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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Football Frenzy
Eastern Oklahoma, OK
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Fall is in the air and the sights and sounds of Gridiron magic began to appear on September 4th as the 2008 high school football season kicked off. Some exciting matchups took place early as schools scheduled their non-district games. Those games serve as some of the best and oldest rivalries in the state and are traditions that communities look forward to during the heat of the summer.
The traditional battle between Cascia Hall and Holland Hall demonstrated these top prep schools provided a high level of excitement on the field as well. The game wasn’t decided until the final moments when Cascia defender Fritz Blue deflected a fourth down pass by Dutch quarterback Jay Swab to preserve a 24-16 win for the Commandos. Defense played a large role in the victory as two-way threat Price Pinkerton returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter to help the Commandos open up on their lead.
Booker T. Washington got off to a great start for the 2008 season as they beat up traditional 5A powerhouses Carl Albert (40-7) and East Central (46-14). Hornet quarterback Eric Bennett started his season out right by passing for 287 yards again Carl Albert. The Hornets looked forward to a battle with the upstart 6A Broken Arrow Tigers who had a convincing win over Union in week one and a victory in week two over an Owasso program that had been a menace to them the last couple of years. The Tigers have found reliable play from returning quarterback Cale Fulps as well as junior tailback Steven Hopper and defender J.T. Goins.
The Mid-Town Classic trophy went to the Memorial Chargers as they defeated Edison 22-12 for their title. Bishop Kelley also found a way to defeat their perennial nemesis from down the Turner Turnpike. They came out of Oklahoma City with a 15-10 victory in large part to the efforts of Cameron Craig and Mark Hayes. Craig kicked four field goals in the first two games and two of them came at opportune times against Bishop McGuinness. Hayes, a defensive standout, had four sacks and eleven tackles and a safety to help preserve the Comets’ victory. He was the season sack leader after two games with his three sacks in the week one game against Memorial.
Skiatook and Collinsville also took unblemished records of 2-0 into their third week showdown. Drake Keys for Skiatook is having a tremendous year at safety and quarterback Jason Vail has passed for four touchdowns after two games. Glenpool won a battle of wills to stay unbeaten as they faced their bigger, next door neighbor Bixby, 8-0. Thanks in part to the running of tailback Drew Molencupp for Glenpool who averages over 18 yards per carry. McLain and Central also started 2-0 and the Braves rolled up a total of 102 points in their first two games.
Outstanding individual performances were turned in early as well. Sand Springs quarterback Johnny Deaton had a huge night with an important early victory over the Stillwater Pioneers. Ethan Sharp of Eufaula passed for 730 yards and 10 touchdowns in the first two games, most going to receiver Trevor Walch who caught 6 of them. Metro Christian’s Joey Rogers passed for seven touchdowns and Grove’s Corey Davenport and Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler both threw six touchdowns. Running backs who ate up big chunks of yards in the first two games include Ronnell Lewis of Dewar with 397 yards and seven touchdowns, Chris Carr of Checotah with 380 yards and four touchdowns and Shawn Jackson of McLain with 377 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensive players made their presence felt as well. Six area athletes racked up 30 or more tackles. They include: Blake Duncan, Hale (36), Tyler Burkhalter, Webster (33), John Daugherty, Mannford (31), Aaron Wilson, Prague (31), Jacob Inbody, Bixby (30) and Caleb Gastelum, NOAH (30). Quarterbacks better beware in Beggs with Wes Bissett and Krispin Crawford both recording three interceptions a piece after the first two weeks of the season.
The Backyard Bowl found a way to keep its mythical status by going in to overtime for the second year in a row. Their were many great performances, but Union standout Tracy Moore wound up with the MVP trophy as he caught 11 passes for 149 yards and proved he is still a menace to the Trojans defense. Thomas Roberson opened up the scoring on a 47-yard touchdown run. The drive was only six plays, but went for 93 yards and just like that the Redskins were in the lead. Chase Boyce would add another touchdown in the first quarter after he sneaked in from the one-yard line. Jenks added a field goal from 27 yards out and at halftime the score was, 14-3 Union.
In the third quarter Union’s kicker Kevin Wallace hit a 27 yard field goal to put the Redskins up, 17-3. The game looked like it was getting out of reach for the Trojans, but this is the Backyard Bowl. Quarterback Beau Marsaln was put in the game for the Trojans with the hopes that a change of pace would spark something, and spark it did. In the fourth quarter Marsaln connected on two big passes for touchdowns to Tramaine Thompson. On the first touchdown the extra point was no good. That meant on the next score the Trojans would have to go for two and they did. Marsaln punched it into the endzone and just like the game was tied. But the Redskins would have one last opportunity to leave the victors in regulation. Wallace lined up a 40-yard field goal attempt with a few seconds on the clock. Wallace made good contact with the ball, but it pushed slightly to the right and hit the post. Overtime.
The Redskins had the ball first and wasted little time scoring. Jeremy Smith on a one- yard touchdown run left it up to the defense. Jenks had opportunities, but on the last play Marsaln was sacked and the 2008 Backyard Bowl was over.
Leading in sacks after two games in Mark Hayes from Bishop Kelley. Hayes recorded seven sacks in the first two weeks.
Be assured, many more great performances will follow in October and VYPE will be there to make sure you don’t miss them!
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