THE ONLY PUBLICATION WITH SCHEDULES FOR ALL SEVEN TEAMS
FEATURING BAND, POM, CHEER AND BOOTLEGGERS
Pictured are Kendie Rochell, Victoria Apple, Jakalynn Edwards, Addison Herring, Maci Miller, Peyton Perry, and Ashley Barnes. These cheerleaders represent the seven county schools: Bray-Doyle, Central High, Comanche, Duncan, Empire, Marlow and Velma-Alma.
Photos by Jason Hodges and STEPHENS COUNTY GRIDIRON GUIDE
PUBLISHER / AD DIRECTOR
Crystal Childers
MANAGING EDITOR/ DESIGNER
Charlene Belew
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Kelly Wray
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Sherrie McCormack
ADDITIONAL HELP
Gleen Seeber
SALES / MARKETING
Crystal Childers
Jason Hodges
Susan Provost
STORIES / PHOTOS
Charlene Belew
Tamara Gregor
Jason Hodges
Toni Hopper
Kelly Wray
DISTRIBUTION
Sherrie McCormack
Mike McCormack
STEPHENS
All content featured in this magazine was made available to The Banner staff as of press time. Any teams missing will appear in later editions of The Duncan Banner when information becomes available. Recaps of game play will also appear in The Duncan Banner newspaper.
We welcome ideas and suggestions for future publications of this magazine. Contact either the editorial or advertising departments at 580-255-5354.
If you are wishing to start or renew a subscription, contact the circulation department at 580-255-5354.
OUR FROM THE EDITOR
THE MUCH ANTICIPATED RETURN OF FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Summerhas come and summer has gone, yet the Oklahoma heat lingers. Many of us are awaiting anxiously for the fall nights to roll back around and for the heat to slowly fade away.
While there may still be a few weeks left of extreme heat, something that us Oklahomans are all too used to, one signal that fall is around the corner is here: Football practice is underway.
That’s right. Week Zero is upon us. And we have a busy opening week to the 2024 season in Stephens County.
With Week Zero here as this book publishes, six teams are ready to take to the field and once again put themselves on display under the Friday night lights. The seventh Stephens County team will join in on the action in Week One.
The Banner has worked diligently over the last several years to bring our readers the annual Stephens County Gridiron Guide. Years ago, what once was a paper tab that published as a special section in the newspaper has since morphed into this glossy magazine product in front of you.
While we’ve had the magazine format for a few years, last year was the largest publication we’ve ever put together at a whopping 104 pages.
We knew going into this year that there was no turning back – the product can only maintain and grow from here.
And grow it did. Sports writer Kelly Wray produced so much content that once again, we couldn’t fit it all inside the 104 pages. Something we will never complain about, we had an abundance of advertising. The support businesses provide us is what helps us feature our kids.
With increased content and increased advertising (a huge thank you – we couldn’t do it without you!), that leaves us considering if we will go up in size once again next year. We do, afterall, have a plethora of talented athletes from Stephens County who have graduated from the high school circuit and moved on to the college arena, and The Banner would love to cover them. In fact, Kelly did actually get to check in with a few of them, but you’ll have to catch up with The Banner’s newspaper publication for more information about that. This year, Kelly came back with more stats
and facts, which you’ll see as you peruse the team pages. There’s also been a few large changes, including reclassification that caused a switch up in districts. You can find the all new districts inside this publication for all schools in the state.
District changes mean new opponents to face in the upcoming season, which means there were a few changes in the All-Time Series lists available in the book. This go around, instead of the entire history of the Marlow - Comanche rivarly, you’ll instead find the Outlaws and their records against the Fightin’ Chicks, the Bulldogs’ standings against the Waurika Eagles and the Comets’ match up history against the Ringling Bluedevils. You can also find a week-by-week and a team-by-team schedule analysis alongside these numbers.
On another note, The Gridiron Guide returned its coverage on Players to Watch. Inside these pages, you can find more than 20 playmakers who will make moves on the field to try and win it all for their team.
Are you having sports information overload yet? I know I was as a news girl trying to design this book.
But, this book isn’t only about football. There are tons of students who help cheer on their athletes and friends, and so as always, you can find the Spirit Teams sections, which are complete with POM, Cheer, Bootleggers and area bands.
It turns out we aren’t the only ones growing. Empire POM just joined the line up of spirit teams in the county last year and their numbers are already on the rise. Some of the other teams in the POM line up have grown significantly, including Bray-Doyle which had its team size double in the last year.
One last change we’d like to note is the reveal of new stadiums in the area. The Halliburton Field House in Duncan is on that list, and Toni Hopper took a trip inside to see what it offers our student athletes.
One thing is for sure: This book has something in it for everyone. For the stat junkies, for the families collecting memories, for the avid sports fan who just enjoys high school football. And it lives up to its name of being a “guide.” Keep it handy; you’ll probably need it this season, to either find out a player’s number or position or to see who the next game is against.
So, take a read. Buckle up. This season is taking off.
EDITOR
CHARLENE BELEW
Charlene, also known in the community as Charlie, is the Managing Editor for The Duncan Banner and Duncan Magazine. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Cameron University, where she also held multiple positions with The Cameron Collegian, which ended with her serving as the Managing Editor in 2014-2015. Charlie has served two tenures with The Banner. Her first began in 2014 with an internship through Oklahoma Press Association and culminated in 2017 as News Editor. Her second began in 2018 when she returned as a staff writer and she resumed her editorship in 2020. Although she has spent much of her life growing up in Lawton, Charlie has always felt a special call to the Duncan and Stephens County community. She adopted a dog from Stephens County Humane Society’s Take Out Tuesday program with The Banner in 2019 and also participates as a member of the Duncan Rotary Club. In 2021, Charlie led The Banner to the first Sequoyah Award from the Oklahoma Press Association since its last in 2012. She has taken home multiple awards for editorial writing and news writing, and most recently swept Oklahoma Press Association’s design competition for Semiand Tri-Weekly publications. She had her first child, Anja, in January 2024.
CHARLENE BELEW
CONTRIBUTORS
PUBLISHER CRYSTAL CHILDERS
Crystal joined The Banner staff in 2013 as an advertising executive. She was promoted to Advertising Manager in 2017 before becoming General Manager in 2020 and then Publisher in August 2023. Crystal has won numerous awards from the Oklahoma Press Association in ad design, most recently a first and third place win for large ad space design in 2022 along with second place for small ad space design. Born and raised in Duncan, Crystal graduated from Duncan High School in 2001, joining a long line of Duncan graduates in her family. Crystal is an active member of Faith Church along with several community groups, including the Duncan Noon Lions Club. She is a proud supporter of the Stephens County Humane Society and all Duncan Demon sports from the many years her children participated. Crystal, along with husband Mike, live in Meridian with their three children, Alyssa, Jacob and Jordan. Crystal enjoys spending time with family and her many dogs.
TAMARA GREGOR
Born and raised in California, Tamara joined the staff at The Duncan Banner in March 2020.
As an award winning journalist, Tamara has placed for her feature stories and photography, as well as for her news and column writing over the past few years. Tamara previously gathered her experience by interning at the South Gibson Star Times in Fort Branch, Indiana, as well as working as the editor for her college newspaper, The Collegian in Oakland City, Indiana. Her experiences continued while writing and publishing a magazine, Evoke, with a group of friends in Turlock, California.
With family local to Stephens County as well in the surrounding areas of Oklahoma, Tamara moved to Duncan from Stanislaus County, jumping right into community events as a reporter.
She loves to connect and engage with the community members to tell their heartfelt stories each day.
Duncan Magazine’s goal is to create a publication local to Stephens County that’s fun to read and view and created entirely by the hands of people you know. Here are the creators who use their time and talent to tell your stories.
JASON HODGES
A Comanche resident since the age of 10, Jason graduated from Comanche High School in 1991. His wife, Jennifer, followed a year behind, and the family has strong roots in the area. They have raised three daughters here, each of whom graduated from Comanche. They also have grandchildren attending school there.
Jason began his career with The Banner in 2016 as a freelance photographer. Later, he accepted a full-time position in the advertising department, but he still enjoys taking photos, both for The Banner and his personal business, Hodges Photography. Jason loves his connection to the community he has now working at The Banner. He currently serves as the Comanche Chamber of Commmerce’s Vice President and can be contacted for photography work on Facebook at Hodges Photography.
TONI HOPPER
Toni’s history with The Banner began in February 2000 as an education editor and continued in various roles, including news editor in 2013. During this time, she was assigned to serve as managing editor from 200305, at The Banner’s then sister publication, The Waurika News-Democrat. She left The Banner as news editor in 2013.
Toni began her news career in the mid-1990s in La Junta, Colorado. She was photo chief for a four-state wide agriculture paper, The Ag Journal (now closed).
In 1997, she and her family moved to Marlow. Harbour Whitaker, then owner of The Marlow Review offered her a job as reporter, which she did for a couple of years.
In September 2022, she returned to news when offered the managing editor/general manager position at The Review until she retired in May of this year. Toni joined The Banner as a contract writer in July. Her work as a writer and photographer has been published in multiple award-winning publications, including The Dallas Morning News (AP pickup stories from The Banner), The Native American Times, Cowboys & Indians, and Oklahoma Today (while working at The Heritage Center). She also published a book, Riding The Chisholm Trail ‘Once in a Lifetime’ in 2009. Awards include her news work (everything from education to sports), photography, and tourism.
KELLY WRAY
Kelly S. Wray wrote his first articles for The Banner in September 1992 when Velma-Alma opened its football season with road wins over Washington, Oklahoma, and Dibble. Current V-A head coach Randy Norton played in those games, and Wray covered Central High when current head coach Dusty Ketner was an offensive lineman for the Bronchos. Wray has followed Stephens County sports and written about them, off and on, since 1992. A graduate of Empire High School and winner of the 2004 Society of Professional Journalists First Amendment Award, Wray has worked fulltime for newspapers in Duncan, Chickasha, Newcastle, and Lawton. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in behavioral health from Cameron University, and a master’s in school counseling from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He has taught communications at six different colleges and universities, including the University of Oklahoma, and he currently is an adjunct psychology instructor for Cameron University. He is a licensed alcohol drug counselor and works as a mental health provider for Lawton Public Schools. Most recently, Wray swept Oklahoma Press Association’s column writing division for Semi- and TriWeekly newspapers.
BRAVE NEW WORLD
Stephens County teams see class changes
BY KELLY WRAY
Aspring court ruling forced changes in classifications for three Stephens County football schools.
Velma-Alma says bye to 8-man football this season –and Marlow and Empire dropped one class level –thanks to a reclassification that was motivated by a court ruling in favor of private schools.
Football classes and districts were originally drawn using enrollment numbers from June 2023, but five private schools won a lawsuit against the state’s high school athletic governing body and forced it to change classifications for all Oklahoma private schools.
Instead of using the orig-
inal enrollment numbers from June 2023, the OSSAA decided to use enrollment figures from the end of the first quarter (October 2023) as its reclassification benchmark.
The court ruling, along with the difference in enrollment numbers, shifted the landscape for many schools across the state, including three in Stephens County.
In another classification move, OSSAA split Classes B, A, and 2A into two divisions. That means fans of teams in those classes will see their schools listed as B-1 or B-2, A-1 or A-2, or 2A-1 or 2A-2. Enrollment determines division assignments. Larger schools will be in Division 1.
Coaches said the split
evens the playing field for the playoffs. Classes B, A, and 2A have considerably more teams than other classes, which forced those teams to play more playoff games to win a state title.
Velma-Alma, a force in Class A in the 1990s when current head coach Randy Norton was a starting lineman, moves to Class A-2 this season, leaving behind Class B and the 8-man game it’s played for six seasons.
The Comets made it to the Class B State Championship game last season.
Velma-Alma will be the 20th largest of 32 schools in Class A-2. Its average daily enrollment is 152.73.
“Our kids and coaching staff are looking forward to a
new challenge,” Norton said. “When our players found out, there was nothing but enthusiasm for a chance to show that we are going to be a good football team no matter how many players are on the field.”
Empire will move back to Class B and 8-man ball from Class A, in which it competed that last two seasons. The Bulldogs missed the playoffs by just one victory in each of the last two seasons, but they made postseason appearances in five-consecutive years when last in 8-man.
Empire, with an average daily enrollment of 144.31, is the second largest school in Class B-1.
Empire head coach Bryant Hayes said the move should
benefit his program. The Bulldogs finished last season with just 19 healthy players and played Hobart in what amounted to a play-in game in the regular-season finale. Empire didn’t have the depth to keep up with Hobart, which rode into the playoffs with a 33-14 victory.
“I think it will be better for our kids,” Hayes said. “We suited up only 19 kids in practice, so coaches had to run the scout team. That’s not a good thing. So having enough kids to have a scout team will be big for us. We will probably have to travel farther, but I think every school will now.”
Marlow dropped to Class 2A-1 from Class 3A, in which it qualified for the state semifinals last season.
In 2021, the last time the Outlaws played in Class 2A, they went 14-0 and won the state championship. Marlow will be the largest school in the newly formed 2A-1 with an average daily enrollment of 377.11.
Classifications of other county schools remained unchanged for football. Duncan is the 21st largest school in Class 5A, which consists of 32 schools. Its enrollment is 964.49.
Comanche is the 17trh largest of 32 schools in Class 2A-2 with an average enrollment of 254.34. Central has an enrollment of 119.97 and is the 18th largest of 24 schools in Class B-1.
Bray-Doyle’s enrollment is 75.25. It is the 13th largest of 32 schools in Class C.
Five private schools – Bishop McGuinness, Mount St. Mary, Heritage Hall, Crossings Christian, and Oklahoma Christian –sued the OSSAA, claiming Rule 14 that the Association used to classify private schools was unconstitutional.
OSSAA officials argued Rule 14 was originally implemented to create competitive balance between private and public schools. Rule 14 called for private schools to move up in classification, no matter their enrollment, if they meet certain success criteria in a sport.
For sports that feature both a boys and a girls team, both teams were forced to move up, even if only one of the teams met the Rule 14 success criteria.
Two of the plaintiffs – Oklahoma Christian and Crossings Christian – serve on the OSSAA Rule 14 Committee.
Private schools started joining the OSSAA in the 1967-68 academic year. OSSAA officials said Rule 14 came about after years of complaints from public schools about the postseason success of private schools.
Public schools are classified based solely on average daily enrollment.
How the districts line up
6A-1
DISTRICTS
District 1
Bixby
Deer Creek
Edmond North
Enid
Jenks
Moore
Mustang
Norman
District 2
Broken Arrow
Edmond
Memorial
Edmond Santa
Fe
Norman North
Owasso
Tulsa Union
Westmoore
Yukon
6A-2
DISTRICTS
District 1
Choctaw
Lawton Ike Northwest Classen
Piedmont
Putnam City
Southmoore
Stillwater
U.S. Grant
District 2
Bartlesville
Capitol Hill
Muskogee
Putnam City North
Putnam City West
Ponca City
Sand Springs
Sapulpa
5A DISTRICTS
District 1
Carl
District 3
Shawnee
District
4A DISTRICTS
District 1
District
District 3 Catoosa Cushing
2A-2
BRAVE NEW WORLD
How the districts line up continued
Henryetta
Morris
Spiro
Valliant
Vian
Wilburton
A-1 DISTRICTS
District 1
Cashion
Crescent
Fairview
Hinton
Hooker
Merritt
Sayre
Watonga
District 2
Christian Heritage
Frederick
Hobart
Minco
Okemah
Stratford
Walters
Wynnewood
District 3
Caney Valley
Morrison
Nowata
Oklahoma Union
Pawhuska
Pawnee
Quapaw
Tonkawa
District 4
Chouteau-Mazie
Hartshorne
Haskell
Hulbert
Panama
Pocola
Rejoice Christian
Warner
A-2 DISTRICTS
District 1
Apache
Carnegie
Cordell Mangum
Mooreland Southwest Covenant
Texhoma
Thomas
District 2
Elmore City-Pernell
Healdton Konawa
Ringling
Velma-Alma
Wayne
District 3
Allen
Central Sallisaw
Gore
Liberty
Mounds
Regent Prep
Talihina
Wewoka
District 4
Afton
Barnsdall
Fairland
Hominy
Ketchum
Porter Consolidated
Summit Christian
Woodland
B-1 DISTRICTS
District 1
Garber
Laverne
Oklahoma Bible
Pioneer-Pleasant
Vale
Pond Creek-Hunter
Turpin
District 2
Burns Flat-Dill City
Snyder
Waurika
District 3
Cave Springs
Depew
Drumright
Foyil
Porum
Yale
District 4
Caddo Canadian Dewar
Keota
Quinton Savanna
B-2 DISTRICTS
District 1
Boise City Canton
Okeene
Ringwood
Seiling
Shattuck
Alex
District 2
Cyril
Strother
Thackerville
Weleetka
Wetumka
District 3
Cherokee
Covington-Douglas
Coyle
Davenport
Olive
Waukomis
District 4
Arkoma
Copan
Gans
Webber Falls
Wesleyan Christian
Wilson (Henryetta)
C DISTRICTS
District 1
Balko-Forgan
Beaver
Buffalo
Kremlin-Hillsdale
Sharon-Mutual
Timberlake
Tyrone
Waynoka
District 2
Bray-Doyle
Corn Bible
Geary
Grandfield
Mt. View-Gotebo
Ryan
Temple
Tipton
District 3
Billings
Bluejacket
Deer Creek-Lamont
Medford
Oaks Mission
South Coffeyville
Watts
Welch
District 4
Bowlegs
Fox
Graham-Dustin
Maud
Maysville
Midway
Paoli
Sasakwa
Transfers now subject to Rule 24
The OSSAA has implemented a new rule in hopes of discouraging students from changing school districts to follow a trainer or coach for athletic purposes.
Rule 24, also known as the ‘linked rule,’ deems that any student who moves or transfers to follow a coach or trainer must sit out of varsity participation for one calendar year, starting from the first day of attendance.
The new rule applies to students in grades 9-12 who have established athletic eligibility in a school district for fall 2024.
Every new student to a district is subject to the rule.
“The timeline to look
back and establish a ‘link’ to a coach is 365 days from the first day of school attendance,” an OSSAA memorandum states. “Students who attended a new school district in the spring of 2024 will not be subject to the rule.”
Only new students in a school district beginning in fall 2024 are subject to the linked rule.
If a student and coach from one school both end up at the same school, but the coach didn’t coach the student at the first school, the student is not subject to the rule. The rule states that the student must have been coached and/ or trained by the coach for a link to exist between the student and coach.
Good Luck Teams!
THE LISTS: Schedules
A week-by-week glance of the new campaign
Reclassifications and redistricting brings a sense of newness to the 2024 Oklahoma high school football slate.
As county schools move up and down the classes, they say good-bye to some familiar opponents and welcome some new ones. Some rivalries – such as Velma-Alma and Ringling – have a chance to be rejuvenated.
Marlow and Comanche paused its annual series this season. That means only two games will feature county matchups in 2024. Central travels to BrayDoyle on Aug. 30 and the Bronchos visit Empire on Nov. 1.
MUST-SEE DISTRICT GAMES
Marlow at Washington, Oct. 17
This will be a rematch of the 2021 Class 2A State Championship, which Marlow won, 17-13. These two teams have won the last three Class 2A titles and the District 2A1-2 title should be on the line when they met on the Thursday before fall break.
Velma-Alma at Ringling, Oct. 4
These two haven’t played since 2018, but they played every year from 1999 to 2018 – and many of those games determined a district champion. The Comets hope to get back on the right side of the rivalry, having lost 8 straight to the Blue Devils. Velma-Alma’s last victory over Ringling came in a District A-4 contest in 2010. The Comets won, 24-12.
MUST-SEE NON-DISTRICT GAMES
Bridge Creek at Duncan, Aug. 30
It will be an early “prove it” game for Duncan, who hopes to capture momentum from its regular-season finale victory over Ardmore last season. The Demons have opened against either Lawton High or Putnam City West in six of the last seven seasons. Bridge Creek should present a less formidable
ALL-TIME SERIES vs.
Central leads the series 11-6
2023: Central 76, Bray-Doyle 28
2022: Central 50, Bray-Doyle 6
2021: Central 34, Bray-Doyle 0
2020: Central 44, Bray-Doyle 18
2019: Central 50, Bray-Doyle 0
2018: Central 36, Bray-Doyle 20
2017: Central 50, Bray-Doyle 0
2016: Central 52, Bray-Doyle 67
2007: Central 32, Bray-Doyle 26
2006: Central 50, Bray-Doyle 48
2005: Bray-Doyle 40, Central 26
2004: Bray-Doyle 20, Central 6
2003: Bray-Doyle 54, Central 10
2002: Central 34, Bray-Doyle 22
2001: Bray-Doyle 41, Central 6
2000: Bray-Doyle 41, Central 6
1999: Bray-Doyle 35, Central 21
challenge. The Bobcats are in Class 4A now, but they’ve spent most of their existence in Classes 2A and 3A.
Central at Bray-Doyle, Aug. 30
This one is for Stephens County bragging rights. Both programs are rebuilding, and both could use a fast start. Last season, Central beat Bray-Doyle in the season opener, and it ended up being the only win for either club as they combined to go 1-19.
WEEK 0
Call it Zero Week, but it means a bunch to a lot of county teams. They’ll be hoping for fasts starts – but as important, some of the county’s struggling programs will see their best opportunities for victories in the season-openers. Duncan has its most winnable season-opener in some time, and Central and Bray-Doyle play each other. Those two schools combined for just one last season, with Central beating the Donkeys.
Empire at Canadian (Thursday)
Bridge Creek at Duncan
Marlow at North Rock Creek
S&S Consolidated at Comanche
Central at Bray-Doyle
WEEK 1
These matchups are deceptive. All of them look like they should be intriguing based on geography, but Temple struggles to field a team and Chickasha struggles to stay with Marlow for more than a half. The Duncan/Cache game could be interesting, particularly if the Demons win in Week one.
Duncan at Cache
Temple at Empire Marlow at Chickasha
Velma-Alma at Cashion Comanche at Wynnewood Paoli at Central
WEEK 2
This week offers some of the biggest snoozers on the slate. Marlow hosts a JV team; Velma-Alma travels to a Wewoka school that didn’t win a game last season; and Guthrie will try to beat Duncan for the 11th time in the last 12 tries. The 8-man weeks offer more intrigue with Wade Whately taking his Bray-Doyle team to Alex, where he was recently head coach, and Central facing Fox in what should be an even matchup.
Mustang JV at Marlow (Thursday) Velma-Alma at Wewoka (Thursday) Guthrie at Duncan Cyril at Empire Comanche at Kingston Bray-Doyle at Alex Fox at Central
WEEK 3
Velma-Alma and Walters takes centerstage during this week. It will be the first big district contest of the season, with both teams having finished with 8 or more wins last season. The winner could have an inside track to the district title. Empire, Ryan, and Shawnee should be favored.
Bray-Dolye at Strother (Thursday)
Duncan at Shawnee Empire at Wetumka Walters at Velma-Alma Central at Ryan
WEEK 4
The Lindsay/Marlow and Rush Springs/Velma-Alma matchups are intriguing. Lindsay is one of the few district opponents that could give the Outlaws a decent go, and Rush Springs/ Velma-Alma is an intense rivalry that dates to the 1990s. Duncan faces a new opponent in Newcastle, and maybe Central can make a stop at Winstar on the way back from Thackerville.
Duncan at Newcastle
Lindsay at Marlow
Rush Springs at Velma-Alma
Tishomingo at Comanche Tipton at Bray-Doyle Central at Thackerville
WEEK 5
It’s been six seasons since Velma-Alma and Ringling met on the football field. That series pause will end Oct. 4 when the Comets travel into Blue Devil Country. Empire will be looking for its first win ever over Alex. They’ve played five times since 2018, and Alex has knocked Empire from the playoffs three times in that six-year span.
OKC Southeast at Duncan Alex at Empire Marlow at Lexington
Velma-Alma at Ringling Comanche at Coalgate
Bray-Doyle at Grandfield
WEEK 6
A heavy dose of Thursday night football dominates this week, as all three county eight-man teams play district games a day before Friday night lights come on. Empire should be favored against Burns Flat-Dill City (1-9 last season), while Bray-Doyle does battle against Corn Bible and Central entertains Waurika. But the game of the week will happen on Friday, when Duncan hopes to snap a three-game losing streak against Lawton MacArthur in the Hwy. 7 Series. Duncan is 2-11 against the Highlanders in the last 13
contests. The Demons won back-to-back games against Mac in 2018 and 2019. Empire at Burns Flat-Dill City (Thursday)
Corn Bible at Bray-Doyle (Thursday) Waurika at Central (Thursday)
Duncan at Lawton MacArthur
Crossings Christian at Marlow
Wayne at Velma-Alma
Dibble at Comanche
WEEK 7
The wait for the game of the year will be over in Week 7. Marlow will make its way just south of Norman to take on Washington, two-time defending state champion in Class 2A. The Warriors would be three-time defending champion had Marlow not knocked them off, 17-14, in the 2021 state title game. These two will collide again—and the district title should be on the line.
OKC Bishop McGuinness at Duncan (Thursday)
Snyder at Empire (Thursday)
Marlow at Washington (Thursday)
Comanche at Beggs (Thursday)
Bray-Doyle at Geary (Thursday)
Central at Hollis (Thursday)
Velma-Alma at Konawa
WEEK 8
By Week 8, the playoff picture should start to come in focus. Comanche will face a key district battle when the Indians travel to traditional power Davis, never an easy place to play. Empire could be riding a seven-game win streak but faces a long trip to Hollis, which is just beyond the other side of the word. Velma-Alma and Marlow could easily be playing to keep district title hopes alive.
Empire at Hollis
Dickson at Marlow
Velma-Alma at Healdton
Comanche at Davis
Ryan at Bray-Doyle
Burns Flat-Dill City at Central
WEEK 9
Duncan and Bray-Doyle face arguably their easiest opponents in Week 9. Classen SAS is not known as a 5A power, and Temple struggles to field a team in
ALL-TIME SERIES
vs.
Empire vs. Waurika Series is tied, 9-9
2021: Empire 48, Waurika 0
2020: Empire 28, Waurika 22
2019: Waurika 56, Empire 22
2018: Waurika 68, Empire 22
2017: Empire 26, Waurika 20
2011: Empire 27, Waurika 20
2010: Empire 15, Waurika 8
2009: Waurika 45, Empire 8
2008: Waurika 26, Empir 18
2007: Empire 30, Waurika 6
2006: Waurika 19, Empire 14
2005: Waurika 42, Empire 12
2004: Waurika 36, Empire 8
2003: Empire 34, Waurika 14
2002: Empire 31, Waurika 12
2001: Empire 45, Waurika 0
2000: Waurika 14, Empire 7
1999: Waurika 23, Empire 7
Class C. Central travels to Empire in the last regular-season game exclusively featuring county teams.
Duncan at Classen SAS
Central at Empire
Marlow at Marietta
Wilson at Velma-Alma
Community Christian at Comanche
Bray-Doyle at Temple
WEEK 10
Who will need a win to make the playoffs or to host a playoff game? Those are the questions that always dominate Week 10. Three county teams have legitimate shots at closing out unbeaten regular seasons in Week 10. Three others could be playing to avoid winless seasons.
Mt. View-Gotebo at Bray-Doyle (Thursday)
Midwest City at Duncan
Empire at Waurika
Little Axe at Marlow
Elmore City-Pernell at Velma-Alma
Comanche at Holdenville
THE LISTS: Schedules
ALL-TIME SERIES
vs.
MacArthur leads series 32-20
2023: Mac 59, Duncan 28
2022: Mac 49, Duncan 29
2021: Mac 42, Duncan 7
2020: Not played
2019: Duncan 21, Mac 19
2018: Duncan 24, Mac 13
2017: Mac 36, Duncan 23
2016: Mac 48, Duncan 28
2015: Mac 31, Duncan 13
2014: Mac 56, Duncan 14
2013: Mac 71, Duncan 56
2012: Mac 15, Duncan 0
2011: Mac 28, Duncan 7
2010: Mac 24, Duncan 14
2009: Duncan 35, Mac 34
2008: Duncan 31, Mac 28
2007: Mac 54, Duncan 7
2006: Mac 13, Duncan 7
2005: Duncan 24, Mac 10
2004: Mac 43, Duncan 7
2003: Mac 55, Duncan 7
2002: Mac 49, Duncan 7
2001: Duncan 18, Mac 10
2000: Mac 24, Duncan 0
1999: Duncan 34, Mac 23
1998: Mac 27, Duncan 20
1997: Duncan 27, Mac 24
1996: Mac 33, Duncan 27
1995: Mac 54, Duncan 7
1994: Mac 33, Duncan 15
1993: Duncan 40, Mac 0
1992: Mac 27, Duncan 14
1991: Duncan 14, Mac 10
1990: Mac 21, Duncan 14
1989: Mac 17, Duncan 3
1988: Mac 33, Duncan 22
1987: Mac 21, Duncan 0
1986: Mac 48, Duncan 14
1985: Mac 7, Duncan 3
1984: Duncan 27, Mac 6
1983: Duncan 35, Mac 7
1983: Duncan 21, Mac 0 (Playoffs)
1982: Duncan 14, Mac 8
1981: Mac 21, Duncan 0
1980: Mac 20, Duncan 6
1979: Duncan 3, Mac 0
1978: Duncan 29, Mac 0
1978: Duncan 14, Mac 13 (semifinals)
1977: Duncan 7, Mac 0
1976: Mac 20, Duncan 6
1975: Duncan 19, Mac 12
1974: Mac 14, Duncan 0
Grading the schedules by team
Bray-Doyle
The Donkeys’ non-district schedule might be just what’s needed for the rebuilding Bray-Doyle program. The Donkeys’ three non-district opponents finished with a combined 4-14 mark last season.
Central’s only win was against BrayDoyle, and Alex won just three games. Strother, which plays host to the Donkeys Sept. 19, did not play football in 2023.
The load will increase for the Donkeys when they enter District C-2 action. That district is a gauntlet, featuring six teams that won at least four games in 2023. Only Temple, which went 1-9, didn’t earn at least four victories last season.
Tipton (14-0), Ryan (12-2), and Mt. View-Gobeto are the class of C-2. And Grandfield Corn Bible, and Geary each finished with four victories. Tipton is a title contender every season, and Ryan and Mt. View-Gotebo were in the hunt last year.
The Donkeys’ 10 opponents went a combined 50-40 in 2023.
Rivalry Game: No reason to wait. The Donkeys open against Stephens County rival Central. Both teams struggled last season, combining for a 1-19 record, and both would like to set a new trend for 2024. Central owns the all-time series record at 11-6.
Most Winnable Game: Vs. Temple, Nov. 1. Both of these programs are struggling to increase participation numbers. Bray-Doyle owns the all-time series record over Temple, 2-1. Temple won by a touchdown last season.
The ‘OH, NO!’ Game: Vs. Tipton, Sept. 27.Tipton is a perennial power and the defending Class C state champion.
Central
The Bronchos’ schedule is a strange mixture of teams that played in Class A and Class C last season.
Bray-Doyle, Paoli, and Fox – all non-district opponents this season for the Bronchos – played in Class C last year. Meanwhile, Empire, Burns Flat-Dill City, and Snyder – all District B1-1 opponents this season for Central – played in Class A last year.
Central will need to have success early. The Bronchos first three opponents went a combined 6-25 in 2023, but they face
Ryan and Thackerville after that – and those two teams combined for a 21-5 mark.
District B1-1 is not the strongest district in the class. Only Empire, which finished at 5-4 last season, recorded a winning record in 2023. Central’s five district opponents went 14-33 last year.
Central’s opponents went 42-61 last season.
Rivalry Game: Central will battle BrayDoyle for Stephens County bragging rights in the season opener. The Bronchos bested the Donkeys, 76-28, in 2023 and own an 11-6 advantage all-time in the series.
Most Winnable Game: Vs. Fox, Sept. 13.The Foxes were winless last season
The ‘OH, NO!’ Game: Vs. Ryan, Sept. 20.Ryan went 12-2 last season and advanced to the Class C State Championship.
Comanche
Four of the six teams on Comanche’s schedule made the playoffs last season. Three of them – Dibble, Davis, Holdenville -- are in the Indians’ district.
The Indians open against S&S Consolidated of Texas. After opening against the Rams, who finished 0-10 last season, Comanche will face its toughest non-district test at Kingston the next week. Kingston finished 10-2 last season.
Davis (10-3), Dibble (10-3), and Holdenville (7-4) appear to the stalwarts of 2A2-2.
Comanche’s 10 opponents combined for a 49-49 record last season.
Comanche has never played S&S Consolidated, Dibble, Beggs, or Holdenville.
Rivalry Game: For the first time in five seasons, Comanche will not play its biggest rival, Marlow, in football. Probably a good move for the Indians, who were 1-15 against Marlow since 2006. But that leaves the Indians without a major rivalry game.
Most Winnable Game: Vs. S&S Consolidated, Aug. 30. The Rams were winless last season, and Comanche hopes to keep that streak alive.
The ‘OH, NO!’ Game: Vs. Davis, Oct. 25.Davis will be a contender to win the district, and Comanche is 0-5 against the Wolves.
Duncan
Six playoff teams dot the Demons’ schedule.
Cache, Guthrie, Newcastle, Lawton MacArthur, McGuinness, and Midwest City all qualified for post-season in 2023 and hope to continue that trend this season.
Newcastle, a suburb south of Oklahoma City and west of Norman, made the jump this season from 4A to 5A and landed in Duncan’s district.
Duncan dropped its season-opening opponent of the past few years, Class 6A Lawton High, in favor of Class 4A Bridge Creek. The Bobcats, who spent most of their existence in Classes 2A or 3A until recently, went 4-6 last season and offer Duncan a chance to sprint out of the gate.
The district is lined with stalwarts such Lawton MacArthur (8-3), McGuinness (8-4), and Midwest City (6-5).
Duncan’s 10 opponents went a combined 59-50 in 2023.
Rivalry Game: At Lawton MacArthur, Oct. 11. This rivalry dates to the mid-1970s when Lawton Public Schools opened its newest high school, MacArthur. The two teams are always in the same class and almost always in the same district. Mac owns a 32-20 all-time record against the Demons and has won 11 of the last 13 matchups.
Most Winnable Game: Vs. OKC Southeast, Oct. 4. Southeast went 2-8 last season and hasn’t beaten the Demons in its last nine tries. Duncan owns a 15-3 all-time series advantage over Southeast.
The ‘OH, NO!’ Game: Vs. Guthrie, Sept. 13. Why is this game still on Duncan’s schedule? Guthrie beat Duncan, 65-0, last season and has won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the two. In the last four meetings, Guthrie has beaten Duncan by a combined score of 191-20.
Empire
The Bulldogs have the easiest schedule in the county, and District B1-2 is ripe for the picking. The teams in District B1-2 combined to finish 11-46 last season. No team in B1-2 had a winning record in 2023, except Empire.
Wetumka, which plays host to the Bulldogs on Sept. 20, is the only winning team on Empire’s slate.
The ‘Dawgs’ 10 opponents went a combined 27-74 in 2023.
Rivalry Game: At Waurika, Nov. 8. Empire and its neighbor to the south can
vs. ALL-TIME SERIES
Velma-Alma vs. Ringing Ringling leads series, 13-7
get testy, and the meeting this year could have major playoff implications.
Most Winnable Game: Hard to pick just one, but we’ll go with a Sept. 6 game at Temple. Empire and Temple combined forces on the football field two seasons ago after participation numbers at Temple fell below playable levels. The Bulldogs are 3-0 all-time against the Tigers.
The ‘OH, NO!’ Game: There are no scary games on this schedule, although bus rides to Canadian and Wetumka aren’t unenviable.
Marlow
The Outlaws schedule last season was brutal. It included a closing three-game stretch against Sulphur, Plainview, and Heritage Hall. But Marlow has left the more difficult terrain of Class 3A for the greener pastures of Class 2A.
No more will the Outlaws meet the likes of Perkins-Tryon, Lone Grove, Douglass, Sulphur, Plainview and Heritage Hall. Instead, the Outlaws’ slate features dates with Lexington, Dickson, Marietta, and Little Axe. Those teams went a combined 10-20.
In the Outlaws’ district, only Lindsay, Crossings Christian, and Washington produced winning records. Washington
won the Class 2A State Championship. The Outlaws’ 10 opponents combined for a 48-49 mark last season. Marlow’s opponents last season finished with a 5347 effort. Four made the playoffs.
Rivalry Game: At Chickasha, Sept. 6. The Highway 81 Battle is always interesting. Marlow dominated the game last season, but Chickasha owns the all-time record, 35-30.
Most Winnable Game: Dickson, Oct. 25.Marlow blasted the Comets, 40-0, last season and own a 14-0 edge in the all-time series.
The ‘OH, NO!’ Game: At Washington, Oct. 17. This is an “Oh Wow!” Game more than an “Oh, No!” Game. Marlow and Washington are the titans of Class 2A. They’ve combined to win the last three state titles in 2A, and it’s a rematch of the 2021 state title game, won by Marlow.
Velma-Alma
Different class, obviously different schedule. The Comets move to Class A from Class B necessitated majors changes in the schedule. Only three of the Comets’ opponents managed winning seasons last year. Walters went 8-3, while Ringing was 7-4 and Wilson finished 6-5. Wilson played in Class B and makes the move to 11-man with the Comets.
A Comets’ win over Walters on Sept. 20 could set up a district title match with Ringling on Oct. 4.
Velma-Alma’s opponents combined to go 37-58 last season.
Rivalry Game: Rush Springs, Sept. 27. This contest, along with the Velma-Alma vs. Ringling tilt, was the game to see in the mid-90s, when Glen Pool and Joe Tunnel manned the sidelines. Quite a rivalry developed in those days, and it could be rejuvenated with the Comets’ move back to 11-man ball. The Comets own the all-time series edge, 9-8.
Most Winnable Game: Wayne, Oct. 11. Wayne was once the class of Class A, but the Bulldogs have fallen on hard times. They won just one game last season.
The ‘OH, NO!’ Game: At Ringling, Oct. 4. This used to be must-see football when Velma-Alma coached lined up for the Comets in the 1990s. Now this game could be back to deciding a district champ. The Comets have lost eight consecutive games to Ringling. Their last victory over the Blue Devis came in 2010.
THE LISTS: Coaches
The leaders calling the plays
Last August, more than half of the schools in Stephens County welcomed new head football coaches. Not so this year. All seven schools return their head coaches.
Matt Weber of Marlow is the dean of the crew. He’s entering his 12th season as a head football coach, and he is the only one of the bunch to win a state football title as a head coach. He also won a title as a player at Davis.
Randy Norton of Velma-Alma won back-to-back state titles as a player for the Comets in the 1990s, and Matt Terry of Duncan won a state title as an assistant coach at Altus in 2015.
RANDY NORTON
School: Velma-Alma
Career Record: 54-18, six years, all at Velma-Alma
The Story: Ther’s a reason why Norton was selected to present a “Rebuliding a Program” workshop at the Oklahoma Coaches’ Convention in July. Norton inherited a faltering program when he returned to his alma-mater in 2018 to lead its football program. The program had fallen so far from its heights that the Comets had to forfeit games because of lack of players in the years before he arrived. Norton went 1-9 in 2018, his first season at the helm – and it’s been nothing but a meteoric rise since then. In the six seasons after his rookie campaign with the Comets, Norton’s teams have gone a combined 53-9. They’ve made it to the semifinals twice and advanced to the state championship game once. Norton, who won state championships as an offensive lineman for V-A in the 1990s, came within one victory last season of winning one as the Comets’ coach. He was The Banner’s Coach of the Year for 2023.
MATT WEBER
School: Marlow
Career Record: 85-36, 11 seasons, at Marlow, Ada, Pauls Valley
The Story: Coaching is in Matt Weber’s DNA. Literally. He comes from a coaching family. His dad, Joe, and his brother, Jody, both won state titles as head coach at Davis. Matt has had two tenures in
Marlow. He took Marlow to the 2006 Class 3A State Championship Game and then left a year later to become head coach in Ada. Weber made the playoffs in all seven seasons in Ada and went 50-29 in that time span. He coached for three years at Pauls Valley before returning to Marlow. In his fourth season back in Outlaw Country, Weber guided Marlow to a 15-0 season and the Class 2A State Championship. Last season, the Outlaws were within seconds of making the Class 3A title game before Heritage Hall kicked a last-second field goal to win in the semifinals.
BRANT HAYES
School: Empire
Career Record: 33-20 at Empire, sixth year; 38-36, overall, seven seasons.
The Story: Hayes has guided the Bulldogs through transitions from eight-man ball to 11-man ball and now back again. The Bulldogs played in Class B in Hayes first three seasons at Empire and then moved to Class A for the last two years. Empire hasn’t missed the playoffs when it’s played eight-man. It missed the postseason by just one win in each of the past two years. Hayes is just one of three head coaches in Empire history to have won a playoff game. He’s entering his seventh season as Empire’s head coach and his second as the school’s athletic director.
GARY ROBINSON School: Comanche
Career Record: Unknown
The Story: Robinson brings a Texas flavor to the county. Robinson was an assistant coach in Coppell, Texas, for 12 seasons, and the Cowboys were main rivals of Southlake Carroll, winner eight state championships since 1988. He left Coppell to be the head coach at Poteet, Texas, in 2006, and his teams made the playoffs in both of his seasons there. He left Poteet to start the football program from scratch in Krum, Texas. Krum made the playoffs in all 10 seasons of the Robinson era there. Robinson coached at Joshua ISD, near Fort Worth, for three seasons and then retired from Texas education. Robinson crossed the Red River and coached in Grandfield for
one season, leading the Bearcats to a 3-7 mark. He was 2-8 in his first season at Comanche.
MATT TERRY School: Duncan
Career Record: 1-9 at Duncan, one season; 14-17 overall, three seasons.
The Story: Terry, an Altus High alum, enters his second season as the Demons head coach in 2024. This is also Terry’s second stint in Duncan. He was an assistant coach on Jim Hollaway’s Duncan staff from 2006 to 2014 – and then he went back to his alma mater and coached in Altus from 2014 to 2019. He was special teams coordinator in 2015 when the Bulldogs won the Class 5A State Championship. Terry compiled a 13-8 record as head coach in Altus in 2018 and 2019.
DUSTY KETNER
School: Central
Career Record: 1-9 at Central, one season; 1-9 overall, one season.
The Story: Ketner returned to his alma-mater last season and hopes to wake up the echoes of days past. As a senior, Ketner played for Central in the loss to Grandfield in the Class C State Championship. Ketner was a volunteer coach for Central when they didn’t lose a game for three seasons and claimed the 1993, 1994, and 1995 state titles. This will be Ketner’s second season as a head football coach. He was a teacher and coach in the Lawton Public Schools system before starting his own lawn business and then taking the head job in Central.
WADE WHATELY School: Bray-Doyle
Career Record: 0-10 at Bray-Doyle, one season; 3-17 overall, three seasons.
The Story: Whately enters his second season at Bray-Doyle and his third overall season as a head coach. Whately spent four seasons as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in Chickasha – and then he was head coach in Alex for a season. He was on the Rush Springs’ staff in 2022 before taking the Bray-Doyle job last season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2024 THE LISTS: Playmakers
BLAYD HARRIS, QB/DB, MARLOW, SENIOR
Marlow head football coach Matt Weber calls Blayd Harris the ultimate competitor.
“The thing I can say about Blayd is: He’s the ultimate competitor in whatever sport he plays,” Weber said. “That’s why he’s so good at so many sports.”
Harris is a starting pitcher for Marlow’s state championship baseball team and the starting point guard for Marlow’s basketball squad. And for football? He’s locked down one of the safety spots and is in the mix to win the starting quarterback job.
The son of a coach and a school counselor, Harris said he had no other choice than to learn to compete. Competition is a way of life in the Harris family. He competes with his brothers, accepts challenges from his dad, Kirk Harris, Marlow head boys basketball coach, and takes on all rivals.
“My family is filled with ultra-competitive coaches and competitors,” Blayd said. “There is always someone competing in my family. Also, my friends are very competitive and always push me to be better.”
Harris said he’s most competitive with his dad or his brothers.
“I would say my dad challenges me more than he competes against me,” Blayd said. “He gives me some hard challenges. I used to not know why, but now I know he just wants my best and he wants me to regret nothing when I’m done playing.”
BRYCE SHAVER, QB, EMPIRE, SOPHOMORE
If experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted, consider Empire’s Bryce Shaver to be experienced beyond his years.
Shaver was gradually thrown into the starting quarterback role last season when former starter Easton Beck transferred to Velma-Alma and other replacements either didn’t pan out or were injured.
Shaver eventually drew All-County honorable mention honors after completing 22 of 51 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. He played only every other series for the first six games and then started and played the whole game in the last four contests.
He showed an ability to run late in the season, gaining almost 100 yards rushing in the season-finale against Hobart.
But Shaver’s performance, like that of most freshmen, was up and down. The results weren’t always what Shaver wanted, but he showed potential in flashes, Empire head coach Brant Hayes said.
And Hayes said the learning experiences from last season should be lasting and beneficial. The next step for Shaver’s development, Hayes said, is to establish the consistency that a lot of quarterbacks display as they mature.
“He’s a kid who wants to be good,” Hayes said. “He had his fair share of freshman throws last year – but he had some throws where you went, ‘Oh, man. That was pretty good.’ And he made good decisions for a young quarterback.”
BRODRIC SPIGNER, OL/LB, VELMA-ALMA, SENIOR
Brodric Spigner said the locale of the big hit doesn’t matter. Whether he’s sticking a running back at the goal-line or sacking a quarterback on third-and-long, Spigner experiences a rush.
The crowd responds. And teammates go crazy.
It’s what defensive players live for.
“It’s the overall experience, from everyone there cheering you on when you get the tackle,” Spigner said. “Being able to make the big play whenever it’s a goal-line stand or a sack, it’s a plus when you hear the cheers. It gets you hyped.”
Spigner should know. He’s the top returning defensive player in the county. The senior made 112 stops last season during the Comets’ run to the Class B State Championship appearance. And that landed him tied for fifth in total tackles among county defenders in 2023.
Of returning players this season, only Velma-Alma’s Ryker Sanner and Marlow’s Hudson Morgan, also linebackers, made more tackles than Spigner last year.
Spigner (6-2, 235) is always pushing to get better. He’s worked this summer to grow strong and improve his play – and he’s seen that from his teammates as well.
The numbers and performance say Spigner is a top-notch lineman, but all he’s focused on is a chance to improve.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvements, not just from the guys who are starting, but from the guys who are trying their best to earn starting spots,” Spigner said. “For myself, I need to work way more to be an above-average defender.”
SLADE STRICKLAND, QB, VELMA-ALMA, JUNIOR
Slade Strickland took over for injured starting quarterback Mikey Griffith last season and led Velma-Alma to the Class B State Championship Game.
The question now is: What does Strickland do for an encore?
“We can hopefully do it again but actually win it all this time,” he said.
Strickland earned County Player of the Year honors in 2023 after guiding the Comets to a 13-2 mark and their sixth appearance in a state championship football game.
Strickland was supposed to start at defensive back, but Griffith suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of the first game. And Strickland was called to step under center.
“I knew I was next man up when I saw Mikey go down,” Strickland said. “I knew I would have to step up, and the coaches talked to me about stepping up. After a few snaps, I was comfortable.”
Strickland accounted for 4,620 yards and 61 touchdowns, went 12-2 as a starting quarterback, and moved the Comets within one win of a state title.
Now, Strickland wants to take that final step.
“I’d like to have more passing yards,” Strickland said, “but just trying to win (the title), that’s the main thing.”
JONATHAN BRITE, RB, MARLOW, SENIOR
There’s no question about Jonathan Brite’s speed.
The Marlow senior won track state championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter races. He covered 100 meters in 10.81 seconds and 200 meters in 21.84.
“It’s definitely a huge advantage to be able to use my speed when I’m in the open field,” Brite said, describing how track speed translates to football. “It definitely comes in handy.”
Marlow has had outstanding running backs in the past but perhaps none of them with Brite’s kind of breakaway speed. Brite carried 44 times last season for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
Marlow coach Matt Weber said the Outlaws have as many as five running backs who could play this season. But there’s a chance Brite could be a featured part of the Outlaws’ rushing attack, he said.
“To have so many talented running backs returning … that’s a positive for us,” Weber said. “Not that we won’t be able to throw the ball, but feeding the ball to our running backs will be a strength for us.”
“I just want to be able to help the team in any way,” Brite said, “whether that is running the football or passing blocking. If I get the chance to carry the rock, I’m going to make all of the touches count.”
KAMDYN WHETSTONE, RB/ LB, EMPIRE, SENIOR
Kamdyn Whetstone is a tough kid.
To understand his toughness, you just have to know a bit of medical history about his knee, Empire head coach Brant Hayes said.
The starting fullback and linebacker tore his meniscus at the end of football season two years ago. He played through last season despite the injury, earning first-team All-County honors at linebacker.
And then this summer, Whetstone underwent a procedure to fuse the meniscus. It didn’t work – and the senior was left with a decision: Play with pain – no further damage would be risked – or undergo another procedure and rehab six weeks before playing again.
Miss time? No way – give me the pain, Whetstone said.
“That just shows you what a tough kid he is,” Hayes said.
Whetstone has the unenviable task of replacing the county’s leading rusher, Damian Goldsberry, who ran for 1,090 yards and 22 TDs last season.
Whetstone played fullback and shared the backfield with Goldsberry, but he’ll be the focal point of Empire’s rushing attack this season. He’s a strong, downhill runner who can punish defenses over the course of a game, Hayes said.
“He tried to cut too much last season,” Hayes said. When Whetstone cuts, he runs with his body too upright, which softens his center of gravity and diminishes his power.
“He needs to run straight downhill, and we know he can do it,” Hayes said.
And if Hayes has his way, defenses will know it soon, too.
THE LISTS: Playmakers
NATHAN MENGA, DE, EMPIRE, SENIOR
Lineman Nathan Menga became a force for the Bulldogs last season.
But when Empire head coach Brant Hayes talks about his senior defensive end, football isn’t the first subject broached. Instead, what has Hayes beaming is Menga’s new-found maturity.
Hayes started to notice Menga making the switch last season. Gone was the Menga who would test the coach’s trust. The Menga who would look for a scapegoat instead of taking responsibility for mistakes had left the building.
And in his place was a Menga who wanted to improve, who wanted to be coached, who wanted to succeed. No matter what.
“His maturity level has exceeded any expectations you could have had for him,” Hayes said of the 185-pound Menga. “His work ethic improved. He wants to get better. He’s asking questions if he doesn’t understand. Before, you’d get onto him, and it was always someone else’s fault. He wouldn’t take responsibility.”
Menga made first-team All-District last season and was selected as a second team All-County offensive lineman after clearing paths for the county’s leading rusher Damian Goldsberry.
“People started talking about how good he played, and I told him, ‘A lot of it was your attitude. You changed your attitude,’” Hayes said.
His attitude was holding him back – but not anymore. Now he’s ready to fly.
COLBY SHANNON, QB/KR, COMANCHE, SENIOR
Colby Shannon is ready to go fast. Without huddling.
The Comanche senior was a first-team All-County pick as a kick returner last season –but Shannon’s primary role for the Indians was to guide the Comanche offense from the quarterback position.
That offense has now changed with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Brody Grice, who wants an up-tempo, no-huddle attack. And Shannon said he is ready to deliver one.
“I think it’s going to be really good, and fun,” Shannon said.
Shannon threw for the fifth-most passing yards (548) in the county last season and completed 52 of his pass attempts. He threw for three TDs.
Shannon showed dual-threat ability, gaining 320 yards on 86 carries. That made him the county’s seventh-most productive rusher. He also scored three rushing touchdowns.
As a kick returner, Shannon returned 14 punts for 58 yards and one TD. He returned 22 kickoffs for a total of 266 yards. And on defense, Shannon made 43 tackles and returned one interception for a touchdown as a free safety.
“Spring ball was good with the new offensive coordinator,” Shannon said. “I feel like we’ve gotten a lot closer since last year. We had a lot of energy in spring ball, and I feel like we will be a new team this season.”
SAWYER RICE, QB, DUNCAN
In his first season as a starter, Duncan’s Sawyer Rice completed 54 percent of his passes and threw for 1,397 yards.
That’s a good season for any high school quarterback – and Rice’s numbers from 2023 put him in the top three of county quarterbacks in all categories.
But Rice’s response? Not good enough. Got to get better.
So, Rice spent the summer working with his trainer Tom George of Oklahoma City and his coaches. And he traveled to quarterback camps at Penn State, the University of Texas-San Antonio, Mississippi State, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Houston, Kansas State, and Yale in search of ways to improve.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvement,” the junior said.
Rice was second among county quarterbacks in passing attempts (107), passing yards and touchdown passes (8) last season. He trailed only Velma-Alma’s Slade Strickland in those categories. Strickland was the All-County Player of the Year.
Rice showed he can be a dual threat last season. He carried 87 times for 417 yards, the fifth-most rushing yards of anyone in the county. Rice scored five rushing touchdowns in 2023.
“Just working with my trainer and working with the coaches here really helped me a lot,” Rice said. “I think I will be a lot better player. My ball velocity is faster and my decision making has become a lot better.”
JACOB CROWSON, WR/DB, MARLOW, SENIOR
Jacob Crowson is ready to provide an encore.
Crowson played centerfield for the Marlow baseball team this spring and caught the fly ball for the final out in the Outlaws’ 3-2 victory over Blanchard in the Class 3A State Championship.
After that, what is an athlete supposed to do for an encore? Maybe win another title in football. Marlow head coach Matt Weber hopes so.’
Crowson will start at wide receiver for the Outlaws as they try to reach at least the state semifinals for the third time in four seasons.
Crowson is nothing if not opportunistic. Senior wide receiver Barron Gage received most of the targets early last season. As Gage experienced success, defenses focused on locking him down.
And that opened up things for Crowson.
“In the last couple of games and on into the playoffs, Jacob had a lot of success because teams were trying to take away Barron,” Weber said. “He took advantage of it. He’s a really fast kid. He plays baseball, but he’d be a great track guy because he’s so fast.”
Crowson was a second-team All-County selection last season. He made 33 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns.
BROCK SMITH, OL/DL, MARLOW, SENIOR
Marlow offensive line coach Chad Gilbert said Brock Smith is in the best shape of his life. That’s not good news for Outlaw opponents.
Smith, a senior, has been a mainstay on the Outlaws’ offensive line, entering his third season as a starter. He was already one of the county’s most consistent linemen, but he’s lost weight and added speed and quickness over the summer, Gilbert said.
“Brock has done a really good job for us,” Gilbert said. “He takes a lot of pride in what he does. He’s always been a good practice player – and he’s been in a lot of big games over the years.”
Smith was an All-County Second-Team selection as an offensive left tackle. He completed 80-plus percent of his blocks for a team that advanced to within seconds of the Class 3A State Championship Game.
Gilbert said Smith will start at either left tackle or left guard, and he could draw a starting nod at defensive end.
“He’s been one of our leaders,” Gilbert said.
If you’re a Marlow offensive lineman, you want head coach Matt Weber to call running plays to go over your backside, Gilbert said.
And, “he’d be one of the guys we’d like to run behind,” Gilbert said.
GAGE HIXON, OL/DL, MARLOW, SENIOR
Marlow offensive line coach Chad Gilbert calls Gage Hixon a grinder.
That’s a compliment coming from a coach who works with those in charge of trench warfare.
“He’s not afraid to do the dirty work,” Gilbert said of Hixon, who will start on the offensive and defensive lines this year for the Outlaws. Hixon is penciled in at guard on offense and noseguard on defense.
He earned second-team All-County selection last season as a defensive lineman as a junior after recording 68 tackles. Hixon recovered two fumbles and made four sacks in 2023 during the Outlaws run to the Class 3A Semifinals.
Gilbert said Hixon is a solid run-stopper who can also rush the passer.
“We’re always run stopper first at defensive tackles,” Gilbert said.
Hixon has played in some big games for the Outlaws. He broke into the starting rotation in the seventh game of his sophomore season two years ago. He played in a playoff game that season and three last season.
“He has really worked hard,” Gilbert said. “He shows up every day and tries to get better.”
THE LISTS: Playmakers
HUDSON MORGAN, QB/LB, MARLOW, JUNIOR
It’s sometimes the case that the more athletes play in big games, the more comfortable they become with high pressure situations. Hudson Morgan is proof of that.
The Marlow junior is only two years into his high school athletic career and he’s already started in four playoff football games, including a state semifinal, and three state tournament baseball games, including a 3A title tilt.
All Morgan has to say is: Give me some more of that this year.
Starting with football
Morgan returns as a first-team All-County linebacker, and he’ll be in the mix to earn the starting quarterback’s job for the Outlaws, head coach Matt Weber said.
“I think the pressure of big situations can help me perform in big situations in the long run,” Morgan said. “It’s taught me to just stay calm and make the next play.”
Morgan has had scant passing opportunities. He was 3-for-3 for 30 yards and one touchdown last season but did more damage on the ground. He ran for 253 yards and nine TDs on 56 carries.
“Hudson is a competitor,” Weber said. “He’s also probably our most gifted kid as far as being big, strong, and fast.
JAYZEN KORTEMEIER, WR/ LB, DUNCAN, JUNIOR
Jayzen Kortemeier almost never leaves the field during a Duncan football game – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Demons’ junior loves football. He doesn’t care what position he plays as long he’s on the gridiron. And for Kortemeier, that’s not a problem.
He starts on offense as a wide receiver and on defense as an inside linebacker. And in-between, he returns punts and kickoffs. There’s no rest for the All-County Co-Newcomer of the Year of 2023.
“I love to stay on the field, no matter what the conditions are,” Kortemeier said. “Wherever coach needs me to play, I will play with passion.”
Kortemeier even started at quarterback against Piedmont because starter Sawyer Rice and backup Chris Kouts were injured. But he does most of his damage on defense. Kortemeier made 92 tackles, including five for losses, and one sack last season.
On the other side of the ball, Kortemeier made 12 catches for 160 yards and one TD.
“The best thing about football is the love I have for it and the bonds I’m able to create with my teammates,” he said. “I feel like we have good chemistry this year, and I think it’s going to get even better.”
GAVIN BARTON, RB, CENTRAL, JUNIOR
Central head coach Dusty Ketner laid down a challenge to returning running back Gavin Barton.
“I told him I want him to rush for 2,000 yards this season – and that should be his goal,” Ketner said.
Ketner wasn’t kidding or exaggerating.
Barton gained more rushing yards last season than any other returning running back in the county. The sophomore ran for 530 yards and five touchdowns on 91 carries in 2023.
Ketner believes Barton has the speed and strength, and has put in the kind of off-season work, that would lend themselves to a special season.
Barton agrees.
“I’d honestly like to overachieve,” said Barton, who finished sixth in the 100-meter dash at the regional track meet this spring with a time of 11.44. “I love a challenge, and I’m glad Coach is pushing me.”
Barton and the Bronchos took their lumps last season. Ketner played as many as six sophomores in the starting lineup at the end of the season, and there were growing pains.
Barton said those knocks became learning experiences that will serve the Bronchos well this year.
“It’s going to help us in how we work as a team,” Barton said. “We’ll be a lot tougher this year. We’ve gotten bigger and stronger this off-season.”
RAYDEN CROW, WR, BRAY-DOYLE, JUNIOR
Bray-Doyle’s Rayden Crow gained more receiving yards last season than any other returning wide receiver in the county.
Crow was a first-team All-County selection at wide receiver in 2023 after catching 45 passes for 549 yards and 7 TDs. He missed the final four games with a broken left thumb.
He broke the thumb in two places and it took him six weeks to recover.
Now, he’s ready to make up for lost time.
“I can’t wait to see what my team and I can do this year, and I want to improve and play better than I did last year,” Crow said. “I just want to improve as a player and see if I can get anyone to notice what I do.”
Crow will have a new quarterback throwing to him. Brody Whitney, who started under center for the Donkeys last season, transferred to Alex for his senior season. Blaydn Harris will step into the void.
Crow said he and Harris have been able to work on timing during the summer, after having played together since his freshman year. Crow likes what he’s seen for the quarterback this summer.
“We’ve worked together a little big this summer,” Crow said. “He has a lot of potential, and he’s only a sophomore. I think we can go places with this team.”
JONATHAN ALVAREZ, OL, COMANCHE, JUNIOR
Comanche head coach Gary Robinson said Jonathan Alvarez is the kind of lineman who can anchor an offensive line.
“Strong, aggressive, and football intelligence,” Robinson said, describing his junior left guard.
Said Comanche quarterback Colby Shannon: “He’s a hard worker – that’s what makes him so good.”
Alvarez enters camp at 6-foot1, 215-pounds. And Alvarez has been training in preparation for the Indians’ new no-huddle offense, he said.
“We’ve been doing tons of running during the summer to prepare us for it,” Alvarez said.
He’s taken hold of Robinson’s mantra and is spreading the gospel – nothing is more important than weight training and conditioning. They are the foundation of championship teams.
“Your work ethic, determination, and discipline – that’s what makes you a good lineman,” Alvarez said. “ I feel like your weight training is important, and you have to realize you won’t get the recognition you want, but you still have to do the job to the best of your efforts.”
EVAN DODD, WR, COMANCHE, SENIOR
Wide receiver Evan Dodd said this could be a turnaround year for Comanche.
The Indians are 5-15 in the past two seasons, but they are about to enter their second season under head coach Gary Robinson. There’s a new offensive coordinator in town, bringing a new offense and a whole lot of excitement with him, Dodd said.
“I do believe this could be a turnaround year for us,” Dodd said. “Everyone has been coming to Summer Pride and lifting and running. We just need to have the mindset that no one can stop us. We have a bunch of new coaches that play a big part, and they are ready for the season just like we are.”
One of those new coaches is offensive coordinator Brody Grice, who’s brought an up-tempo, no-huddle attack to campus. Dodd hopes the spread attack will mean more targets for him, but more than that, he hopes it means more wins for the Indians. Dodd caught 17 passes for 181 yards and one TD last season.
“I think the new offense will be good for us,” Dodd said. “I think we can take advantage of it and go beat some really good teams on our schedule because you can get more plays in a game and we’ll have more chances to score.
Dodd said his personal goal is simple: make plays.
“I want to make routine plays that I practice every day and I want to make key plays when we need them, especially in big games,” he said.
Good
BEAU KLEIN, OL/ DL, CENTRAL, SOPHOMORE
If you want to find Beau Klein, the best place to look is the Central weightroom. He’s usually there.
The Central sophomore lineman didn’t miss an offseason workout this summer, head coach Dusty Ketner said. And a Saturday afternoon in early August found Klein pumping iron in “preparation for the upcoming season.
“I believe that the effort you put in the weight room translates to on-field performance,” Klein said. “Being a sophomore this upcoming season, I have made an effort to work on improving my footwork and explosiveness off the line. I have also been working on my conditioning. I really hope is shows this season.”
Central head coach Dusty Ketner said the Bronchos offensive line could be its strength this season – and one of the reasons why is Klein being able to step into the center spot vacated by Van Roberts.
Roberts was the anchor of the offensive line last season.
Klein & Company will be charged with clearing a path for Gavin Barton, one of the most productive returning running backs in the county.
“We have all returning linemen, except for Van,” Klein said. “We have size, and we’ve been working hard this offseason to be more dominant and to help our backfield.”
THE LISTS: Playmakers
LANDON RICHARDSON, OL, VELMA-ALMA,
Everyone sees Landon Richardson’s size and strength. You almost can’t miss them.
Those are the Velma-Alma seniors’ most observable characteristics – and they are reasons he’s one of the county’s most dominant offensive linemen.
But it’s his footwork that allows him to flatten defenders, protect quarterback Slade Strickland, and open holes for running backs.
“For a lineman, footwork is probably one of the most important things,” said Richardson, who was an All-County First-Team selection last season. “Your first step is the biggest thing – and when you make contact (with a defender), you have to keep your feet wide and drive them. In pass blocking, you don’t want to get your feet too close because then you’ll be off balance.”
Richardson (5-11, 225) is the latest in a long line of superior lineman for Velma-Alma. The Comets rolled over teams last year, running and passing at will, on the way to the Class B State Championship game. The pocket was clean and holes open every game.
Richards credits Comets head coach Randy Norton with keeping alive the Velma-Alma tradition of producing quality linemen. Norton was once a Comets’ offensive lineman himself.
“The coaches teach us discipline and all the right techniques,” Richardson said. “Coach Norton is the one who teaches us that.”
Richardson attended a lineman’s camp in Wynnewood and learned more about defeating a pass rusher.
“it was mainly about noting let the rushers’ inside you and getting run over slowly,” Richardson said.
Very few, if any, defenders run over Richardson. And that’s one of the main reasons the Comets are set to contend for another district title and long playoff run.
KELLER KIZZAR, DB, MARLOW, SENIOR
Pauls Valley tight end John Grimmett is 6-foot-4, while Marlow defensive back Keller Kizarr is 5-foot-7.
So, it was a mismatch last season when Pauls Valley’s quarterback threw a pass toward Grimmett with Kizarr in coverage. But the mismatch didn’t favor who you’d think.
“Pauls Valley threw two jump balls to (Grimmett) – and Keller caught one of them and knocked the other one down,” Marlow head coach Matt Weber said. “Keller is a really gifted athlete.”
And he’s back for his senior season in the Marlow defensive backfield. Kizarr was a second-team All-County selection at cornerback last season. He finished with 41 tackles and two interceptions.
When you’re covering someone taller than you, the key is to stay behind them and stay hungry for the ball, Kizarr said.
“You really want to stay behind them,” Kizarr said. “Once I saw the ball in the air, I was going to get it. I was going to get that ball.”
Kizarr’s athletic ability comes through both nature and nurture. His dad, Keith, is an assistant coach for the Marlow wrestling program, winner of three state championships in the past four seasons.
Keith Kizarr was a state champion high school wrestler and a collegiate All-American at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Keller is one of seven defensive starters returning for Marlow. But he’s not confined to the defensive unit. He also returns kicks and punts for the Outlaws.
Keller is a talented wrestler as well. He’s finished second twice at State in the 135-pound classification, but he probably won’t be wrestling at that weight anymore. Since February, Keller has added 33 pounds through weight training.
“Keller has great confidence,”
KORBIN DITTNER, LB, MARLOW, SENIOR
Marlow’s Korbin Dittner earned second-team All-county honors last season after recording 91 tackles and one interception as a junior. He can’t wait to see what his senior year brings.
Dittner will again be part of a stout linebacking group that is lead by head coach Matt Weber, new defensive coordinator Colby Shamley, and linebackers’ coach Eddie Herchock.
“Coach Herchock has taught me a lot, not only about football, but about life,” Dittner said. “He pushes me everyday to be the best that I can be for myself and for my teammates, and he’s an all-around great guy. He’s taught me to never settle for something less than what I want and that I’ve got to work to get where I want to be.”
Weber said Marlow has produced more all-state players at linebacker than any other position during his 11 years at the school.
Dittner said great linebackers have to be talented both physically and mentally.
“You have to be tough to be a good linebacker,” Dittner said. “You also have to make the calls and make sure the defensive line is where it needs to be, and then you just go make the tackle.”
RYKER SANNER, LB, VELMA-ALMA, JUNIOR
Ryker Sanner liked the way he played last season, but he believes he’ll like the way he plays this season even more.
The Velma-Alma linebacker was named The Banner Co-Newcomer of the Year last season after a sophomore season that saw Sanner led the county with 149 total tackles.
“I was definitely happy with last year, but I would like to improve on my tackling and overall play at linebacker,” Sanner said. “What I’d like most to improve on is not committing to a read so early.”
Sanner made 8 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. In half of their games, the Comets limited their opponents to one touchdown or less – and Sanner was a big part of that dominance.
Sanner made eight tackles for losses and two sacks last season. He made three interceptions.
The Comets move from Class B and 8-man ball to Class A and 11-man ball. Sanner is looking forward to the move and playing in Velma-Alma’s 4-4 defensive alignment. He’s also looking forward to playing in some of V-A’s rivalry games against 11-man opponents.
“I think 11-man will help my overall game because it slows everything down,” Sanner said. “Plus, I’m ready for all of the old tradition and rivalry games that V-A used to have.”
CHASE KASPEREIT, DL, EMPIRE, SENIOR
Empire nose guard Chase Kaspereit earned All-County First-Team selection last season as a defensive lineman. He made 85 total tackles, including 10 for losses.
And for Empire to be successful this season, Kaspereit needs to repeat history, head coach Brant Hayes said.
“We started him at nose guard as a freshman and no one could block him then,” Hayes said.
Kaspereit is entering his fourth season as an Empire starter.
He landed in the starting lineup at nose guard three years ago, just as the Bulldogs were experiencing one of their best seasons in a decade. Empire went 10-2 that year and advanced to the second round of the Class B Playoffs.
Then, the ‘Dawgs moved to 11-man for two seasons and Kaspereit moved positions.
“We moved to 11-man and he didn’t understand why he wasn’t making 60 tackles,” Hayes said. “I explained to him, ‘You’re doing your job – you’re just getting double-teamed. You’re keeping us competitive.’ He’s a very athletic kid.”
Kaspereit went to lineman camp at Southwestern Oklahoma State this summer and turned in the longest broad jump of any defensive lineman.
And the Bulldogs are back in 8-man this season, which means Kaspereit is back at his familiar nose guard spot.
“Let’s hope history repeats itself,” Hayes said.
AARON KELLY, OL/ DL, BRAY-DOYLE, SENIOR
Aaron Kelly will anchor the offensive line and linebacking corps for Bray-Doyle this season, head coach Wade Whatley said.
Kelly is the only returning starter on the Donkeys’ offensive line.
But Kelly likes playing defense better than offense, he said.
“There’s a lot more action on defense,” he said.
Kelly was selected as second-team All-County on defense in 2023. He recorded 65 tackles and three sacks. He also recovered two fumbles.
Kelly said knowing how to read the offense is what makes a good linebacker.
“I just want to have fun and win some games,” Kelly said.
TALON QUICK, DB, VELMA-ALMA,
Talon Quick lives up to his name.
The Velma-Alma defensive back/linebacker is quick to break down an offense, quick to the ball, and quick to hit anyone who’s carrying it.
Quick was a second-team All-County selection last season after making 58 total tackles last season. He was part of a defensive nucleus that lifted the Comets into the Class B State Championship Game.
“My favorite thing about playing defensive back is breaking down a team’s offense and hitting kids as hard as I can,” Quick said.
Drumright quarterback Bryson Kelley learned that the hard way last fall when Quick met him head on in the Class B Quarterfinals. Quick leveled the burly QB in the quarterfinals victory.
But Quick also enjoys the more cerebral parts of the game.
“The game of football is far more than running around hitting people,” he said. “When you’re watching film on another team, you really have to break down every position and figure out the team’s strong points and weak points. I look for patterns in their game plan, like if the team is 85 percent run on second down and 70 percent pass on third down. Knowing those things can be game-changing.”
BOSTON WHITE, WR/DB, DUNCAN, JUNIOR
Boston White has a vision of how good the Duncan passing game can be.
It can be fast, effective, and efficient.
Now he’s ready to put that vision on the field and show the world.
White, a Duncan junior, is one of the county’s top returning wide receivers. He’ll team with several other returning receivers and veteran quarterback Sawyer Rice to spearhead the Demons’ offensive attack.
“I think the passing game is going to be much better this season,” White said. “We’re getting the majority of the starters back at receiver, and experience is key in football. I think the chemistry is just as big – and that’s what leads to the most improvement.”
White is likely to be on of Rice’s favorite targets, but he could be just as important on the other side of the ball. White was a second-team All-County pick at defensive back last season. He made 81 tackles, including three for losses.
White said he believes hard offseason work will pay off this year for him and his teammates.
“I think the whole team has seen massive improvements, especially in just the two months or so of summer workouts,” he said. “The whole team, top to bottom, has made great strides.”
Driving west on Beech Avenue from US-81 during the day, you may have not given more than a second glance to the newest treasure on Duncan Public School property. Driving by it at night, the glow of red and white lights, seen from the highway or Beech, would make you curious. Maybe even enough to drive right up to the front doors.
In six-foot letters on the exterior, you can’t miss DUNCAN. Walk through the gates and to the other side, you’ll see the same lights and only the word DEMONS. Welcome to Halliburton Stadium Field-
house.
On the north side of the building are new concession stands with four windows to take orders and serve fans. The fieldhouse is located on the south end of the stadium field. Fans will be able to watch the game while they wait in line for their food. It’s the biggest improvement for the Halliburton Stadium. There’s also about 20 stalls for the women’s restrooms and 19 for the men’s restrooms.
Home visitors can park and enter on the south end to enter through the new gates by the fieldhouse, but all visitors have the option to use either the north or south entrances. This is the first football
Duncan
Duncan
Duncan district building better Duncan district building better student-athletes
STORY BY TONI HOPPER
season since the fieldhouse was opened in mid-April. Welcome to the home of Duncan Demon sports.
Inside the walls of the new 12,500-square foot fieldhouse is where student athletes will listen to their coaches, share laughter and tears with their teammates and get medical attention when needed. Nearly everything a fieldhouse needs is in this building.
A conference room on the east wing has a big screen wall-mounted TV, tables and Demon-emblazoned foldup chairs for meetings. There’s locker rooms for football, soccer, track and field and cross country. There’s coaches’ offices for each sport, and a designated room for
physical rehab and sports therapy.
Women’s sports and locker rooms are on the east wing, and men’s sports are on the west wing of the building. In the football locker room, there are about 80 lockers, and a place for uniforms and helmets. About 50 lockers are in each of the other sports locker rooms.
Inside the athletic trainer’s room are two large ice and water bath tanks and a large ice machine for the tanks, and a private treatment room. The entire room is much larger than what the players had in the old facility. Players can get ankles wrapped, or treated for minor injuries on one of the two patient tables.
Already in use, the new fieldhouse still has some projects that may not be completed until after football season. One of those is a Wall of Honor at the main entrance. This wall is expected to feature years and years of “PeeWee” Cary’s photographs and articles mural collaged onto the south wall of the entrance. Cary never missed a Duncan football game and shot thousands of photos during his time at The Duncan Banner. A trophy case for Duncan awards will be installed, along with the mural project. It will be visible to visitors through the glass doors at the entrance.
The new fieldhouse symbolizes progress for not only the school district, but also the community. Duncan Athletic Director Kevin Kelly said: “It’s been a long time since we’ve had something nice. Our community got behind us and realized we needed upgrades.”
Prior to the community pep rally held Friday, Aug. 9, the fieldhouse was opened for people to tour the inside. Kelly said a large crowd took advantage of the opportunity.
Kelly said the concession stand and bathrooms were long overdue. “Workers were sweating in the old one. The bathrooms were bad.” That included leaks always needing repair. The old concession stand wasn’t large enough and outdated years ago.
Last minute painting and minor improvements were made to the stadium seating and track and field earlier this month. Some of
those were still taking place at the time of this writing. Kelly said the community pep rally attendance nearly filled the entire visitor side of the stadium. Sandblasting and painting the home side seating was in the final stages.
As with many large, long projects, there’s always something that could have been improved upon, but not recognized until the end. That’s the case for the lack of a large football equipment room. Head Coach Matt Terry said they have game pads and other immediate items needed stored in what would normally be his office. All other gear is in the old fieldhouse, within walking distance. There will be a wall change for one of the women’s locker rooms so an exit door will allow them to walk into the east wing.
Duncan Public School District’s 2020 Vision Bond projects included this new facility. Getting to this point involved delays. One of those included the rock wall that separated the stadium from Fuqua Park - West on US-81. It was thought to be a WPA project dating to 1941, but when it was discovered that the rock wall was actually constructed through an old school bond measure, the hold-up was knocked down - along with the wall, said Terry. *Total cost figures were not available at press time.
The first home game is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 30 when the Demons will take on Bridge Creek Bobcats.
THE DUNCAN DEMONS
Demons fired up for new season schedule
STORY BY TONI HOPPER
Winning is an attitude. It’s also a goal for this year’s Duncan football program to overcome last year’s end result.
“Our attitude is energetic and the players are excited,” said Head Coach Matt Terry. This is Terry’s second season at Duncan. Terry believes in his team and sees a strong core group.
“So we’re going to play a bunch of teams that we’ve never played. They’ve seen the schedule and know what we’ve got. Our district is totally different. Altus and Duncan were big rivals, now we’re separated so we don’t play them.”
It’s the same with Ardmore. Piedmont also came off the list and Elgin dropped down to 4A.
Taking those teams off Duncan’s schedule doesn’t mean it will be easy, but provides the young team with a slight advantage. They will still have to meet rival Lawton MacArthur, Bishop McGuinness and Midwest City, but not until October and November. They will battle Newcastle in week five, Sept. 27. It will be the first district game. Duncan plays zero week, with a scrimmage at Ardmore, Aug. 22.
Five seniors are on the roster: Sincere Young, Jaxon Simpson, Jackson Poage, Eric Reza and Garrett Henry, but only four will be on the field. Poage is sidelined because of an elbow injury. There are 19 juniors, 24 sophomores and 19 freshmen. Coaching staff includes 12, up from seven, Terry said. “Coaching-wise, that’s going to help our kids a ton. Now we have one per position.”
Duncan ended its 2023 season 1-9, but Terry said nearly every game
“We have a ton of guys who play both ways [offensive and defense]. If you can go in and win a couple games early, that’s our goal. These kids will play hard no matter what.”
-Matt Terry Duncan Head Coach
the team had points on the board at the half-time. “Last year, all but two games we were in at half-time, and then in the third and fourth quarters we fell off. I think it’s numbers.” He gave MacArthur as an example. “You just never know. We’re down 10 last year, then a turnover, three straight plays, and they take 21 points on us just like that.” Making sure the team has a determined mindset and staying courageous, working hard, is key to success.
Two juniors to watch in the starting line-up are Rice as quarterback, and Tavion Holland, running back. Holland rushed for 300 last year in a backup roll, said Terry. “He has had a great spring and summer in the weightroom and will have a big season.”
Young is a two-way starter at wide-receiver and corner, the coach said. “Sincere has become a leader in our program and I am looking for him to have a big season. He is a great kid.”
Rice and junior Boston White (WR/
Aug. 30 Bridge Creek (4-6)
Sept. 6 at Cache (6-5)
Sept. 13 Guthrie (10-2)
Sept. 20 at Shawnee (3-7)
Sept. 27 at Newcastle (9-3)*
Oct. 4 OKC Southeast (2-8)*
Oct. 11 at Lawton Mac(8-3)*
Oct. 17 McGuinness (8-4)*
Nov. 1 at Classen SAS (3-7)*
Nov. 8 Midwest City (6-5)*
ON THE ROSTER
Jayzen Kortemeier WR/LB Jr.
Sincere Young WR/DB Sr.
Sawyer Rice QB/DB Jr.
Boston White WR/DB Jr.
Camden Villagrana WR/DB Jr.
Blayden Harper WR/DB So.
Crew Budowsky RB/LB So.
Tavion Holland RB/LB Jr.
Jaxon Simpson WR/DB Sr.
Eric Hernandez WR/DB So.
Desmond Elliott WR/DB So.
Marshall Harris DL/RB So.
Graham Goodson QB/LB So.
Zion Butler DL/RB Jr.
Jackson Poage WR/DB Sr.
Bailey Hunter WR/DB So.
Jackson Wisdom WR/LB Jr.
Elijah Willis WR/DB So.
Riley Hunter WR/DB So.
Eric Reza TE/DE Sr.
Aimery Brady TE/DL Jr.
Devan Johnson WR/DB So.
KJ Banks WR/DB So.
Reydon Noble RB/LB Jr.
Sebastian Morones K Jr.
Anthony Lada WR/DB So.
Nick Evans RB/LB So.
Karsen Key TE/DL So.
Gabe Munoz RB/LB So.
Brycen Millan K So.
Derek Johnson WR/DB Jr.
Riddock Stuart WR/DB So.
Wyatt Pruitt TE/DL So.
Billy McClinton OL/DL Jr.
Bryson Poindexter OL/DL Jr.
Hector Hernandez OL/LB So.
Corbin Waid OL/DL Jr.
Cesar Hernandez OL/DL So.
Onyx MayfieldOL/DL Jr.
Francisco Calixto OL/DL So.
Garrett Henry OL/DL Sr.
Jacob Clinkenbeard OL/DL Jr.
Kasen Benson OL/DL So.
Korben Torrez OL/DL So.
Jacob Conn OL/DL Jr.
DK Taylor Crawford OL/DL So.
Jay Johnston OL/DL So.
Isaak Salazar K So.
DB) are both fast on their feet, and having run relay together for years, they are bringing that to the game. Their 4x400 relay team finished second at state in Spring 2024.
“We have a ton of guys who play both ways [offensive and defense]. If you can go in and win a couple games early, that’s our goal. These kids will play hard no matter what.”
Athletic Director Kevin Kelly, who spent 17 years coaching at Duncan, said the same.
“We have some very winnable games this year, if we can win those games early in the season.”
“If you look at our schedule, there are five games we can be
Duncan Football All State Players
Joe Williams – 1938
Laddi Birge – 1939
Kenneth Hightower – 1940
Joe B. Whisenaut – 1941
Bill Hickman – 1942
Harry Paramore – 1944
Douglas nix – 1944
L.P. Brown – 1994
James Harris – 1946
Laddie McDade – 1947
Ray Smith – 1948
James Pack – 1949
Tommy Greer – 1952
Monte Hendricks – 1952
Dick Wilkins – 1953
Bob Vandlandingham – 1954
Ronnie Hendricks – 1956
Lowell Watts – 1957
David Harbour – 1956
Gene Whately – 1959
Danny Eoff – 1960
Don Magruder – 1951
Bill Pennington – 1962
Royce Merchant – 1964
competitive in. If we can just go play we can beat them,” Terry said. Last year, there were eight teams in the top 10 on Duncan’s schedule. “The schedule wasn’t in our favor.”
Last year, in Game 1, Lawton High beat Duncan in overtime, Piedmont jogged out 120 players, versus Duncan’s 40 and Guthrie’s defense was strong all year, he added.
Putting last year aside, Terry is confident for this year’s team. “We have a bunch of great players. To the parents, the community, we’ll always make them proud of the product we put on the field Friday nights.”
Jack Tallaferro – 1964
Randy Lawrence – 1967
Larry Colbert – 1968
Leroy Taylor – 1968
Gary Vorpahl – 1971
Joe Daniels – 1971
Jimmy Kidd – 1975
Gary Morgan – 1976
Dan Hammond – 1977
Cary Jones – 1978
Bill Green – 1979
Kenny Sutton – 1979
Gary Schornick – 1980
Laurance Austin – 1982
Mike Alexander – 1985
Herman Stevenson – 1985
Quinn Grovey – 1986
Chris Fancher – 1986
Jay Lynn White – 1991
Chris McCormick – 1992
Chad Smith – 1992
Matt McCormick – 1994
Brian Morton – 1994
Chad Blackburn – 1997
Lute Croy – 1998
Adam Doiron – 2000
Josh Howe – 2000
Trent Wilkins – 2008
Houston Johnson – 2009
Gabe McGee – 2009
Devante Harris – 2010
Dylan Dismuke – 2010
Jared Griffin – 2011
Caleb Longest – 2013
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
A LOOK BACK: DUNCAN’S PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2020-5A
1 : DUNCAN OVER EISENHOWER 21-3
2 : BISHOP MCGUINNESS OVER DUNCAN 41-21
2019-5A
1 : CARL ALBERT OVER DUNCAN 48-7
2018-5A
1 : GUTHRIE OVER DUNCAN 23-20
2012-5A
1 : BISHOP MCGUINNESS OVER DUNCAN 34-20
2011-5A
1 : DUNCAN OVER ADA 45-7
Q : MCALESTER OVER DUNCAN 37-21
2010-5A
1 : CARL ALBERT OVER DUNCAN 30-27
2009-5A
1 : GUTHRIE OVER DUNCAN 20-12
2007-5A
1 : DUNCAN OVER NOBLE 35-7
Q : EAST CENTRAL OVER DUNCAN 52-8
2005-5A
1 : SHAWNEE OVER DUNCAN 35-16
2001-5A
1 : DOUGLASS OVER DUNCAN 54-0
1999-5A
1 : JOHN MARSHALL OVER DUNCAN 34-7
1997-5A
1 : DUNCAN OVER WOODWARD 52-21
Q : DUNCAN OVER ALTUS 48-20
S : CARL ALBERT OVER DUNCAN 35-6
1996-5A
1 : DUNCAN OVER BISHOP MCGUINNESS 43-15
Q : WOODWARD OVER DUNCAN 9-7
1994-5A
1 : EL RENO OVER DUNCAN 49-14
1993-5A
1 : DUNCAN OVER GUTHRIE 38-0
Q : DUNCAN OVER JOHN MARSHALL 21-20
S : DUNCAN OVER DURANT 26-14
C : CARL ALBERT OVER DUNCAN 23-6
1992-5A
1 : CARL ALBERT OVER DUNCAN 13-0
1991-4A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CHICKASHA 27-6
2 : DUNCAN OVER HARRAH 27-0
Q : DUNCAN OVER GUTHRIE 21-13
S : DUNCAN OVER OKMULGEE 20-0
C : ADA OVER DUNCAN 21-6
1990-4A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CAPITOL HILL 50-7
2 : DUNCAN OVER SHAWNEE 13-10
Q : MACARTHUR OVER DUNCAN 21-14
1989-4A
1 : CARL ALBERT OVER DUNCAN 32-6
1987-4A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CARL ALBERT 9-6
Q : DUNCAN OVER BIXBY 7-0
S : DUNCAN OVER CLAREMORE 7-6
C : MCLAIN OVER DUNCAN 7-6
1985-4A
1 : DUNCAN OVER DOUGLASS 14-6
Q : DUNCAN OVER CARL ALBERT 19-13
S : NORTHEAST OVER DUNCAN 7-3
1984-4A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CHOCTAW 35-0
Q : DUNCAN OVER ARDMORE 35-13
S : DUNCAN OVER DURANT 41-14
C : DUNCAN OVER BISHOP KELLEY 10-7
1983-4A
1 : DUNCAN OVER MACARTHUR 21-0
Q : DUNCAN OVER WOODWARD 20-6
S : DUNCAN OVER ARDMORE 33-2
C : DUNCAN OVER BROKEN BOW 21-0
1982-4A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CHOCTAW 21-14
Q : DUNCAN OVER CARL ALBERT 27-20
S : ARDMORE OVER DUNCAN 23-0
1981-3A
1 : MUSTANG OVER DUNCAN 16-7
1980-3A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CARL ALBERT 21-6
Q : DUNCAN OVER CHOCTAW 18-8
S : MUSTANG OVER DUNCAN 23-6
1979-3A
1 : ADA OVER DUNCAN 14-0
1978-3A
1 : DUNCAN OVER ADA 43-14
Q : DUNCAN OVER GUTHRIE 29-0
S : DUNCAN OVER MACARTHUR 14-13
C : DUNCAN OVER JENKS 32-13
1977-3A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CARL ALBERT 20-12
Q : DUNCAN OVER SOUTHEAST 27-21
S : DUNCAN OVER ADA 7-0
C : DUNCAN OVER STILLWATER 19-6
1976-3A
1 : DUNCAN OVER ADA 13-7
Q : DUNCAN OVER SOUTHEAST 41-10
S : DOUGLASS OVER DUNCAN 13-9
1975-3A
1 : DUNCAN OVER CHOCTAW 19-16
Q : DUNCAN OVER GUYMON 9-0
S : ARDMORE OVER DUNCAN 10-7
1967-3A
S : MIDWEST CITY OVER DUNCAN 14-12
1952-A
Q : DUNCAN OVER ALTUS 34-7
S : MIDWEST CITY OVER DUNCAN 39-12
1945-A
Q : DUNCAN OVER ALTUS 14-7
S : DUNCAN OVER ARDMORE 18-12
C : DUNCAN OVER WILL ROGERS 17-7
MEET THE DEMONS’ SPIRIT TEAMS
Duncan Cheer ready for high kicks and goals
New adventures await Duncan Cheerleaders as they prepare for fall sports this year.
Duncan Cheer Coach Jesse Milburn said for the 2024-25 season, the squad is working consistently toward new tumbling skills and solid stunts.
“Our team is competing in the OS-
SAA Game Day competition this fall, as well as the ASC National competition this winter,” she said. “They attended a new summer camp and are working with Donnie Davis at Xtreme Thunder to perfect their routines for the year.”
As a second year cheer coach, Milburn said she cheered in high school
and she’s been a cheer mom for eight years.
“My hopes for this team is to gain new skills, learn to crowd lead, and to set a wonderful example for all of the future Demon cheerleaders,” she said.
New and exciting adventures wait around every corner for the Duncan cheerleading team as they prepare to
The 2024-25 Duncan High School Cheerleading Squad is comprised of Jakalynn Edwards, Sequoia Cobbs, McKenna Attaway, Kamrie Channel, Kylee Sheppard, Jordyn Blake, Raven Chandler, Alexis Eades, Addalynn Miglietti, Lucas Fowler, Alexis Billings, Avery Milburn, Ruby Miller, Landry Terry, Yovanna Hernandez and Christiana Nguyen.
STORIES BY TAMARA GREGOR AND CHARLENE BELEW
reach new heights this season.
Milburn said the team will compete in the OSSAA Game Day competition for the first time.
With a focus on routines for competitions and crowd leading, Milburn said the team will continue to work hard everyday.
She said the cheerleaders will work hand-in-hand with the POM team in different ways through the year to be a Spirit Program at Duncan High School.
“We volunteered with One True Light this summer as one unit,” she said. “This team has overcome so many obstacles.”
Milburn said the young women have set challenging goals for themselves and continue to work hard to achieve each one of them.
“I hope they carry that with them after high school with the understanding that believing in themselves and never giving up is the key to success, not only in cheer but in life,” Milburn said.
Duncan Cheerleaders hype up the crowd during the community pep rally in August, which served as a way to get Duncanites excited for the season ahead.
Duncan POM models talent, good citizenship
With eagerness, reliability and leadership, the Duncan POM girls work hard to pursue their goals and promote school spirit.
In her second year as DHS POM Coach, Jana Marks said they are a young team, as the POM Squad gained six freshmen for the new season.
These girls have come in eager to learn and have been working hard all summer,” she said.
With school spirit on the mind, Marks said part of her focus for the team is to build, as well as encourage relationships with the squad members.
“I want them to build bonds with each other that will encourage collaboration, accountability and it will produce greater results for us as a team,” she said.
Marks said she would love for this group of girls to develop their technique, as well as skills, all while promoting their school spirit.
“I expect these girls to model appropriate behavior and good citizenship,” she said.
Marks said each of the girls will continue to learn and grow from everything they learned at camp this past
summer.
“We are excited to showcase their talent and hard work,” she said.
Marks said they will make this year memorable. She said one of their goals is to qualify for state again.
“Everything we do as a team becomes a core memory for these girls,” she said.
Marks said this year’s POM team already makes her proud.
“They have practiced all summer and have continued to show up to make themselves better,” she said.
“They are all determined and they push each other to succeed.”
With senior leadership
stepping up to the ranks, Marks said they will lead the team in a positive environment, while making it a fun experience for everyone involved.
“I can’t wait to see what they accomplish this year,” she said.
The 2024-25 Duncan High School POM Team consists of: Seniors: Ava Johnson, captain; Maci Bishop, co-captain; Emmelyn Marks; Addison Hayes; Junior: Riley Byford; Sophomores: Merrick Ivey; Madison Vonfeldt; Freshmen: Kennedi Riddles; Madison Punneo; Addison Rannberg; Madisyn Lowry; Lauren Kriss; Bella Reyes.
Screamin’ Demon Band will use Demon Band
The Duncan Demon Band will rock the sidelines this year as they cheer on their athletes and bump up the bass to help boost morale.
With a band of 72 students this year, Director Jeramy Haas said the musicians have been working since July 29. So far, they’ve played at the annual Dehydrator bike ride, which is put on every July by band boosters to raise money for the band’s needs.
For the 2024-25 year, Haas said Juliana Holt and Andrew Sinner will lead as drum majors.
The band is historically known for doing well in all contests they attend. The goal is no different this year, Haas said.
“I would like to see the DHS Band continue to improve each day in their musical development and their personal relationships with each other.”
The contest work begins early. Haas said this year, the marching show is called “Sweet Dreams” and includes “Mr. Sandman,” “Gymnopedie #1,” “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars and “Sweet Dreams (are made of this)” by The Eurythmics.
“We will be competing in the ECU Marching Contest on Sept. 28, the Elgin Marching Contest on Oct. 5 and the OSSAA Regional Marching Contest on Oct. 29,” Haas said.
While contest takes most of their attention, students are just as eager to perform for the community at concerts and other activities.
In the mean time, younger musicians are picking up skills from the older students.
“The older students are being great examples for the new ones to follow,” Haas said. “The older students have been encouraging and helpful
Duncan band students perform at the district’s kick off breakfast for teachers that took place ahead of school starting in August.
to the new students. I love watching the interaction between old and new students and watching the bonding going on between all of the students.”
The band members put in a ton of work when it comes to their music, but they also work hard in other areas, including academic and personal lives.
“Each band student works very hard to improve themselves so they can perform their very best for the Duncan Community,” Haas said.
Haas and his wife, Dawn, have been part of the Duncan band program for 22 years. Ms. Garcia has been with the band for six years.
THE EMPIRE BULLDOGS
‘DAWGS PLAY WILL BITE THREE WAYS
BY KELLY WRAY
THE OFFENSE
Don’t grab the eye drops if you see Empire in three different offensives in the same game. It won’t be your eyes playing tricks on you.
That’s the plan this season on The Hill:
Use three separate offensive schemes … featuring three different personnel sets … that create three distinct approaches to attacking a defense.
All in the same game, if applicable.
After all, everything good comes in threes, right?
For Empire’s three-pronged approach, it will be: The Spread, The Pro-Set, and The Wham!
As to which offense Empire uses at a given time, that will come down to one question:
“Which one is working?” Empire head coach Brant Hayes asked rhetorically. “We’re going to give defenses a different look – but that doesn’t mean we’re going to switch all the time. If one is working, we’ll stick with it until the defense stops it.”
The spread lends itself to passing, the Wham to running, and the pro-set to either.
The pro-set includes four offensive linemen, including the tight end, two wide receivers, a quarterback, and a running back.
The spread features four wide receivers, three offensive linemen, and a quarterback.
On the other end of the spectrum is The Wham!, which is designed as a power-run game formation. It’s comprised of five offensive linemen,
including two tight ends, one wide receiver, one running back, and one quarterback.
No matter the offense, it will be Bryce Shaver who takes the snaps. Shaver is back for his sophomore season at quarterback. He was thrown into the starter’s role last season after transfers and injuries left the position vacated.
Shaver earned the job permanently by leaning on the county’s leading rusher Damian Goldsberry and passing for 305 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.
Shaver’s production was truncated because he rotated offensive series through the first six games. He didn’t become the full-time signal caller until Week 6.
Shaver won’t have Goldsberry to handoff to this year. Goldsberry graduated in May as one of the most productive running backs in school history.
But Shaver does welcome back starting fullback Kamdyn Whetstone, a bruising runner who will be the Bulldogs’ featured back this season.
Whetstone is big and strong enough to move to tight end in the Bulldogs Wham! set.
Cutter Rochell has secured one of the starting wide receiver jobs, but the other one is up for grabs, Hayes said.
Hayes made major changes to the offensive line. All of the starting linemen from last year were moved to the defensive line this season. Hayes replaced them on the offensive line with larger but less experienced specimens.
Raymond Sarmiento and Emillio Hernandez are penciled in as the guards. Shad McDaniel and Adian
Aug. 29 at Canadian (1-8)
Sept. 6 at Temple (1-9)
Sept. 13 Cyril (5-6)
Sept. 20 at Wetumka (6-5)
Oct. 4 Alex (3-8)
Oct. 10 Burns Flat-Dill City (1-9)*
Oct. 17 Snyder (2-6)*
Oct. 25 at Hollis (4-7)*
Nov. 1 Central (1-9)*
Nov. 8 at Waurika (3-7)*
LAST FIVE YEARS
AT A GLANCE
2023: 5-4 overall, 2-2 in district.
Coach: Brant Hayes – At Empire: 33-20, sixth year; 38-35, overall, seven seasons.
Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, second round loss to Balko-Forgan, 52-6.
Returning Starters: 3 OFFENSE: Bryce Shaver, QB; Kamdyn Whetstone, RB; Raymond Sarmiento, OL; 7 DEFENSE: Sean Allen, DE; Chase Kaspereit, NG; Nathan Menga, DE; Kamdyn Whetstone, LB; Cutter Rochell, LB; Cale Porter, DB; and Christian Benitez, DB.
Players to Watch: RB Kamdyn Whetstone becomes the focal point of the offense after the graduation of Damian Goldsberry, who led the county with 1,090 yards rushing; QB Bryce Shaver, who enters his second season as the Bulldogs signalcaller after passing for 305 yards and two touchdowns last fall; NG Chase Kaspereit, who recorded 85 total tackles; DE Nathan Menga, who was all-district as a lineman last season.
Primary Strengths: The Bulldogs’ defense should be stout. Head coach Brant Hayes has loaded that side of the ball with experience and athletes. It starts with three returning starters up front – nose guard Chase Kaspereit and defensive ends Sean Allen and Nathan Menga. Linebackers Kamdyn Whetstone and Cutter Rochell also return, as do defensive backs Cale Porter and Christian Benitez. The Bulldogs’ skill players on offense could also be a team strength. QB Bryce Shavers returns for his second season, and Kamdyn Whetstone, a bruising running back, is back to tote the rock.
Potential Problems: The offensive line is inexperienced. Shad McDaniel, Emillio Hernendez, and Raymond Sarmiento step into starting roles on the offensive line. Only Sarmiento has a lot of starting experience. Sarmiento started in place of his brother, Joaquin, when he suffered an injury last season.
Key Losses: RB Damian Goldsberry, who led the county with 1,090 rushing yards; LB Landon Burton, a second-team All-County selection with 75 tackles; Joaquin Sarmento, a starting lineman.
Newcomers: OL Shad McDaniel, OL Emillio Hernendez, and WR Cutter Rochell.
“This group is overall stronger than any other group I’ve had,” Hayes said, watching his charges lift weights during an early August evening. “We have some speed, but our speed is not outstanding. We are way better physically.”
-Brant Hayes Empire Head Coach
McGregor are battling to start at center.
Sarmiento started some last year in place of his older brother, Joaquin, who suffered an injury midway through the season.
“Our strength will be our skill people,” Hayes said, noting the offensive line could take time to develop.
“The good news for the offensive line is, they’ll practice against one of the best defensive fronts they’ll face. I don’t think we’ll face many defensive lines better than our own.
“I’ve told the defensive linemen that they have to make those guys better. If they make them better, they won’t have to go back to the offensive line and play. They’ve taken those guys under their wing.”
THE DEFENSE
Hayes has stacked the defense in hopes of creating an impenetrable force. Sean Allen (170 pounds), Mathan Menga (185), and Chase Kaspereit all started on the offense line, and some of them went both ways.
But this season, two of them – Allen and Menga – are slated to play exclusively on the D-line. Kaspereit will start at tight end in addition to his defensive line duties.
Kaspereit earned All-Coun-
ty First-Team selection as a defensive lineman last season after making 85 tackles, including 10 for losses.
“We can realistically be very good on defense,” Hayes said. “If defense wins championships, we want our best eight cats on defense. We’re going to try to keep them fresh.”
The Bulldogs graduated starting linebacker Luke Burton, who was second team All-County last season with 75 total tackles. Whetstone, who
was first team All-County, will return to his linebacker spot. He led the team with 90 tackles in 2023. Cale Porter will be the other starting linebacker. Christian Benitez and Francisco Garcia will be the starting defensive backs.
“This group is overall stronger than any other group I’ve had,” Hayes said, watching his charges lift weights during an early August evening. “We have some speed, but our speed is not outstanding. We
Kamdyn Whetstone. Kamdyn Whetstone.
are way better physically.”
Moving to 8-Man
Empire moves to Class B from Class A last season.
The Bulldogs were placed in the new B1-2 District with Central, Hollis, Snyder, Waurika, and Burns Flat-Dill City.
Hayes said the move in class will help the Bulldogs’ depth. Empire led in all but two games last season, but
they had trouble putting away contests and often lost leads late in the third or fourth quarters.
That’s because the Bulldogs were out of energy. They finished the season with just 19 players, meaning coaches had to help run scout team in practice.
“It should be us and Hollis for the district,” Hayes said.
“Waurika will be tough too.”
Lets Go Bulldogs!
A LOOK BACK: EMPIRE’S PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2021-B
1 : EMPIRE OVER STROTHER 48-29 2 : BALKO OVER EMPIRE 52-6
2020-B 2 : ALEX OVER EMPIRE 38-20
2019-B 1 : ALEX OVER EMPIRE 52-6
2018-B 1 : ALEX OVER EMPIRE 54-8 2017-B 1 : WELEETKA OVER EMPIRE 44-22
2013-A 1 : EMPIRE OVER CRESCENT 48-13 2 : HOLLIS OVER EMPIRE 29-6 2012-A 1 : CRESCENT OVER EMPIRE 28-25 2011-A 1 : HOLLIS OVER EMPIRE 48-13
2010-A 1 : CARNEGIE OVER EMPIRE 42-0
MEET THE BULLDOGS’ SPIRIT TEAMS
Empire POM ready to ignite the force behind Dawgs’ spirit
Empire’s POM squad will attempt to be one with the force as they bring encouragement and positivity to the fans.
Empire POM Coach Sarah Lemons said the POM teams energy and spirit will stand out among the rest.
“This team is very eager to learn new things and excited to perform for our fans,” she said.
Lemons said their main goal this year is to simply be better than they were last year. She said they are taking on the “Game Day” competition this season as well.
While this is a new venture for Empire POM, Lemons said they are ready to go out and conquer their goals.
Their “Game Day” competition routine, Lemons said, will consist of a field performance of the school fight song, as well as a band dance and a band crowd involvement dance.
As a veteran to cheer, Lemons coached POM in Oklahoma for the past three years, but she’s collectively taught dance and coached for nearly 30 years.
“I have the most experience teaching in the studio and
competitive niche, but also coached drill team in Texas for four years, before moving to Oklahoma,” she said.
This year, Lemons said the team will learn more routines and work to advance in their technique skills.
With a focus to entertain the fans, Lemons said the squad will work toward encouraging a new generation of dancers.
As a coach, Lemons said the team is already good at making the little moments, as well as the big achievements something to remember.
“We have great personal-
ities on the team and they make every practice and game a great time,” she said.
“Making it to the finals in the Game Day competition, however, would be a great memory.”
Lemons said she’s expects a lot out of the team this year, because she knows they can accomplish anything.
“I hope they strive to always be the best version of themselves that they can be,” Lemons said.
STORIES BY TAMARA GREGOR AND CHARLENE BELEW
The 2024-25 Empire High School POM is comprised of Ashton Anderson, Raylee Blackburn, Kendie Rochelle, Laynie Johnson, Bailey Swanson, Irina Mejia, MaKenzie Simmons, Paityn Wylie, Chanlie Rochelle.
The Empire High School Marching Band has high goals for the upcoming school year.
With 48 students participating for the 2024-25 school year, Band Director Kim Herring said the group –which is a decent size for a rural school – began practicing this year on Aug. 15.
This year’s drum majors for The Pride of the Empire Marching Band are Ella Stidham, Lindsey Crump and Bailey Swanson.
Those high goals will come, Herring said, as the band grows into their talents.
“Our goals for this upcoming year will be to continue to grow our skills in leadership and musicianship,” she said. “Another goal of ours will be to place one of the top three of the drumline competition at the State Fair Band Day Parade. We have consistently placed first or second in Class 2A Drumline for the past four years.”
And while they have big goals, they also have big plans for their halftime shows.
The
2024-25
Laytham Beaushaw
Valdez Vanderburg
Lili Chastain
Paityn Wylie
Darby Darbonne
AnnaRae Dore
Garett Eakins
Brooklyn Allen
Vanessa Garcia
Kayla Boyd
Kolby Lucero
Brey Eakins
Kate McGuire
Faith Fields
Ryden Payne
Aribella Gauthun
Nathaniel Sanchez
“Our halftime shows vary weekly with our students learning a new marching formation each week Empire has a home game,” Herring said. “Songs are picked from our rotation of marching pep band music and different each home performance as well.”
One of those halftime shows will bring the much anticipated Glow Show, which takes place at Empire each year.
“The community loves to watch,” Herring said. “All the stadium lights are turned off during halftime and our band students perform a special marching formation and dance covered from head to toe with glow sticks. Our students and crowds love it. Our Glow Show date has not been set yet, but is usually the last or second to last home game of Empire’s football season. Stay tuned for an official date.”
But you’ll find the Empire band out in the community too, including running the concession at the annual Duncan Auto Swap Meet that takes place in midMarch.
Empire Band Lineup
Blaike Lee
Bentley Wagner
Annie Stewart
Charlie Walls
Bailey Swanson
Chloe Wheeler
Alyssa Wylie
Ella Stidham
Sarah Vanderburg
Hope Fields
Angel Gonzalez
Zoey Gray
Lindsey Crump
Chris Jones
Michael McConnell Jr.
Makenzi Jones
Lukas McDaniel
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and provides the funds needed for new instruments, music, supplies, competition fees and uniforms,” Herring said. “Our students love serving fresh-cooked hamburgers and homemade Indian Tacos to our community.”
In the meantime, the younger musicians are taking the lead from their senior counterparts.
“The older musicians hold sectionals for everyone in their section, including the younger musicians, to help them with their music and during marching season, marching fundamentals,” Herring said. “The younger students look up to the older students as role models and
are not afraid to ask for help on a variety of topics. Older students also work with younger students during lunch (after they eat) for more one on one time.”
One thing Herring asks the audience to remember is how hard these students work.
“My students are involved with many other organizations – Student Council, Softball, Basketball, Academic Team, ESports, etc. – at school in addition to band,” she said. “Some students also work jobs outside of school and every band student maintains passing grades. Our band students are very well rounded leaders in the making.”
Adrian Najera
Caden Talley
Bella Robison
Serenity Womack
Annabell Wylie
Cambry Cook
Daisey Galvez
Brianna Gamblin
Mahala Gamblin
Mackenzie Hopson
Brooklynne Strong
Daxon Surber
Amon Torrez
Maverick Truelock
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Lady Bulldogs bring bright side to Empire
Asmall, but mighty cheerleading squad strives to succeed in every way possible to raise their voice and make the upcoming football season the most memorable.
Empire Cheer Coach D’Raye Rochell said last year’s homecoming parade brought a lot of memories to the school and they want to continue the tradition this year.
“We have never done anything like this before and it turned out great,” she said. The kids loved it and can’t wait to have it again this year.”
Rochell said they look forward to having more community participation, as well as a bigger turnout for the new season.
“Our main focus is to get all the fans and the entire
community involved in promoting school spirit,” she said.
Rochell said the cheerleading squad is slightly different than most, as they have 10 cheerleaders, but four of them are only apart of the POM team during the
football season.
Later in the season, they move over and cheer at the basketball games.
“The cheerleaders and pom squad will be working hard for their competition that is set to be in November,” she said.
Rochell said the squad has been busy planning themes for each one of their home football games. She said they hope to make this one of the best years and most memorable for the bulldogs.
2024-25 Empire Cheerleading team is comprised of Halle Hightower, Charlee Presgrove, Cali Kaspereit, Kami Macmahan, Audra Brewer and Emilee Solie.
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COMANCHE
BRAY-DOYLE
THE MARLOW OUTLAWS Outlaws loaded and ready to fire 2024
STORY BY KELLY WRAY
THE OFFENSE
Loaded – That’s the most accurate word to describe the skill players at Marlow.
The Outlaws have as many as two quarterbacks, five running backs, and four tight ends who could see significant playing time this season, head coach Matt Weber said.
And there’s not much of a talent drop off, if any, from one player to the next.
Marlow graduated all-state quarterback Cade Gilbert, who was selected as All-County Offensive Player of Year last season. Gilbert accounted for 2,119 yards from the line of scrimmage and 22 touchdowns.
The race to replace Gilbert is down to two ultra-competitors, Blayd Harris and Hudson Morgan. Both are coaches sons – Harris is the son of Marlow basketball coach Kirk Harris and Morgan is the son of Marlow baseball coach John Morgan. Both have played in huge games many sports. And both bring a winning mentality, Weber said.
Harris was Gilbert’s back up the past two seasons and saw some action in the Class 3A Semifinal last season when Gilbert had to set out a series because of shoulder injury.
Harris was the starting pitcher in the first game of the Class 3A State Tournament in May, and Morgan went the distance in the Outlaw’s 1-0 win over Tuttle in the semifinals. Both were football first-team All-County selections for football on defense last year, and Harris was County Co-Player of the Year in basketball.
Each has had scant passing opportunities in the past. Harris went 5-of-7
last season for 76 yards and two TDs. Morgan was 3-for-3 for 30 yards and one touchdown. Morgan did more damage on the ground, rushing for 253 yards and 9 touchdowns.
“We could possibly play two quarterbacks,” Weber said. “Both of those guys are so good for us on defense, and we typically try to protect our quarterback until the playoffs.” That means the Marlow staff tries to keep the quarterback on one side of the ball –the offensive side -- throughout the regular season.
The two quarterbacks have similarities – they’re both competitors, both disciplined, both athletic and smart –but there is one major difference. Harris is 175 pounds while Morgan is 225.
“They’re two of our greatest competitors,” Weber said. “The thing I can say about Blayd is, he’s the ultimate competitor in whatever sports he plays. Hudson is a great competitor, too – and he’s probably our most gifted athlete as far as being big, strong, and fast.
“They’re both a little different from Cade. Cade was so accurate in the pocket, but I feel like we’ll have to move them (outside the pocket) more and give them the option to run.”
Weber has Jonathon Brite penciled in at one running back spot. Brite, a senior, gained 311 yards and scored three touchdowns on 44 carries last season. He won the 100-meter and 200-meter championships at the state track meet in May, so speed isn’t a question.
But Brite isn’t going to carry the load alone. Weber said four other backs, including sophomore Clint
Aug. 30 at North Rock Creek (5-6)
Sept. 6 at Chickasha (4-6)
Sept. 12 Mustang JV (0-0)
Sept. 27 Lindsay (7-4)*
Oct. 4 Lexington (5-6)*
Oct. 11 Crossings Christian (7-4)*
Oct. 17 at Washington (15-0)*
Oct. 25 Dickson (4-6)*
Nov. 1 at Marietta (0-9)*
Nov. 8 Little Axe (1-8)*
AT A GLANCE
2023: 9-4 overall, 4-3 in district
Coach: Matt Weber – At Marlow: 85-36, 11th season
Last Playoff Appearance: 2023, Class 3A Semifinals, lost to Heritage Hall, 31-29
Returning Starters: 5
OFFENSE: LT Brock Smith, LG Gage Hixon, WR Jacob Crowson, WR Boomer Brooks, TE Korbin Dittner; 7 DEFENSE: NG Gage Hixon, DE Brock Smith, ILB Hudson Morgan, ILB Korbin Dittner, S Blayd Harris, S Jacob Crowson, CB Keller Kizarr.
Players to Watch: Blayd Harris, in the mix to earn the starting quarterback job and is a returning AllCounty selection at safety; Hudson Morgan, also in the mix at quarterback and is a returning All-County pick at linebacker; Brock Smith, one of two returning offensive linemen and will also start on the defensive line; Gage Hixon, the other returning starter on the offensive line; RB Jonathan Brite, who won track state championships in the 10-meeter and 200-meter races this spring; Jacob Crowson, a two-way starter at wide receiver and defensive back; Keller Kizarr, a returning starter in the defensive backfield.
Primary Strengths: The Outlaws return seven starters on defense, including both inside linebackers and both safeties. The defensive backfield is loaded with returning starters S Blayd Harris, S Jacob Crowson, and CB Keller Kizarr. Inside linebacker Hudson Morgan has the potential to the be best linebacker in the county, and DE Brock Smith and NG
Gage Hixon set a strong front. On offense, the strength is skill players. RB Jonathan Brite is fast enough to win state championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, and head coach Matt Weber said there is as many as four other running backs who could see action. Harris and Morgan give the Outlaws two furious competitors at quarterback. Depth will also be a strength for the Outlaws, who can suit 90 players when they bring freshmen to varsity.
Potential Challenges:
It could take some time for the offensive line to gel. The Marlow offensive line is usually a senior-laden unit. That means there’s a lot of retooling each season, but offensive line coach Chad Gilbert does a great job of developing players, head coach Matt Weber said. Returning linemen Brock Harris and Gage Hixon will also help lead the way.
Key Losses: QB Cade
Gilbert, the two-year starter under center passed for 1,254 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and rushed for an additional 865 yards and 9 touchdowns; LB Jase Hunt, led the team with 138 tackles; WR Barron Gage, caught 32 passes for 531 yards in 2023; OL Owen Long, completed 92 percent of his blocks and made 33 pancake blocks; OL Kaden Lucas, completed 90 percent of his blocks and made 25 pancake blocks. DL Payton Edie, made 103 tackles and 9 sacks; DB Lawson Knox, made 88 tackles and 2 interceptions.
Newcomers: C Jake Pettit, LG Bradyn Brantley, TE/OLB Brantz Bateman, TE Jackson Miller, TE/OLB Clayton Robinson, DE Jackson Murray, DE Clete Gilbert.
ON THE ROSTER
Ladon, could see valuable carries. Ladon saw time last season until he sustained an injury in the quarterfinal playoff game.
Weber said the Outlaws will usually operate out of oneback set. When they do show a two-back formation, senior Weston Pope or junior Grant Woods will be at fullback.
“Not to say we can’t throw the football, but to have so many talented running backs is a plus,” Weber said. “We usually have some option flavor to us, so our quarterbacks have to be able to get
out and run. Going into the season, we never know exactly what we’re going to be. We found out and then build our offense around it. But, going in, I’d say our strength will be feeding our running backs the ball.”
Offensive Line: The Outlaws graduated two first-team All-County linemen, Owen Long and Kaden Lucas. But they welcome back second-team All-county selections Brock Smith at left tackle and Gage Hixon at left guard. Smith is entering his third season as a starter on the
offensive line, and he completed 80 percent of his blocks last season. Hixon returns for his second season as a starting offensive lineman, and he is penciled in at right tackle this season.
Offensive line coach Chad Gilbert has three inexperienced players to develop. Weber said sophomore Jake Pettit is set at center, and two cousins, Bradyn Brantely and Brody Brantely get the nod at right guard and right tackle, respectively.
“Our offensive line coach does a great job of developing kids,” Weber said. “We have so many kids who don’t play until they’re seniors, but they hang around and find a place on the offensive line in their last season. It’s nothing new for us to be replacing people on the offensive line. Most of the time we’re replacing all five.”
Because the Outlaws operate out of a two-tight set so often, Weber said he’ll play as many as four tight ends at different times.
Vying for time at tight end are three seniors – Korbin Dittner, Brantz Bateman, and Clayton Robinson – and one sophomore, Jackson Miller.
Bateman won a state wrestling title at 145 pounds in February, but through weight lifting this summer he’s bulked to 180 pounds, Weber said.
Wide Receivers: Jacob Crowson is returning at one receiver spot. Crowson made 33 catches for 431 yards and
two touchdowns as a junior last season. He was a second-team All-County selection.
A battle is brewing for the other outside receiver job.
Either Boomer Brooks, who broke his leg early in the season last year, or Parker Boyles should get the nod there, Weber said.
Slot receivers are sophomore Jaxon Murray and senior Keller Kizarr.
THE DEFENSE
There’s been a change in de-
fensive coordinator at Marlow.
Colby Shamley replaced Jeremy Gage, who retired from coaching after many years of service but will remain as Marlow High principal.
Shamley brings a wealth of coaching experience and a new defensive philosophy to the Outlaws’ locker room, Weber said.
Shamley has coached for 20-plus years and was defensive coordinator at Plainview in 2019 when the Indians went to the state championship. He was defensive coordinator at
Ada last season during the Cougars’ rise to the Class 4A Semifinals.
So, don’t be surprised if you see the Outlaws work out of an odd-man front and bring more pressure at the quarterback, Weber said, noting that Shamley likes to use stunts to cause chaos at the line of scrimmage.
Shamley has found the Marlow defensive cupboard fairly full. The Outlaws return seven starters from a defense that experienced some ups and downs last season but
was steady enough to push Marlow within seconds of the state championship game.
Marlow graduated four starters, including linebacker Jase Hunt, lineman Peyton Edie, and defensive backs Lawson Knox and Gilbert. Hunt was an all-state selection and the county’s Defensive Player of the Year. He led the Outlaws with 138 tackles, second most in the county.
Edie finished with 103 tackles, while Knox made two interceptions and 88 stops.
Still, the Outlaws return at least one starter on every defensive unit – the D-line and at linebacker and defensive back.
Defensive Line: Hixon returns at nose guard, and Smith fills one of the defensive end spots. Weber is still evaluating talent at the other defensive end position, but he said he’ll likely start Murray or Clete Gilbert.
Linebackers: Weber points to Bateman and Robinson as the starting outside linebackers. On the inside, Morgan and Dittner get the call. Morgan was a first-team All-County selection at linebacker last season after recording 121 tackles, second most on the team. He also recorded two sacks, forced two fumbles, and intercepted two passes.
Dittner made 91 tackles and one interception in 2023.
The starting secondary consists of safeties Harris and Crowson and cornerbacks Kizarr and Kaden Harris.
Blayd Harris garnered 98 tackles and five interceptions on the way to becoming a first-team All-County selection last season. Kizarr made 41 stops and was a second-team All-County winner.
A LOOK BACK: MARLOW’S PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2023-3A
1: MARLOW OVER METRO CHRISTIAN 28-14
Q: MARLOW OVER CASCIA HALL 45-7
S: HERITAGE HALL OVER MARLOW 31-29
2022-3A
1 : PERKINS-TRYON OVER MARLOW 49-0
2021-2A
1 : MARLOW OVER PURCELL 63-20
2 : MARLOW OVER CHANDLER 38-7
Q : MARLOW OVER CAS. HALL 38-7
S : MARLOW OVER EUFAULA 28-16
C : MARLOW OVER WASH. 17-13
2020-2A
2 : MARLOW OVER BETHEL 70-33
3 : MARLOW OVER CHANDLER 31-28
Q : METRO CHRISTIAN OVER MARLOW 35-31
2019-3A
1 : KINGFISHER OVER MARLOW 45-42
2018-3A
1 : HERITAGE HALL OVER MARLOW 42-0
2017-3A
1 : PLAINVIEW OVER MARLOW 67-48
2016-3A
1 : SULPHUR OVER MARLOW 28-7
2015-3A
1 : JONES OVER MARLOW 21-14
2014-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER LITTLE AXE 49-21
2 : CUSHING OVER MARLOW 41-7
2013-3A
1 : SEMINOLE OVER MARLOW 52-19
2012-3A
1 : SEMINOLE OVER MARLOW 59-7
2007-3A
1 : KINGFISHER OVER MARLOW 45-7
2006-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER TUTTLE 16-14
Q : MARLOW OVER LOCUST GROVE 25-10
S : MARLOW OVER HUGO 17-6
C : SEQUOYAH CLAREMORE OVER MARLOW 32-3
2005-3A
1 : KINGFISHER OVER MARLOW 21-20
2004-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER TUTTLE 42-31
Q : VICTORY CHRISTIAN OVER MARLOW 46-7
2002-3A
1 : SEMINOLE OVER MARLOW 21-14
1999-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER SEMINOLE 28-17
Q : DEER CREEK OVER MARLOW 23-6
1998-3A
1 : PURCELL OVER MARLOW 34-20
1997-4A
1 : MARLOW OVER MCLOUD 35-7
Q : CLINTON OVER MARLOW 14-3
1996-4A
1 : MARLOW OVER CUSHING 24-14
Q : WEATHERF. OVER MARLOW 30-0
1995-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER SEMINOLE 21-13
Q : TUTTLE OVER MARLOW 14-7
1994-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER TUTTLE 35-6
Q : MARLOW OVER SEMINOLE 10-7
S : MARLOW OVER VINITA 45-10
C : FREDERICK OVER MARLOW 34-13
1993-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER KINGFISHER 26-18
Q : FREDERICK OVER MARLOW
20-13
1992-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER TUTTLE 35-15
Q : MARLOW OVER MILLWOOD 24-14
S : MARLOW OVER LOCUST GROVE 28-20
C : NEWCASTLE OVER MARLOW 21-11
1991-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER BLACKWELL 31-0
2 : MARLOW OVER PLAINVIEW 14-8
Q : WEATHERFORD OVER MARLOW 10-0
1990-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER JONES 28-0
2 : MARLOW OVER NEWCASTLE 34-6
Q : SEMINOLE OVER MARLOW 17-14
1987-3A
1 : SEMINOLE OVER MARLOW 29-7
1985-3A
1 : PAULS VALLEY OVER MARLOW 39-17
1984-3A
1 : PAULS VALLEY OVER MARLOW 28-6
1983-3A
1 : MARLOW OVER ELK CITY 20-7
2 : MARLOW OVER PERRY 13-10
Q : MARLOW OVER BISHOP MCGUINNESS 27-0
S : DURANT OVER MARLOW 10-0
1981-2A
1 : MARLOW OVER MILLWOOD 31-20
Q : NEWCASTLE OVER MARLOW 49-22
1980-2A
1 : MARLOW OVER KINGFISHER 17-12
Q : LINDSAY OVER MARLOW 7-6
1978-2A
1 : MARLOW OVER HARRAH 14-7
Q : CLINTON OVER MARLOW 13-7
1976-2A
1 : CLINTON OVER MARLOW 21-6
1966-B
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER MARLOW 21-8
1964-B
1 : MARLOW OVER VELMA-ALMA 25-7
Q : MARLOW OVER JONES 47-0
S : MARLOW OVER HOBART 28-6
C : MARLOW OVER BIXBY 25-12
1963-B
1 : MARLOW OVER HOBART 42-8
Q : LINDSAY OVER MARLOW 20-14
1962-B
1 : MARLOW OVER HOBART 36-0
Q : LINDSAY OVER MARLOW 14-8
1959-B
1 : MARLOW OVER HOBART 52-12
Q : MARLOW OVER ARDMORE DOUGLASS 30-0
S : MARLOW OVER CHANDLER 82-6
C : MARLOW OVER HOMINY 32-0
1958-B
1 : HOBART OVER MARLOW 20-12
1953-B
1 : MARLOW OVER WILSON 33-6
Q : BETHANY OVER MARLOW 20-19
1952-B
1 : MARLOW OVER VELMA-ALMA 12-7
Q : MARLOW OVER MOORE 33-14
S : TONKAWA OVER MARLOW 18-14
1946-B
1 : SAYRE OVER MARLOW 19-12
1945-B
1 : MARLOW OVER ANADARKO 53-0
Q : MARLOW OVER PURCELL 39-0
S : WAGONER OVER MARLOW 13-12
SERIES
Marlow vs. Chickasha
Chickasha leads the series, 35-30
2023: Marlow 37, Chickasha 14
2022: Marlow 45, Chickasha 14
2021: Marlow 40, Chickasha 14
2020: Marlow 24, Chickasha 21
2019: Chickasha 20, Marlow 7
2018: Chickasha 35, Marlow 24
2005: Chickasha 9, Marlow 8
2004: Chickasha 48, Marlow 0
2003: Chickasha 35, Marlow 7
2002: Chickasha 62, Marlow 6
2001: Chickasha 33, Marlow6
2000: Chickasha 42, Marlow 0
1999: Chickasha 35, Marlow 2
1998: Chickasha 48, Marlow 7
1997: Chickasha 9, Marlow 7
1996: Chickasha 23, Marlow 19
1995: Chickasha 23, Marlow 0
1994: Marlow 20, Chickasha 7
1993: Marlow 36, Chickasha 19
1992: Marlow 18, Chickasha 13
1991: Marlow 29, Chickasha 0
1990: Marlow 38, Chickasha 0
1989: Marlow 28, Chickasha 6
1988: Marlow 20, Chickasha 8
1987: Marlow 10, Chickasha 7
1986: Chickasha 10, Marlow 7
1985: Marlow 10, Chickasha 0
1984: Chickasha 19, Marlow 0
1983: Marlow 17, Chickasha 15
1982: Marlow 21, Chickasha 15
1981: Chickasha 14, Marlow 7
1980: Marlow 21, Chickasha 14
1979: Marlow 20, Chickasha 7
1978: Marlow 7, Chickasha 0
1977: Marlow 35, Chickasha 0
1976: Marlow 6, Chickasha 0
1975: Marlow 7, Chickasha 0
1974: Chickasha 35, Marlow 7
1973: Chickasha 33, Marlow 13
1972: Chickasha 9, Marlow 8
1971: Marlow 32, Marlow 19
1970: Chickasha 7, Marlow 0
1969: Marlow 28, Chickasha 8
1968: Chickasha 9, Marlow 6
1967: Chickasha 12, Marlow 0
1966: Marlow 7, Chickasha 6
1967: Chickasha 12, Marlow 0
1966: Marlow 7, Chickasha 6
1965: Marlow 27, Chickasha 6
1963: Marlow 14, Chickasha 0
1962: Marlow 34, Chickasha 8
1961: Chickasha 28, Marlow 14
1960: Chickasha 30, Marlow 8
1959: Chickasha 28, Marlow 14
1958: Chickasha 16, Marlow 15
1957: Marlow 18, Chickasha 6
1956: Chickasha 12, Marlow 6
1955: Chickasha 26, Marlow 0
1954: Chickasha 6, Marlow 0
1953: Chickasha 6, Marlow 0
1952: Chickasha 25, Marlow 7
1949: Chickasha 19, Marlow 0
1948: Chickasha 51, Marlow 14
1947: Chickasha 53, Marlow 0
1946: Marlow 19, Chickasha 6
1945: Marlow 7, Chickasha 6
1944: Chickasha 31, Marlow 0
1943: Chickasha 38, Marlow 0
1942: Chickasha 27, Marlow 0
1941: Chickasha 7, Marlow 0
1940: Chickasha 7, Marlow 6
1933: Chickasha 15, Marlow 0
1932: Chickasha 26, Marlow 0
1927: Chickasha 18, Marlow 0
1926: Chickasha 32, Marlow 0
1925: Marlow 7, Chickasha 6
1924: Chickasha 14, Marlow 7
1917: Chickasha 30, Marlow 6
1917: Chickasha 13, Marlow 6
MEET THE OUTLAWS’ SPIRIT TEAMS
Determination drives Bootleggers toward success
The Marlow Bootleggers are determined to put their best to the test at football games and in competitions this year.
Marlow Bootleggers Coach Tristyn Ivory said the girls have an incredible drive to be the best and they continue to work hard every day.
With an ultimate goal to enjoy the football season, Ivory said they will strive to make it to the finals for the Game Day state competition.
She said she expects the girls to be a positive representation of Marlow.
Ivory said they plan to focus on their
kick line this year.
“The girls have worked harder this year than ever before,” she said. “They started practicing in June, rather than August.”
“The girls have been working on their halftime routines, competition routine, kicks, etc,” she said.
She said their main focus is on their five halftime performances at the football games.
“They are what the town and the girls look forward to the most,” she said.
To bring more unity to the team, Ivory said they are woking to add more fun
into their practice days.
“This summer, we had a ‘Bring a Friend to Practice’ where we showed outside teenagers what we do,” Ivory said. “They all had fun and got to attempt our 100 kicks.”
In her second year as a coach, Ivory was also a Bootlegger from 20132017. Ivory said she’s immensely proud of the Bootleggers, who they are and who they represent.
“They work harder than they need to and always focus on building up their teammates,” she said. “It’s going to be the best year.”
The 2024-25 Marlow High School Bootleggers is compressed of Captains: Haylee Daniel, Brenlee Scifres, Britney Mackey, Graci Grissom, Gabrielle Brown and Blakley Tanner. Team members: Natalie Banks, Avery Throckmorton, Krysta Shelby, Karly Miller, Kai Soell, Kory Scott, Carson Lovett, Kenleigh Graham, Samantha Williams, Rowan Cox, Karter Boyles, Greer DaVoult, Gabrielle Baecker, Amelia Sanders and Selina Zhang.
STORIES BY TAMARA GREGOR AND CHARLENE BELEW
Marlow Cheer to tie unity and enthusiasm together
Marlow’s cheerleading squad will focus on unity and good sportsmanship over the next year.
Marlow Cheer Coach Amy Herchock said the squad seeks to be loud and enthusiastic about the upcoming season.
“I feel this will carry over into our game performances,” she said.
In her 16th year coaching cheer, Herchock said the squad will switch back to the OSSAA traditional cheer competition in September. She said they are excited to see what this change will bring to the squad.
With a goal to perform at each home football game at halftime, Herchock said this competition will be something new for them.
Herchock cheered throughout high school and college prior to becoming a high school cheer coach.
With a focus on school pride and school spirit, Herchock said unity is amongst
school organizations.
Herchock said they will make this year memorable by doing more activities together, such as holiday gatherings and visiting assisted living centers in the area.
“We also plan to attend OU Spirit Day and perform at an OU football game early November,” she said.
Herchock said she’s proud of this squad.
“We kicked off the summer
with a camp championship at the UCA camp we attended at OU,” she said. “I believe we can accomplish what we set out to do with effort and positive attitudes.”
The 2024-25 Marlow High School Cheerleaders are Aleah Chase, Maci Miller, Ryleah Pratt, Deisy Rodriguez, Lilly Thompson, Kylie Barrington, Emma Gore, Bretlie Hyde, Mylee Moore, Hayden Pereira, Delaney Topping, McKenna Austin, Jaci McKay, Payten Reynolds, Hayden Dodd, mascot; Elizabeth Hutton, Gracie Luttrell.
MARLOW MUSICIANS TO RAISE THE BAR THIS YEAR
The Marlow Outlaws can expect their sidelines to bump this season because their band started early and student musicians are geared up for the new school year.
Matthew Pitts, Marlow band director, said this year’s roster has 51 students listed. Those student musicians began their craft with drumline camp from July 22-26 and with band camp from July 29 through Aug. 2.
This year’s drum majors are
senior Katelyn Cullum and senior Estrella Molina.
When it comes to the band and its plan, Pitts said, “the word of the year is balance.”
“We are going to work toward making sure we have balance across the whole band,” Pitts said.
This year’s halftime show will feature music from the 80s.
Aside from cheering on their team, the musicians will set their sights on Marching Contest, where they will aim
to do well.
“We are up to the challenge and we have built a lot of good fundamentals the last couple of years,” Pitts said.
Through all of this, the students develop close relationships as they work together to become the best they can be.
“It is a priority to have good mentors in band,” Pitts said.
“Not only have I encouraged these relationships, but have done my best to push upperclassmen/section leaders out of their comfort zones in order
to build camaraderie.”
One thing that is important to remember is that every group of musicians must start with the fundamentals.
“Over the last couple of years, we have done our best to build the groundwork for a good marching season this year,” he said. “We are going to do our best to make sure that it shows on and off the field.”
THE COMANCHE INDIANS
INDIANS AIM TO CONTROL PACE OF GAME
STORY BY KELLY WRAY
THE OFFENSE
Comanche welcomed new offensive coordinator Bode Grice this off-season, and he brought to campus a no-huddle, often up-tempo attack that features the spread formation.
The Indians used a spread formation last season, and the new offense will feature many of the same plays. But the way Comanche gets to the snap of the ball will be different.
Coaches won’t rotate players to take the play-call into the huddle. Instead, the Indians’ offense will line up in formation, look to the sideline for the call, and then snap the ball.
That approach should allow Comanche coaches to control the pace of the game.
“It will be a no-huddle offense, but it won’t always be fast,” said coach Gary Robinson, who enters his second season at Comanche after spending a 28-year career in Texas and never missing the playoffs.
If Comanche coaches want to slow the game, they’ll just
“Spring ball was good with the new offensive coordinator. I feel like we’ve gotten a lot closer since last year. We had a lot of energy in spring ball and I feel like we will be a new team this season.”
-Colby Shannon Quarterback
delay the play-call signal. If they want to speed it up, they’ll quickly signal the play-call, and the Indians will snap the ball fast.
When Grice arrived on campus, he found a bunch of veteran offensive players waiting for him. The Indians welcomed back 10 offensive starters, losing only starting center Kolby Cagg, who moved.
Quarterback Colby Shannon will be under center for Comanche again for his senior season. Shannon made The Banner’s first-team All-County as a kick returner last season, but his primary duty is leading the Indians’ offense.
Aug. 30 S&S Consolidated (0-10)
Sept. 13 at Kingston (10-2)
Sept. 27 Tishomingo (4-6)
Oct. 4 at Coalgate (2-8)*
Oct. 11 Dibble (10-3)
Oct. 17 at Beggs (4-6)*
Oct. 25 at Davis (9-3)*
Nov. 1 Comm. Christian (3-7)*
Nov. 8 at Holdenville (7-4)*
AT A GLANCE
2023: 2-8 overall, 2-5 in district.
Coach: Gary Robinson – At Comanche: 2-8, second year.
Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, firstround loss to Washington, 55-20
Returning Starters: 10 Offense: QB Colby Shannon, RB Hollister Pollock, WR Evan Dodd, WR Cooper Dobbins, WR Ayden Reed, WR Kruz Lile, WR Rylan White, LT Jonathan Alvarez, LG Justin Mann, RG Brandon Lombard, RT Clayton Bratner; 10 Defense: DE Clayton Bratner, DE Ayden Reed, DT Justin Mann, DT Garrett Garner, OLB Kanon Clift, OLB Hollister Pollock, OLB Evan Dodd, FS Colby Shannon, CB Cooper Dobbins; DB Rylan White.
Players to Watch: QB Colby Shannon threw for 548 yards and 3 TDs last season; RB Hollister Pollock moves from wide receiver to running back; LT Johathan Alvarez, one of the county’s most aggressive linemen; LG Justin Mann, another good lineman who gives the Indians a solid left side; WR Evan Dodd caught 17 passes for 181 yards and 1 TD last season; WR Rylan White should be big part of the wide receiver rotation and defensive backfield.
Primary Strengths: Speed of skill players. Robinson said the Indians’ skill players are quick and have good hands. Most of them are juniors and gained valuable experience last season as sophomores. Robinson and staff hope to control the tempo of the game by using a no-huddle offense. The Indians will line up and look to the sideline for the play-call. If coaches want to speed up or slow down the game, they will be able to do so signaling in plays fast or slow. On defense, Comanche showed aggressive tendencies during the offseason, and Robinson said the Indians tackled better during spring ball than they did during the regular season last year.
Potential Challenges: Depth. Robinson expects the roster to feature 30 to 35 players when the season starts. Those aren’t incredibly low numbers, but Robinson would like to see the number hover closer to 50 than 30.
Key Losses: Gabe Diaz, the linebacker who returned to the team about midway through the season last year and made 43 tackles, has graduated.
Newcomers: C Garrett Garner will step in for Kolby Cagg who moved during the offseason.
Shannon completed 76 of 145 passes for 548 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 319 yards and three touchdowns on 86 carries.
Shannon thinks those numbers could improve under the new offense.
“I think it’s going to be really good, and fun,” he said. “Spring ball was good with the new offensive coordinator. I feel like we’ve gotten a lot closer since last year. We had a lot of energy in spring ball and I feel like we will be a new team this season.”
Shannon returned 14 punts for 58 yards and one TD last season. He also brought back 22 kickoffs for 266 yards.
“Our kids are good runners,” Robinson said. “We’ll try to be versatile. Colby is a good passer and runner, and he’s a good leader. The skill position players are quick, and they have good hands. The good thing about the skill players is most of them are sophomores and
juniors, so they’ll be back.”
Hollister Pollock will be the running back in Comanche’s one-back set. Pollock carried 76 times for 276 yards and two touchdowns last season. That made Pollock the Indians’ second most productive back running the ball. He caught 12 passes for 94 yards in 2023.
Comanche has four wide receivers that can rotate or play in a four-receiver set, Robinson said. Evan Dodd anchors the unit, returning for his senior season after catching 17 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown last year.
Ryland White, a sophomore, will start as the left wideout, and fellow sophomore Cooper Dobbins will start in the right slot. Ayden Reed will start in the far right receiver spot. He caught six passes for 40 yards last season. Kruz Lile will also draw a starting nod at receiver.
The Comanche offensive line is beefy and particularly
solid, with Jonathan Alvarez holding down the left tackle spot and senior Justin Mann residing at left guard.
Senior Garrett Garner, who had never played football before he joined the team for spring practices, has impressed Robinson with his work at center and likely will get the nod to fill Cagg’s vacated spot.
Junior Brandon Lombard will start at left guard, and senior Clayton Brantner will start at right tackle and be a team captain, Robinson said.
“Most of our experience is up front,” Robinson said. “All of the receivers run good routes and have good hands. Speed will be one of our strengths.”
THE DEFENSE
Comanche will operate out of a 4-2 defense, he said.
Many of the starting offensive linemen also will start on the defensive line. Reed and Brantner will start at defensive end, while Mann and Garner hold down the middle at the tackle spots. Reed recorded 34 tackles last season, and that was good for fourth best on the team.
Junior Eric Roy will draw the starting nod at middle linebacker, and Lombard and Kanon Clift will provide backup if needed. Lombard made 31 tackles in 2023.
Clift will start at inside linebacker after making 19 tackles last season.
Pollock could be a starting outside linebacker, Robinson said.
Robinson has Shannon penciled in at free safety. Shannon returns as the Indians’ leading tackler after making 43 total stops in 2023. He also led the Indians with five interceptions.
White, Cruz, and Cooper Dood will play at cornerback.
A LOOK BACK: INDIANS’ PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2021-2A
1 : WASHINGTON OVER COMANCHE 55-20
2020-2A
1 : BETHEL OVER COMANCHE 27-0
2019-2A
1 : WASHINGTON OVER COMANCHE 45-13
2012-2A
1 : DAVIS OVER COMANCHE 59-12
2011-2A
1 : COMANCHE OVER COALGATE 49-28
2 : JONES OVER COMANCHE 38-0
2005-2A
1 : COMANCHE OVER HERITAGE HALL 27-26
2 : COMANCHE OVER TISHOMINGO 21-20
Q : COMANCHE OVER COLCORD 35-33
S : CHANDLER OVER COMANCHE 41-14
2004-2A
1 : COMANCHE OVER FAIRVIEW 23-15
2 : SULPHUR OVER COMANCHE 34-6
2003-2A
1 : BETHANY OVER COMANCHE 43-8
2002-2A
1 : HERITAGE HALL OVER COMANCHE 64-12
2001-3A
1 : TUTTLE OVER COMANCHE 24-3
2000-3A
1 : TUTTLE OVER COMANCHE 21-0
1996-2A
1 : COMANCHE OVER FAIRVIEW 34-8
2 : COMANCHE OVER MEEKER 22-8
Q : WEWOKA OVER COMANCHE 18-7
1995-2A
1 : WATONGA OVER COMANCHE 20-13
1993-2A
1 : ALVA OVER COMANCHE 34-13
1992-2A
1 : WATONGA OVER COMANCHE 34-7
1984-2A
1 : KINGSTON OVER COMANCHE 27-7
1980-A
1 : HOBART OVER COMANCHE 55-6
1979-A
1 : COMANCHE OVER PLAINVIEW 13-0
2 : FREDERICK OVER COMANCHE 33-12
1978-A
1 : COMANCHE OVER MADILL 28-14
2 : FREDERICK OVER COMANCHE 30-16
1977-A
1 : COMANCHE OVER BLANCHARD 14-7
2 : COMANCHE OVER TISHOMINGO 32-0
Q : COMANCHE OVER NEWCASTLE 25-20
S : WATONGA OVER COMANCHE 21-7
1974-2A
1 : COMANCHE OVER CLINTON 34-20
Q : COMANCHE OVER SULPHUR 26-14
S : PURCELL OVER COMANCHE 10-6
1969-B
1 : COMANCHE OVER SULPHUR 26-8
Q : STROUD OVER COMANCHE 57-6
1947-B
1 : ELK CITY OVER COMANCHE 13-13
1944-B
1 : WEATHERFORD OVER COMANCHE 21-19
MEET THE INDIANS’ SPIRIT TEAM
Comanche Cheer to be loud
and
proud across Oklahoma
Teamwork makes the dream work for Comanche High School cheerleaders who will let their positive voices be heard — on and off the football field.
While a cheerleading squad members change every year, the mission of the squad remains the same — to promote school spirt.
With a coaching background for over 30 years, Comanche Cheer Coach Kristy Houston said prior to coaching she cheered for Comanche Public Schools in the 1980s. Additionally, Houston said she’s the founder and owner of Extreme Cheer Company.
Now, in 2024, teamwork still remains a big goal for Houston’s squad.
She said the squad’s ability to work as a team will allow their voices to project as one to make their school spirit exciting and overwhelmingly loud.
While working as a team to promote positive school spirit, Houston said the expectations for the team are to be known as the loudest team in Stephens County.
Aside from cheering on the football players this fall, CHS Cheerleaders will work to improve their community service.
Houston said they will try to take part in as many activities as they possibly can do.
“Our team considers themselves as servants of our community,” she said.“They have little ones that idol-
Addison Downey, Rylee Hancock, Bre Gill, Abi
Bristol Freel, Ambree Downey, Keeley Peacock and Brenley Green.
ize them; therefore, my team should always promote themselves in a positive yet humble way.”
While promoting team spirt and unity throughout the season, Houston said they will have a lot of team participation activities to allow the girls to get to know each other.
With a focus on teamwork, Houston said they will work toward everyone pulling the weight to make the season
Emma
both positive and productive.
In addition to working hard, Houston said the CHS Cheerleaders will make this new school year memorable by making lifelong memories and friends.
“Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication and for continuing to promote our team status as one of the best and loudest cheer teams in Oklahoma,” Houston said.
The 2024-25 Comanche High School Cheerleader Squad is comprised of Jillian Evans, Lexi Kiger, Savanna White, Victoria Apple, Nevaeh Houston, Cloey Kinkade, Lucyane Boren, Karigan Bacon, Averie Cook,
Ralls,
Milburn,
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR
Cutest Pet Contest
THE VELMA-ALMA COMETS
COMETS CHASING REPEAT STATE APPEARANCE
BY KELLY WRAY
THE OFFENSE
Velma-Alma returns five starters from its high-octane offense that fueled the Comets’ run to the Class B State Championship Game last season.
Quarterback Slade Strickland returns after a miraculous rising a year ago. Strickland started the season as a defensive back, but starting quarterback Mikey Griffith suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of the first game.
Strickland stepped into the QB vacancy and earned All-County Player of the Year honors with 3,006 yards passing and 1,614 yards rushing. He accounted for 61 touchdowns in 2023.
Griffith could see time at quarterback this season, but he’ll open the year as a starting running back.
Norton said Griffith’s size (6-1, 205) and speed makes him a good fit at running back, where he should be durable enough to take the pounding of the position.
I’m fortunate that I have two good quarterbacks,” Norton said. “Mikey is a little bigger than Slade, and to get all the best players on the field, we felt it’s best to put Slade at quarterback and Mikey at running back. They’re both great players.”
Talon Quick, who has started at several positions for the Comets over the years, will be the other starting running back. Quick was a second-team All-County defensive back last season, and he’ll start in the defensive backfield again this season.
Kole Pierce could also see action at running back, Norton said.
The Comets lost running back Kaid-
en Lyly, a first-team All-County pick, to graduation in May. Lyly finished last season with 97 carries for 759 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Wide receiver Lanston Walker, one of the most athletic players in the county last season, also graduated. He caught 109 passes for 1,727 yards and 23 TDs.
Conner Akers, another Comet who has started at multiple positions during his career, will be one of V-A’s starting wide receivers. Akers was an honorable mention selection last season at defensive back.
Jace Riley is penciled in to start at the other receiver spot, but Easton Beck could challenge for the job, Norton said. Beck transferred to Velma-Alma from Empire last year but did not play football.
The Comets’ offensive line lost first-team All-County pick Cooper Paramore to graduation, but the V-A front looks to be solid again this season.
The Comets have two of the best linemen in the county at their guard spots. Brodric Spigner will start at left guard and Landon Richardson at right guard.
Landon Swisher has impressed Norton with his early play at center, and Zander Rife (6-4, 270) has worked his way into a starting job at right tackle. Rife did not start last season but he did see playing time, Norton said.
Norton said he and his staff are still evaluating players at right tackle, but it looks like Riley Abshire may have the inside track to win the job.
Rykar Sanner, the All-County Co-Newcomer of the Year last season
Sept. 6 at Cashion (4-7)
Sept. 12 at Wewoka (0-10)
Sept. 20 Walters (8-3)*
Sept. 27 Rush Springs (2-8)*
Oct. 4 at Ringling (7-4)*
Oct. 11 Wayne (1-9)*
Oct. 25 at Konawa (4-6)*
Nov. 1 Wilson (6-5)*
Nov. 8 Elmore City-Pernell (5-6)*
AT A GLANCE
2023: 13-2 overall, 5-0 in district.
Coach: Randy Norton – 54-18, six years, all at Velma-Alma.
Last Playoff Appearance: 2023, Class B State Championship loss to Seiling, 48-16.
Returning Starters: 5 OFFENSE: QB Slade Strickland, RB Talon Quick, LG Brodric Spigner, RG Landon Richardson; RT Riley Abshire; 6 DEFENSE: DL Landon Richardson, MLB Ryker Sanner, OLB Brodric Spigner, OLB Mikey Griffith, OLB Talon Quick, DB Slade Strickland.
Players to Watch: QB Slade Strickland earned County Player of the Year honors last season after passing for 3,006 yards and 41 TDS; Mikey Griffith started last season at QB but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of the first game; MLB Ryker Sanner was selected as Co-Newcomer of the Year last season and recorded 148 tackles to lead the county; SLB Brodric Spigner, one of the best defenders in the county, will start at linebacker but could also play defensive end, nose guard, or defensive tackle; Landon Richardson is one of the best offensive linemen in the county; Talon Quick, a three-year starter, returns in the defensive backfield and will play running back this year.
Primary Strengths: Speed and leadership. Head coach Randy Norton said the Comets possess game-breaking speed at every skill position. He also said this team is showing the best leadership he’s seen in six years as mentor at V-A. And despite moving from 8-man to 11-man, the expectation remains the same. Because the Comets have made deep runs in the playoffs over the past three years, Velma-Alma players know what it takes to get into the final four and they expect to win.
Potential Challenges: Injuries. It’s cliché because it’s true. Injuries derailed a deep playoff run for the Comets two seasons ago, and injuries caused coaches to make moves early last season. But the Comets have decent numbers, boasting 32 players on the roster, and the roster features a balance of upperclassmen and lowerclassmen.
Key Losses: RB Kaiden Lyle, who carried 97 times for 759 yards and 16 TDs last season; WR Langston Walker, who caught 109 passes for 1,727 yards and 23 TDs; OL Cooper Paramore, who anchored the offensive line last year; DB Isaac Camarillo, who made 72 tackles; DL Aiden Torrez, who made 52 tackles.
Newcomer: OL Zander Rife saw some playing time last season but will start this year.
at linebacker, will start at tight end.
“We’re going to be really fast this year,” Norton said. “Our kids know how to work hard. They’ve been close to winning it all, so they know what it takes to make those deep runs in the playoffs. The leadership has never been better. We’ve always had good leadership, but this has been special. Our leaders are really leading the way they need to lead.”
THE DEFENSE
The Comets’ defense is loaded with playmakers, starting four linebackers who could all vie for first-team
selection to the All-County team.
Spigner will switch from his defensive line spot to inside linebacker. Spigner received consideration for All-County Defensive Player of the Year last season after finishing with the third most tackles in the county. Spigner made 112 tackles and 10 sacks.
Norton said Spigner will start the season at inside linebacker, but he won’t hesitate to play the senior at defensive end, nose guard, or defensive tackle if needed.
Spigner has a unique body type and speed that should make him a dominant linebacker, Norton said.
Sanner earned All-County Co-Newcomer of the Year honors for his play at linebacker last season. Sanner made a county-best 149 tackles. He also made two sacks. Pierce, Strickland, Riley, and C.J. Shorter likely will start
in the defensive backfield, Norton said.
Richardson and Rife will start on the defensive line. Norton’s still considering several players for the third defensive lineman’s spot.
Let’s Go Comets!
A LOOK BACK: THE COMETS’ PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2023-B
1: VELMA-ALMA OVER COVINGTONDOUGLASS 58-52
2: VELMA-ALMA OVER GARBER 5640
Q: VELMA-ALMA OVER DRUMRIGHT 50-30
S: VELMA-ALMA OVER OKEENE 6648
C: SEILING OVER VELMA-ALMA 4816
2022-B
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER CANTON 50-0
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER RINGWOOD 52-6
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER REGENT PREP 40-26
S : LAVERNE OVER VELMA-ALMA 52-26
2021-B
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER CYRIL 50-0
2 : SHATTUCK OVER VELMA-ALMA 44-26
2020-B
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER SNYDER 58-56
3 : VELMA-ALMA OVER TURPIN 62-38
Q : PIONEER OVER VELMA-ALMA 36-32
2015-A
1 : MINCO OVER VELMA-ALMA 41-27
2014-A
1 : STRATFORD OVER VELMA-ALMA 46-7
2013-A
1 : MINCO OVER VELMA-ALMA 49-32
2012-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER WATONGA 52-48
2 : THOMAS OVER VELMA-ALMA 55-6
2011-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER MANGUM 52-26
2 : MINCO OVER VELMA-ALMA 51-18
2010-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER SAYRE 34-0
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER OKEENE 28-14
Q : WOODLAND OVER VELMA-ALMA 38-22
2009-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER HOLLIS 48-0
2 : CASHION OVER VELMA-ALMA 41-21
2008-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER HINTON
31-21
2 : OKEENE OVER VELMA-ALMA 48-13
2007-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER MAYSVILLE 22-10
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER TEXHOMA 14-7
Q : WOODLAND OVER VELMA-ALMA 21-8
2006-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER DIBBLE 26-0
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER BEAVER 41-14
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER WOODLAND 46-22
S : VELMA-ALMA OVER CRESCENT 27-7
C : OKEENE OVER VELMA-ALMA 24-14
2005-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER WELLSTON 34-15
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER HINTON 32-16
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER COMMERCE 23-18
S : WASHINGTON OVER VELMA-ALMA 34-6
2004-A
1 : OKEENE OVER VELMA-ALMA 42-7
2003-A
1 : CROOKED OAK OVER VELMAALMA 27-0
2001-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER WAYNE 48-6
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER CARNEGIE 35-14
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER CROOKED OAK 34-12
S : VELMA-ALMA OVER KANSAS 33-7
C : HOMINY OVER VELMA-ALMA 3-0
2000-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER MINCO 28-6
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER TURPIN 27-0
Q : APACHE OVER VELMA-ALMA 41-13
1999-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER WALTERS 42-0
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER HINTON 33-21
Q : TURPIN OVER VELMA-ALMA 21-7
1998-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER CARNEGIE 41-6
2 : LAVERNE OVER VELMA-ALMA 30-10
1997-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER SAYRE 16-8
2 : LAVERNE OVER VELMA-ALMA 42-8
1996-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER SAYRE 36-22
2 : SEILING OVER VELMA-ALMA 12-7
1995-A
1 : RUSH SPRINGS OVER VELMAALMA 15-14
1994-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER EMPIRE 41-0
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER OKEENE 28-0
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER HOLLIS 28-14
S : VELMA-ALMA OVER QUAPAW 32-6
C : VELMA-ALMA OVER TEXHOMA 19-18
1993-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER HINTON 48-16
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER WELLSTON 47-22
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER RUSH SPRINGS 14-0
S : VELMA-ALMA OVER MAUD 7-0
C : VELMA-ALMA OVER TEXHOMA 37-26
1992-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER RUSH SPRINGS 28-7
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER TEXHOMA 47-26
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER OKEENE 20-6
S : VELMA-ALMA OVER WASHINGTON 14-12
C : RINGLING OVER VELMA-ALMA 20-12
1991-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER RUSH SPRINGS 14-0
2 : SHATTUCK OVER VELMA-ALMA 28-0
1990-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER WAYNE 21-13
2 : SHATTUCK OVER VELMA-ALMA 51-6
1989-A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER DAVENPORT 22-6
2 : CRESCENT OVER VELMA-ALMA 34-0
1987-2A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER TISHOMINGO 26-8
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER VIAN 21-12
Q : DAVIS OVER VELMA-ALMA 35-0
1986-2A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER MANGUM 27-13
2 : VELMA-ALMA OVER HOLDENVILLE 24-23
Q : OKEMAH OVER VELMA-ALMA 23-13
1985-2A
1 : KINGSTON OVER VELMA-ALMA 26-10
1984-2A
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER PLAINVIEW 18-10
2 : CHANDLER OVER VELMA-ALMA 35-20
1983-A
1 : CACHE OVER VELMA-ALMA 57-12
1970-A
1 : PURCELL OVER VELMA-ALMA 16-15
1968-B
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER PURCELL 28-6
Q : STROUD OVER VELMA-ALMA 21-7
1967-B
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER WYNNEWOOD 34-6
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER STROUD 21-14
S : HOBART OVER VELMA-ALMA 22-0
1966-B
1 : VELMA-ALMA OVER MARLOW 21-8
Q : VELMA-ALMA OVER HARRAH 28-13
1964-B
1 : MARLOW OVER VELMA-ALMA 25-7
1952-B
1 : MARLOW OVER VELMA-ALMA 12-7
1951-B
1 : WAURIKA OVER VELMA-ALMA 40-6
1950-B
1 : WAURIKA OVER VELMA-ALMA 21-6
1949-B
1 : WAURIKA OVER VELMA-ALMA 24-19
MEET THE COMETS’ SPIRIT TEAM
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR
Comets Cheerleaders take to the skies to soar high
While stars continue to shine, a comet’s tail explodes with brightness across the sky.
To prepare for the new season, Velma-Alma cheerleaders attended the UCA camp at the University of Central Oklahoma in July where they took home numerous ribbons.
Velma-Alma Cheer Coach Rebekah Herring said the team received a blue ribbon for their spirit routine, along with taking gold for their camp routine.
“In the overall competition the team was awarded two second place trophies and a third place,” she said. “They also received a leadership plaque.”’
Squad members took home several honors as Paige Wainscott, Bailey Paramore, Mallory Foster Anderson and Jessie Foster Anderson were named All-American Cheerleaders and Bailey Paramore, Daylee Hall, Mallory Foster Anderson and Jessie Foster Anderson were named Pin it Forward award winners.
With a goal to improve their stunts, Herring said the high school cheerleaders continue to work throughout the summer.
“At camp they learned a routine that they will perform at ‘Meet the Comets’ which includes a dance and pyramid,” she said. “Our cheerleaders love to dance and have worked on new per-
formances for the sidelines and halftime shows.”
This year’s goal will focus on promoting school spirit, whether on the field or off, Herring said.
“Through pep rallies, spirit days, hall decorating and routines,” she said.
Herring said they look forward to a great season.
The 2024-25 Velma-Alma High School Cheerleaders is comprised of Addison Herring, captain; Mallory Foster-Anderson, captain; Jessie Foster-Anderson, captain; Bailey Dunn; Bailey Paramore; Graci Lockwood; Daylee Hall McGuire; Khloe Kulbeth; Paige Wainscott; Saylar Garrett.
THE CENTRAL HIGH BRONCHOS
Bronchos rebuilding as young team grows
STORY BY KELLY WRAY
THE OFFENSE
Central head coach Dusty Ketner is still looking for a quarterback.
Dirk Couch, the Bronchos’ starter from last season, transferred to Lawton MacArthur, and Landon Johnson, who also has experience at the position, suffered a neck injury in basketball and is unsure he’ll play.
“We were 1-9 last season, and a lot of kids said, ‘we’re terrible,’” Ketner said. “No, we weren’t terrible. We were so stinking young. In some games, we had six starting sophomores. You can’t expect sophomores to compete with seniors. That’s hard. But now those sophomores are juniors and they’re a year older. They’re a year taller and a year stronger.”
The Bronchos are secure at running back. Gavin Barton (5-10, 175) gained more yards rushing than any other returning player in the county. He gained 530 yards and five touchdowns last season and could improve on that in the Broncho’s split-back, run-heavy offense.
“Gavin has been here every day for Summer Pride,” Ketner said. “He’s explosive. We want to get the ball in his hands in space and let him do what he does.”
Cole Griffith, another experienced player, will be the Bronchos’ other running back. Ketner said Barton and Griffith are almost interchangeable in the backfield, but they offer different skill sets.
Barton is faster, more like a track star. Griffith is stronger.
“We’ll run a split back – and they’re both pretty interchangeable,” Ketner said. “Cole may be a little quicker, but
Gavin runs like the wind. I’m super excited about Gavin. He’s been here everyday during Summer Pride. We want to get the ball in his hands and let him do what he does.
“Cole is super strong. He should have gone to the state weightlifting meet in squats, but he had a bad day at the regional. He can really do it all.”
Ketner said they would line up Barton in different spots to confuse the defense and to get him the ball in space. “We’re going to try to get him the ball as much as possible and get him in space,” the coach said.
The Bronchos graduated backs Aidan Aremdnariz and Armand Carter, who saw limited action in 2023.
On the offensive line, sophomore Beau Klein, who didn’t miss an offseason workout, will replace graduated Van Roberts at center. Juniors Julian Findley and C.J. Wright are penciled in at the guard spots.
“I think our offensive line will be one of our strengths,” Ketner said. “We lost Van Robert, but everyone else is back. The sophomores who played last year are now juniors and a year older and more experienced. They took the hard knocks last season, but they gained game experience. I’m old school, so the line had to be good. We’ll run it 45 times a game and throw it maybe 10.”
When the Bronchos set in a tight formation, Harrison Smith and either Logan Castle or Kelan Ellis-McFarland will line up at the tight end positions. If the Bronchos set to pass, they’ll split out as wide receivers.
Ketner said Smith is a good blocking tight end.
“Harrison is a tight end, but he’s
Aug. 30 at Bray-Doyle (0-10)
Sept. 6 Paoli (6-5)
Sept. 13 Fox (0-10)
Sept. 20 at Ryan (12-2)
Sept. 27 at Thackerville (9-3)
Oct. 10 Waurika (3-7)*
Oct. 17 at Hollis (4-7)*
Oct. 25 Burns Flat-Dill City (1-9)
Nov. 1 at Empire (5-4)*
Nov. 8 Snyder (2-6)*
*denotes District B1-2 games.
2023: 1-9
3-7
3-7
2-7
4-6
AT A GLANCE
2023: 1-9 overall, 0-5 in district. Coach: Dusty Ketner – At Central: 1-9, second year; 1-9 overall, second season.
Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, first round loss to Burns Flat-Dill City, 54-6.
Returning Starters: 5
OFFENSE: RB Gavin Barton, RB Cole Griffith, LG Julian Findley, RG C.J. Wright; TE Logan Castle, TE Harrison Smith; 5 DEFENSE: NG C.J. Wright, DE Logan Castle, DE Julian Findley, MLB Cole Gavin Barton, DB Kelan EllisMcFarland, DB Cole Griffith.
Players to Watch: RB/LB Gavin Barton gained more yards rushing than any other returning player in the county. RB/DB Cole Griffith is almost interchangeable with Barton and should get plenty attempts in the Bronchos split-back, run-oriented attack. LG Julian Findley, C Beau Klein, and RG C.J Wright are all experienced.
Primary Strengths: Offensive line and running backs. The Bronchos have a lot of experience and talent at those positions. RB Gavin Barton rushed for 530 yards and five TDs on 91 attempts. He will be joined in the Central split-back attack by Cole Griffith, who is interchangeable with Barton, head coach Dusty Ketner said. They should have a solid offensive line in front of them. LG Julian Findely, C Beau Klein, and RG C.J. Wright will lead the way up front.
Potential Problems: Depth. The Ketner expects to have a roster of about 15 players. That’s not many, even for 8-man ball. Lack of depth often forces players to play both offense and defense, and it can leave the cupboard bare if you have injuries.
Key Losses: C/DL Van Roberts, an anchor on the offensive and defensive lines; NG/G Morgahn Parkhurst; RB Aidan Armendariz; DE/ RB Armand Carter; WR Baily Johnson
Newcomers: Sophomore Beau Klein, who will start at center; TE Harrison Smith; DB Kelan EllisMcFarland.
A LOOK BACK: BRONCHOS’
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2020-B
1 : SOUTHWEST COVENANT OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 44-0
2019-B
1 : BURNS FLAT-DILL CITY OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 54-6
2017-B
1 : ALEX OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 60-14
2016-B
1 : GEARY OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 50-0
2013-B
1 : POND CREEK-HUNTER OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 38-0
2012-B
1 : LAVERNE OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 58-12
2010-B
1 : CHEROKEE OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 48-0
2004-C
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER WAYNOKA 28-18
Q : DAVENPORT OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 6-0
1997-B
1 : OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 35-12
1995-C
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER RINGWOOD 47-0
Q : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER RYAN 49-0
S : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER WELCH 43-0
C : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER MEDFORD 56-12
1994-C
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER TYRONE 51-6
Q : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER KREMLINHILLSDALE 47-0
S : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER POND CREEKHUNTER 34-8
C : CENTRAL MARLOW
OVER MEDFORD 52-20
1993-C
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER TYRONE 56-6
Q : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER GRANDFIELD 53-6
S : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER WHITE OAK 43-18
C : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER BALKO 38-25
1992-C
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER TYRONE 41-30
Q : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER HELENA-GOLTRY 23-0
S : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER MEDFORD 42-25
C : GRANDFIELD OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 26-14
1989-B
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER ALEX 39-27
Q : OKLAHOMA
CHRISTIAN OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 36-33
1988-B
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER ALEX 36-34
Q : OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 34-13
1981-C
1 : OKLAHOMA
CHRISTIAN OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 36-29
1979-C
1 : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER DIBBLE 58-0
Q : LONE WOLF OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 56-14
1978-C
1 : ALEX OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 52-8
1966-2A
S : EL RENO OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 13-6
1947-A
Q : CENTRAL MARLOW OVER HUGO 34-0
S : FREDERICK OVER CENTRAL MARLOW 13-0
“We lost Van Robert, but everyone else is back. The sophomores who played last year are now juniors and a year older and more experienced. They took the hard knocks last season, but they gained game experience. I’m old school, so the line had to be good. We’ll run it 45 times a game and throw it maybe 10.”
-Dusty Ketner
Central High Head Coach
almost like another offensive lineman,” Ketner said.
Central graduated wide receiver Bailey Johnson, and Tyler Mendon, the other starting wide receiver, decided not to play football this year.
“This whole offseason we’ve been working on catching the ball,” Ketner said. “We couldn’t catch a cold last year.”
THE DEFENSE
The Bronchos will work out of a3-3 defense and welcome back five returning starters.
But Ketner is focused on teaching his defenders how to make plays.
“The Cyril game stands out to me,” Ketner said. “I was furious at halftime. We had shutdown Cyril for all but six plays, but we were down 40-0. I asked the guys
if they realized how close we were. We just couldn’t get over the hump. I know it was fourth-and-15 at one point and they threw a touchdown, and it was fourth-and-13 one play and they scored another touchdown.”
Wright will start at nose guard, while castle and Findley man the defensive end spots.
Griffith will man the middle and call the defenses at middle linebacker. “He’ll come up and hit you,” Ketner said of Griffith.
Barton will be at one outside linebacker, but Ketner hasn’t selected the Bronchos second outside linebacker.
McFarland will be one starting defensive back. Ketner has selected other starters in the secondary.
MEET THE BRONCHOS’ SPIRIT TEAM
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR
Central High Cheer to focus on mentorship
Leading by example will bring the Central cheerleading squad the determination to succeed and thrive throughout the season.
With a goal to be clean and sharp in routines, Central High Cheer Coach Kelli Baker said the Central High Bronchos Cheer Team will incorporate a better use of signs to increase the crowd participation for this season.
Baker said this is her seventh year to be the cheer sponsor, but it’s time to hang up the pom-poms as her youngest daughter will graduate with the Class of 2025 and she will “retire” from cheer at the same time.
Baker said she’s excited to bring Brook Brown on board with her as the junior high cheerleaders sponsor.
“Our team has worked really hard all
summer to help new cheerleaders learn routines and prepare for camp,” Baker said.
While working hard at camp on their Game Day, half-time and timeout routines, Baker said the team hosted a showcase for families at the end of their camp.
“We got some great feedback and comments about how hard they were cheering and the enthusiasm they were putting into the routines,” she said. “We hope to carry that momentum onto the field as football season starts.”
Baker said they are proud of the girls’ effort to show improvement to their technique.
“That was evident when eight of our high school squad members earned All-American honors at the UCA try-
outs,” she said.
Aside from cheering, Baker said the team will work to build relationships with one another.
This year, Baker said they decided to pair their junior high and high school cheerleaders as big and little cheer sister and brother.
“Everyone was really excited at the reveal and it gives everyone a person to go to when they need help with a cheer or dance,” she said. “It also gives the whole squad some accountability to ensure everyone is mastering the material needed to be ready to perform.”
Over the last seven years, Baker said she’s enjoyed her time with the cheerleaders.
“I want to make this one the best year yet,” she said.
The 2024-25 Central High School Cheerleaders is comprised of Peyton Perry, captain; Chandler Baker; Lily Taylor; Penelope Alvarez; Cora Hunt; Savannah Jacobs; Peighten Silkey; Aubrey Knapp; Ryder Ely*, junior high co-captain; Atalie Gatewood,* junior high co-captain; Joleigh Adams*; Peyten Bethune*; Kyliegh McMahon. The 2024-25 Central Junior High School Cheerleaders is comprised Jaycee Covington, Kinlee McCarley, Reagan Champ and Makynzie Wagner.
THE BRAY-DOYLE DONKEYS
Donkeys begin buy-in to football program
STORY BY KELLY WRAY
Bray-Doyle head coach Wade
Whatley awaits the day when his team expects to win. His Donkeys are getting closer to that day, he said. He can feel it.
Whatley said teams start to expect to win after they’ve accepted challenges from their coaches – challenges such as improving strength in the offseason, accepting responsibility, and seeking a new path toward improvement.
That’s starting to happen in Bray, Whatley said.
Whatley has noticed a difference in attitude and expectations this offseason as he preps to enter his second season as Bray-Doyle’s head coach. That’s starting to happen in Bray, he said.
“Our kids want to be pushed and expected to be better than before,” Whatley said. “There’s a bit of undercurrent that our older guys want to be the start of the future, and we have some guys who will work hard to get better.”
The Donkeys are 0-19 in the last two seasons and have won one game in the last three years. Whatley is hoping the Donkeys can adopt short-term memory loss, put the past in the rearview mirror, and forge a new future.
That starts with believing you can win and believing you can start a new trend. As Henry Ford once said, “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Said Whatley: “We’re building. Showing up in the beginning is important. Commitment – that’s where we are right now … trying to get kids to show up. I talk about Cal Ripkin’s book, ‘Just Show Up.’ Getting there is the beginning.
“Our kids want to be pushed and expected to be better than before. There’s a bit of undercurrent that our older guys want to be the start of the future, and we have some guys who will work hard to get better”
-Wade Whatley Bray-Doyle Head Coach
“Then, while you’re there, that isn’t enough once you have been there for a while. You have to be accountable to the people that depend on you.
“And after that comes pride. If you show up and you’re accountable, then you get to take pride with you wherever you go.”
THE OFFENSE
The Donkeys return three players who started on offense last season, but some of them may be in new positions this year, Whatley said.
Brody Whitney, who started at QB for Bray-Doyle last season, transferred to Alex for his senior year. Whitney was the Donkey’s leading passer and rusher last season, throwing for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 385 yards and 4 touchdowns.
His exit left a vacancy for Blaydn Harris to fill.
Harris started at wide receiver in 2023, but he doesn’t have any game experience at quarterback. He’s had a good offseason, Whatley said.
“He’s been learning this summer,”
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 Central (1-9)
Sept. 13 at Alex (3-8)
Sept. 19 at Strother (0-0)
Sept. 27 Tipton (14-0)*
Oct. 4 at Grandfield (4-6)*
Oct. 10 Corn Bible (4-6)*
Oct. 17 at Geary (4-7)*
Oct. 25 Ryan (12-2)*
Nov. 1 Temple (1-9)*
Nov. 7 Mt. View-Gotebo (8-3)* *denotes District C-2 games.
2023 RESULTS
LAST FIVE YEARS
AT A GLANCE
2023: 0-10 overall, 0-5 in district.
Coach: Wade Whatley – At BrayDoyle: 0-10, second year; 3-17 overall, third season.
Last Playoff Appearance: 2018, first round loss to Snyder, 62-12
Players to Watch: Bladyn Harris moves to quarterback from the starting wide receiver position he occupied last season; Wide receiver Rayden Crow made 45 catches for 549 yards and 7 TDs last season; Aaron Kelly was the Donkeys’ second leading tackler with 65 total stops.
Primary Strengths: The Donkeys have a good nucleus back on defense with five returning starters, including their second leading tackler Aaron Kelly. More than anything, though, coach Wade Whately has noticed a change in attitude among his players. He said his players want to be pushed and want to be expected to be better than before.
Potential Problems: Expectations.
The Donkeys are 0-19 in the last two seasons and have won just one game in the last three campaigns. Bray-Doyle needs to adopt short-term memory loss, put the past in the rear view, and forge a new future. That starts with believing you can win and believing you can start a new trend. As Henry Ford once said, “if you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Key Losses: Brody Whitney, who started at QB for Bray-Doyle last season, transferred to Alex for his senior season. Whitney threw for 1,257 yards and 12 TDs. He was the Donkeys’ leading rusher with 385 yards and 4 TDs; Tyrell Whitfield caught 32 passes for 359 yards and 5 scores in 2023; the Donkeys graduated Caleb Carson, their third-leading tackler, who made 52 stops last year.
Newcomers: Chris Carson, So, WR/ CB; Jonathan Gracey, So, OL/DL; and Junior Alvarez, Fr, OL/DL.
Whatley said. “He’ been doing extra (work) on Wednesdays to learn the position and to get better.”
Harris has one of the county’s top receivers to target. Crow is back for his junior season and will be the focus of the offense, Whatley said.
Crow gained more receiving yards last season than any other returning wide receiver in the county. He caught 45 passes for 549 yards and 7 TDs in 2023, and Whatley hopes Crow can duplicate that performance or improve on it.
The Donkeys graduated wide receiver Tyrell Whitfield, who caught 32 passes for 359 yards and 5 TDs. Whatley is counting on sophomore Chris Carson to fill that starting receiver spot.
Aaron Kelly is the Donkeys’ only returning offensive lineman. He was a second-team selection on the All-County team as a defensive lineman last season and will start as a linebacker this year.
Whatley has sophomore Johnathan Gracey and freshman Junior Alvarez to start on the offensive line.
THE DEFENSE
Whatley said Bray-Doyle returns five starters on defense.
Crow is back at free safety, and Harris returns at one cornerback spot. Carson and Alex Grigsby are battling for the other job as starting corner.
Kelly returns to anchor the linebacking corps, and freshman Zane Prater is getting a look at the other linebacker position.
Bray-Doyle returns five starters on defense.
Crow is back at free safety. Harris and Alex Grigsby are penciled as starting cornerbacks and Kelly at linebacker, Zane Prater at linebacker, freshman
Roby Leonard is set to return at defensive end, and Nick Carroll is getting strong consideration at noseguard or defensive end, defensive coordinator Cody Whatley said.
MEET THE DONKEYS’ SPIRIT TEAMS
Bray-Doyle Donkeys take cheers to new level this season
Through a shared vision, confidence and enthusiasm, Bray-Doyle High School cheerleaders are ready to reach new heights with an expanded team.
Bray-Doyle Cheer Coach Bayli Lucas said they have over a dozen girls taking part in cheerleading for the upcoming season.
With 13 girls on the cheerleading squad, Lucas said they have incredible numbers this year.
As a first year cheer coach at Bray-Doyle High School, Lucas said she expects to build a team that supports and relies on each other.
“The girls have enjoyed spending time this summer being creative in team building and developing new cheers,” she said.
Lucas said the cheerleading team is very supportive of everything they have worked toward over the past few months.
While the team wasn’t able to attend cheer camp this year, Lucas said they had squad members from the Duncan and Marlow school districts who came to Bray-
Doyle to work with the girls.
“It has been great seeing the confidence and camaraderie that has been built during the summer practice,” Lucas said. “I am very appreciative to these teams and coaches for being so good to our team.”
Throughout the year, Lucas said they want to focus on having a great attitude, along with a greater school spirit.
“I have a great group of girls that truly have BrayDoyle pride,” she said.
“They are ready for this year in supporting our teams.”
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR
The 2024-25 Bray-Doyle High School Cheerleaders is comprised of Ashlynn Abney, Morgan Pass, Reagan Davidson, Seren Shelton, Sara Franklin, Emery Griffin, Jessalyn Strong, Jordyn Harrison, Jaymee Abney, Ashley Barnes, Taryn Williams, Abigale Perez, and Madison Pieplow.
