A Season To Remember 2013 football was filled with expectations and surprises The McAlester Buffaloes entered this year having reached the Class 5A semifinals the past two years playing with a belief of “We Will” with the commitment to win the gold ball in 2013. A district title gave coach Bryan Pratt’s team home field advantage for the playoffs with brackets that would offer a road to redemption against foes that had eliminated the Buffs from the playoffs in past seasons.
Cade Harkins The road to a state championship is a long and winding path. Yet, while the competition was intense in all classes of Oklahoma high school football, unexpected things, such as week-long weather delays, left football fans with a season to remember.
Dalton Wood & Jarome Smith
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DECEMBER-JANUARY 2014
With the state’s most explosive offense playing at near perfection, McAlester posted a 76-28 win over East Central in week one leading to a week two showdown against the defending Class 5A champions Midwest City Carl Albert. Even with bitter cold temperatures, the Black & Gold defense frustrated the Titans while the offense was on fire in posting a 52-13 victory. The “We Will” theme continued to drive the determined Buffs in their 56-20 win over Lawton MacArthur. Game preparation was more than just film study of the next opponent as a week long delay due to winter weather cancelled the playoff schedule and trip to Boone Pickens Stadium to battle the Guthrie Bluejays. “The delay allowed us the opportunity to overcome some bumps and bruises,” said Pratt, “but, when you’re playing at such a high level, it’s tough to have an off week and maintain your
Mikey Varney consistency, but you have to roll with it.”
The bad weather circumstances gave cause for the Buffs to appreciate the support of the community including practicing inside their indoor facility. “We’re so fortunate,” Pratt said in appreciation. “Our facilities are phenomenal and we’re grateful for everything our fans and school have done for our program.”
The Saturday night showdown for the 5A crown was emotion filled as the Buffs battled the top-ranked Bluejays. Despite the efforts of Dalton Wood, Caden Pratt, Jarome Smith, Cade Harkins and Josh Peckio , McAlester’s dream of a state championship was denied in a 51-21 setback. Yet, according to Pratt, 2013 was a season to remember.
“This was still a very special ride,” admits Pratt. “We were one of only 17 teams in the history of Oklahoma football that have scored more than 700 points in a single season. Our seniors have won 42 games and made the semis twice and the finals this year. We had some very good athletes making plays