Claremore Daily Progress

Week 7 Capsules

Claremore vs. Tulsa Rogers
Game is scheduled for Webster Stadium, on the campus of Webster High School, 1919 W. 40th St. After posting their first victory of the season last week, the Zebras are brimming with confidence. With a win over Rogers, they could find themselves a legitimate possibility for a District 5A-4 playoff spot. Rogers has had its ups and downs, losing its opener to Tulsa Hale, 42-12, and then bashing Tulsa Webster, 56-8. The Ropers’ most talked-about win was their 52-50 escape at Catoosa in Week 3. With scores like that, it’s no wonder the Ropers are the second-highest scoring team (30 points) in the district, behind No. 1-ranked East Central. The Rop have two potent offensive threats, Lamar Norman (11 touchdowns, 900 yards rushing) and William Ray (eight touchdown receptions, 23 yards per catch). Records: Rogers (2-1, 4-2), Claremore (1-2, 1-5). Last season: Did not play. Hungry? Billy Ray’s Bar-B-Q, 3524 Southwest Blvd., is nearby, and it’s a West Tulsa must.

Metro Christian at Sequoyah
Metro was expected to pose a threat to Sequoyah’s district domination, but a 31-14 loss at Vinita dissolved some of that mystery. Still, Metro bounced back the following week to win, 21-6, at formidable Locust Grove. Any realistic talk, however, of a threat to Sequoyah remains weeks away. Vinita, which hosts Sequoyah to close the regular season, has moved into the Top 10 with an unblemished record. Sequoyah has become the unanimous No. 1 selection in Class 3A, grabbing every vote in The Associated Press rankings. That is an improvement over recent weeks when the Eagles were seeing some first-place votes going to Seminole. Sequoyah still is unscored upon in the first half. Only two teams have scored (21 points) in the third quarter. Records: Sequoyah (3-0, 6-0), Metro Christian (2-1, 4-2). Last season: Did not play.

Oologah at Grove
Oologah’s rugged September schedule could begin paying dividends in October. The first clue will come at Grove. The Ridgerunners pitched shutouts in their first two district games, and that has enabled them to lower their per-game point yield to 13. Oologah, though, shows up after scoring 100 points in its last two outings. It’s a game that will match running backs: Oologah’s Brett Swindell has rushed for 686 yards and 6.7 per carry, Grove’s Colton Gehrke has 615 yards and 5.9 per. Records: Oologah (2-1, 3-3), Grove (3-0, 4-2). Last season: Did not play. Hungry? Gotta try Catfish John’s, on U.S. 59 North, in Grove.

Dewey at Inola
Inola is probably welcoming the Bulldoggers with open arms. Having lost five in a row, Inola would have to like Dewey and its 1-5 record (three straight losses). Plus, Dewey has lost its last two games by a combined score of 93-7. The only common opponent is Chelsea. Dewey prevailed at Chelsea, 33-12, in Week 3. Inola had a much easier time with Chelsea, winning, 53-6, in the opener. Records: Inola (0-3, 1-5), Dewey (0-3, 1-5). Last season: Dewey 35, Inola 7.

Sperry at Chelsea
High-scoring Sperry and unstoppable Kevin Smart are riding into Chelsea Friday night. Sperry is carrying a four-game winning streak after losing to Claremore Sequoyah. Over the last three games, Sperry is averaging 51 points, punctuated by a 69-0 rout of Caney Valley. And Smart has been just as offensive. The transfer from Berryhill has racked up 21 touchdowns, and ran for 310 yards last week against Verdigris. His 21 scores are the second highest number in 11-man football. Chelsea has had difficulties of its own the last two weeks, losing to Cascia Hall, 70-0, and Pawhuska, 37-8. Records: Sperry (3-0, 5-1), Chelsea (1-2, 1-5). Last season: Sperry 49, Chelsea 19.

Catoosa at Tulsa Kelley
Kelley’s endured a rugged schedule, facing three Top 10 unbeaten teams. But, Kelley has dropped all three. Last week, the Comets were beaten by top-ranked Class 5A East Central, 31-14. Earlier, they lost to Class 4A OC McGuinness and to 5A Bixby. Catoosa is coming off a 31-6 loss to Coweta. Records: Catoosa (1-2, 2-4), Kelley (2-1, 3-3). Last season: Kelley 40, Catoosa 28. Hungry? Ricardos Mexican Restaurant is within walking distance.

Foyil at Okay
Foyil is rolling along with the second-highest-scoring offensive unit in the district, and Okay is next up with the district’s most porous defense. Foyil is averaging 43 points per start, compared to 46 for Woodland. Okay is giving up 52 points per game, including three in which opponents went for 65 or more. Comparing scores, Foyil defeated Mounds, 46-20, while Okay lost, 70-22. Against unbeaten, Top 10 Woodland, Foyil lost, 35-27, but Okay lost, 65-8. Last season: Foyil 63, Okay 16. They were in the eight-man ranks last season, and the game was called off at halftime. Hungry? Martin’s Restaurant, on Oklahoma 16, in Okay.

Verdigris at Cascia Hall
Cascia Hall has posted three straight shutouts, and four for the season. The Commandos have given up the fewest number of points (30) in all of Class 2A. Across the state, the only defensive numbers better are in Class A, where Velma Alma has given up six, and Class 4A, where Wagoner has yielded 24. Verdigris was going along quite well until running into Sperry last week. Verdigris had put together four straight wins before Sperry took a 43-7 decision. Cascia Hall is No. 3 in Class 3A. Records: Verdigris (2-1, 4-2), Cascia Hall (3-0, 6-0). Last season: Did not play. Hungry? Utica Square is in the neighborhood. And Brookside is nearby.

Bartlesville Wesleyan at CCS
A home game for CCS, in Bixby. The Knights play their second straight game at their “home” field, RBW Field, 13852 S. Garnett Road, Bixby. CCS is averaging 45 points per start, and put up 129 in its last two games. Wesleyan is averaging 38 points, thanks largely to Zeb White and his 18 touchdowns. Brian Bell is the leading scorer for CCS with 10 touchdowns. Records: Wesleyan (4-3), CCS (5-1).

October 13, 2006 10:27 am

More entries >>>

Friday night menu

Skiatook (1-4) at Claremore (0-5)
Each team is winless in District 5A-4. Skiatook comes into Lantow Field with the district’s highest-yielding defense, right at 40 points per game. Just what the schedule-makers had in mind for a Homecoming opponent. Still, Claremore has not generated a lot of offense, an average of 15 points per outing. Junior quarterback Blake Grauer has provided the lion’s share of the offense, throwing for 729 yards and six touchdowns. In its first season at the 5A level, Skiatook has found the going a little rough. However, the Bulldogs’ lone victory came at the expense of once-ranked Tulsa Edison, 34-28, back in Week 2. Last season: Did not play.

Collinsville (3-2) at Oologah (2-3)
Oologah, apparently, has recovered from the three-game, headache-producing stretch in which it played a Top 10 team every week. Last Friday, the Mustangs produced 51 points in a shutout of Tulsa Webster, and now Collinsville comes to town with a defense that gave up 50 to Miami two weeks ago. Collinsville opened with three straight wins, but has come up short against Miami and No. 1 Wagoner, scoring only nine points in those two losses. Sophomore Jordan Barrett is progressing at quarterback for Oologah. He has a half-dozen rushing touchdowns to go along with his half-dozen passing touchdowns. In District 4A-3, Collinsville is 0-2, Oologah is 1-1. Last season: Oologah 27, Oologah 9.

Inola (1-4) at Sequoyah (5-0)
Bad timing for Inola. After four straight losses, straight ahead stands the No. 1 team in 3A. And, it’s Homecoming at Sequoyah. The Eagles added to their growing reputation last week by invading then-No. 4 Berryhill and running away with a 44-7 victory. It was their most productive offensive showing this year. Sequoyah has not given up a first-half score this season, and has yielded only four touchdowns over the last four games. After exploding for 53 points in its opener against Chelsea, Inola has averaged 10 points per start. Sequoyah’s list of defensive standouts is a lengthy as its star-studded offensive unit. J.R. Row is averaging 12 tackles per game. Offensively, the Eagles are averaging 376 yards total offense per start. In District 3A-3, Sequoyah is 2-0, Inola is 0-2. Last season: Sequoyah 47, Inola 7.

Chelsea (1-4) at Cascia Hall (5-0)
Third-ranked Cascia Hall boasts the third-highest scoring offensive unit in all of Class 2A, putting up 41 points per start. And, the Commandos are fresh off a 61-0 blitz of Chouteau. That’s the same Chouteau that Chelsea defeated, 28-14, the week before. State champion wrestler Denny Clement can be a handful for any defense. As the Commandos’ go-to running back, he is averaging 7.7 yards per carry, and has accumulated nine touchdowns. But he is equally a handful on defense, as he has recorded eight sacks. After the victory over Chouteau, it was suspected that Chelsea was turning the corner. But then, Pawhuska came to town and took away a 37-8 decision last week. In District 2A-7, Cascia Hall is 2-0, Chelsea is 1-1. Last season: did not play.

Coweta (4-1) at Catoosa (2-3)
Coweta holds down the No. 6 spot in the state rankings, thanks in part to a defense that is second only to East Central in its district. Coweta’s lone loss was at No. 1 Wagoner, 40-6. The only other team to score more than once on the Tigers was Oologah (Coweta won, 24-15). Catoosa successfully survived the shock of losing at home to Tulsa Rogers, 52-50, two weeks ago, by going on the road and defeating Skiatook, 20-13. Coweta counters the quarterbacking magic of Catoosa’s Doug Quinn with the double-barreled attack of Alex Elliott and Matt Kilgore, who have combined for a dozen touchdowns on the ground. In District 5A-4, Coweta is 2-0, Catoosa is 1-1. Last season: did not play.

Barnsdall (1-4) at Foyil (4-1)
Foyil is back home after two road games, even though last week the Panthers had only to go as far as Sequoyah. And, it is only the second of four home games this season. The Panthers are still scoring at a 43-ppg clip, thanks to the offensive fireworks ignited by Kris Mount (nine TDs), Taylor Antle (eight TDs) and Douglas Smith (five). Sophomore Dustin Tucker has contributed four fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown. Barnsdall and Foyil have each taken a loss against Top 10 Woodland. Foyil dropped a 35-27 decision there two weeks ago. Barnsdall was at home last week and let Woodland take away a 49-7 win. In District A-6, Foyil is 2-1, Barnsdall is 1-3. Last season: did not play.

Sperry (4-1) at Verdigris (4-1)
These two teams have quite a bit in common. Each has given up 42 points to No. 1-ranked Claremore Sequoyah. Since then, Verdigris has rolled up four straight wins. Sequoyah pinned a 42-6 loss on Sperry in Week 2, one week after a 42-27 decision over the Cardinals. Verdigris has the distinction of putting up more points on Sequoyah than any other team. Sperry and Verdigris have found a good balance with offense and defense. Aside from the Sequoyah loss, Verdigris has won four games by an average of 27-10. With the same guideline, Sperry has an average winning margin of 44-10. Included in Sperry’s three-game winning streak since Sequoyah is last week’s 69-0 rout of Caney Valley and a 41-7 waltz past Nowata. In District 2A-7, Sperry is 2-0, Verdigris is 2-0. Last season: Sperry 27, Verdigris 13.

Rejoice Christian (1-4) at CCS (4-1)
The Warriors’ home games are being played in Bixby. Rejoice Christian is located in Owasso. The Warriors have been averaging 39 points per game, while Rejoice has yielded 45 per game. Travis Poole of CCS has thrown for 17 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. His favorite target has been Brian Bell, with nine touchdowns. Last season: did not play.

October 06, 2006 10:07 am

More entries >>>

Claremore Christian's Travis Poole

TRAVIS PECK
Progress Sports Writer

The number “2” is a significant number for Travis Poole.
He is entering his second season as a high school football player.
His Claremore Christian School Warriors are entering their second season as an organized program.
And, he had played only two sports before trying football.
“I played soccer and baseball, but never football,” said Poole, the Warriors’ senior quarterback.
He combined the throwing skills of baseball with the running endurance of soccer to approach his first football season.
It worked. He threw for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns while leading the Warriors to a debut record of 4-4 in the eight-man game.
Relying heavily on the passing game, Poole put up nearly 40 attempts per game.
“It was rough going at first, but I learned a lot from the coaches, and I am excited to get a win early this season,” the 6-1, 160-pound Poole said.
“I’m glad we had the option to play football last year and this year. It has been fun.
“We are already better this year from the off-season preparations.”
Poole started every game as a junior. He had to. CCS suited up only 12 players.
He also doubled up on defense, playing in the secondary.
Showing his versatility, Poole is listed on the CCS rosters this season as a defensive end.
“He’s quick,” CCS coach Ryan Mullins says. “His speed gives us options when he is in the quarterback position.”

August 26, 2006 08:40 am

More entries >>>

Claremore Christian School Preview

TRAVIS PECK
Progress Sports Writer

One thing about being a second-year football program. There’s plenty of room to improve.
Just ask Claremore Christian School coach Ryan Mullins.
Last year, the Warriors took to the football field for the first time, and finished with a 4-4 record.
“We had 12 kids come out, and it was tough getting them to work hard, and work together, but we were still glad to win four games,” he said.
This season, as the Warriors compete as an independent in the eight-man game, Mullins has 15 players on his roster.
Only two, quarterback Travis Poole and lineman Matt Osborn (6-0, 185), are seniors.
“We are bigger and faster this season,” Mullins said. “The off-season lifting and running has really helped our players gain. Top to bottom.”
Mullins might have added another asset about his team: Experience.
Poole (6-1, 160) started every game, and threw for 1,258 yards.
His favorite target, wide receiver Ryan Deckard, also returns. The 6-1, 155-pound junior caught a dozen passes last year, two for touchdowns.
CCS employed a wide-open offense last season. Poole averaged nearly 40 passes per game.
Mullins expects little to change this year.
The Warriors will undoubtedly be a pass-first, run-second type of team, thanks to the skills of Poole.
In their inaugural game as a football team, the Warriors dropped a 48-14 decision.
They open their second season against the same opponent.
“This will be a big game for us,” Mullins said. “It will show us how we are coming along since last year, and what changes we need to make.”
A year ago, CCS played its home games at Verdigris.
At this point, with their first two games on the road, the Warriors have not settled on a home site.
It’s just part of launching a program.
Mullins, the school’s superintendent, hopes to help this program grow and mature, perhaps leading to a small-school league or conference.
Mullins oversees a staff of five volunteer coaches. He calls them “students of the game” and says that they share a common vision.
“Our staff wants to be successful and expand the program every year,” he said. “This is just the beginning. We want more kids and more games.
“We have kids that love to be here, love football, and are working hard, even in the heat, to get better.”
Mullins is looking to the future.
And in the program’s second season, he says there is room for improvement.

August 26, 2006 08:39 am

More entries >>>

Catoosa's Nick Bergeron

TRAVIS PECK
Progress Sports Writer

CATOOSA — Nick Bergeron is eager to play some football.
He readily admits that he did not get enough of it last year. Not on offense, anyway.
The 6-0, 205-pound Catoosa senior is a quick and aggressive fullback, although he is better known for his defense.
He racked up 70 tackles last season, including eight sacks.
That’s good, but he has other plans for this season.
“I played more linebacker last year, which was great,” he says. “But I’m looking forward to getting in at fullback this season.”
The Indians struggled to a 2-8 record last season.
One reason for optimism this year is Bergeron.
With his size and quickness, he is a threat to break a long run any time he touches the ball.
And the Indians expect that Bergeron will touch the ball plenty.
Coach Greg Whiteley runs the I-formation and the fullback, in this case, Bergeron, will carry the burden.
Doug Quinn will be making a move from wide receiver to quarterback this year following the graduation of Corey Conley.
“Doug is a good player and will do a good job,” Bergeron said.
Quinn hauled in seven touchdown passes a year ago. He will have options to pass (to quality receivers such as Scotty Moore and Adam Tomlinson) or to hand off (to Bergeron).
Either way, the Indians expect to improve in Whiteley’s second season.
“I think we have a good team this year,” Quinn says. “It is hard to say how good, but we are excited about our first game.”
The expectations are apparent up and down the roster.
As Bergeron says: “Off-season has helped us get closer as a team and learn what coach wants from us in practice and in a game.”
The Indians lost considerably through graduation from last season. But returning skill position players such as Quinn and Bergeron should help the Indians regain some of that playoff hope they experienced two years ago.

August 26, 2006 08:37 am

More entries >>>

Catoosa Preview

TRAVIS PECK
Progress Sports Writer

CATOOSA — For the first time in four years, there is some continuity in the Catoosa football program.
The Indians have the same coach for the second straight season.
However, one thing is different.
Greg Whiteley has had a little more time to prepare for the Indians’ season than he did in 2005.
He arrived just in time for the players’ summer off-season work.
“It wasn’t the ideal time to come in, not getting to meet the kids right away,” he said. “But at least we had the summer.
“Truly, it just isn’t fair to the kids when circumstances create so much change in such a short period of time,” he said. “But I think they are seeing the ‘Whiteley way’ now.”
In his first season at the Catoosa helm, the Indians posted a 2-8 record.
Eight starters are returning on defense, and the offense boasts considerable experience.
“This will be a fun year, and we want to see who will step up and take charge on the field,” Whiteley said.
He will put a new face at the quarterback spot.
Doug Quinn will move from split end to calling signals.
“We have made some changes and adjustments that we felt necessary,” Whiteley said. “One major change is Doug Quinn.”
At 5-10 and 170 and a player Whiteley calls “a playmaker,” Quinn led the Indians in receptions and touchdown passes (seven) last year.
He is not moving to a new position. He played quarterback four seasons before shifting to receiver last year.
Quinn will be joined in the backfield by the experienced Nick Bergeron (6-0, 205) at fullback.
Bergeron is quick and aggressive, a threat to break long runs at any time.
Lining up at running back will be either Dee Capehart (5-9, 185) or Justin Duvall (5-8, 155).
They will be running behind a line that features Blake Young (6-1, 245) and Logan Robison (6-2, 265).
Defensively, the Indians expect to be improved, simply because of numbers.
Bergeron will be a force at defensive end. As a junior, he registered 70 tackles and eight sacks. His stablemate, Bobby McDonald (6-0, 190), had 50 tackles.
The secondary will be anchored by the capable hands of Quinn and Duvall.
The Indians won their opener last season, but then dropped seven straight.
Moving up into playoff berth contention will depend on controlling the football on offense and playing aggressively on defense.
Those aspects of the game don’t change.
Not even at Catoosa. And that’s where Whiteley is settling in for a while.

August 26, 2006 08:36 am

More entries >>>

Verdigris' Jeremy Tipton

TRAVIS PECK
Progress Sports Writer

Following a so-so season, prospects are looking up around Verdigris.
“We are much closer as a team than last year,” senior tailback Jeremy Tipton says. “Everyone wants big things, and we think we can get it done.”
There is a roster of experience returning for the Cardinals’ ninth season of football.
Tipton typifies the two-way talent that can be found on coach Dan Nickles’ District 2A-7 entry.
Tipton (5-7, 170) is a heavy hitter, delivering blows as a linebacker, punishing defenders as a running back.
Junior Aaron Sunday is a versatile player, and is moving from wide receiver to quarterback this season. He will, however, continue to show up as one of the district’s top defenders.
He’s looking forward to running the offensive show.
“It’s hard changing positions, but I did get to play a little (at quarterback) last year, if we got up by a lot,” he said.
Nickles uses words like “athletic” and “intelligent” to describe the attributes of Sunday (6-2, 200).
While Sunday is a key operative on offense, junior D.J. Sam will be just as vital to the defense.
Sam (6-0, 190) forced six fumbles last year, and recovered seven, while building a strong reputation as a linebacking block of granite.
To say the Cardinals are building a tradition would go along with the building of a new stadium last season.
Everything could be falling into place for the Cardinals.
They have a lot of key pieces. On both sides of the football.

August 26, 2006 08:34 am

More entries >>>

Verdigris Preview

TRAVIS PECK
Progress Sports Writer

This will be not so much a rebuilding year for the Verdigris Cardinals as it will be a rededication.
A year ago, the Cardinals finished at 4-6 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.
Coach Dan Nickles expects to get the Cardinals back on the right track.
With experience on both sides of the football, he just might be right.
Junior Aaron Sunday (6-2, 200) is slotted at quarterback and junior D.J. Sam (6-0, 190) will be the bellwether on defense.
“We just didn’t work as well together last season,” Nickles says. “It was a tough year. But we have some good kids coming back, and coming up.”
He has a good mix of seniors and underclassmen.
This season is all about playing and working together for the Cardinals. Senior leadership is always important but the juniors will have to step up and help lead this team to the playoffs, Nickles says.
Sunday played wide receiver last year but has been moved to quarterback. It was an easy move for Nickles.
“He looks for that third and fourth receiver, which is rare for high school football,” Nickles said.
Nickles called Sunday one of the best-thinking quarterbacks the coach had seen at Verdigris.
Joining Sunday in the backfield will be senior Jeremy Tipton (5-7, 170). He rushed for 627 yards ass a junior.
Tipton’s strength could be, simply, his strength. He qualified for the state power-lifting competition.
“He is solid,” Nickles said. “He is running very strong, but he will be even faster when the season gets in swing.”
Although Tipton provides a great running game, the Cardinals will pass the football.
And Sunday will have a trio of fine receivers as targets.
Senior Blake Smith (5-10, 160) was on the receiving end of four TD passes last year. Junior Shane Hnatusko (5-9, 175) caught three scoring passes. And junior Austin Malcom (6-0, 185) might be the best athlete on the team, Nickles said.
Defensively, Sam was the second-leading tackler on the team as a sophomore, with 103, in addition to recovering seven fumbles.
Sunday will be called upon for his skills at defensive back, but he also played linebacker a year ago.
Senior Stephen Jeffery (6-1, 230) is one of the Cardinals’ top linemen, on either side of the ball. Along with senior Ryan Graves (5-8, 230), those two will be solid defenders.
When the Cardinals do take the field, solid defenders and all, they will open the season with a neighborhood meeting.
The Cardinals will travel up the highway to Claremore Sequoyah.
It will be the first football meeting between the two schools.
A rivalry has to start somewhere. And, in this case, Nickles is expecting to start along historic Route 66.
“We are excited to play Claremore Sequoyah because they are a close neighbor and a bigger school. It should be a fun game,” said junior tailback Jeremy Tipton.
Sequoyah represents a major opponent. The Eagles reached the Class 3A state semifinals a year ago, and are favored to win their district and advance deep into the playoffs again.
It is something that people take for granted, a rivalry. Most people don’t recall when a rivalry began, they just know it’s there.
In a conscious effort by both schools, a first-game meeting is expected to become a tradition.
Nickles said: “It’s something to get fired up about early on.”
Having a shot at making the playoffs this season will also get his Cardinals fired up.
The Cardinals will have to travel to Tulsa to take on district favorite Cascia Hall, but No. 2 pick Pawhuska will be in Verdigris. That is the final game of the season, and the Cardinals will know their destiny by then.

August 26, 2006 08:33 am

More entries >>>

Inola's Five Seniors

DUANE DaPRON
Progress Correspondent

INOLA — When talk about high school sports comes up in town, Inola High School football isn’t often the topic.
After all, Longhorn football teams have made fewer than five trips to the playoffs in the past 15 years.
But the five senior members of the 2006 Inola squad — Tyler Barnett, Jacob McDaniel, Brian Melone, Gene Tyler and Jason Yoder — would like to see that trend change beginning with this season.
“It would be great if we could bring football back to people’s attention,” said Melone, a returning starter on the offensive and defensive lines.
“Inola is known for having good basketball teams, but we want to be known for football, too.”
Barnett, a two-way starter at tight end and defensive end, agrees.
“Inola has never really been a football town. But we think we can really shock the town this year.”
McDaniel, a reserve quarterback and starting strong safety, takes his teammates’ comments even one step further.
“I think we’ll shock people and shock even ourselves this year,” he said.
Considering Inola’s lack of football success through the years and with the Longhorns coming off a 1-9 season in 2005, one might think the comments made by the seniors to be a little outlandish.
But not for this group, all of whom (except Melone) started playing football together in the fifth grade. Melone joined his classmates on the gridiron in the seventh grade.
The class has seen life on both sides of the fence while at Inola.
A 6-5 team that made it to the first round of the playoffs two years ago faded last season.
Since the end of the 2005 campaign, this senior class has been working on improving, playing as a team and honing leadership skills to revitalize Longhorn football.
“Leadership is a big factor,” McDaniel said. “No matter whether you lead by example or by what you may tell a teammate on the field.”
And leadership from upperclassmen has been a missing link in previous seasons.
“As far as seniors go, we haven’t had a group of seniors leading the team,” Barnett said.
But that has begun to change in the last two years since the arrival of head coach James Cheatham.
Cheatham, former head coach at Stilwell, initiated a program to show Longhorn seniors how to serve as leaders. That program, now in its second year, draws big raves from the group of fourth-year Inola players.
“Coach Cheatham’s class has helped us lead the team,” Melone said. “The underclassmen look up to us and look over at us and what we’re doing. They say, ‘If the seniors don’t have to do something, then why should I.’ So, as a senior, you want to give your best effort.”
“In the past, I don’t think our seniors really knew how to lead,” McDaniel said. “But with Coach Cheatham’s class we received a pamphlet with guidelines so we seniors have a good idea of how to lead the team.”
Another impact Cheatham has had on the Longhorn program has been with the players’ work ethic.
He had the words “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender” printed on the team’s practice jerseys a year ago.
“We work hard … period … in practice,” Barnett said. “That type of attitude shows more than talent on the field.”
Added McDaniel: “We have worked hard in the preseason and summer. I think it will be hard for us not to be successful based on how much we have worked.”
Melone noted how fellow linemen began preparation for the upcoming campaign several months ago.
“As soon as the football season was over last year, three of our offensive linemen began working out in the weight room and have continued doing so through the offseason. If you work hard and push yourself, it’s hard not to give your best effort on the field.”
Cheatham also motivates by stressing “The 3 C’s—Commitment, Character and Confidence” to the Longhorn squad.
“Those are his favorite three words,” Barnett said.
The head coach’s approach, coupled with the hard work and desire for success by the Inola seniors, has hopes high for Longhorn football in 2006.
“I do really believe that people can look for us in the playoffs,” McDaniel said.
“That’s a major team goal for us this year,” added Barnett. “We do believe in ourselves more this year.”
If that type of belief translates into victories on the field, talk around Inola in the future could certainly include the accomplishments of the Longhorn football program.

August 26, 2006 08:31 am

More entries >>>

Inola Preview

DUANE DaPRON
Progress Correspondent

INOLA — Some people might think little can be gained by a football team that struggled to a 1-9 record a year ago.
Not Inola coach James Cheatham.
Cheatham, who enters his second season with the Longhorns, is of the opinion that valuable lessons can be gained from the fallout of a one-victory season.
“I believe, as a player, anytime you experience struggles and difficulty, that’s a positive motivation to success,” the Northeastern State graduate said.
“I’ve been 1-9 and 10-0. You probably learn more going 1-9 than you do at 10-0.
“You can look at 1-9 as a positive experience in finding out what you need to do as a team to improve.”
Cheatham and members of the 2006 Longhorn team have had plenty of time to examine last year’s campaign and are ready to tackle the challenges ahead this season.
“I am really excited about this year even though we are still a little young,” said Cheatham, who was head coach at Stilwell before coming to Inola in 2005.
“Our junior and sophomore classes are our big classes,” he said, noting that just five senior names dot the 2006 roster.
“I can tell you that we are a lot more enthusiastic this year. We have 32 varsity kids working hard to be successful. We have a good building block. We need to be more confident in what we do this season.”
A year ago, Cheatham inherited a program that had graduated some 15 players.
“We were real young and inexperienced last year,” the Broken Arrow native said.
“We also threw two new systems (flex bone on offense and 4-4 defensive formation) at them. It was tough on a young and inexperienced team.”
With a youthful squad in 2005, Cheatham had little choice but to play several underclassmen throughout the season.
“Despite going 1-9, we did get better as the season went along,” he said.
“There’s just no substitute for experience.”
The head coach hopes that the experience gained by his squad a year ago will be beneficial this season as the Class 3A Longhorns tackle a schedule that features one of the most competitive districts in the state.
Claremore Sequoyah, a state semifinalist a year ago and ranked as high as No. 2 in preseason, joins Inola in District 3A-3.
Also in the district is Berryhill, the 2004 Class 3A state champion and a top 10 preseason choice this year.
Mix in traditional powerhouses Vinita and Metro Christian and the Longhorns have their work cut out for them in the district.
“District 3A-3 is a tough district,” Cheatham said. “We will have to work hard, day in and day out.”
To help keep his team motivated daily, Inola has a sign posted at its practice field that reads “Outwork Your Opponent Today.”
“That’s the key. You always have an opportunity to compete and when you compete you have a chance to win,” Cheatham said.
To be more competitive, the Longhorns’ flex bone offense will need to be more productive in 2006.
A year ago, Inola managed just 87 first downs and 1,376 yards in total offense (957 rushing, 419 passing).
“We try to run the ball and get it on the edge,” Cheatham said.
“We also throw a lot of screens and short passes. Our personnel fits into that package.”
Returning to lead Inola’s offense is junior quarterback Ryan Moss (5-10, 160).
Backing up Moss will be senior Jacob McDaniel (6-0, 160).
Cheatham has two tandems of halfbacks to feature in the flex bone.
One pair is senior James Yoder (5-7, 135) and junior Spencer Smith (5-8, 160). The other duo is junior Tim Clifford (6-2, 175) and junior Blake Lane (5-10, 165).
“Our halfbacks are still fighting for spots. All are good athletes,” Cheatham said.
At fullback, Eric Feemster (5-11, 165, sophomore) and Ricky Woods (5-9, 175, junior) will see playing time.
Tyler Barnett (5-11, 200, senior), a starter a year ago, returns at tight end with James Padgett (5-9, 150, sophomore) in reserve.
On offense, the Longhorns should have their best depth among the receiving corps.
Included here are Tyler Swope (6-2, 140, junior), Zach White (5-7 155, sophomore), Gene Tyler (5-10, 145, senior) and Mitch Gastleum (5-8, 140, sophomore).
“This area should be one of our strengths, although we have some younger players. We want to get these players into the games in different packages,” Cheatham said.
Among the five offensive linemen, three — junior tackle Kris Powell (5-10, 275), senior center Brian Melone (5-10, 195) and junior guard Zach Roach (5-8, 240) — started a year ago.
Joining the trio up front will be two sophomores, guard Braden Best (5-10, 190) and tackle Michael Overstreet (6-3, 275).
Defensively, the Longhorns will line up in the 4-4 once again.
“We want our opponents to know that they played us. We didn’t do that a year ago,” Cheatham said.
“This year we are blessed with depth at both noseguard and tackle.”
Melone and Roach will man noseguard slots while Overstreet and sophomore Adam Hammill (5-9, 205) occupy the tackle positions.
Among the inside linebackers, Feemster, Clifford and junior Matt Sanders (5-10, 180) will see playing time.
As a freshman a year ago, Feemster notched 20 tackles in just two games while Clifford amassed 35 stops.
“I am excited about our defense because we understand our schemes better and are playing faster this year,” Cheatham said.
While the coach says the team has no standout players on special teams, the squad has a definite goal in this area.
“We are planning to run one (punt or kickoff return) back for a touchdown,” he said.
Cheatham points out that dedication to the task hand could result in the Longhorns having a big impact this season.
“If we play hard and work hard, we can be more successful than anybody thinks we can … even ourselves.”

August 26, 2006 08:29 am

More entries >>>

Week 7 Capsules

Friday night menu

Claremore Christian's Travis Poole

Claremore Christian School Preview

Catoosa's Nick Bergeron

Catoosa Preview

Verdigris' Jeremy Tipton

Verdigris Preview

Inola's Five Seniors

Inola Preview

Popular business directory searches