant coach. The Buffs went on to take out a 14-12 win and capture the state championship against Altus. The stadium seats between 2,700 and 2,800 people, which includes 908 reserved seating. Seating has been one of the changes to the venue throughout the years. The home bleachers were once on the west side of the stadium, and a dressing room existed underneath.

use this facility to better themselves and were working inside during Summer Pride. It was in 2006 when ground was broken on the indoor facility, and it was September 2007 when the first phase was completed. This allows athletes the chance to work on development year- round, and teams can move indoors if weather conditions call for it. “It’s provided our kids a great opportunity to try to get better,” Homer said. Hook Eales Stadium received an artificial turf installment in 2013. It may be more than 80 years old, but McAlester keeps renovating it, but it figures to be the home of the Buffs for many more years to come. “A lot of places have looked to build new ones at different locations or anything, that’s one thing that’s never come up here,” Homer said.

Players from both teams dressed in this area, but the home side later changed to the east side of the stadium. It was a change not everybody liked. “I had that set in my mind that was the way it was,” said Crowl, a former wingback for the Buffs.

Crowl returned to McAlester in 1954 after serving in the Air Force, and where he’s attended home games on a regular basis since then. Hook Eales Stadium has hosted He said there was a groupthat would some high stakes and memorable sit in the section that didn’t like the games through its history. The first change. However, Crowl said the McAlester state championship sea- change worked out fine. son of 1968 saw Ada come to town, Homer said McAlester would love and more than 5,500 people saw to take the home bleachers back McAlester reel off a 34-9 victory. across the field, but isn’t sure if it The Buffs played the Cougars will ever happen. during the 1997 playoffs after Ada An indoor practice facility is just took down McAlester for the 1996 outside the field, where players Class 5A state championship. Howweight train and do drills on turf. ever, the Buffs got their revenge, McAlester athletes of all sports have 35-21.

ADRIAN O’HANLON III | Staff photo

Tom Crowl discusses history of Hook Eales Stadium.

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McAlester

E u fa u l a

Sept. 6 vs. Muskogee, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Poteau, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Ardmore, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Durant, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 vs. Ada , 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 vs. Tulsa Hale, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Coweta, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 vs. Tulsa Edison, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 vs. Glenpool, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Bishop Kelley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 vs. Vian, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Holdenville, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 vs. Checotah, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 vs. Heavener, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 vs. Hartshorne, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 vs. Hugo, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Wilburton, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 vs. Valliant, 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Antlers, 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Atoka, 7 p.m.

Canadian

Hartshorne

Sept. 6 at Foyil, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Cave Springs, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Keota, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 vs. Arkoma, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Porum, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 vs. Ca ddo, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 vs. Weleetka, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 vs. Strother, 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Wetumka, 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Maud, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6 vs. Stigler, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Spiro, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Henryetta, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Atoka, 7 p.m . Oct. 4 vs. Eufaula, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Antlers, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 vs. Valliant, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Wilburton, 7 p.m. Nov. 1 vs. Hugo, 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Heavener, 7 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Quinton

Wilburton

Aug. 30 vs. Empire, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 vs. Cross Christian Academy, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Graham-Dustin, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Porum, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 vs. Eagle Point (Sapulpa), 7 p.m. Oct. 3 vs. Cave Springs, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Destiny Christian, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Wellston, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Decatur (Ark.), 7 p.m. Nov. 1, Open Nov. 8 vs. Velma Alma, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Talihina, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Konawa, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 vs. Savanna, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Antlers, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 vs. Valliant, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Atoka, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 vs. Eufaula, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 vs. Hartshorne, 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Heavener, 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Hugo, 7 p.m.

S ava n n a Sept. 6 at Antlers, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Liberty, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Wilburton, 7 p.m. Sept. 27, Bye Oct. 4 vs. Central Sallisaw, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Warner, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 vs. Porter, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Talihina, 7 p.m. Nov. 1 vs. Gore, 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Hulbert, 7 p.m.

FOOTBALL 63

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+ OU FOOTBALL

Lincoln Riley believes emphasis on turnovers taking deeper root

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t just been prolific the past two seasons. It has been among the nation’s most responsible with the football.

The Sooners ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, among FBS teams in turnovers lost since the beginning of 2018.

TYLER PALMATEER | CNHI SPORTS OKLAHOMA

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With that in mind, OU coach Lincoln Riley gave a promising report after his defense’s first preseason practice running Alex Grinch’s turnover-emphasizing “Speed D.” 64

“From an offensive standpoint,” Riley said, “I can say it’s been much more of a challenge for us in practice, just competitively, on the turnovers.” For OU, that’s a good sign the defensive shift that took place in the offseason and began taking shape in the spring is right on schedule. OU’s season opener Sept. 1 against Houston — which ranked 101st nationally in turnovers lost in 2018 and 63rd in 2019 — will provide a real gauge for the Sooners’ progress. But Riley believes things are headed in the right direction. “I like the way we practice,” he said. “I like the way we run to the ball. The intensity in coaching, the intensity in preparation right now is really good.” Sophomore safety Patrick Fields was blunt about which player has had the biggest knack for takeaways in the team’s new defensive scheme. “Pat Fields,” he said as a smile spread across his face. Forcing turnovers has become something of a competition around OU facilities, and it will be an easy gateway to playing time in a system where results are easily calculated. Fields played in just six games last season, but impressed Grinch enough in the spring that he catapulted to a leading candidate to start this fall. “The thing I like most about coach Grinch’s methods is, he says nobody can hide in this defense,” Fields said. “Guys are graded out. You see productivity every single day. You can’t argue anything. All the opportunities are there … He doesn’t pick any favorites. He doesn’t care where you were before.” OU’s 11 forced turnovers last season dropped them to 120th nationally in that category. Regardless of the changes with Grinch’s system — which uses a single-gap look up front and five defensive backs — OU would still have been looking to force more turnovers in 2019. CNHI Photo

The thought of its defense putting the game back into the hands of the offense, rather than the other way around, is an enticing thought to those within OU’s program.

Riley chuckled at the confident nature of Fields’ answer about who was the team’s best at forcing turnovers. “Yeah, I bet he was [quick to say that],” he said. “Pat’s done a nice job of that. There’s several. Tre Brown has had a lot of breakups. Bookie (Brendan Radley-Hiles) has had a lot of big plays. Delarrin Turner-Yell has showed up in that quite a bit. It’s been a group effort … Job number one is get the guy on the ground. Job number two is getting the ball out, and it is being emphasized. We’re seeing that more on this field right now.” Grinch’s assessments of players have been blunt and his reviews haven’t always been kind. His comment in the spring about how he would tattoo the number “129” on players if he could — OU ranked 129th nationally in pass defense last season — was widely circulated. He didn’t really mean it, Grinch said Friday, adding that reminders about the defense’s past mistakes will become less effective as the season nears. Riley still backed his defensive coordinator, saying no one can ignore “the elephant in the room.” Ultimately, both coaches want numbers to speak for themselves. “It’s a results business,” Grinch said. “We can say we’re doing better. It’s very, very easy as a coach, you can walk off the practice field every single day feeling great. You can tell yourself the right story — ‘We’re getting better. We’re doing better.’ [But] oh, by the way, everybody else in the country’s getting better.” 65

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+ OU FOOTBALL

Jalen Hurts writes, sings

and is on the doorstep of officially becoming Oklahoma’s next QB

TYLER PALMATEER | CNHI SPORTS OKLAHOMA

“Do I look comfortable?” Jalen Hurts was asking about the previous question, which suggested the Oklahoma quarterback looked genuinely settled nearly seven months after transferring from Alabama. “You do,” they responded. Hurts can be difficult to read and something of a mystery — it’s not easy to predict when he’ll answer a question with a question, when he’ll barely answer at all or when he’ll open up about himself. But during a preseason local media day the morning before the senior was set to resume the Sooners’ quarterback competition on preseason camp’s opening day, he gently pulled the blinds back on his personality. Hurts enrolled at OU in January. Beyond learning Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense and studying, he rests in his spare time or calls old friends.

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CNHI Photo

+ OU FOOTBALL

He also enjoys writing: Not fairy tales, non-fiction or poetry. “If I said I was a poet I’d be kidding,” he said.

Hurts cherishes those connections on and off the field. He and many others were close with an Alabama superfan, Walt Gary, who became famous for his game-week predictions in Tuscaloosa every Thursday. Gary had Down syndrome and died in June at 36 years old.

Hurts admitted he journals his thoughts. Other Sooners have nothing but glowing reviews of him. Hurts and CeeDee Lamb have developed a rapport since the spring. But until Friday, Lamb “Walt was a great soul. He had a great spirit,” was unaware the QB enjoyed writing. Hurts said. “I mean, he loved the game. He had a disability where he couldn’t do certain things “Nah, I didn’t know that,” Lamb said. he wanted to. But I respected his honesty. I It’s a reminder that Hurts is still working loved everything about him. He’s a great pertoward full integration in Norman, even though son and he definitely sparked a lot of people’s he’s been entitled by players and coaches as a lives. He had a big impact on a lot of people, great leader. He still must take the formal step thinking about every Thursday he’d come in and win OU’s QB job, where redshirt freshman and give us a prediction of the score. I looked Tanner Mordecai and freshman Spencer Rattler forward to those Thursdays.” will also be given repetitions. OU coach Lincoln Riley said he would prefer to name a starter during fall camp, and has waited to make an announcement until Aug. 20 or later in the previous two competitions he’s overseen. Many assume it’s only a matter of time before Hurts, whose 71 career touchdowns are second in Alabama QB history, gets the nod. For now, discussing the race at OU isn’t one of his favorite topics. Asked about what he felt he must do to secure the job, Hurts curtly replied that that was a question for Riley. Then he was pressed again. “That’s a question for coach Riley,” Hurts said.

His favorite memory? “All of them,” he said. Former OU quarterback Kyler Murray grew up idolizing Michael Vick. Hurts said he grew up admiring his older brother and best friend, Averion, who at 5 feet, 10 inches played quarterback at Texas Southern “I liked to watch (him) play. He was a shorter guy, he didn’t really get that opportunity to play at a big school like this,” Hurts said. “He wasn’t as athletic as I was, but there was some things I learned from him that I applied to my game, and it’s taken me a long way.”

But he was transparent about getting to know Riley and all that it’s been. The relationship had to be expedited given that Hurts will likely play just one more season as a Sooner.

Hurts’ idiosyncrasies should be more apparent by the time OU hosts Houston on Sept. 1. Until then, the process continues for him, his teammates and anyone who wants to know about him.

“I’d say you have to force it,” Hurts said, “because of the short time I’m here and how much I have to take in before we get into game play.

Lamb didn’t know Hurts as a writer, but he does now. Hurts is also a singer, Lamb revealed.

“I know the man thinks he can sing. All kinds “This relationship, I really appreciate it. Defi- of old school music, [high] notes he thinks he nitely a different relationship from coaches can hit,” Lamb said. “The man gotta deep voice. I’ve had in the past, but I think that relation- I don’t know. I didn’t know he liked to write. ship can take us a long way. I think it can take this team a long way.” “But I’m still learning, just as well as he is.”

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+ OSU FOOTBALL

OSU’s Gundy ‘excited’ after tumultuous 2018 campaign BY

JASON ELMQUIST | CNHI SPORTS OKLAHOMA

even months ago, Oklahoma State was on the verge of ending a bowl streak that dated back to 2006 and was one loss away from the program’s first losing season since Mike Gundy’s inaugural year at the helm of his alma mater in 2005.

And seven months later, Gundy is excited about that. “When you have a season like we did last year, it reenergized me,” Gundy said on the Fox Sports set before his press conference. “… We didn’t play as well as I thought we should have, so it reenergized me to look forward to this season more than ever. “I’m more excited and looking forward to a season than I ever have been before in a long, long time,” Gundy opened his press conference with. “So can’t wait to get started.” It was a very tumultuous season in Stillwater in 2018 with Gundy pointing out many times throughout the season the struggles of the offensive, or the mounting discipline problems as evidenced by the astronomical amount of penalties against OSU. Oklahoma State ranked ninth in the Big 12 in penalty yards per game, with its 70.5 being just ahead of Texas Tech’s 74.2 yards per game. “We didn’t play as well last year as we should have, in my opinion, and it was the result of me not GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

doing my job and holding coaches and players accountable,” Gundy said. “We weren’t a very disciplined football team. We weren’t a very tough football team. Those are two areas that we can control the outcome. I feel like we need to be a more disciplined, physical, tough football team. “So I’m going to make a point as I did in the spring and hopefully it carried on this summer when the players were working out and obviously we’re not out there with them, to be a more disciplined, physical football team, and I think that will help our team. So I’m excited about just seeing the results.” Gundy was willing the bear the load for allowing his team to get as it did a year ago. And according to the Cowboy coach, it may have been a bit of complacency on his part.

up one point shy of upsetting Bedlam rival Oklahoma in Norman – but lost games to Texas Tech and Kansas State – neither of which finished with winning records – as well as Baylor and TCU teams that were only bowl eligible thanks to victories over the Cowboys. “I don’t think anybody would question that there was a chance we could have had double digit wins last year,” Gundy said. “Teams we beat, they probably look at themselves and say how did we let that team beat us? That goes on forever. So just being a more focused and disciplined head coach should make us a better football team this fall.”

Brotherly love Tracin Wallace’s time at Oklahoma State has been riddled with injuries.

So much so, that in early June “I’m now currently raising my third he announced on Twitter that he child and the first two have said was retiring from football, havmultiple times if we did when you ing made just one catch for one allow him to do, we would have yard last season after making the never made it through the night. shift from quarterback to wide And I think that’s what happened receiver. He had suffered his third to me last year in my 14th year,” torn ACL during a practice after Gundy said. “I let little things slide the second game of the season. in practice and in meetings and just the overall concept, and as Throughout his rehab in the later the head coach my responsibility part of last season, he was conis to make sure we do everything stantly on Twitter trying to keep perfect all the time. I didn’t do a his twin brother Tylan Wallace on good job of that.” level ground as he his star was And he’s expressed to his players rising – culminating as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award for the that things will change. top college receiver. “He told us before the offseason started that he’s going to come in Tylan, who was excited at the with a different type of intensity start of last season to have his this year,” junior receiver Tylan brother in the receivers’ room, Wallace said. “He’s going to make is adjusting to life without his sure he harps every single little brother as a football player. thing that we do, and make sure “It’s a little different,” Wallace we do it right.” said on the Fox Sports set. “Him Making last season more frustrat- being there my whole life, it’s ing for coaches and fans alike was always been a blessing having him the stark contrast of play each by my side the whole time. It’s time the Cowboys went onto the going to be a little different tryfield. They knocked off three top ing to adjust without him being 25 opponents in Boise State, Texas there, but he’ll be there in spirit, and West Virginia – and coming definitely.” 68

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+ OSU FOOTBALL a first tour victory on the PGA Tour after less than a month,” Bowlsby said. “That’s great. You like to see young people succeed like that.” Wolff recently won the 3M Open to earn his PGA Tour card nearly a month after winning the NCAA individual national championship.

Domestic violence dominates the day Domestic violence has finally been drawn into the public conscious recently, especially with high profile cases of football players – at both the NFL and college levels – at the center of that. For the Big 12, that was at the forefront on Monday as two teams taking part in Day 1 of the Big 12 Football Media Days recently reinstated running backs after allegations of violence against a female. First-year Kansas coach Les Miles spent the bulk of his opening statement addressing the recently announced one-game suspension for All-Big 12 running back Pooka Williams Jr. after going through the legal process for domestic violence. “We felt like a strong point was the made not only with Pooka Williams Jr. but with the team. For seven and a half months Pooka was going through a process and he didn’t have the opportunity to spend time with his team, go to the weight room, you know, just be a part,” Miles said. “Pooka went through legal investigation with the legal community. Pooka also had proceedings that went through the conduct board at the university, and he basically understood very much that if he did not meet the criteria that the board asked that this would not last long and he really met every criteria that he could. “He has taken responsibility. He’s been remorseful. He’s learned from this experience, as has our team. We’re thankful to have him back, and, again, no violence against a woman is okay.” Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy said he is excited for the new football season after the struggles of a year ago.

One-man Wolff pack While talking about the great achievements from Big 12 teams and athletes, conference commissioner Bob Bowlsby closed out by point out the recent successful transition for former Oklahoma State golfer Matthew Wolff.

Fellow All-Big 12 running back Kennedy Brooks of Oklahoma had been under Title IX investigation by the university and recently returned to the team with Lincoln Riley stating Monday Brooks is “full go.” “During the process I was not involved at all. Not updated at all,” Riley said. “That’s a process that our school takes very seriously and we leave that to the people that their job is to handle that and when they do we take it from there.”

“Then more recently just to single out one, how about Matthew Wolff (leaving) from Oklahoma State being the National Player of the Year and already getting 69

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

NSU NSU is building an identity BY

BYRON BEERS | CNHI SPORTS OKLAHOMA

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Establishing an identity is crucial for a first-year head coach and a program that hasn’t tasted success over recent years. It’s a situation the Northeastern State football program has faced since day one of J.J. Eckert’s hiring last December.

Essang, from Arlington, Texas, recorded three tackles and recovered a fumble while appearing in all 11 games as a junior. As a sophomore, he registered The RiverHawks were winless in 2018 seven tackles, 3.5 of those for losses, and under former head coach Rob Robin- 1.5 sacks across six games. son, while Eckert was guiding Kilgore to another successful season, leading NSU, picked 11th in both the MIAA the Rangers to a 10-2 mark, NJCAA No. Preseason Coaches Poll and MIAA Pre4 ranking, a Southwest Junior College season Media Poll prior to Wednesday’s Football Conference championship and media day, reports to fall camp on Thursa berth in the Heart of Texas Bowl. day, Aug. 8 and opens practice on Aug. 9 at Doc Wadley Stadium. Eckert has talked about everybody “We’re really looking forward to 2019,” walking the same path since his arrival and he touched on it during MIAA Foot- Eckert said. “It seems like it’s been a ball Media Day at Kauffman Foundation really, really fast seven months and it’s Center on Wednesday in Kansas City, Mis- been one of those scenarios with all the souri. new faces, hiring coaches and being able to get to the whole process going in the “The big thing was trying to make sure right direction...it’s been a whirlwind.” that we could get everybody pulling the rope in the same direction,” he said. Eckert, the 20th head coach in program “Ultimately that was one thing we really history, coached the previous 12 years at wanted to do was work hard on being a Kilgore. He was named SWJCFC Coach of great team. the Year in his final season. “We can talk all about schemes and all of the other things that go along with that, and those are very, very important, but if you’re not going to have a team where everybody has the same goals, same ambitions on a daily basis, it’s going to be tough to be very successful. “We’ve been working on being a closeknit family and good teammates that love each other on and off the football field. We’ve made a lot of strides since January. Are we there yet? No, we’re not. We’ve still got a long way to go.”

DON VIETH | NSU Athletics

Northeastern State was at MIAA Football Media Day at Kauffman Foundation Center in Kansas City, Mo., July 31. From left are: Ukoh Essang, head coach J.J. Eckert and Jason Staggs.

with the work ethic. It’s more fun. Last year, people didn’t really have fun playing. The new coaching staff came in and brought in a new culture.”

Senior offensive lineman Jason Staggs and senior defensive lineman Ukoh Essang have seen drastic changes within the program this offseason.

He played under his father and former head coach, Tom Eckert, from 1994-97, and was a member of NSU’s 1994 NAIA national championship team. “I’ve really been excited about the opportunity to return to Tahlequah and to Northeastern State University,” Eckert said. “It’s been a place I’ve called home for many years. I’ve got a lot of memories of Northeastern State football through the years, and it’s a great honor to be able to be back and have a chance to lead a very storied football program through many decades.” The RiverHawks open their season on Thursday, Sept. 5 on the road against Emporia State. Their home opener is Sept. 12 against Central Missouri.

“A lot of guys have bought in with this coaching staff,” said Staggs, a senior who “We’ve got a very good group of indistarted in 10 games as a junior. “You can viduals returning for 2019,” Eckert said. see everybody come together as a team “We’ve got some guys in the upper class and believe in what they tell us.” areas that you definitely need in the division to model to be successful so our “For me, I’ve noticed consistency,” seniors are something that’s exciting to Essang said. “It’s way more consistent look at when you have 17 of them.”

GRIDIRONEXPERIENCE/2019

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