Gridiron Guide Magazine

Guide A feature publication of the McIntosh County Democrat and Eufaula Indian Journal

McIntosh Co u n t y ’ s p r e m i e r football guide Featuring: Players of the Past Tracy Scroggins and Jim Eddy, Rivalry Histories, and pull-out schedule

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What

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e d i nI s 4•The Season Ahead 6•Senior Spotlight 13•The Rivalry 14•Coaches in Profile 16•The Trophy 20•Players of the Past 22•Jacob Barrett Schedule

The Staff of the Eufaula Indian Journal and McIntosh County Democrat Jeff Mayo, Publisher • Shauna Belyeu, General Manager • Jerry Fink, Managing Editor • Rodney Haltom, Sports Editor LaDonna Rhodes, Office Manager /Staff Writer• Shauna Belyeu, Sales • Jacob Factor, Designer Daphanie Hutton, Legals/Classifieds/Circulation • Jean Gawf, Sales

Eufaula Indian Journal – 109 S. Main, Eufaula, OK 74432 918.689.2191 McIntosh County Democrat – 300A S. Broadway, Checotah, OK 74426 918.473.2313 Gridiron Guide • PAGE 3

The Season Ahead Wildcats focus on clawing back to Championship

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

The Checotah Wildcat coaching staff and players are ready to put the 2018 season behind them and focus on winning. Head coach Chad Hendricks is in his sixth year at the helm with a 4026 record. The Wildcats will have the fastest team on the field under Hendricks’ guidance.

Checotah will have a sensational senior quarterback in Jacob Barrett (6’1”, 176lbs). Barrett recieved over 10 Division I offers this summer and has signed to play for Eastern Michigan.

After transferring from Okmulgee last summer and playing cornerback/receiver, Barrett falls back to his old position at

“Eufaula verses Checotah brings out the upmost of emotions for players and staff. The intensity is paramount and required for that game,” said Hall of Fame Coach Ray Grandstaff.

quarterback. He caught 56 passes for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He also rushed for 102 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. Barrett’s athleticism and cerebral play-making ability was at a high level.

He was a serious threat on kickoff returns with 13 returns for 138 yards, giving him a total of 1,181 total yards. lass istrict redictions Barrett will have a stable of playmakers at his disposal.

1. Lincoln Christian Dontierre Fisher (5’10”, 187lbs) 2. Stigler will carry the load from the 3. Checotah running back position. As a 4. Seminole freshman, Fisher caught the attention of recruiters from across 5. Idabel the country including Oklaho6. Okmulgee ma and Washington State.

7. R o l a n d “If he stays healthy he will be 8. Webster a highly recruited FBS prospect,” said Washington State defensive back coach Kendrick Shaver.

Fisher rushed for 1,554 yards on 187 carries with 14 touch-

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The Season Ahead downs and one fumble. He also had altom s uddle hecotah rediction five receptions for 152 yards and two Checotah 28 Keys 14 touchdowns for a total of 1,707 total offensive yards. Fisher’s breakaway Checotah 35 Hilldale 28 speed and elusive footwork stymied Checotah 38 Eufaula 35 (OT) defenses throughout the 2018 season.

Checotah 35 Webster 14 Joining Fisher in the backfield could Checotah 31 Okmulgee 21 be Trenton Dan (5’10”, 180lbs), who is Stigler 38 Checotah 31 as capable as Fisher running the football and has a tremendous tough menChecotah 24 Idabel 17 tality to run over defenders.

Checotah 38 Seminole 31 The offensive line is well tested. Big Checotah 44 Roland 28 Bobby Morton (6’1”, 237lbs), Tyler Lincoln Christian 35 Checotah 28 Whitlock (6’, 268lbs), Omarian Warrior (6”1”, 285lbs) and Chance Wood (6’1”, 285lbs) will control the line of scrimmage.

They have the skill set to give Barrett ample time to pick defenses apart with receivers like Caden “Rat” Martin (6’4”, 188lbs), Jessie Howard (5’9”, 150lbs) and Brenden Dan (6’1”, 177lbs).

Defensive coordinator Jimmy Whitlock has to fill five positions, meaning he has six return starters.

Barrett will lead the defense as cornerback in a 4-3 defensive

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lineup with linebackers Fisher, Clancy Campbell and Andrew Arden (5’10”, 177lbs). The defensive line will consist of Whitlock, Morton, Wood and Kyler Pouncil (5’10, 245lbs). Joining Barrett in the field will be Brenden Dan (6’1”, 177lbs), Trenton Dan, and Malachi Harris (5’7”, 130lbs).

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Pictured left to right; Caden “Rat” Martin, Jacob Barrett, Bobby Morton, Jessie Howard, Chance Wood, Tyler Whitlock and Brenden Dan.

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Wildcat Senior

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Wildcat Senior

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Checotah Cheer Squad

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The Rivalry History defines McIntosh County rivalry

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

The football rivalry between McIntosh County’s most prominent schools, Eufaula and Checotah, has been a vital instrument and the foundation of a steamroller that produced some of the greatest coaches and players to have ever graced the field. The rivalry has continued through two world wars, 18 United States presidents and countless conflicts and battles.

McIntosh County has produced six legendary Hall of Fame coaches in Eufaula’s Paul Bell, Johnny Bohannon and Perry Anderson and Checotah’s Ray Grandstaff, Leon Dixon and Truman Dixon.

That level of coaches is alive and well in McIntosh County.

Eufaula’s Larry Newton Jr. and Checotah’s Chad Hendricks are the mirror image of the Bell and Grandstaff duo. Both coaches are best friends, except for that one week of the year when they face each other on opposite sides of the gridiron. There is little that each coach does not know about the other after working on the same Skiatook football team for six years before coming to McIntosh County. Both not only coached together, but

played against one another at the collegiate level.

The common denominator they share is the love they have for the game and the schools they represent. Like Grandstaff and Bell, each has a great working relationship with area colleges and has produced several collegiate players like Bell and Grandstaff did with J.C. Watts, Lee Roy, Dewey and Lucious Selmon, Rusty Griffis, Bill Osmond, David Shoemaker, Gregg Dixon, Tracy Scroggins, Noah Palmer, Chris Carr, Larry Newton Sr., Demetrius Crowder, Travis Burkhalter, Avery Shine, Richard Eddy, Tray Bowie, Rusty Martin, Jim Derrick, Kerry Sharpe, Drew Dan, Caleb Knight, Cody Gilroy and Kendrick Shaver.

Both schools have seen coaches come and go, but now each one has a coach who cares about their student-athletes on and off the field and are very instrumental in the students’ decision-making processes when it comes to being recruited.

Bell, Grandstaff and Kerry Roberts (former Eufaula head coach) not only produced wonderful and exciting athletes but fantastic citizens. In 104 years, the record is an incredible 5149-1. That stat in itself should describe just how competitive this football rivalry is. From the days of Junior Golding and Bill Miner to the present day of Hunter Hiler and Seth Knight, quality athletes are still a product of this great rivalry and will be for many decades to come.

A picture of Checotah, Oklahoma in the late 1800’s. (Photo submitted)

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 13

Wildcat Coaching Staff

Pictured left to right: Jimmy Whitlock, Brian Young, Tom Butler, Chad Hendricks, Robert King and Marcus Cunningham.

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Ironhead Coaching Staff • • • •

• • • •

•

Brian Young

East Central University graduate 16 years of coaching experience Position: Co-Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks Favorite thing about coaching: The opportunity to work with kids and the Friday night lights.

Jimmy Whitlock

East Central University graduate 16 years of coaching experience Position: linebackers /Defensive Coordinator Favorite thing about coaching: Seeing young men take lessons they learned on the field into their adult life.

Marcus Cunningham

15 years volunteer assistant

Robert King

• • • •

Northeastern State graduate 10-years of coaching experience Position: Co-Offensive Coordinator Favorite thing about coaching: It’s the closest I can get to playing again

• • • •

Northeastern State graduate 23-years of coaching experience Position: head coach QB/DB Favorite thing about coaching: the interaction with the kids

• • •

Tabor College graduate 22-years of coaching experience Position: Wide-receivers/ Outside backs Favorite thing about coaching: Developing young men

•

Chad Hendricks

Tom Butler

2018

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 15

The Trophy Checotah, Eufaula play for keeps

By Jerry Fink

Managing Editor

“It’s a traveling trophy. If you lose, you pass it on.”

Rodney Haltom Rivalry between Eufaula and Checotah is a tradition that dates back to statehood in 1907 and the infamous McIntosh County Seat War of 1909 when there was a gunfight between the two communities over which town would be the home of the county government.

Eufaula won the battle, but that didn’t end the competition.

Since 1915 Checotah and Eufaula have fought it out on the football field.

Until the early ‘90s to the victor went The County Bell, a cast iron bell that went home with the winner until the next year.

“There were fights over the bell,” recalled Sports Editor Rodney Haltom, who recalls playing football during the bell days of the mid-‘80s but would neither confirm nor deny any participation in any altercations or other questionable activities.

“If Eufaula lost, they would go try to steal it back and the police would have to retrieve it – it would go back and forth like that. We did some things you couldn’t get away with today.”

The bell disappeared sometime in the ‘90s, stolen for the last time.

But the rivalry between the two teams has continued, unabated – said to be the oldest uninterrupted rivalry in the state since 1921.

Haltom remembered the pride players felt in playing for the bell, a symbol of the deep emotion they felt for winning – or deep depression for losing.

Six years ago, Haltom decided the athletes needed another symbol.

“I had a beautiful trophy made to give the kids more incentive to play – it made the games a little more prideful,” Haltom

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said. “On my part, it was a good, clean way to give back to the community.”

The Wildcats and the Ironheads met Sept. 15, 2017 for the 102st anniversary of the football rivalry, they played for the McIntosh County Championship Cup – a three-tiered silver cup engraved each year with the name of the winning coach and the final score of the game.

“It’s a traveling trophy. If you lose, you pass it on,” Haltom said.

Checotah won the trophy the last two years. The team keeps it in the school trophy case.

Haltom’s Huddle, Where Champions Gather was born from this event.

Haltom’s Huddle is the name of the editor’s column.

“At the end of the game I huddle up with the winning team, give them a speech and present them with the trophy,” Haltom said.

The trophy is compliments of Haltom, a prideful thing for him as well as for the students.

“I take care of the maintenance – the school’s not out of pocket for anything,” he said.

The Wildcats have a slight advantage in 103 games played with a 53-49-1 record over the Ironheads after winning back the McIntosh County Championship Cup in dramatic fashion in 2018. The Ironheads face the Wildcats at Paul Bell Stadium Sept. 20.

The rivalry between the two teams has continued, unabated – said to be the oldest uninterrupted rivalry in the state since 1921.

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 17

The Pride of Checotah

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

The Checotah marching band has become a constant success under Hall of Fame Band Director Jim Davis. In his 38 years of experience (22 at Checotah) Davis has one of the most recognized high school music programs in Oklahoma.

The Pride of Checotah earned seven 4A sweepstakes, which

are equal to state championships in sports. Checotah’s band dominated in three fields of judgment –Marching, Jazz and Concert performances to win the title. They have also recieved four outstanding achievement awards.

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Gridiron Guide • PAGE 19

Players of the Past

A life of successful football for Jim Eddy

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

From player to two-time winning Super Bowl, coach Jim Eddy lived for his family and football.

Eddy attended Checotah High School, where he played multiple sports. He played as a running back in football. He graduated at 16 years old, after skipping two grades early in his education.

Eddy accepted a football scholarship from New Mexico State University, where he played defensive back and running back.

Eddy’s coaching career began as a high school coach in Odessa, Texas. He was later named head coach at Roswell High School. In 1968, Eddy joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, New Mexico State University, where he was an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. In 1972, he joined Tommy Hudspeth’s UTEP Miners coaching staff as the defensive coordinator.

Eddy’s next coaching job was as the defensive coordinator of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, which he held until he was promoted to head coach in 1977. In Eddy’s first season, the Roughriders went 8–8 and missed the playoffs only one

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game short from playing the Ottawa Rough Riders in the 64th Grey Cup game.

In 1979, Eddy joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats coaching staff, where he was reunited with his former boss in Saskatchewan, John Payne. His next coaching job was with the Montreal Alouettes, first as the defensive backfield coach, then as the interim head coach.

In 1982, Eddy moved to the front office as Director of Operations and Player Personnel of the Toronto Argonauts.

He helped rebuild an Argonauts team that went 2–14 the previous season into a team that won the East Division championships his first two seasons and won the 71st Grey Cup in 1983.

Eddy was the defensive coordinator of the Houston Gamblers for both of the team’s seasons in the United States Football League (USFL). He contributed to the team reaching the playoffs both years and winning a Division Title in 1984.

In 1986, Jack Pardee hired Eddy to become defensive coordinator of the Houston Cougars. He spent three seasons helping the school post a 22-10-1 record, while leading the Southwest Conference in defense in 1988 and 1989. In Eddy’s final season, the defense finished sixth in the nation in scoring defense.

Eddy followed Pardee to the Houston Oilers, where he remained the coach’s defensive coordinator in 1990. His defense led the American Football Conference while finishing third in the league in total defense, third in the NFL in pass defense and tied for fifth in sacks. The Oilers earned three playoff berths, including the club’s first AFC Central Division crown in 1991.

Eddy joined the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff in 1993 as a defensive assistant and later as the team’s linebackers coach. While in Dallas, he helped win two Super Bowls.

In 1996, Eddy became the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator. He would hold that job for only one season, retiring in 1997.

Players of the Past

Tracy Scroggins

Tulsa defensive star Tracy Scroggins rushes University of Miami quarterback Gino Torretta. (Photo by University of Tulsa)

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

Former Checotah head football coach and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ray Grandstaff developed and produced several Division I players in his tenure at Ogle Field. The University of Oklahoma sought out Gregg Dixon and David Shoemaker in 1986 but one of Grandstaff’s most coveted players was Tracy Scroggins.

Scroggins was a terror on the gridiron and quickly made a name for himself. Offensive coordinators would plan in their schemes for the opposite direction where Scroggins would line up. He was an All-State athlete for the Wildcats.

Scroggins started his college career at Coffeyville Community College before University of Tulsa coach Dave Rader recruited him to play for the Golden Hurricanes.

“He was one of the toughest athletes I ever had to play against. He was a beast,” Eufaula All-Star player Brian Metcalf said.

Scroggins ran for 2,012 yards as a high school senior and was recruited by the University of Oklahoma. He was a football and basketball star at Checotah High School, gaining

3,500 yards and scoring 35 touchdowns in three seasons.

“Tracy was by far the hardest working and intelligent player I ever coached. He may not have been the most athletic, but he made up for that with his work ethic,” said former Tulsa football coach Dave Rader.

Scroggins was a second-round pick (53 overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 1992 NFL draft. He carried those Wildcat traits with him to Ford Field in Detroit where he played with Heisman trophy winner, running back Barry Sanders.

Scroggins played a major factor on the Lions’ defense from 1992-2001 before retiring. He ended his professional career with Detroit, where he ranks third in franchise history with 60.5 sacks. Scroggins’ best year was in 1995 when he recorded 9.5 quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery for an 81-yard touchdown, 35 tackles (a career high) and ten assisted tackles.

After his nine-year career at Detroit, Scroggins sued the National Football League in 2016, alleging that the NFL’s concussion research team used faulty data to downplay athletes’ risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE. The disease, which has been repeatedly diagnosed in football players, causes a person’s brain matter and memory to waste away slowly. CTE can cause depression, and a number of former players with CTE have killed themselves since retiring. Concussions likely cause CTE and Scroggins has been diagnosed with the disease.

The suit then claims that the NFL actively schemed to conceal this data from players. As such, Scroggins has filed a class-action suit on behalf of “all current or former living NFL players who sustained repeated head trauma while in the NFL league, and who have, since leaving the NFL, been preliminarily diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.”

Scroggins now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his family but has always remembered where he grew up and the people that made an impact on his life. Scroggins donated the funds to build the Tracy Scroggins Weight Room at Checotah High School with the building bearing his name.

Scroggins will always be remembered as one of the best athletes in Checotah Public School’s history.

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 21

D1 Bound

“Eufaula verses Checotah brings out the upmost of emotions for players and staff. The intensity is paramount and required for that game,” said Hall of Fame Coach Ray Grandstaff.

Tulsa, Navy, Army, Air Force and Missouri State offer Barrett

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

The Checotah Wildcats will have a Division I quarterback for the 2019 season in Jacob Barrett.

The senior has received collegiate offers from the University of Tulsa, Navy, Army, Air Force, Eastern Michigan, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, East Central University, University of Central Oklahoma and Missouri State, as well as numerous junior colleges. The four-sport (football, basketball, baseball and track) standout has caught the attention of recruiters from across the nation. After a long consideration, he chose the University of Eastern Michigan as his college.

As a junior receiver, Jacob Barrett finished the 2018 season with 941 yards on 56 catches for 11 touchdowns and zero fum-

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Jacob Barrett intercepts this pass against rival Eufaula in the 2018 football season. (Photo by Rodney Haltom)

bles.

Barrett’s longest reception was 87 yards. He also rushed for 102 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. Barrett’s athleticism and cerebral playmaking ability was at a high level. He was a deep threat on kickoff returns with 13 returns for 138 yards giving him a total of 1,181 total yards.

“He is really special. His natural instinct to make cuts and his ability to elude defenses to throw the football is exceptional. He is a great student and a natural leader. His work ethic is admirable. A lot of the younger players look up to Jacob. He will be in his normal position at quarterback this season. He proved what he was capable of as a receiver and defensive back last season. I don’t think he ever got beat by receivers while on defense. Our entire coaching staff is incredibly happy for Jacob and his future and wish him only the best,” Checotah defensive coordinator Jimmy Whitlock said.

Checotah quarterback and defensive back Jacob Barrett has become the most sought after athlete from Checotah since Drew Dan. Barrett has been offered five Division I offers. (Photo by Rodney Haltom)

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 23

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Players of the Past

Tampa unveils Lee Roy Selmon statue

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

Eufaula native Lee Roy Selmon now has a statue in Tampa, Florida, where he played for the Tampa Buccaneers for eight seasons in the National Football League. The statue was recently unveiled in downtown Tampa. The bronze statue features Selmon in a collared shirt wearing the No. 63 he donned for the Bucs.

He is considered one of the best players in the history of the University of Oklahoma’s football program. “This is well-deserving. Lee Roy was an outstanding man and cit-

izen. He was a great family man from a wonderful family and cared about the community he lived in and always tried to help those in need. It was a privilege to be his friend and teammate. He was so kind on the field and off and is missed dearly,” high school and Sooner teammate Rusty Griffis said.

Selmon was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1995. He made six straight Pro Bowl appearances from 1979-84 and was a three-time First Team All-Pro during that period. Two other times he garnered Second Team All-Pro honors while amassing 78.5 sacks and 745 tackles in a Bucs uniform.

He won a pair of National Championships and earned both the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award in 1975. Selmon managed 325 tackles and 40 sacks during his time with the Sooners. He is the only born and bred Oklahoman from the University of Oklahoma to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Selmon served as USF’s athletic director from 1993-2001. He was very involved in charities around the Tampa Bay community. He unexpectedly passed away from a stroke in 2011.

Former University of Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer has tried numerous times to have a statue of Selmon and his brothers Dewey and Lucious erected in Norman. The brothers laid the foundation defensively on some of the most dominating Sooner teams in history.

The Selmon family and city managers with the unveiling of the Lee Roy Selmon statue in Tampa Bay, Florida. (Photo by Eduardo Encina)

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 23

Players of the Past

Sports editor’s dream comes true Eufaula Indian Journal Sports Editor Rodney Haltom began working on a project last year to honor athletes with roots in Eufaula.

He fulfilled his dream with the completion of a billboard at Posey Park depicting images of a number of the town’s greatest athletes.

In November 2018, billboards were placed in the cafeteria at Eufaula High School, the football field and at the sports complex at Eufaula Middle School.

“This has been a long time in the making but it’s finally completed,” Haltom said. “This started in May of last year when I wrote an article on upgrading the existing billboard.

Several individuals contacted me and we put it in motion. The only people added to the pre-existing billboard were two national champions and a Division I football coach.”

The billboards include the images of: • J.C. Watts (U.S. congressman, OU and CFL football player).

• Lee Roy, Dewey and Lucious Selmon (national football champions, NFL athletes and Hall of Famer) • Rusty Griffis (OU national football champion) • Kendrick Shaver (Division 1 football coach)

Eufaula Indian Journal Sports Editor Rodney Haltom stands with the billboard he designed in honor of local sports heroes. The billboard is in Posey Park. (Staff photo)

PAGE 22 • Gridiron Guide

•

Eric Coley (University of Tulsa basketball player that helped lead Tulsa to its only Sweet 16 tournament appearance • Melissa Eldredge (National golf Champion at OCU) Haltom said the purpose of the project is to educate and to inspire the community, especially the student body.

“They need to know they can come from a two-street-light town and become a congressman, coach, national champion or anything else they want to be,” Haltom said.

Most people here do not know that Eufaula is the hometown to two Hall of Fame football players, according to Haltom.

“Lee Roy Selmon is the only born-andraised Oklahoman from the University of Oklahoma to be inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame.

“J.C. Watts is inducted into Canada’s Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame. We (Eufaula) should have bronze statues of these guys somewhere in town.

But, I’m happy with the billboard. I wish it was a little bigger but at least it exists.”

A lot went into designing the billboard.

“Luckily for me I have a good relationship with our in-state universities that supported this task. I want to thank Eric Guillermo, our former composer at the IJ, for his design and layout and Mr. Printer for producing it,” Haltom said.

He also expressed appreciation for the support of City Manager Jacob Foos and the city council, who approved the project.

“Eufaula has a long and proud history and a string of individuals that have made an impact in Oklahoma, our nation and the world. I hope this billboard brings some happiness and insight to our community and everyone who comes to Eufaula can enjoy, it” Rodney Haltom said.

“This was something that should have been done 20 years ago but nobody put forth the effort to do so. Eufaula has many more greats like James Martin, Junior Golding, Noah Palmer, Marshall Foley, Demetrious Crowder, and hopefully, those names will be added to the billboards at the school in the future,” Haltom added.

“They need to know they can come from a two-streetlight town and become a congressman, coach, national champion or anything else they want to be.”

Rodney Haltom

Players of the Past From 1984 to 1994, he took over duties as outside linebackers and defensive ends coach. Selmon helped develop four players who later earned All-American honors: nose guard Reggie Kinlaw, Rick Bryan, Kevin Murphy and defensive end Darrell Reed.

“The first time they put Lucious on the line in practice he sacked the quarterback three consecutive times nearly hurting the Sooners starting quarterback. He knew then he had found his true position.”

Coach Paul Bell

He participated in the NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship Program from 1980 to 1989, and worked with the Denver Broncos’ linebackers and defensive ends.

Selmon went to work as an assistant coach for Tom Coughlin and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. Selmon tutored the outside linebackers from 1995-2001 before taking over the defensive line in 2002. Two Jaguars, outside linebacker Kevin Hardy and defensive end Tony Brackens, earned ‘All-Pro’ honors.

With the support of private donors in 2019, a new sign was erected in Posey Park in Eufaula focusing on the influential athletes from Eufaula that included the Selmon brothers, Rusty Griffis, J.C. Watts, Melissa Eldredge, Kendrick Shaver and Eric Coley.

“ When I started football in the eighth grade, coaches wanted me to play quarterback. I didn’t want to play quarterback, I wanted to be a fullback because Lucious played fullback. He was my hero, and he and all the Selmon’s gave younger Ironheads in my day a picture of what it was suppose to be like,” J.C. Watts said. “ The nose-guard position was perfect for Lucious. He was undersized at the defensive tackle spot but when they put him in the middle of the line he was so fast and strong, they couldn’t block him,” Former Eufaula and OU great Rusty Griffis said.

Although more than 30 years has passed since the Selmons played for Oklahoma, Oklahoma fans still say (referring to the Selmon brothers’ parents), “God bless Mr. and Mrs. Selmon” or “Thank you, Mrs. Selmon.”

Selmon was drafted in the 16th round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

He played two years as a defensive tackle for the Memphis Southmen (1974–75) in the World Football League.

He returned to Oklahoma in 1976 as an assistant coach at Switzer’s invitation.

“The nose-guard position was perfect for Lucious. He was undersized at the defensive tackle spot but when they put him in the middle of the line he was so fast and strong, they couldn’t block him.”

Former Eufaula and OU great Rusty Griffis

At Oklahoma, Selmon worked 13 seasons under Barry Switzer (1976–88) and six more under Gary Gibbs (1989– 94). He coached the Sooner defensive line from 1976 to 1983.

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 21

Players of the Past

Lucious Selmon, the foundation of a Dynasty

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

Lucious Selmon was one of nine children born to Lucious and Jessie Selmon and raised on a farm near Eufaula, Oklahoma. He became a standout football player under former Eufaula head coach and Hall of Famer Paul Bell.

In 1970, University of Oklahoma assistant coach Larry Lacewell traveled to Eufaula to recruit Lucious, and, although he had some apprehension about the youngster’s size, he noticed the younger brothers, Dewey Selmon and Leroy Selmon, and offered the scholarship. Former teammate Rusty Griffis would also make the journey to Norman, and years later, J.C. Watts would follow.

For a while, all three Selmon brothers, along with Griffis were playing as defensive linemen at the University of Oklahoma. Each Selmon became professional football players, with varying length of careers.

Lucious played nose guard for the Oklahoma Sooners for coaches Chuck Fairbanks and Barry Switzer. “ The first time they put Lucious on the line in practice he sacked the quarterback three consecutive times nearly hurting the Sooners starting quarterback. He knew then he had found his true position,” coach Paul Bell said.

University of Oklahoma nose guard Lucious Selmon steamrolls over an unidentified University of Texas player in the Cotton Bowl. (Photo by OU)

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He was a consensus All-American in 1973, and was named Chevrolet/ABC National Defensive Player of the Year, Big 8 Conference Athlete of the Year and Big 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second in balloting for the Outland Trophy and seventh in voting for the Heisman Trophy. He made 255 tackles, including 31 for losses (144 yards), during his career. Selmon graduated from Oklahoma with a degree in special education in 1974.

Ironhead Football Trainers

Pictured left to right; Alexys Gastelum, Maddie Brown, Maddy Mote, Allison Turner, Bryndl Hammonds, Abby Fletcher and Victoria McCown.

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 19

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6-2015

Special Events 2-6c

The Pride of Eufaula The Pride of Eufaula marching band is continuing the tradition of excellence this year in going for another state championship. New band director Rusty Helms inherits one of the most dominating and prolific band programs in Oklahoma.

The program has amassed an astounding 22 state championships in the past 27 years. Within the past five years over 75% of band students attending college have been offered music scholarships of some kind.

The Pride of Eufaula will continue to represent the community with pride and excellence in the 2019-20 season.

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Ironhead Coaching Staff Cameron Box

• • • •

Attended East Central State University 6 years coaching experience Strength and Conditioning coach Favorite thing about coaching footballWorking with the athletes and forming great characteristics on and off the football field

• • • •

Attended Northeastern State University 12 years coaching experience Position: wide receiver/defensive ends Favorite thing about coaching: Friday nights

• • • •

Michael Campbell

Jeremy Gragg

Attended East Central University 14 years coaching experience Position: defensive coordinator Favorite thing about coaching:getting a group of young men to buy in for a common goal

Josh Luna

• • • •

Attended Northeastern State University 12 years coaching experience Position: Offensive coordinator Favorite thing about coaching footballto prepare kids to be the best they can possibly be

•

Attended Haskell Indian Junior College/Southeastern 21 years coaching experience Position: Head coach, offensive line and defensive line Favorite thing about coaching: watching players improve each week

• • •

• • • •

Larry Newton Jr.

Victor Paden

Attended Northeastern State University 25 years coaching experience Position: RB/DB Favorite thing about coaching: developing players

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Gridiron Guide • PAGE 15

Ironhead Coaching Staff

The 2019 Eufaula Ironhead football coaching staff pictured left to right; Josh Luna, Victor Paden, Jeremy Gragg, Larry Newton Jr., Michael Campbell and Cameron Box. (Staff photo by Rodney Haltom)

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The Rivalry

McIntosh County War The McIntosh County rivalry goes back before statehood.

At this time the courthouse was located in two buildings, on the corner of 1st and Foley Avenue in Eufaula. One of the Southeast corners was used for offices; the other building on the Northeast corner was used for holding court.

After statehood, a two-story building on the Northeast corner of Main Street and Riley Avenue was rented and the courthouse was moved there. In July 1925, the building burnt and many county records were lost. After the fire, spaces in buildings all over town were rented for offices and courtroom.

In 1926 a new courthouse was built at 110 North 1st Street, Eufaula. The architect for this new building was Layton, Hicks and Roesyth. The contractor was Tankersly Construction Company.

Dissension occurred after statehood between Eufaula and Checotah because both towns wanted the county seat. In 1908, a large group of armed men boarded the train at Checotah and came to Eufaula with the intention of forcibly moving the county seat.

When the men left the train in Eufaula, city Mayor R.B. Buford sent C.L. Follansbee to get Grant Johnson to assist City Marshall Woods in maintaining law and order. Before John-

son could get to town, Woods and Joe Parmenter, Checotah City Marshall, got into an argument at a well on the Northeast corner of Main and Foley Street. Shooting began and Woods was killed. The story goes that Parementer killed him.

However, citizens from both cities were involved in the shooting, and it was impossible to place blame at the time.

The Checotah people returned home empty-handed, but the next day, a man named "General" Dunlap (the General was a nickname), who lived North of Eufaula, came into town and said he was going to kill Ed Julian because of some controversy over the fight the day before. Julian was a county official who lived in Checotah, but stayed at the Foley Hotel in Eufaula.

The Foley Hotel was located above the First National Bank building on the Northwest corner of Foley and Main Street.

Dunlap went up the stairs to Julian's room. He knocked on the door and ordered Julian to come out. After threats were exchanged through the locked door Julian became frightened and fired bullets through the door, killing Dunlap on the spot.

Julian was arrested and a hearing was held, but he was released due to the fact that he had killed Dunlap in self-defense.

(Paraphrased from a 1939 Indian Journal)

A 1907 picture of the Foley building in downtown Eufaula.

(Photo submitted)

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 13

The Trophy Eufaula, Checotah play for keeps

By Jerry Fink

Managing Editor

“It’s a traveling trophy. If you lose, you pass it on.”

Rodney Haltom Rivalry between Eufaula and Checotah is a tradition that dates back to statehood in 1907 and the infamous McIntosh County Seat War of 1909 when there was a gunfight between the two communities over which town would be the home of the county government.

Eufaula won the battle, but that didn’t end the competition.

Since 1915 Checotah and Eufaula have fought it out on the football field.

Until the early ‘90s to the victor went The County Bell, a cast iron bell that went home with the winner until the next year.

“There were fights over the bell,” recalled Sports Editor Rodney Haltom, who recalls playing football during the bell days of the mid-‘80s but would neither confirm nor deny any participation in any altercations or other questionable activities. “If Eufaula lost, they would go try to steal it back and the police would have to retrieve it – it would go back and forth like that.

“We did some things you couldn’t get away with today.”

The bell disappeared sometime in the ‘90s, stolen for the last time.

But the rivalry between the two teams has continued, unabated – said to be the oldest uninterrupted rivalry in the state since 1921.

Haltom remembered the pride players felt in playing for the bell, a symbol of the deep emotion they felt for winning – or deep depression for losing.

Six years ago, Haltom decided the athletes needed another symbol.

“I had a beautiful trophy made to give the kids more incentive to play – it made the games a little more prideful,” Haltom

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said. “On my part, it was a good, clean way to give back to the community.”

The Wildcats and the Ironheads met Sept. 15, 2017 for the 102st anniversary of the football rivalry, they played for the McIntosh County Championship Cup – a three-tiered silver cup engraved each year with the name of the winning coach and the final score of the game.

“It’s a traveling trophy. If you lose, you pass it on,” Haltom said.

Checotah won the trophy the last two years. The team keeps it in the school trophy case.

Haltom’s Huddle, Where Champions Gather was born from this event.

Haltom’s Huddle is the name of the editor’s column.

“At the end of the game I huddle up with the winning team, give them a speech and present them with the trophy,” Haltom said.

The trophy is compliments of Haltom, a prideful thing for him as well as for the students.

“I take care of the maintenance – the school’s not out of pocket for anything,” he said.

The Wildcats have a slight advantage in 103 games played with a 53-49-1 record over the Ironheads after winning back the McIntosh County Championship Cup in dramatic fashion in 2018. The Ironheads face the Wildcats at Paul Bell Stadium Sept. 20.

The rivalry between the two teams has continued, unabated – said to be the oldest uninterrupted rivalry in the state since 1921.

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 11

Eufaula Cheer Squad

Pictured left to right: Front row - Hannah Burns and Desirae Evans. Second row - Haylee Burns, Merideth Neal, DeAna Evans, Alyssa Wise, Becky Bray, Amara Atchison, Madison Lynn, Vada Bevenue, Livia Dunn and Lexi Drake. Back row - Isabella Pettit, Amanda Cox, Makalyn Neill, Grace Tiger, Alison Cook, Tenia Greenlee, Savannah Goodman, Chelsea Marshall, Karli Wilkinson and Johneshia Smith.

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Ironhead Senior

Ironhead Senior

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 9

Ironhead Senior

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Ironhead Senior

Ironhead Senior

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Gridiron Guide • PAGE 7

2019 Ironhead Seniors

Pictured left to right: Back row - Kenden Watson, Trae Hampton, Kolyn Warrior and Larry Rea. Front row - Elijah Adams and Kameron Funburg.

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The Season Ahead The offensive line is full of qualialtom s uddle ufaula rediction ty and skilled linemen. Ty Dodd (6’4”, Eufaula 35 Vian 31 305lbs), Jacob Fitzer (6’3”, 200lbs) and Eufaula 42 Holdenville 17 Tye Pippenger (6’, 200lbs) will control Checotah 38 Eufaula 35 (OT) the trenches for Eufaula.

Eufaula 48 Heavener 14 Last season, senior defensive noseEufaula 35 Hartshorne 24 guard Kendan Watson recorded 65 Eufaula 38 Hugo 28 tackles, five quarterback sacks and a forced fumble. He forced offenses to Eufaula 42 Wilburton 14 run sweeps instead of running off the Eufaula 49 Valliant 21 center or guard. Watson’s low technique Eufaula 35 Antlers 27 and brute power allowed him to get unEufaula 42 Atoka 17 derneath offensive linemen, force them into the backfield or throw them to the side to make the stop. He played through injuries and still managed to record a high number of assisted tackles.

Watson will be the key lineman in the 2019 season.

Joining Watson is one of the toughest players on the team, Larry Rea. Rea (5’9”, 181lbs) is undersized but is one of the most consistent tacklers.

Tye Pippenger also returns on the defensive line. Pippenger (6’, 200lbs) led the team in tackles with 128.

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Noah Gray (6’, 160lbs) made 71 tackles from his outside linebacker position and has the speed to shoot the gap and make the stop.

After winning the Class 2A-6 District Championship in 2018, Eufaula will have a bull’s-eye on their backs. The Ironheads are kings of the mountain for now.

With one of the best defensive coordinators in the state, Jeremy Gragg, and a solid staff under the guidance of head coach Larry Newton, the Ironheads could be district champions again.

Last Five Years Record: 2018-10-3 2017-6-5 2016-8-4 2015-3-8 2014-9-3

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 5

The Season Ahead Ironheads loaded for another District Championship

By Rodney Haltom Sports Editor

The Eufaula Ironheads started last year slowly but eventually found their groove with a quarterback rotation and won nine consecutive games including a district and bi-district championship before falling to state champs Sperry. Eufaula had a 10-3 season under coach Larry Newton, who continues to develop collegiate athletes.

Returning as quarterback, Nick Jones will be the general on the offensive side of the football. Jones (6’, 170lb, junior) has the ability to hit his receivers on the run or elude defenders for a long rushing touchdown. Jones finished with 483 passing yards

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“Eufaula verses Checotah brings out the upmost of emotions for players and staff. The intensity is paramount and required for that game,” said Hall of Fame Coach Ray Grandstaff. and 772 rushing yards with 23 touchdowns. Jones will have his go-to running back in Noah Alexander.

Alexander (6’, 182lbs) finished with 179 carries for 1,406 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging eight yards per carry. He also had six receptions for 30 yards and totaled 1,436 all-purpose yards.

Alexander was an All-State powerlifter and track standout lass istrict redictions in 2018, which gave him the 1. Eufaula power and speed to run past 2. Valliant or over defenses. He was highly recruited by several univer3. Hugo sities and will definitely have 4. Hartshorne a chance at a collegiate career 5. Antlers when he graduates.

6. Atoka The biggest question mark 7. W i l b u r t o n is to who Jones will throw. Eu8. Heavener faula lost nearly every receiver due to graduation. Khelil Deere (5’10”, 168lbs), Noah Gray (5’11”, 160lbs) and Kolyn Warrior (6’, 184lbs) will provide huge targets for Jones.

However, offensive coordinator Josh Luna has a talent for developing players for a high-octane offense.

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e d i nI s 4•The Season Ahead 6•Senior Spotlight 12•The Trophy 13•The Rivalry 14•Coaches in Profile 20•Player of the Past 22•New Billboard Schedule

The Staff of the Eufaula Indian Journal and McIntosh County Democrat Jeff Mayo, Publisher • Shauna Belyeu, General Manager • Jerry Fink, Managing Editor • Rodney Haltom, Sports Editor LaDonna Rhodes, Office Manager /Staff Writer• Shauna Belyeu, Sales • Jacob Factor, Designer Daphanie Hutton, Legals/Classifieds/Circulation • Jean Gawf, Sales

Eufaula Indian Journal – 109 S. Main, Eufaula, OK 74432 918.689.2191 McIntosh County Democrat – 300A S. Broadway, Checotah, OK 74426 918.473.2313 Gridiron Guide • PAGE 3

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Guide A feature publication of the McIntosh County Democrat and Eufaula Indian Journal

McIntosh Co u n t y ’ s p r e m i e r football guide Featuring: Player of the Past Lucious Selmon, Rivalry Histories, and pull-out schedule

Gridiron Guide • PAGE 1