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16 | VYPE Reviews This new segment will feature the VYPE personalities as they review everything from the latest bat offered by Easton to the best sports movies like, Moneyball. Check out all the reviews by the team at VYPE.
24 | Bedlam 2012 With Oklahoma State and Oklahoma
ranked in the top five nationally, the ramifications of Bedlam carry serious bowl implications. This season more home-grown Oklahoma players are making an impact. Look at the names and faces of those with roots in Oklahoma.
34 | SWOK’s Coaching Tree There haven’t been too many coaching trees that have put up the kind of success and records as SWOSU. There is something about the water in Weatherford, OK and we sit down with those who have been a part of it first-hand.
38 | Softball and Volleyball The 2011 softball and volleyball seasons have crowned their champions. Take a look back at who brought home the gold and who are some of the players that had huge impacts for their teams in the playoffs.
44 | Cross Country Another year of cross-country is in the books. This season was as good as any and VYPE was there to cover all the action. From the close finishes to the run-away victories, we’ve covered cross-country action like no other.
Next Month... The Statewide Basketball Preview hits the racks as VYPE brings you complete coverage of every basketball team from Class 6A-B.
Publisher/EIC Austin Chadwick Partner/Market Director Steve Marshall Editorial Adviser Mark Rodgers Partner/Editorial Director Brad Heath Partner/Director of Operations Brad Heath Graphic Design Leah Weigle Austin Chadwick Contributing Writers Austin Chadwick, Rod Coulter, Brad Heath, Steve Marshall Photographers Brad Heath, Jerry Palmer, Brett Rojo, Rip Stell, Kirk Wells, Rainette Rowland, Trey Coursey, Kim Hough, Michael Mayberry, Bryan Cook, Josh Clough, Grant Williams, Carrie Cronk Contact: Website: www.VYPEOK.com Digital Magazine: www.VYPEOK.com Editor: oklahoma@VYPE.com Advertising: oklahoma@VYPE.com Comments & Feedback: oklahoma@VYPE.com Phone: 918.495.1771 Fax: 918.495.1787 VYPE is published monthly by Trinty Media Group, LLC. Reproductions in whole or in part without permission are prohibited. VYPE is not responsible for the return of unsolicited artwork, photography or manuscripts and will not be responsible for holding fees or similar charges. All digital submissions and correspondence will become property of VYPE. Editorial Disclaimer All rights reserved. For editorial matters, please contact the editor. The views of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the policies of VYPE nor that of the publishers. VYPE has a clear commitment to inviting and publishing corrections of fact and clarifying errors of context. Corrections of errors and mistakes are a necessity in obtaining credibility in the magazine. VYPE supports and encourages our staff and contributing writers and photographers to make any potential error known to our editor. Advertising Disclaimer All rights reserved. The views and opinions of VYPE advertisers does not reflect that of VYPE High School Sports Magazine. In accordance with the NCAA Bylaws, VYPE and its advertisers have complied in all advertisements present in VYPE.
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A L e t t e r f r o m S t e v e Ma r s h all
TM
Primetime
25 years of experience and having a blast!!! As the 2011 football season reaches a fever pitch with the much anticipated Bedlam matchup drawing near, it allows us to further appreciate the talent that rises from our small state.
So many great players on both top ten ranked national powerhouse teams have ties to Oklahoma high schools and VYPE Magazine. Whether it’s the original coverboy (November 2006) Ryan Broyles from Norman High, or Javon Harris from Lawton MacArthur or Gabe Ikard from McGuinness to Brandon Weeden from Edmond Santa Fe or Guthrie’s Kye Staley, VYPE recognized their talent before they were stars for OU or OSU.
Through 25 years of broadcasting high school games all over the state, I continually run into coaches who had ties to Southwestern State University in the 1970’s. Currently known as Southwestern Oklahoma State University or SWOSU, this fraternity of brothers has impacted thousands of high school football players in our state, both on the field and off the field as well. And yes, it’s also playoff time as if you hadn’t noticed. Plenty of great stories out there and we will cover them all with great analysis and plenty of fabulous photos. •
We’re in the Game Steve Marshall VYPE Oklahoma Partner 8
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The October issue was cool. Thanks for doing a showcase on local teams who are making national headlines. We’re lucky to have the opportunity to watch a team like Heritage Hall this year, they are a special group of players and one day we’ll look back and remember these great moments.
Sheldon W. Oklahoma City, OK
Looking for X-Country? When are you guys going to cover some cross country? I mean the season is almost over.
Kevin T. Edmond, OK
(Editor’s Note: Thanks for the email Kevin. We’ve had photographers out shooting a ton of cross country. Look for something in this issue!)
A Special Day Your magazine is a great product and we love reading it. We never expected to see our own daughter in the magazine, but last month you published a photo of her and as a parent I can tell you it’s a special moment. Thank you for what you do and for giving these parents something they will cherish for a long time.
Mena J. Oklahoma City, OK
Serve It Up I noticed you guys started doing more volleyball coverage this season. I would like to say thank you from all of the parents out there with kids that play something else other than football.
Roscoe B. Edmond, OK
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1 Kai Callins from Guthrie makes a circus grab. Photo: Michael Mayberry 2 Edmond Santa Fe Huddles up during the 6A volleyball tournament. Photo: Kevin Bishop 3 Elgin and cache shake hands after a volleyball playoff
matchup in Class 4a. Photo: michael mayberry 4 Elgin’s jentry holt skies for the block. Photo: Michael Mayberry 5 Emondrique Williams of Southeast plows ahead for yardage against deer creek. Photo: Michael Mayberry 6 Heritage Hall gathers together before a crucial playoff matchup. Photo: josh clough 7 Kate decker slams home a spike for the edmond north lady
huskies. Photo: Josh Clough 8 Morris’ Jaina lee eyes in on the hitter. Photo: josh clough 9 McKenna Watson from Little Axe throws home during the
state tournament. Photo: josh clough
Nov. 3rd, 1961
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The Boston Patriots defeated the Dallas Texans, 28-21 thanks to a great play made by a Boston defender. On the last play of the game Texan quarterback Cotton Davidson tossed the ball towards the end zone when a Boston defender knocked the ball away. Only problem was he was just a fan and ran off before the ref could notice.
OCTOBER 2011
Nov. 5th, 1911 02 Calbraith P. Rodgers
became the first man to fly a plane across the United States. The trip took 49 days starting in New York City and finally finishing in Pasadena, California. The plane was designed by the Wright Brothers and along the way Rodgers made a few crash landings.
Nov. 8th, 1970 Tom Dempsey, a kicker for the New Orleans Saints kicked a 63-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions to set an NFL record. The kick lifted the Saints past the Lions, 19-17. Dempsey was born with only half of his right foot.
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Nov. 10th, 1988 Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser won the National League Cy Young Award after receiving all 24 first place votes from the sportswriters. Hershiser became the ninth player in NL history to win the award unanimously.
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Nov. 12th, 1955
Nov. 12th, 1964
Washington State University squared off with San Jose State University in what was the least attended college football game on record. The temperature was around zero with fierce winds and only one fan showed up for the game.
This is one fast lady, Paula Murphy set the women’s land speed record today with a speed of 161.29 in her Studebaker Avanti. The record was recorded in the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Murphy was 28-years-old.
Nov. 13th, 1987 The Washington Bullets beat the New York Knicks, 108101. The Bullets hit 60 free throws in 69 attempts breaking a 39-year-old NBA record for most free throw attempts in a single game.
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1 Julian Tramble of Tecumseh Tackles Joel Blumenthal of Deer Creek. Photo: Michael Mayberry 2 The Shawnee cheer squad keeps the spirit up. Photo: Brett Rojo 3 Paige Richardson takes a grounder for Morris. Photo: josh clough 4 Megan Blevins from little axe pounds out a base hit in the softball state tournament. Photo: Josh Clough 5 The Morris mascot is ready to rumble during the 2011 state softball tournament. Photo: Josh Clough
Nov. 20th, 1977
Nov. 25th, 1916
Nov. 29th, 1980
Chicago Bear running back Walter Payton set an NFL record today when he rushed for 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Payton would retire in 1987 as the NFL’s All-Time V Y rusher P E O K . Cwith O M 16,726 BER 2011 12 | O C T Oyards. leading
University of Tulsa quarterback Bill Anderson set records today when he guided the Golden Hurricane to a, 48-20 victory over Colorado State. Anderson set records for most pass attempts in a single game, most passes in a season, most passes completed per game, and most plays per game.
For the first time in NCAA basketball history the three-point line was used in a game. Ronnie Carr of Western Carolina University hit the first three-pointer in a game against Middle Tennessee University.
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• 16 NCAA Division I sports • Named one of the best colleges in the West by the Princeton Review
Call or email us at (918) 495-6518 or admissions@oru.edu www.oru.edu NOVEMBER 2011
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PICTURE THIS 1 Putnam city north shows what it is all about on the sidelines before a play. Photo: michael mayberry 2 Seth vicchio of guthrie plows ahead
for yardage against deer creek. Photo: Michael mayberry
3 Putnam City North pom squad
gets the crowd going. Photo: Michael Mayberry 4 Heritage hall’s lindsey grace keeps the play
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alive with a save near her bench. Photo: Josh Clough 5 Mustang’s brandon taylor picks out
his receiver. Photo: michael mayberry 6 Fellow
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mustang teammate tucker calmus leads a charge on PCN. Photo: Michael mayberry 7 Tyliq Brazille of Southeast. Photo: Michael Mayberry
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commitment, and the latest research to guide their patients through the recovery process. We specialize in function to patients with injuries related to general orthopedics (pre- and post-operative), joint replaceme injuries, balance/strength deficits, and sports medicine injuries.
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Midwest City (new address as of 10/3/11) 7005 SE 15th St., Ste. 200 Midwest City, OK 73110 (405) 610-2488 (405) 610-2484 fax Manager: Eric Browning, MPT
OKC South 8409 S. Western Oklahoma City, OK 73139 (405) 616-0113 (405) 616-0116 fax Manager: Jason Keltner, PT, ATC
Yukon (inside Crosstrainers) 1091 S. Cornwell Yukon, OK 73099 (405) 354-6698 (405) 354-6609 fax Manager: Mark Palmer, PT
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Reviews
Illustration by Leah Weigle
Every month the crew at VYPE will be reviewing products, services, movies, and more. Take a look at what we got ourselves into this month.
Moneyball
At The Movies We put in some serious hours as a staff at VYPE Oklahoma. On October 13th, we took some time off and I took the crew to a 1:00pm showing of MoneyBall staring Brad Pitt. “Popcorn and candy for everyone!” Brad and Rod shouted. I am a classic sports film guy and can recite just about every line to every sports movie known to man. Though I am partial to the classics like Hoosiers, Rocky, Slapshot, and Rudy, baseball films are where I get my kicks. I grew up playing competitive baseball and though I had the opportunity to play D-1 football at TU, baseball was always my first love. Field of Dreams, Major League, Sandlot and The Natural are all my favorites. I think Kevin Costner is perhaps the greatest baseball actor of all time and many criticize me for ranking For Love of the Game up there with the best of them. If you are a baseball fan, than you will love MoneyBall. The inner workings of
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MLB front offices have never been portrayed to the detail and extent in a film like this before. Brad Pitt plays the uber talented Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane during the 2002 season. The draw that this film has is that it is a true story told in the most realistic sense. The comically-talented Jonah Hill steps into a role that provides the dry sense of assistant GM Peter Brand, a Yale graduate who develops equational theories in being successful in the game of baseball. A sport that has always been a numbers game, baseball is all about stats and with the combination of Beane and Brand, the A’s do the impossible in 2002. A must-see for any sports fan and a favorite of baseball fans. - Austin Chadwick
Easton Power Brigade Bat
Every year bat companies come out with the latest and greatest technology when it comes to the stick you’re going to swing in little league, high school or your local softball leagues. Easton’s newest addition to their arsenal includes the Power Brigade Bat, which is BBCOR certified bat. BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution and starting in 2012 every bat used in the NCAA and in games sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations must be BBCOR certified. The Power Brigade Bat feels great in the hands and its two-piece construction lends itself to more bat speed. The model we tested was the BB11S2 (32in-29oz-2 5/8 barrel) and it outperformed all of our
JOURNEY TO THE POWER BRIGADE
Choose Your Own Journey with Easton’s Power Brigade
expectations. To see this bat up close go to Midwest Sporting Goods or log on to Eastonbaseball.com. Special thanks to Garrett Thomas and our friends at Formula PR, Inc. - Brad Heath
Maradona: The Autobiography of Soccer’s Greatest and Most Controversial Star
Soccer fans voted and Diego Maradona was named the greatest soccer player of the twentieth century. The poll conducted by FIFA was loaded with great players, but the fans agree, Maradona is No. 1. Now you can get an insiders view of what it was like being one of the top players in the world. Life wasn’t always easy for Maradona and in this autobiography he reveals what it was like coming from nothing, living in poverty to becoming the greatest soccer player in the world and dealing with drugs and the fame that soccer brought him. Released by Skyhorse Publishing the book includes never before seen photographs on and off the field. Find your copy on Amazon. com or visit
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VYPEOK.COM
NFL Spread(ing) the Word
How the spread offense has a “trickle-up” affect
If
anyone was paying attention to the nuances of how the Green Bay Packers handled the powerful defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers for their Super Bowl victory, there was something trendy that should encourage college players with an eye for the NFL. The “dreaded” spread offense is not a curse for those who play in it at the collegiate level.
Chris Mortensen ESPN SENIOR NFL ANALYST
The Packers, as forecast by a variety of analysts, used the spread with three and four receiver sets to beat the Steelers with quarterback Aaron Rodgers making a number of significant plays from the shotgun formation. It was not novel but few coaches and general managers in the NFL will deny that the spread will only become more prevalent as time marches on. Just listen to Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey, who returned to the NFL after a stint at Georgia Tech.
“The players in the past 20 years have gotten so much bigger and faster and the field dimensions have remained the same - actually, the field has shrunk,” said Gailey. “So you’ve got bigger, faster players playing on a smaller area, so how are the offenses going to do it. They can’t run up inside because they are so much stronger. They don’t have enough room to run outside because they’ve run out of room. So, the only way to get the ball to people in open spaces is spread it out.”
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Evidence that the NFL is not as skeptical about the transition that college quarterbacks who have primarily played in the spread through high school and college came in the first round of this year’s draft. Former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was selected No. 1 by the Carolina
NOVEMBER 2011
Panthers. Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert was the 10th pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. “It doesn’t mean that it makes evaluation of the quarterbacks any easier but you can’t ignore the talent, and you do see the trends,” said Marty Hurney, the Panthers general manager. “What did Sam Bradford run at Oklahoma? The spread. He adapted pretty quickly, didn’t he? And I know he’s a sharp kid, and he’s a naturally accurate passer but there were a lot of questions about him coming into last year’s draft, not just because of his shoulder but because he was mostly in a spread.”
Tom Brady, three-time Super Bowl champion and last year’s unanimous league MVP, has spent a good deal of his time in some form of spread offense. His legendary coach, Bill Belichick, is known to have grown close in relationship with former Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer, in part because Belichick desired to learn more about some of the spread offense concepts that Meyer had employed as a college coach.
It isn’t just about evaluating college quarterbacks who play in the spread. It’s linemen, it’s wide receivers and it’s even defensive backs. “What has happened is we have the advent of the colleges spreading it out and creating guys like Roscoe Parrish, all the guys that are the little, quick guys that play in the slot,” said Gailey. “And now how do you get those guys involved because they’re pretty special when they have their hands on the ball. Tight ends and fullbacks are harder to find, so you spread it out. I’m talking about the old traditional tight ends like (John) Mackey, not the guys you see today that are just bigger wide receivers.”
Several football people mentioned the diminished value of fullbacks and the challenge of evaluating cornerbacks and safeties that can cover the multiple receivers in space. While big, physical wide receivers still have tremendous value, the emphasis on speed and quickness cannot be overstated. Former Texas Tech standout Wes Welker, who was not drafted, is the only receiver
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COLUMN in NFL history with three consecutives seasons of 110 catches or more. He’s 5-9, 185. The Eagles’ DeSean Jackson is 5-10, 175 pounds and that may be generous but he was a 1,000-yard receiver with a 22.5 average per catch.
As to offensive linemen, a number of personnel evaluators and NFL coaches express frustration with projecting blockers who don’t spend as much time with their hand on the ground.
Even here, the league’s heightened sensitivity to concussions has been a red alert for those evaluators and coaches. It’s linemen that have been documented to experience concussions at a higher rate than the more visible positions like wide receiver and quarterback. The NFL’s competition committee and commissioner Roger Goodell has debated whether the implementation of a mandatory two-point stance where linemen do not place their hand on the ground and bang heads for 65-75 plays per game. It’s not likely to be implemented anytime soon but the discussions have been real. Back to the quarterbacks, few in the NFL would say it’s an easy projection on those who ran the spread exclusively in college. Newton won the Heisman Trophy and ran power plays at Auburn. He’ll have his moments of big running plays in the NFL but the defensive players are stronger, faster and grown men with mean streaks who aren’t nearly as restricted as they were
they get through two progressions with a third one being a checkdown throw. When Hurney and his scouting department were evaluating Newton for the draft’s top pick, he looked for the quarterback traits that could project well in the NFL. “Number one,
he is a proven winner and he can make every NFL throw,” said the Panthers GM. “His poise in the pocket was exceptional. He stays in there. He really operated as a quarterback who is an athlete instead of the other way around. Most of his runs were designed plays. He wasn’t a guy on pass plays who panicked – he kept his eyes downfield and he utilized most of scrambles for pass plays.”
Another element for Hurney in selecting Newton is the NFL’s emphasis on protecting quarterbacks. “That’s been a significant factor as we’ve evaluated whether
The players in the past 20 years have gotten so much bigger and faster and the field dimensions have remained the same - actually, the field has shrunk. So you’ve got bigger, faster players playing on a smaller area, so how are the offenses going to do it. They can’t run up inside because they are so much stronger. They don’t have enough room to run outside because they’ve run out of room. So, the only way to get the ball to people in open spaces is spread it out.”
— Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey
in college on the amount of time they can spend studying film. Translation – the stronger, faster NFL players also react quicker mentally and, as Michael Vick likes to say, “they’ll strike you…defensive backs are like elite college linebackers that can inflict damage.”
The NFL is not nearly ready to embrace the spread where quarterbacks are exclusively in the shotgun. There remains a transition of taking a snap under center and taking five-step drops that requires meticulous synchronization with receivers running precise routes.
From a passing standpoint, it’s all about concepts. There’s always a learning curve even for those who come out of pro-style systems in college. However, NFL defenses have become so complex, and the players so fast that the days of a quarterback going through five progressions is basically a myth. Quarterbacks have about three seconds to make their reads once the ball is snapped and generally
to use the No. 1 pick on a quarterback,” said Hurney. “With the emphasis on protecting quarterbacks and his size, athleticism and strength, the comparison to
Ben Roethlisberger’s ability to improvise and making big pass plays are pretty fair because how do you get these guys on the ground?”
Does this mean Newton is can’t miss as a franchise quarterback? “You know better than that,” said Hurney. “John Elway, maybe he was can’t miss and that was 30 years ago. Newton does have to adjust significantly on offense. He’s smart, though. He’s smart on the field. He will be overwhelmed in the classroom – just like almost every quarterback that comes into the league. And it’s up to us to adjust to his strengths, too. That’s old-fashion coaching in a modern, ever-changing game.” ••• Chris Mortensen is in his 21st year as an NFL analyst and reporter for ESPN. He also serves as a consultant for a free recruiting website, www.playnextlevel.com.
NOVEMBER 2011
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Diontay Washington
OKC Douglass High School
Diontay is a sophomore at Douglass High School. As only a sophomore Washington has proven to be a leader on the field from the running back position. In nine games Washington has rushed for 900-yards and 11
Photo by Rip Stell
touchdowns. Washington is averaging over eight yards per carry making him one of the top running backs in the state. Washington also plays some defensive end.
Tim Tullis
Western Heights High School
Tim Tullis is a junior at Western Heights High School where he plays varsity football for the Jets. Tullis averages over 20-yards per catch and has recorded two touchdowns this season. Tullis is quick and has good hands. He’s a leader on the team and is looking forward to helping the Jets improve and win more games his senior season.
Gage Diffee Bethany High School
Diffee is one of the top receivers in Class 3A and has been a catalyst for the Bronchos on both sides of the ball. Bethany is heading into the playoffs as the #3 seed from their district. Last year, Bethany reached the Class 3A semifinals along with fellow district members Kingfisher and Heritage Hall.
Michael Lowe Jones High School
Lowe has put together a season for the ages. Accounting for 31 TDs with only 3 INTs heading into the playoffs. Jones is one of the favorites in Class 2A and will Lowe, receiver Tylor Seabolt, and linebacker Taylor Bilyeu, the Longhorns will be tough to beat.
Justice Hansen
Edmond Santa Fe High School
Only a sophomore, Hansen led the Wolves to the Class 6A playoffs and did it with nearly 2,000 yards passing and 20 TDs. Hansen has been a mainstay for Lance Manning’s squad and has a promising career ahead of him. A U G US T 2 0 1 1
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Oklahoma’s Homegrown Talent Will Decide
BEDLAM
Talent Will Decide
BEDLAM
By Austin Chadwick Photos By GoPokes and Ty Russell
Ryan Broyles
T
Oklahoma Norman HS '07 The concensus All-American is the NCAA All-Time leader in receptions. Broyles was the original VYPE Central Oklahoma Coverboy in November of ‘06. Broyles unfortunate ACL injury against Texas A&M ends his season and caereer, but his legacy will go down as the best receiver in the history of Oklahoma and perhaps the entire nation.
he 2011 edition of Bedlam will be a matchup of top 10 teams as the Cowboys and Sooners hook up on December 3rd. Oklahoma is a prideful state and we couldn't be happier with the amount of players who are former Oklahoma high school standouts in this year's game in Stillwater.
More than 50 players from Oklahoma are on the OSU and OU rosters and it is safe to say that perhaps the teams' most valuable players are from the Sooner state.
As a state, Oklahoma ranks 11th nationally in states that produce more D-1 football players per capita (TulsaWorld.com/ starsearch). This is in large part to the way we administer high school football. From all corners of the state, Oklahoma has developed into a hotbed for D-1 football players. Colleges from all over the country come to Oklahoma to find talent. Though many athletes choose to stay relatively close to home, there are pipelines to colleges like Oregon State, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Texas, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, and Tennessee.
With Oklahoma's resurgence into the upper echelon of college football under Bob Stoops, and the emergence of the Oklahoma State program, we are seeing
the recruiting efforts of the two Bedlam counterparts reach out nationwide. This leaves low hanging fruit for the University of Tulsa, who has littered its 2012 verbal commitments with athletes from Oklahoma.
Justin Blackmon
Oklahoma State Plainview HS '09 The former class president at Plainview in 2009, Blackmon was a standout athlete in multiple sports. At Stillwater, Blackmon has emerged as perhaps the best receiver in the country. Weeden's favorite target opted not to enter the draft last year and is the Cowboys best player.
But the simple fact remains, this year's Bedlam matchup will be determined by the likes of Justin Blackmon, Brandon Weeden, Ronnell Lewis, Jeremy Smith, and many others. Ryan Broyles ends his career as the greatest Sooner receiver ever after his ACL injury against Texas A&M. With Oklahoma State's presence at the top of college football, this year's matchup will be hyped in a way that Oklahomans have never seen. It is safe to now say that Bedlam has true national implications in college football. And with the continued development of the Oklahoma State program, Bedlam will continue to draw national interest.
VYPE Oklahoma has been producing high school magazines in Oklahoma for seven years. Many of the players in this year's Bedlam matchup have been featured in the publication and on the cover. Take a look as we bring you the information on all the homegrown athletes who were standouts in Oklahoma high school football.
Tracy Moore
Oklahoma State Tulsa Union HS '09 Moore has emerged as a starter for the Cowboys in 2011. With exceptional hands and great ability, Moore continues to develop and has made some big plays for OSU. Moore was a 2008 All-State selection for the Redskins and helped Jeremy Smith lead Union to the state title.
Kye Staley
Javon Harris
Oklahoma State Guthrie HS '08 Staley has bounced back from a knee injury to help the Cowboys as a fullback and H-back. Staley was regarded as the state's top player in 2007, leading the Blue Jays to the state championship.
Oklahoma Lawton Mac HS '09 Harris was a SuperPrep All-American in 2008 from Lawton Mac and has developed into a playmaker for the Sooners. Harris is ranked atop the Oklahoma defense in interceptions . Harris was a VYPE coverboy in 2008.
Brandon Weeden
Owasso HS
Guthrie HS Tulsa Union HS Edmond SF HS
Mustang HS
Oklahoma State Edmond Santa Fe HS '02 Weeden led Santa Fe to the 2001 semifinals and amassed 2,863 yards and 29 TDs as a senior. Played professional baseball and enrolled at OSU in 2007. Weeden is ranked as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
Muskogee HS Dewar HS
Norman HS
Lawton HS
Ronnell Lewis
Oklahoma Dewar HS ''09 The Sooner playmaker has made a name for himself as an unbelievably hard hitter. Lewis is among the leaders in sacks for the Sooners in 2011. He led Dewar to the playoffs each of his three years and was a VYPE coverboy in 2008.
Plainview HS
Aaron Colvin
Oklahoma Owasso HS '10 Colvin is perhaps the most versatile player in the Sooners secondary. Playing in all 14 games as a freshman last year, Colvin has started every contest in 2011, moving from Safety to corner when Jamell Fleming went down to injury.
Jeremy Smith
Oklahoma State Tulsa union HS '09 Smith was the state's top running back in 2008, leading the Redskins to the 6A title. After scoring 7 TDs for the Pokes in 2010, the sophomore has gained over 800 yards and 10 TDs in 2011.
Josh Cooper
Oklahoma State Mustang HS '07 The Mustang native led the Broncos to the 2006 state title game. He was regarded as the best offensive player in the state in 2006. Cooper has amassed over 1,700 yards and 9 TDs in his career at OSU.
Stacey McGee
Oklahoma Muskogee HS '08 McGee has been a mainstay on the Oklahoma defensive line. After staring 10 games a year ago, McGee is now in a rotation that is rated as one of the best in college football. McGee helped lead the Roughers in defense in 2007.
Homegrown Sooners Home Tress Way
Oklahoma Tulsa Union HS '08
Sooners
The All-Big 12 punter has been an asset for Stoops over the last three seasons. Way will be regarded by many as an All-American this season. Averaging nearly 45 yards per punt in his Sooner career, Way will have a chance to continue in the NFL. A 2008 graduate of Union, Way was a concensus All-State selection and helped lead the Redskins for a part of Union's success over the past 15 years.
Talent Will Decide Gabe Ikard
Oklahoma Bishop mcguinness HS '08
BEDLAM
Ikard started 11 games as a redshirt freshman last season. The Bishop McGuinness graduate has been a mainstay for the Sooners. With Ben Habern's injury, Ikard moved from gaurd to center and has not skipped a beat. The three-time state football champion at McGuinness was also the Jim Thorpe Association Scholar Athlete of the Year. Ikard was a huge reason the Irish were so dominate in the 2000's.
Dominique Whaley
Oklahoma Lawton Mac hs HS '08 By way of Langston, Whaley entered the season battling for the starting job. The junior seized the opportunity and became the Sooners' leading rusher in the first seven games of the season. A broken ankle against Kansas State forced him to miss the remainder of the year. But Whaley is another one of those homegrown athletes that is a big part of the Sooners football team.
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ooners Homegrown Cowboys Levy Adcock
Oklahoma State Sequoyah Claremore HS '07
Sooners
The fifth-year senior was the Cowboys best offensive lineman last year, starting all games at tackle. Adcock went to NEO from high school and enrolled at OSU for the 2009 season. Adcock has continued to improve and has been dominate for the Cowboys in 2011. With a chance to play at the next level, OSU will look to Adcock to help neutralize a talented Sooners defensive line at Bedlam. Adcock led the Eagles of Sequoyah Claremore to the 2006 state title in 3A. and he was also an exceptional baseball player as well.
Talent Will Decide
BEDLAM Daytawion Lowe
Oklahoma State Carl Albert HS '09
Lowe has emerged as one of the better players in Bill Young's defense. The sophomore from Carl Albert is physical, has speed, and a knack for the football. Lowe led the Titans in tackles in 2008 and led them to a state runner-up finish. The do-everything defensive back has been all over the place for the Cowboys this year.
Michael Bowie
Oklahoma State Sand Springs '09 After starting for two seasons at NEO, Bowie transferred to OSU and immediately competed for the tackle job in the spring. Bowie has been exceptional this year and joins a team of offensive linemen who find themselves as one of the Cowboy strengths. Bowie played with former Cowboy teammate Johnny Deaton at Sand Springs and has become one of the better linemen in the Big 12. NOVEMBER 2011
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All-Time Oklahoma Homegrown Greats F E AT U R E
By Austin ChadwickJason White Oklahoma
High school football in Oklahoma Tuttleis '99very special to those The '03 Heismansome Trophywould winner say who compete on Friday nights. Of course was a standout for Tuttle in 1998. that Saturdays in Norman, Oklahoma are just With over 3,800 yardsas andspecial. 40 TDs the '03 campaign, Whitethe was NFL Then others might make the during case that nothing beats regarded as having one of the best on Sundays. seasons in school history. Very few get an opportunity to play in college and a minuscule amount get a chance to play on Sundays. But for King-
Mike Gundy
Oklahoma State Midwest City '87 Gundy was heavily recruited by the Oklahoma Sooners coming out of Midwest City, but in the end signed with the Oklahoma State University Cowboys. He became the starting quarterback midway through his freshman year and held the job from 1986–1989. Gundy would become the all-time leading passer in Oklahoma State and Big 8 Conference history. Over the course of four years, Gundy threw 49 touchdowns and 7,997 yards, including 2,106 yards in 1987 and 2,163 in 1988.
Colton Chelf
Oklahoma State Enid HS '07 The standout from Enid went to NEO where he led the Norsemen in receiving in 2008. Colton has been a reliable receiver for the Cowboys who brings good depth to a stacked position. After catching 11 passes last year, he is on pace to catch 25 in 2011. Colton was a part of the 2006 Enid team that reached the Class 6A finals.
Gabe Lynn
Oklahoma fisher’s own Curtis Lofton, he has done it all. “I am blessed Jenks HS '09 with the opportunities I haveThe been given to play speedy defensive backprofessionwas on the cover of the 2008 to ally,” said Lofton. “No matter highlighted how successful I, am I have Football Preview of VYPE. Lynn say that it all started in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Nothing beats saw action in seven games last year and has started two in 2011 when those Friday nights at The Hive.” Fleming went down with injury.
Lofton enjoyed a stellar career with the Yellowjackets. He started three years and tallied for over 500 tackles in his career. In 2003, Lofton led Kingfisher to the state title as a junior and in 2004, the Yellowjackets were semifinalists while Lofton was a consensus All-Stater and All-American. What many people didn’t realize wasBrandon that Lofton Webb excelled in the Oklahoma State classroom as well, earning honor roll status his senior year. Owasso HS '09 “I was always taught to do things the Webb hasright addedway depthand to theto apply Oklahoma State offensive line and myself in the classroom.” has seen action all season. The SuperPrep All-American from
Owasso was aatmonster at tackle,UniLofton continued on to fulfill his dream Oklahoma helping the Rams to the playoffs versity and excelled for the Sooners from from '06-'08. As 2005-2007. Webb continuesIn developing, he has a chance to step 2007, Lofton was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the into a starter role in the future. Year and was a consensus All-American. Even inwas thean2007 Brandon's father, Terry AllAmerican at OU. Big 12 Championship game, Lofton contributed by picking off a Chase Daniels pass and returned it inside the Missouri
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University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Huddle Coach of the Week Nick and Niccole Miller UCO Huddle Leaders after an fCa drought at the University of Central Oklahoma‌it is back!!! led by Nick and Niccole Miller, the UCO huddle has 20 students and athletes meeting each week and it is growing! We are super excited to see how god uses the Millers to reach the student athletes for Christ at UCO. Nick and Nicci are Newlyweds that have a heart and passion for Jesus! They really bring that passion to their huddle. Nicci is a former soccer player for the OSU cowboys.
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All-Time Greats (Con't) Sam Bradford
Woods ByRashaun Austin Chadwick
Oklahoma PC North HS '06 The '08 Heisman winner from Putnam City North is known for being one of the best to ever come out of Oklahoma. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 17 TDs as a senior at North and was also a standout in Basketball. In '08, Bradford threw for more than 4,800 yards and 50 TDs. He went on to be the first pick in the 2010 draft and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Oklahoma State OKC Millwood HS '99 High school football in Oklahoma is very special to those The former Millwood whoFalcon compete onwent Friday standout on nights. Of course some would say be the greatest receiver thatto Saturdays in Norman, Oklahoma are just as special. in Oklahoma State history. Then others might make the case that nothing beats the NFL Woods broke conference records for receptions, on Sundays. TDs, and yards. Part of the '01 and '02 OSU teams who beat Oklahoma, will Very few get an Woods opportunity to play in college and a minusgo down in history as an culeOSU amount legend. get a chance to play on Sundays. But for King-
Steve Owens
Oklahoma Miami HS '66 The 1969 Heisman Trophy winner. Owens was the school's all time scorer with fifty-seven touchdowns until DeMarco Murray beat his record on October 16, 2010, and is third most on its career rushing chart with 4,041 yards. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions with their first round pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. In 1971, he became the first Lion to rush for over a thousand yards and made the Pro Bowl.
F E AT U R E
Christian Littlehead
Oklahoma State Sequoyah Tahlequah hs '10 After redshirting last year, Littlehead has seen action in every game so far this year., A run-stopper on the defensive side, Littlehead is big and physical. Bill Young's defense is based on turnovers and that is derived from making plays and keeping players fresh. Littlehead provides depth to an improved OSU defensive line.
Bronson Irwin Oklahoma
Mustang fisher’s own Curtis Lofton, he has donehs it '10 all. “I am blessed Irwin was highlighted on the cover with the opportunities I have been given to play professionof the 2009 VYPE football preview. stellar prospect whoIishave living to up to ally,” said Lofton. “No matter howAsuccessful I, am the billing, Irwin has provided depth say that it all started in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Nothing beats and has played in every game he those Friday nights at The Hive.” has seen at Oklahoma. After a stellar career at Mustang, Irwin chose the Sooners and will have a chance to Lofton enjoyed a stellar career with the Yellowjackets. Heyear. compete for a starting job next
started three years and tallied for over 500 tackles in his career. In 2003, Lofton led Kingfisher to the state title as a junior and in 2004, the Yellowjackets were semifinalists while Lofton was a consensus All-Stater and All-American. What Trent Ratterree many people didn’t realize was that Lofton excelled in the Oklahoma hs '07 classroom as well, earning honorWeatherford roll status his senior year. epitomy of a true Sooner, “I was always taught to do thingsThe the right way and to apply Rattarree walked on and is now playing on a full-time basis and has myself in the classroom.” been for a couple of years. Ratterree caught a TD last year against Florida Lofton continued on to fulfill his dream Oklahoma UniState andat another this year in 2011. Ratterree was an All-State selection versity and excelled for the Sooners from 2005-2007. In out of Weatherford and was also a 2007, Lofton was named the Big state 12 Defensive Player of the champion discus thrower in 2007, not to mention an All-State Year and was a consensus All-American. Even in the 2007 basketball selection.
Big 12 Championship game, Lofton contributed by picking off a Chase Daniels pass and returned it inside the Missouri
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F E AT U R E All-Time Greats (Con't)
Lee Roy Selmon
Oklahoma Eufaula '71 The late LeRoy Selmon was one of the greatest players to ever come out of Norman. Putting up crazy stats in the 70's, Selmon finished his career at OU as one of the greatest players in college history. He was the first pick in the '76 NFL draft and played 14 years in the league, earning NFL Hall of Fame honors.
Clint Chelf
Oklahoma State Enid HS '09 The backup to Weeden, Chelf has looked great in mop-up duties over the last two years. He will have two more years of eligibility to play after this season and will be the frontrunner to take over at quarterback after Weeden is through. Chelf accounted for nearly 3,000 yards as a senior in 2008 and led the Plainsmen to the playoffs.
Rocky Calmus
By Austin Chadwick Oklahoma Jenks HS '98
Calmus was an football allHigh school in Oklahoma is very special to those everything player at Jenks who compete onthe Friday nights. Of course some would say High School, leading Trojans to a state title in that Saturdays in Norman, Oklahoma are just as special. 96' and 97'. Calmus went Then others might on to be one of the mostmake the case that nothing beats the NFL decorated linebackers on Sundays. in Sooner history. As a captain of the 2000 national championship Very few get an opportunity to play in college and a minusteam, Calmus went on to cule amount a chance to play on Sundays. But for Kingwin the Butkinsget Award in 2001 and was concensus All-American and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
RW McQuarters
Oklahoma State Booker T. Washington HS '95
The concensus high school player of the year in 1995, McQuarters was the best athlete in the state. McQuarters was an AllAmerican at defensive back for the Cowboys and was an instramental part of the Cowboys’ Bedlam wins over the Sooners in ‘97 and ‘98.
Cooper Bassett
State fisher’s own Curtis Lofton, heOklahoma has done it all. “I am blessed Tuttle HS '08 with the opportunities I have been given to play professionThe Tuttle standout converted to ally,” said Lofton. “No matter how successful I, am I have to defensive line last year and has been solid. With tremendous upside, say that it all started in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Nothing beats Bassett is a cynch to continue those Friday nights at The Hive.” developing and 2011 will end on
a high note. The Bedlam match up will serve as a great stage for Lofton enjoyed a stellar careerhim with the Yellowjackets. He to break out and have a good At Tuttle, Bassett led started three years and tallied performance. for over 500 tackles in his the Tigers to the semifinals in 3A career. In 2003, Lofton led Kingfisher theyear. state title as a juduring theto 2007
nior and in 2004, the Yellowjackets were semifinalists while Lofton was a consensus All-Stater and All-American. What many people didn’t realize wasNyko thatSymonds Lofton excelled in the Oklahoma classroom as well, earning honor roll status his senior year. Southmoore HS ‘10 “I was always taught to do things the right andinto apply Symonds led theway Sabercats receiving in 2009 and was an all myself in the classroom.” around playmaker who helped lead Southmoore to the 2009 Class 6A semifinals. came toUniLofton continued on to fulfill his dream atSymonds Oklahoma Norman as an invited walk-on and versity and excelled for the Sooners from 2005-2007. has earned a spot as the SoonersIn holder. Symonds continues 2007, Lofton was named the Big 12As Defensive Player to of the develop, you may see him more and Year and was a consensus All-American. Even in the 2007 more on the field in other roles.
Big 12 Championship game, Lofton contributed by picking off a Chase Daniels pass and returned it inside the Missouri
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F E AT U R E F E AT U R E
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SWOSU’s Coa
F E AT U R E
Coaches all over Oklahoma have lineage traced back to Weatherford
By Steve Marshall
Few high school football players who have enjoyed success on the field are considered to be good enough to be “Next Level” D-1 talent. The next level down from D-1 is where the player has a choice. To live out their dream and walk-on at either of the Bedlam schools here in the state and reap the benefits of all the national attention the Sooners and Cowboys receive, or to choose a different type football program and play. Many would simply rather continue competing on the gridiron, crashing around for about 40 to 50 plays on a Saturday afternoon in front of maybe 6,000 fans rather than stand on the sidelines with little chance of ever performing in front of a throng of people 10 to 15 times that size.
Maybe the second choice, playing at a smaller school, a smaller venue, is not what matters most but rather a strong love of the game and a fire to compete that makes this group of former players and coaches so special.
In the mid to late 1970’s, a group of players left high schools in Oklahoma and Texas and landed at Weatherford, Oklahoma to continue their football careers at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Many of those former players have “branched-out” from SWOSU and impacted hundreds if not thousands of young players in Oklahoma and throughout the region. Mike Whaley Current director of officials for the OSSAA, Mike Whaley, is one of the many far-reaching branches in this deeply rooted coaching fraternity. Whaley thought it was a combination of many things that all came together. “We
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were all raised in the 60’s, the best time ever to be involved in sports. We all had a desire to continue the ‘games’ of our lives and coaching was the vehicle. The men that modeled the coaching lifestyle in front of us at SWOSU (Dr. Leonard Campbell, president of Dan SWOSU and head coach O.T. Delaporte) showed us that coaching was a great and noble profession. It is the greatest way to work and play at the same time. At heart, we were and still are just big kids that like playing the games of our childhood with our friends. It is a great life to live.”
Cocannouer
The current head coach at SWOSU is Dan Cocannouer. “Cokenhimer” as he was called by former SWOSU head coach O.T. Delaporte, has come full-circle with the program. After his days as an All-State running back at Tuttle, Cocannouer played for the Bulldogs from 1974-77, was part of the 1977 team that played for the national championship and was a student-assistant coach in ’78. From Weatherford he went to Altus in 1979 as an assistant before taking his first head coaching job at Walters in 1984. Cocannouer had stops at Paul’s
aching Tree
F E AT U R E
Weatherford, OK
Valley, Chandler and Alva, but is better known for his accomplishments while at Edmond Santa Fe where he went 70-26 and took the Wolves to the state championship game in 2003.
It is obvious; with this many guys all playing together, then in many cases coaching together or against each other, there would have to be some great stories. Cocannouer recalled one of the moments many of these coaches shared when they played together at SWOSU. “I remember once when Delaporte put me in as a guard for a trick play against Northeastern. We worked on it all week, but we kept saying he would never do that. However, in the second half he yelled for me and when I got to him he just looked at me and said, ‘You don’t even have your jersey on.’ I wore #44 so I had to put on a lineman number to run that play, then I went back and all my friends were helping me change jerseys. I went in and couldn’t even say the play right to the quarterback, Mike Sekul. They were all laughing in the huddle and he said, ‘I got it Coke.’ Needless to say, I looked like a tooth pick lining up between the center and tackle and the whole defense was pointing and saying look out! The ball was snapped and I was thrown around like a rag dog. We still today can’t believe he called that play in that big of game. During film he stopped the projector and said, ‘Cokenhiemer, that would have worked if you would have called the right
formation.’ I couldn’t even talk, we still laugh about that one, especially seeing me lined up.”
Former Westmoore and Southmoore assistant Glenn Stallings took a different route to his coaching career. After filling in at defensive back for another player/coach with SWOSU ties, Tim Reynolds (head coach for Lawton Eisenhower and Chickasha), Stallings went to Baylor where he received his degree in dentistry and opened a practice that he operated for years in Ft. Worth. In 2003, he joined the Westmoore staff under Whaley and was there until taking a position at Southmoore. “Coach Delaporte was a Hall of Fame Coach and a four sport star at Central State. He’d get excited and spit on your shoe but he had all our respect.”
Mark Little
Former Putnam City coach and current Mt. Saint Mary offensive coordinator Mark Little: “When I got
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F E AT U R E
Weatherford, OK
there as a freshman in 1971, we were ranked #2 in the nation and had a dominant football team. From coach Delaporte to offensive coordinator Cecil Morris and defensive coordinator Cecil Devine, we were a close-knit group. “We just had a great chemistry. Those guys changed our lives and we saw we could change lives too.”
Former Midwest City head coach and another assistant under Whaley, Brian Vaverka echoed some of the same sentiments. “I believe the coaches did a great job of teaching us how to play the game and the passion for the game. I think a lot of these men got it (passion) and they wanted to pay it forward. Thus they became coaches.” Those roots are taking hold in a whole new generation of coaches across Oklahoma as players who played for these coaches are now helping change lives as well. Justin Jones at McGuinness, Billy Langford at Westmoore and Duwayne King of Vinita are all head coaches that have grown from the Whaley branch. Langford said, “Coach Whaley was instrumental in my desire to becoming a coach. He has always been a man of great character. He was a model to me of what a man should and could be. He could always give a great pregame speech. Billy Langford He always had us ready to run through a wall for him before a game.” As the third generation of coaches continues to grow it appears this group of coaches will be touching and changing lives far into the future.
Where they are Dan Cocannouer SWOSU head football coach Louis Mendoza Asst. football coach Clinton Rocky Powell Asst. football coach Weatherford Brian Vaverka Former MWC head football coach Paul Potter Community Christian head football coach Butch Groves Former head football coach at Casady Randy Brooks Former head football coach Blanchard Donnie Willis Former head coach at Millwood now head coach at Arlington Centennial Mark Little Asst. coach St. Mary’s, former head coach at Putnam City Eddie Carder Asst. principal Westmoore Glenn Stallings Asst. at Westmoore & Southmoore Butch Peters Former head football coach at Norman Mike Whaley Former head football coach Westmoore Tim Reynolds Former head football coach Lawton Eisenhower & Chickasha Frank Mosqueda Asst. at Canton
Softball State Championships
Carl Albert, Blanchard and Little Axe Win State Softball Titles By Brad Heath Photos By Josh Clough, Michael Mayberry, and Bluncks Photography The Union Lady Redskins scored 29 runs in the Class 6A State Softball Tournament to win their fourth title in school history. Union defeated Owasso, 10-4 in the finals. The defending champion Union Redskins’ first opponent was Moore who they blanked, 10-0. Mustang beat Broken Arrow, 12-0 in the first round and Edmond Santa Fe won a close one against Jenks, 3-2. Owasso also defeated Edmond North, 5-3. In the semifinals Union took on the highpowered offense of Mustang, but it was the bats of the Lady Redskins that won the game, 9-1. Owasso handled Edmond Santa Fe by a score of, 11-2 setting up an all-east final.
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Senior pitcher for Union, Nicole Brady picked up wins in all three tournament games and No. 2 ranked Lady Skins (40-4) brought home the trophy.
Class 5A was all Carl Albert as they rolled to a 5A State Title by defeating Tahlequah, 17-7. In the opening round Carl Albert did exactly what they needed to get past Coweta, 4-3. Tahlequah blanked Shawnee, 8-0, McAlester narrowly escaped Deer Creek, 1-0 and Lawton MacArthur lost to Grove, 7-0. Grove would face Carl Albert in what many say was the best game of the tournament, but the Lady Titans were too much as they got past Grove, 5-4.
Blanchard 4A Champs Tahlequah only gave up two runs in the semifinals and defeated McAlester, 5-2. McKenzie Jones did something she hadn’t done all year, hit a home run for Carl Albert. But she didn’t stop at one. The junior smacked three dingers for the Lady Titans as they cruised to victory defending their state title.
F E AT U R E
Washington, winning that game, 2-1. In the finals Little Axe continued to play great defense holding the Lady Eagles to three runs. Little Axe would go on to win, 5-3. Little Axe dropped down in classification this season after winning the 4A state title last season.
Les Miller - Blanchard Class 4A witnessed five shut-outs in the tournament, two by the eventual champion Blanchard. In the finals Blanchard beat Tuttle, 4-2. Blanchard won the title 2009. Bethany and Oologah were both blanked by Blanchard. Berryhill shut out Harrah in the opening round, 3-0. Tuttle had no problem defeating Ft. Gibson, 7-0. In a close, hard-fought game in the semifinals, Berryhill nearly beat Tuttle, but when the final pitch was thrown Tuttle was on top, 2-0. The win marks the second title for Blanchard in three years. Little Axe won the Class 3A title with defense and base running. After defeating Davis in the opening round, they turned their attention to
Class 2A’s champion won every game they played in the tournament by one run. Panama defeated Colbert in the opening round, 3-2 then shut out Savanna in the semifinals, 1-0. Their opponent in the finals, Oktaha, had scored a total of 21 runs in the first two rounds of the tournament. In the finals Panama pitched a great game and won, 1-0. The title is Panama’s first in fastpitch softball in school history. A powerhouse in softball, BingerOney came to the tournament in full force winning their first two games by a score of, 5-2 over Fletcher and Sterling. In the finals they faced Roff who defeated Davenport and Cyril only allowing one run in the first two games. In the finals Roff would give up two run and Binger-Oney would go on to win Class A by a score of, 2-1. Hammon pitching was the difference in the Class B tournament. Hammon blanked all three opponents by scores of 3-0 (Caney), 2-0 (Frontier) and 5-0 (Leedey) in the finals. 2008 and ’09 champion Sasakwa was knocked out in the first round by Frontier, but Hammon was too much too handle. Leedey defeated Sentinel and Red Oak to get to the finals. The title is
Caitlin Sill - Tuttle Hammon’s first in fastpitch softball.
Tahlequah 5A Runner-Up Softball 2011 Results Class Champions
Runner-Up
6A
Union
Owasso
3A
Little Axe
Morris
5A
Carl Albert
Tahlequah
4A Blanchard Tuttle 2A
Panama
Oktaha
A Binger-Oney Roff B
Hammon
Leedey
Union 6A Champs NOVEMBER 2011
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Volleyball State Championships Heritage Hall & Edmond North Runner-Up in Volleyball
By Brad Heath
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Bishop Kelley entered their first 6A Cascia Hall, Christian Heritage tournament full of confidence and ready and Oklahoma Bible were all vying to take their fifth title in as many years, for the chance to call themselves but standing in the way was Edmond champions. It had only been three North. The Lady Huskies were in search years since Heritage Hall’s run of their first volleyball title in school ended of four straight titles and for history. The Lady Huskies defeated Cascia Hall the drought was much Owasso in the opening round, 3-0. longer. The Lady Commandos got Then they faced rival Edmond Santa past a good Booker T. Washington Fe, a team that just came off a huge team in the first round, but it took win against Bishop McGuinness, 3-1. four sets to do it. Christian Heritage Early in the match the Lady Wolves blanked Shawnee in three sets, jumped out to a quick lead, 25-19, but while Oklahoma Bible defeated North battled back and took the next Victory Christian. But the statement three sets, 25-18, 25-18, game came from 25-18. Bishop Kelley Heritage Hall who was working their way defeated Catoosa in through the other side three sets, 25-9, 25-6, of the bracket and they 25-17. The win set defeated Norman North, up a great semifinals 25-21, 25-18, 25-14. Next with Heritage Hall up for the Lady Comets, taking on Oklahoma Edmond Memorial. Bible and Cascia Memorial came out Hall competing with swinging and won the Christian Heritage. second set, 25-17, but Heritage Hall had Bishop Kelley woke little problems up and beat Memorial getting to the finals, in the next two sets, but it would take 25-11 and 25-15. That Cascia Hall five Heather Watson - Edmond North set up the final and sets to finally put Kelley never looked down Christian back winning all three Heritage. The finals sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-18. Inky Ajanaku were incredible with each team taking was named tournament MVP. Rachel a set, then the Lady Commandos won Manriquez and Allison Barr, both from the third and the Lady Chargers won Edmond North, were named to the Allthe fourth. In the final match Cascia Tournament team. seniors Allie Murphy, Aryn Dixon, and Rachel Deal played great defense, The Class 5A State Volleyball while Jaime Rahilly put her serve to Tournament was memorable if nothing work. The Lady Commandos came out else. Powerhouses like Heritage Hall, victorious, 15-10 in the final set. The win marked their first since 2002. Most valuable player honors went to teammates Jamie Rahilly and Liesl Spoerl of Cascia Hall. Carter Cloud and Sydney Miles made the All-Tournament team for Heritage Hall. Some new faces made it to the Class 4A volleyball VYPEOK.COM
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Heritage Hall - 5A Runner-Up finals at Shawnee High School. But the field also featured some schools known for being good at just about everything. Lincoln Christian, Cache, Oklahoma Christian School and Elgin were no strangers to the high level of competition. In the opening round Lincoln only needed three sets to defeat Oklahoma Union. Same for Big Pasture who defeated Okay and Cache who took down OCS. Elgin and Copan decided to battle it out for five sets with Elgin taking the last set, 15-11. That set up Cache and Elgin in the semifinals with Lincoln playing Big Pasture. Both Lincoln and Cache cruised to victory winning in three straight sets. No one in attendance expected this to be over in three sets and neither did the players. Cache jumped to a 1-0 advantage, but Lincoln answered by winning the second. The two teams traded win again and in the final set Lincoln finally got the win, 19-17 in what was the most exciting match of the entire tournament regardless of class. The win marked the first state title in volleyball the Lady Bulldogs. Cache was the defending state champion.
Volleyball 2011 Results Class Champion
Runner-Up
6A
Bishop Kelley
Edmond North
5A
Cascia Hall Heritage Hall
4A Lincoln
Cache
F E AT U R E
A N D R I A
I D L E M A N Andria is a starting guard on the Moore High School varsity basketball team
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and plays on the slow-pitch softball team. She is a three sport letterman in
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volleyball, basketball, and softball. Andria maintains a 3.7 GPA, is extremely
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school: Moore HS class of : 2012
active in her church youth group, and volunteers her free time with the Ally’s House basketball team, FUSE (freshmen mentoring program), Angel Food Ministry, Oklahoma Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels. After high school she plans to pursue a career in nursing.
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Tyler has been the starting short stop and a reserve pitcher for the Moore High School varsity baseball team since his sophomore year. Off the baseball diamond, Tyler is an active participant in the
annual “Moore For Christmas” fundraiser, several church youth group functions, and he ranks in the top 7% of his graduating class. After high school, Tyler plans to continue playing baseball and pursuing a degree in engineering, computer science, or medicine.
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school: Moore HS class of: 2012
www.mntechnology.com | 405.364.5763 NOVEMBER 2011 | VYPEOK.COM 41 Franklin Road Campus | 4701 12th Avenue NW Norman OK 73069 South Penn Campus | 13301 S. Pennsylvania Oklahoma City OK 73170
Football Speed Training For Extreme Increases in: Acceleration & First Step Quickness Core Power for Enhanced Tackling and Shake-Off Rotational & Lateral Footwork Vertical Explosiveness
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F E AT U R E
Rev it up - Cross Country kicks into high gear This season records fell and new champions were crowned. By Brad Heath
Photos by Michael Mayberry and Gary Smith
Arya Bahreini - Edmond Santa Fe
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Class 6A Defending champion Tanner Satterthwaite from Norman High School was the ods on favorite to repeat in boys 6A, but Arya Bahreini from Edmond Santa Fe had other plans in mind. After resting during the week leading up to the final meet at Mitch Park in Edmond, Bahreini looked like someone who was ready to take on the challenging course. Not only was he ready, but he set a new state record in the 5k with a time of 15:32.37. Bahreini was chased by Stillwater’s Noah Gade and Jenks freshman Chris Staub who finished 12 and 21 seconds behind Bahreini. Satterthwaite placed fourth just ahead of Bishop Kelley runner Sean Kane. Al Maeder from Norman finished sixth, while Kyle Broaddrick of Broken Arrow placed seventh. Union’s Alex Monaghan placed eighth and in a close finish for ninth and tenth Alex Shook from Edmond Memorial held off a late charge by Tyler Helt from Union.
F E AT U R E
Boys 6A Finishers: 1. Arya Bahreini-Edmond Santa Fe 2. Noah Gabe-Stillwater 3. Chris Staub-Jenks 4. Tanner SatterthwaiteNorman 5. Sean Kane-Bishop Kelley 6. Al Maeder-Norman 7. Kyle Broaddrick-Broken Arrow 8. Alex Monaghan-Union 9. Alex Shook-Edmond Memorial 10. Tyler Helt-Union 11. Seth Hammond-Edmond Memorial 12. Riley Papineau-Jenks 13. Mackenzie Wahpepah-Harris-Norman 14. Levi Garrett-Union 15. Eric Scovill-Norman 16. Mark Middleton-Union 17. Zach Verdea-Edmond North 18. Michael Duke-Bishop Kelley 19. Sam Stephen-Bishop Kelley 20. Aaron Alonso-Bishop Kelley. Boys Team 6A Finishers: Norman, Union, Bishop Kelley, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Edmond North, Norman North, Edmond Santa Fe, Stillwater, Bishop McGuinness, Westmoore, Yukon, Owasso.
The girls 3200-meters was a much tougher race to predict. Several runners had an opportunity to place not only in the top five, but to win. Emily Helms from Mustang cruised through the course and finished with a time of 11:22.83 to take top honors. Tara Lewis from Edmond Memorial placed second with two Jenks runners, Maddie Brown and Grace Barber placing third and fourth. Rounding out the top five was Norman North standout Elise Base with teammate Abbey Mace one second behind for sixth. Micaela Fox from Mustang helped her team in the standings by placing seventh, while Christina Wright from Edmond Memorial did the same by placing eighth. Rounding out the top ten was Megan Johnson from Norman placing ninth and Hannah Taff from Edmond Memorial placing tenth. Girls 6A Finishers: 1. Emily Helms-Mustang 2. Tara LewisEdmond Memorial 3. Maddie Brown-Jenks 4. Grace BarberJenks 5. Elise Base-Norman North 6. Abbey Mace-Norman North 7. Micaela Fox-Mustang 8. Christina Wright-Edmond Memorial 9. Megan Johnson-Norman 10. Hannah Taff-Edmond Memorial 11. Kyra Fuller-Mustang 12. Shirley Conway-Mustang 13. Taylor Scott-Edmond Memorial 14. Lauren Parenica-Moore 15. Meredith Farley-Edmond North 16. Jaclyn HummelEdmond Memorial 17. Ainsley Ibison-Broken Arrow 18. Lauren Garrison-Jenks 19. Shannon Ray-Edmond Santa Fe 20. Rachel Buker-Jenks. Girls Team 6A Finishers: Edmond Memorial, Jenks, Mustang, Norman North, Edmond Santa Fe, Edmond North, Norman, Broken Arrow, Westmoore, Sapulpa, Bishop Kelley, Bishop McGuinness, Moore, Owasso.
Tanner Satterthwaite - Norman
Noah Gabe - Stillwater
Plainview - 3A State Champs
Class 5A Deer Creek was a dominate force in Class 5A as Taler Buck crossed the finish line first with a time of 16:08.27 and two other teammates finished in the top ten, Blaine Powell (4th) and Bryce Balenseifen (6th). That helped propel Deer Creek to a team title as well. Jonathan Ogan from Guthrie placed second just ahead of teammate Walker Cross. East Central’s Brock Artis placed fifth and Duncan standout Walker Clampitt placed seventh. Ada runner Colin Earle placed eighth with Carl Albert’s Andrew Thomsen in ninth and Nick Criser from Edison placing tenth. The girls Class 5A was nearly finished as Tahlequah’s defending state champion Jessica Hembree was approaching the finish, but with the finish line in sight, Hembree went to the ground with some type of injury and did not finish the race. That opened the door for Christi Dougherty from Coweta. Dougherty finished with a time of 11:59.62 and teammate Shechinah Adams placed second. Collinsville placed four runners in the top ten. Amy Hembree from Tahlequah placed fifth. Shawnee’s Miranda Dent placed third and Mary Babb from Deer Creek was ninth.
Tara Lewis-Edmond Memorial NOVEMBER 2011
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F E AT U R E Boys 5A Finishers: 1. Taler Buck-Deer Creek 2. JonathanGuthrie 3. Walker Cross-Guthrie 4. Blaine Powell-Deer Creek 5. Brock Artis-East Central 6. Bryce BalenseifenDeer Creek 7. Walker Clampitt-Duncan 8. Colin Earle-Ada 9. Andrew Thomsen-Carl Albert 10. Nick Criser-Edison 11. Ryan Wheatley-Grove 12. Kyle Roberts-Coweta 13. Kody Ewing-Deer Creek 14. Alberto Vazquez-Durant 15. Reno Blum-Tahlequah 16. Zech Vanfleet-Tahlequah 17. Caleb Jackson-Memorial 18. Sage Lamebull-El Reno 19. KJ Nigg-Deer Creek 20. Steven Davidson-Ada. Boys Team 5A Finishers: Deer Creek, Guthrie, Tahlequah, Guymon, Memorial, Coweta, Piedmont, East Central, Duncan, Booker T. Washington, Grove, Carl Albert, Shawnee, Capitol Hill.
Girls 5A Finishers: 1. Christi Dougherty-Coweta 2. Shechinah Adams-Coweta 3. Miranda Dent-Shawnee 4. Coree Lenhart-Collinsville 5. Amy Hembree-Tahlequah 6. Haley Taylor-Collinsville 7. Shelbie Kirby-Collinsville 8. Haylie Kirby-Collinsville 9. Mary Babb-Deer Creek 10. Crystal Humphrey-Coweta 11. Jaclyn Lake-Coweta 12. Makenna Rickner-Deer Creek 13. Tate Mocabee-Shawnee 14. Michaela Werner-Grove 15. McKayla CrawfordShawnee 16. Katelynn Downs-Shawnee 17. Debra Kime-Altus 18. Haleigh Mcanally-Piedmont 19. Brianne Grothe-Piedmont 20. Lexi Bingham-Piedmont. Girls Team 5A Finishers: Coweta, Collinsville, Shawnee, Deer Creek, Tahlequah, Piedmont, Altus, Carl Albert, Guymon, Pryor, Claremore, East Central, Ada, Booker T. Washington.
Class 4A Class 4A boys was all about Steven Ory from Cascia Hall. Ory finished with a time of 16:36.19 ahead of Baylor Harvey from Cleveland with a time of 16:51.29. Elgin’s Clay Shepperson finished third and Jim Pile from Metro Christian placed fourth. Carl Schlosser from Cache rounded out the top five. For the girls Lindsey Gregory from Madill placed first with a time of 12:21.21 in the 3200-meters. Mount St. Mary runner Aimee Rischard placed second, Yugoslavia Gonzalez from Santa Fe South placed third, Meredith Zerby from Heritage Hall was fourth and rounding out the top five was Audrey Campbell from Mount St. Mary.
Boys Team 4A Finishers: Elgin, Metro Christian, Madill, Mount St. Mary, Mannford, Anadarko, Weatherford, Heritage Hall, Jay, Cascia Hall, Bethany, Cache, Tecumseh, Poteau.
Girls Team 4A Finishers: Metro Christian, Vinita, Madill, Santa Fe South, Mount St. Mary, Anadarko, Heritage Hall, Cache, Seminole, Newcastle, Elk City, Poteau, Cascia Hall, Dickson.
Class 3A Plainview sweeps the boys and girls titles in Class 3A, but Chris Lowery from Chandler places first in boys individuals. Lincoln Christian’s Jordan Masterson placed second and Marlow’s Tony Aquilera placed third. Completing the top five were Merritt Suenram from Oklahoma Bible Academy and Logan Blackburn from Tishomingo. Plainview did however dominate the girls race with four placers in the top ten. Alex Davis crossed the line first with a time of 11:25 and teammate Rebekah Hickman finished second at 12:04. Begg’s standout Regan Ward placed third, Bailey Talmadge from Marlow was fourth and Kylie Looney from Adair was fifth.
Boys Team 3A Finishers: Plainview, Oklahoma Bible Academy, Lincoln Christian, Chandler, Jones, Marlow, Riverside, Sequoyah Tahlequah, Henryetta, Hennessey - 2A State Champs Kansas, Beggs, Hobart, Perry, Little Axe, Kingfisher. Girls Team 3A Finishers: Plainview, Marlow, Adair, Jones, Lincoln Christian, Coalgate, Kingfisher, Oklahoma Christian, Oklahoma Bible, Riverside, Keys-Parkhill, Prague, Lindsay, Salina, Holdenville.
Class 2A The boys 2A race may have been the best in the entire state regardless of class. Luis Chavez from Beaver barely beat Jacob Blanton from Deer Creek-Lamont with a time of 17:15 to 17:18. Watonga’s Dillon Plummer was just behind the top two and placed third with Tristan Rogers from Woodland nearly catching Plummer at the end. Preston Strurgell from Dibble finished fifth overall. For the girls Cheyenne Choate not only took individual honors by placing first, but she helped Hennessey take team honors as well. Andi Gourd from Central Sallisaw placed second, Jaylee Mays from Balko placed third, Baylee Warnke from Canute was fourth and Jessika Franklin from Canute was fifth. Boys Team 2A Finishers: Beaver, Tonkawa, MulhallOrlando, Frontier, Walters, Watonga, Hooker, Thomas, Haworth, Quinton, Dibble, Carnegie, Canute, Ripley.
Chris Lowery - Chandler
Girls Team 2A Finishers: Hennessey, Tonkawa, Thomas, Boise City, Canute, Hooker, Deer Creek-Lamont, Haworth, Warner, Quinton, Carnegie, Canton, Beaver, Hydro-Eakly. NOVEMBER 2011
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100th Year Anniversary
N ov em b e r 2 0 1 1
Schwab Meat & Co. is celebrating its 100th year anniversary and is proud to present the new Schwab’s Top Dog Athlete of the Month. Each month, VYPE Oklhaoma will take nominations on the award at Oklahoma@ VYPE.com and choose who best exemplifies leadership, talent, and success on and off the field. The student-athlete receiving the award is highlighted in the monthly edition of VYPE Oklahoma and will see themselves in the year-end edition of VYPE Oklahoma as the Top Dog Team.
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James Flanders
Midwest City High School
Flanders led Class 6A in rushing in 2011, ending the regular season just shy of 2,000 yards and 36 TDs. The University of Tulsa commitment is a cinch for All-State and will be leading the Bombers in the 2011 playoffs.
Gain a Competitive Edge with Sports Vision Training •Contrast Sensitivity: The visual ability to see objects that may not be outlined clearly or that do not stand out from their background.
•Peripheral Awareness: Keeping your eye on the ball and simultaneously being aware of other players and the court or field.
You are a serious athlete…you’ve done it all: the best equipment, attended sports camps, received the best coaching, and put in countless hours of practice. You’re one of the best on the team, but you know you could be better. You need something to give you that extra competitive edge. Optometric Sports Vision Training just might be the answer for you if you’re serious about maximizing your untapped athletic potential. What is Optometric Sports Vision Training?
The goal of sports vision training is to make you the best athlete that you can be in your chosen sport. Every decision an athlete makes on the field begins with the eyes. An athlete needs more than talent, strength, and passion to compete. What differentiates the best athletes from the average athletes? They “see” the playing field better! Sports vision training improves how you see the game, and how you see the game affects how you play the game.
Having 20/20 vision is only one important factor involved in attaining maximum visual performance. Just as you train to maximize your aerobic capacity, muscle response and muscle strength, your vision skills can be trained to higher levels of performance. Every sport has its own unique visual demands. Sports vision training works on improving the visual abilities of an athlete which are most necessary for excellence in their sport. Some of these abilities include: •Dynamic Visual Acuity: The ability to see objects clearly while in motion.
•Visual Tracking: The ability to track a moving object smoothly and accurately at any speed - “keeping your eyes on the ball.”
•Visual Reaction Time: The time necessary for your eyes to see and react to visual information. •Eye-Hand Reaction Time: The ability to efficiently coordinate the eyes and hands.
•Eye-Foot Coordination: The ability to effectively anticipate position of a low rolling ball.
•Depth Perception: The ability to quickly and accurately evaluate the distance between yourself, the ball, teammates, opponents, boundary lines and other critical targets.
•Eye + Body Balance + Coordination: The ability to keep your eye on the ball with varying body position and balance demands. •Focusing Flexibility: the ability to quickly shift focus from one distance to another.
•Peripheral Vision: the ability to be aware of what is going on around you while you are concentrating on an object in front of you. •Visualization: the ability to “picture in your mind” how a properly executed movement will look and feel.
Weaknesses in any of these skills will likely cause an athlete to be under-performing. An optometrist with expertise in sports vision can assess your unique visual system, recommend the proper eyeglasses or contact lenses, and develop a Sports Vision Training program to take your game to the next level. Who Benefits from Sports Vision Training?
From pee-wees to pro, any athlete that is serious about improving their game benefits from sports vision training. Whatever your age, sport, or competitive level, sports vision training will enable you to outplay less visually-fit athletes. For those athletes who have difficulties with these vision skills, sports vision training can help “level the playing field”. For those with good vision skills, sports vision training enhancement can provide that “extra edge” needed to separate you from your peers and the competition. Please visit www. okcsportsvisiontraining. com to learn more about how sports vision training can help you reach your maximum potential.
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