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2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE SKIATOOK JOURNAL
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August 2019 | Skiatook Journal
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
5A FOOTBALL PREVIEW
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The favorite: CARL ALBERT
The favorite: SPERRY
7. ADAIR
Coach Robert Park’s Pirates return nine senior starters from last year’s 14-1 state title team, including All-World defensive player of the year finalist Walker Niver, linebacker Joe Whiteley and Kohlby Foster, who had interceptions in the championship game. Cooper Park will succeed Beau Teel, who was a four-year starter at quarterback.
Coach Rob Gilstrap’s Warriors, 12-2 last year, have a fast and experienced team with eight three-year starters, including big-play receivers Barrett Bradbury and Garrett Long, and tight end Brock Borin.
The Titans are 28-0 with back-to-back state titles since Mike Corley followed legendary former coach Gary Rose to the helm in 2017. Overall, they seek a fourth straight gold ball and have won 36 games in a row, needing 13 more to break Wagoner’s state-record, 48-game streak set two years ago. QB Ben Harris has 55 TD passes over his first two seasons and Javion Hunt, Alphonse Joseph and Reise Collier head a defense that might be as good as any the Titans have put on the field.
five TD passes each, and LB Mason Hayes is the top returnee from the only defense that held Edison’s explosive Sevion Morrison under 100 yards in a game. 8. EDISON Any 5A discussion has to include the Eagles after Morrison rushed for 2,720 yards and 35 TDs last year. He had eight games with more than 200 yards and averaged 349 in one five-game stretch. He needs less than 300 yards to break Spencer Tillman’s career school record.
THE CONTENDERS 2. METRO CHRISTIAN
8. KINGSTON Nine starters, led by linebacker Bryant Watts and lineman Caleb Yeager, return on defense for coach Tommy Bare, who led the Redskins to an 11-2 record in his first season. 9. EUFAULA
THE CONTENDERS
9. TAHLEQUAH
2. BISHOP KELLEY
Dae Dae Leathers rushed for 1,586 yards and 19 TDs last season, Tate Christian threw 15 TD passes and DT Blake Corn had 11 tackles for loss and six sacks, helping lead the Tigers to nine wins, a 27-year program high.
Coach Jared McCoy’s Patriots are ready to take the next step after going 12-2 and reaching the semifinals last season. Asher Link, who produced 3,942 total yards and 45 TDs last season, is one of the best QBs in the state and linebacker Price Allman leads the defense after recording 171 tackles last season.
10. LAWTON MACARTHUR
3. VIAN
Dual-threat QB Racer Felter returns as the Highlanders try to rebound from missing the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Coach Gary Willis’ Wolverines, who ended Millwood’s 39-game winning streak in the playoffs last year, are coming off four consecutive 10-win seasons. Assistant coach and former OSU/NFL linebacker Kenyatta Wright’s sons, Elijah and Solomon, return to lead the defense after combining for 183 tackles and 23 sacks, split nearly evenly last year.
PLAYERS IN THE STATE’S TOP 25
4. OKC MILLWOOD
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hopes are high for the Comets after they reached the playoff semifinals for the first time in 19 years. DT Montrell Cozart is one of 10 returning starters from a defense that limited opponents to 13.5 points per game. WR Cori Lewis caught 13 TD passes and RB Zach Middleton averaged more than 8 yards per carry. 3. OKC BISHOP MCGUINNESS The Irish played in two consecutive 5A championship games before falling to Bishop Kelley in last year’s second round. TCU commit Dominic Richardson has 54 rushing TDs over his first three seasons. OU commit Brynden Walker had 10 sacks last year. 4. DUNCAN J.T. Cobble guided the Demons to their first winning season (9-2) in six years. QB Jaxon Gregston returns with speedsters as receiving targets. WRs Jai’Vion Dangerfield and Roderick Standokes run the 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds. 5. COLLINSVILLE Many are gone from the first Collinsville team to start 12-0 in 40 years, but RB Brayden Burd rushed for 1,047 yards and 15 TDs last season. 6. ARDMORE Powerful offensive linemen and hard-nosed QB Tero Roberts are gone from last year’s state runner-up team, but the Tigers are almost always in contention. SS Jaamarre Williams had five interceptions last season.
PLAYERS IN THE STATE’S TOP 25 OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH Makai Blades Glenpool, WR, 5-11, 170, Sr. Moves to receiver after rushing for 801 yards and seven TDs on a bad ankle last year. Credited with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. Was 5A state 100-meter champ and second in the 200. Deterrion Fields
5. JONES
East Central, OT/DT, 6-5, 312, Sr. A Goliath in size-16 shoes, protects the blind side and spurs the Cards’ running game. Had 50 pancake blocks last season and made 15 solo tackles in limited defensive action. Jayden Garner Skiatook, WR/CB, 6-1, 175, Sr. Versatile contributor totals 1,088 rushing yards, 886 receiving yards, five interceptions and 28 TDs in his first two seasons. Anchored sixth-place finish in the 400-meter relay.
7. CLAREMORE
GAMES TO WATCH
RB Jace Hightower rushed for 1,138 yards last season, Dylan Kedzior and Quentin Skinner caught
Sept. 13: No. 2 Bishop Kelley at No. 3 Bishop McGuinness Old Catholic Conference rivals meet for the 42nd time in a rematch of Kelley’s 34-33 upset in last year’s quarterfinals. Sept. 20: No. 8 Edison at No. 7 Claremore
2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
A special Supplement of the Skiatook Journal Publisher: Gloria Fletcher News Editor: Lindsey Chastain Senior Media Consultant: Karen Bennett CSR: Brandi Smith Designer: Melanie Allen
Coach Darwin Franklin’s Falcons (11-1 last year) had some notable graduation losses, but can’t be overlooked after going 39-1 over the past three seasons.
Zebras put the clamps on Edison’s Sevion Morrison last November and won 34-7 in the first round of the playoffs.
Nov. 1: No. 5 Collinsville at Skiatook Defense ruled Collinsville’s 17-3 in win the 95th Highway 20 War last season. It almost always does.
MIKE BROWN
Tulsa World
Coach Dave Martin’s Longhorns are 40-4 over the past four seasons after going 10-2 in 2018. Korbin Cox returns after rushing for 1,176 yards and 20 TDs last season. 6. BEGGS The Golden Demons, after consecutive 13-2 seasons and state runner-up finishes, should make another serious run at a title although they only have three returning starters on each side of the ball. Easton Davis returns after producing 27 sacks last season. Matt Pierce is a standout tackle and coach David Tenison likes the athleticism of new QB Dusty Pendergrass.
Several key starters return for coach Larry Newton Jr. from last year’s 10-3 team, including quarterback Nick Jones and running back Noah Alexander, who rushed for 1,406 yards and 11 TDs. 10. HOLLAND HALL Coach Tag Gross’ Dutch, 9-3 last year, graduated their standout QB, Drake Roush, but have the luxury of having his successor, Wallace Clark, already with the experience of having started the last 11 games in a 12-1 season in 2017. Asher Link, Metro Christian, QB, 6-1, 197, Sr. Walker Niver, Sperry, DL/RB, 6-2, 215, Sr. Carson Callaway Metro Christian, WR, 5-10, 175, Sr. Caught 73 passes for 1,264 yards and 11 TDs last season and has one of the state’s top QBs, Asher Link, throwing to him. Kendal Daniels Beggs, DB/WR, 6-5, 191, Jr. In 2018, had 85 tackles and five interceptions. Has offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Arkansas, Nebraska and others. Owen Ostroski Holland Hall, DL/TE, 6-2, 225, Jr. As a nose guard, had 71 tackles and nine sacks sacks last season. In 2017, had 73 tackles and 11 sacks at defensive end. Will also see action at Hback or tight end this season.
BARRY LEWIS
Tulsa World
Skiatook Journal | August 2019
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
A look at the Bulldog season
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t is that time of year again: football is back! In just a few short weeks, the Bulldogs will be kicking off a new season with a lot of talent poised to make a deep playoff run. While the regular season doesn’t start until Skiatook travels to Glenpool on Sept. 6, Head Coach Vance Miller took some time out of his busy preseason schedule to sit down with the Journal and offer his insight on the season. Miller is one of the best Coaches in the state, transforming the Bulldogs into a perennial powerhouse during his twelve years at the helm of the team. Skiatook Journal: Last season was a good one, going 7-3 before falling to Bishop Kelley in the playoffs. How will the team build on that success? Vance Miller: In 2019, we will continue to build on the success of making the playoffs by getting better one day at a time. Journal: A number of talented seniors graduated last year, including quarterback Cody Evans, who
2019 Bulldog seniors AMY GARNER/Skiatook Journal
earned the starting position his sophomore year. What advice will you have for a first-year quarterback? VM: We will have a handful of positions we will have to replace. My advice to the next QB will be to be a good leader. Journal: Lots of eyes are on Jayden Garner, but the team is bringing back lots of talent. In your opinion, who are the leaders on the roster this season? VM: We have several potential leaders this year. Jayden Garner and Thomas Reed have both been good leaders this summer in our workouts. Journal: Is there a name or two that the Bulldogs football community might not know right now, but will
know soon? VM: We have several young players that will help this season. We will have to wait and see who steps up. Journal: With two scrimmages this year, Sapulpa and Sperry, what do you the team can learn? VM: These two scrimmages are good for us and help us see what we will need to improve on. Journal: The season opens up on the road with a trip to Glenpool. Any thoughts about the first game of the year? VM: Glenpool will be a tough challenge, but our boys will be ready for it. Journal: Last year the we saw the team “Connect,” as » SEE BULLDOGS, 4
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August 2019 | Skiatook Journal
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
» BULLDOGS, FROM 3 was the team motto. What is the mindset this year? VM: We are focused and ready for the season. Journal: Are there any new additions to the coaching staff? VM: Steven Perdue will be an assistant for the 9th grade and help us on Friday nights. Journal: What would you like to say to the fans and support regarding the upcoming season? VM: We would like to see the fans come out and support the 2019 Bulldog Football team. Having a great crowd in the stands helps a lot and we appreciate all the support. Journal: Any other additional comments you would like to make? VM: We are excited and ready for a great football season. It’s going to be a lot of fun!
2019 Skiatook Bulldogs AMY GARNER PHOTOS
SKIATOOK BULLDOGS
Skiatook Bulldogs coaching staff
JESSE HAYNES
Skiatook Journal | August 2019
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
A look at the upcoming season Journal: The Sperry Pirates had amazing momentum last year. How do you hope to continue that this year? Robert Park: We bring back a lot of experience back at our skilled positions and we are looking for great things out of those guys.
Journal: Several key players graduated last year. Have you filled those positions? Park: Yes we graduated a great senior class a year ago with that being said we are confident in the group we have back this year. Journal: Who will you look to as the leaders of this year’s s 2019 Pirate team? managers Park: We have 13 seniors on this years team and most of those young men were a huge part in our Title run a year ago so or staff is extremely excited about the experience and
leadership those young men bring to the field everyday. Journal: What are the strengths of the team? Park: Our strengths this year are upfront and at the skilled positions and that a good combination. Journal: Are there any new additions to the coaching staff? Park: We add a new coach to our staff Jeff Heffner comes to us from Locust Grove and is also our Head Boys Basketball Coach. Journal: What are your goals for this season? Park: Our goals for this season is to make another run at a state title period.
2019 Sperry seniors  LINDSEY CHASTAIN/Skiatook Journal
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August 2019 | Skiatook Journal
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Walker Niver
2019 Sperry Pirates  LINDSEY CHASTAIN PHOTOS
SPERRY PIRATES
Sperry Pirates Stand-out
2019 Sperry coaching staff
Skiatook Journal | August 2019
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
2019 Bulldogs Football Schedule Date Opponent 8/29 Sperry (scrimmage) 9/6 Glenpool 9/13 Oologah 9/20 Hale (Homecoming) 9/27 Pryor 10/4 Tahlequah 10/11 Memorial 10/17 Rogers (Thursday) 10/25 Claremore 11/1 Collinsville (Senior Night) 11/8 East Central
Location Time Away 6:30 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m.
2019 Pirates Football Schedule
Jayden Garner
Skiatook Bulldogs Stand-out
Date Opponent 8/29 Skiatook (scrimmage) 9/6 Verdigris 9/13 Claremore Sequoyah 9/20 Kingston 9/27 Haskell 10/4 Kiefer 10/11 Caney Valley (Homecoming) 10/17 Morris 10/25 Victory Christian 11/1 Dewey 11/8 Beggs
Location Time Home 6:30 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m. Away 7:00 p.m. Home 7:00 p.m.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW
August 2019 | Skiatook Journal