TAHLEQUAH

Top-flight high school athletic programs are usually built on the successes of football, solid support from administration and a loyal fan base. Prime examples are Jenks and Union. But at one eastern Oklahoma school, the football program has looked to the successful coaches from the boys and girls basketball and cross country track teams to create a top-notch program. Sequoyah-Tahlequah High - a school exclusively for Native American students - is quickly emerging as a Class 2A powerhouse. Sequoyah fans know what coaches Larry Grigg and Bill Nobles have brought to basketball and what coach Sam HorseChief's teams have accomplished in cross country. That storied success and leadership moves to the football team, a likely state title contender led by a highly coveted quarterback. The catalyst for the Indians' surge in football is head coach Brent Scott. Under his tutelage the last four years, the Indians have come of age with the support of the administration and fans. Plus the team has a major college prospect in quarterback Nathan Stanley. "I think coaches Grigg, Nobles, and HorseChief deserve a lot of credit for the success we're experiencing and the total success in our overall athletics program," Scott said. "We've become winners because of their hard work. Our kids are feeding off of their success. Superintendent of Schools Gina Stanley (the quarterback's mother) agrees and applauds her teaching staff and coaches for rolling up their sleeves and going to work. "The success we're having and the attention we're getting is awesome," Gina Stanley said. "There are a lot of talented Native American kids who have been overlooked in the past. I am proud that our kids are now being recognized." The attention on football has grown each year that Scott has been at the helm with Stanley as his quarterback. That first year there were only 26 players on the roster. Today, there are 58. The Indians made school history last year when Sequoyah experienced its first undefeated regular season in school history. The perfect year ended at 11-1 when the Indians lost to Spiro in the Class 2A second round. "We accomplished a lot last fall, but that loss was bitter," Scott said. "We've approached this season as if we have some unfinished business." Sequoyah graduated 21 seniors, so is rebuilding next? No, not when you have Stanley, some talented skill people, and the experience on the coaching staff that Scott has. With most of their victories lop-sided blowouts last season, the reserves got lots of game. "We expect our returning players to step up and play," Scott said. "One thing I've learned from coach Scott (Bill, Brent's dad and one of the former head coaches on the staff) is that you coach all of your players. Not only does that give you a good team, but a good program, and the holes left by graduation are filled by returning underclassmen." Of course, one hole Scott does not have to fill is that of quarterback. Stanley has been the Indians' signal caller since he was a freshman. The 6-foot 5, 195 pounder has not missed a start during that time. Last year, he threw for more than 2,000 yards in leading the Indians to the playoffs. That performance helped solidify him as a top football prospect this year. "I've watched films of all the good quarterbacks in our state and I'm not being prejudice, but Nathan can hang with them." Stanley's stock went up nationally last summer when he participated in several quality quarterback camps. Among the first college coaches to recognize his talent was the University of Oklahoma's Josh Heupel. "We had an idea that Nathan was going to be recruited, but we didn't know the extent," Scott said. "When coach Heupel called, we thought it was a prank call from one of our fans."I said, 'yeah, sure coach Heupel, you can come here tomorrow,' and hung up. To say the least, I ate a lot of crow when he walked into my office the next day." That visit started a flood of contacts .Each day coach Scott receives at least a dozen letters or phone calls from college recruiters. "This year has been unbelievable," Stanley said. "I'm in a great situation and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm doing a lot of research and it's going to be a tough call to make." If the official visits were today (in his words) they would be to "Kansas State, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Florida State." "I want Nathan to go where he is the most comfortable," Gina Stanley said. "I want him to choose a college that is a good fit for him." Whichever college gets Stanley, they're likely going to get him in January. He'll be a mid-term Sequoyah graduate. But first things first. Stanley says he's looking forward to the next level, but foremost is helping Sequoyah take care of that unfinished business. "I've dedicated myself to helping us go all the way," Stanley said. Helping him achieve this goal are assistants Phil Angieri, Charlie Cooper and Bill Scott. The trio have multiple years of head coaching experience - Cooper at Tahlequah and in Arkansas; Scott at Bristow and Stilwell; and Angieri at Broken Arrow and other Oklahoma high schools. "They've helped me tremendously," Stanley said. "Their knowledge and experience is invaluable to our program," head coach Scott said. "They are great teachers. Every kid gets the same attention, regardless of his status on our team." And all of that translates to a Sequoyah success Story.