
Verdigris Cardinals
Claremore, OK 74017
Record: 0-9 | Unranked
![]() | @ Beggs | L | 20-10 8/30 |
![]() | @ Sperry | L | 33-22 9/6 |
![]() | vs Catoosa | L | 6-30 9/13 |
![]() | vs Jay | L | 36-52 9/27 |
![]() | @ Vinita | L | 19-14 10/4 |
![]() | vs Cleveland | L | 2-8 10/11 |
![]() | @ Inola | L | 21-6 10/17 |
![]() | @ Berryhill | L | 56-20 10/25 |
![]() | vs Cascia Hall | L | 6-49 11/1 |
![]() | vs Sequoyah Claremore | L | 14-49 11/8 |
Week 8 - Top Performers
| Ben Johnson
Choctaw
Julius Pruitt - 3 sacks, 2 hurries, 5 tackles, 2 TFL
Verdigris
Reese Roller - had 5 tackles, 1tfl, 3 sacks, 1 hurry. Also had 2 catches for 80 yards and 1 TD. Gives him 21 sacks on the season and 4 straight games with at least 3 sacks.
Colcord
Stormy Odle 225 total offense 2 TDs
Bishop McGuinness
Luke Tarman - 27 carries for 244 yards / 12 of 18 passing for 168 yards / 5 Touchdowns - 4 passing 1 rushing
Berryhill
Chase Burke - 22 carries for 210 yards and 5 TD’s. 8 tackles and one sack on defense.
Broken Bow
CJ Whitfield - 12 carries for 100 yards / 13 tackles 1 int for a TD
Plainview
Morgan Pearson 3 receptions 109 yds 1 TD
Caden Pickens defense- 15 tackles 5 TFL
Del City
Sevaughn Sephus - senior defensive end - 5 sacks & 3 TFL & 13.5 total tackles
Weatherford
Ethan Downs -10 tackles / 9 carries 52 yards and a TD & 2 catches 19yards
Sam Hoffman - 8 tackles / 17 carries for 131 yards & 2 catches for 31 yards
Adair
WR Garrett Long - 8 catches 140 yds 2 TD’s
QB Nate Ratcliff - 13/20 285 5 TD’s
El Reno
Dorian Plumley - 122 yards rushing & 175 yards passing & 4 rushing tds & 1 passing
Came in on defense and got a pic and 2 pass break ups.
Mounds
Taylor Wortman - 16 carries for 174 yards and 3 TDs on offense and 8 tackles with 2 tackles for loss on defense
Mason Coddington - 58 yards passing with 1 TD, 54 yards rushing with 1 TD, 1 fumble recovery for a TD, and 2 Interceptions
Yale
Kail Williams- 4 for 6 passing for 222 yards 3 TDs / 3 carries 37 rushing 2 TD.
Dale Coffman - 1 reception, 95 yards & 1 TD / 4 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries(recovered both fumbles he caused) returned one 64 yards for a defensive TD
Eufaula
Nick jones - 2 INTs & one returned 99 yards for TD to end 2nd half with no time on clock. And another returned 38 yards to the one yard line
Beggs
CJ Brown - 1 rec 48 td / 17 rushes 127 1 td / 4 ko ret 119 / 294 all purpose yds
Hilldale
Eric virgil - 23 carries 285 yards 3TD / 2 catches 48 yards 1 TD
Wewoka
Kobey Stephens - Passing- 6 for 10 -81yds -2 TD / Rushing- 10 for 97yds 3TD / 1 punt return for 41 TD.
Okemah
Mikey Cruz - rushing 28/234 yds 5 TD
Kurtis Wilson - passing 8/14 144 yds 3 TD
Claremore
Brooks Sherl - 3catches 140 yards and 3 TD's
Kellyville
Trevor Jones - 22 carries 161 yards 1 td and 1 int on defense
Jeremy Hicks - 11 carries 132 yards and 3 tds plus had 8 tackles and a sack
Wagoner
Braden Drake - 10 carries for 210 yds and 4 TD / Also had an INT
(All in the first half)
Lawton
Donovan Dorsey - 7-9 192 yards passing 2 tds
Union
Matthias Roberson - 10 tackles 2 sacks, 3 tfl, fumble cause and recovered
Pryor
Ben Ward - 105 passing & 1 TD / 44 rushes, 265 yards, 4 TDs
Week 1 - OKpreps Standouts
| Ben Johnson
Top performers
Dewar
Joey Fowler - Passing 20 of 22 for 252 yards and 4 TD’s 0 int’s / Rushing 19 for 156 yards and 1 TD / 11 tackles on defense
Vian
Javyn Wright - 24 rushes 249 yards 3 tds / 1 passing td
Grove
Emmanuel Crawford - 29 rushes, 197 yards, 1 TD / 2 receptions, 33 yards
Lawton Mac
Nasir Kemper - 4TDs / Kickoff return TD / 98 yard TD run / 2 yard TD run / 21 yard TD reception / 250+ all purpose yards
Tonkawa
Tristan Burdick - 231 yds on 15 carries for 4 tds
Kellyville
Trevor Jones - 19 carries for 236 yds and 3 tds
Durant
Fransisco Avila - 19 rushes, 332 yards, 5 TDs
Stillwater
Qwontrel Walker - 29 carries, 228 yards, 5 TDs
Chelsea
Cash Ramsey - 23 carries, 300 yards, 4 TDs
Bixby
Mason Williams - 26/40 passing, 5 TDs, 231 yds
Honor roll
McLoud
Clint Campbell - Soph. RB - 15 carries for 121 yards, 2-TD’s, 2-2 pt. conv.
3 catches for 67 yards. 1 TD
Holland Hall
Owen Ostroski: 9 solo tackles/2 assisted/6.5 for loss/ 4 QB hurries/2 sacks/ 1 forced fumble
Depew
Tavin Hunt - 10 carries 117 yards and 2 rushing TDs. 2 catches for 25 yards. 15 tackles and 2 picks (1 being a pick 6)
Tulsa Memorial
Elvis Grayson: Senior - 2 rushing TDs / 1 catch for a 2pt Conv. / 8 Tackles 1 TFL
Scored 14 of team’s 15 points
He helped stop Central on 4th and inches late in the fourth quarter and got the first down to seal the game!
Inola
Landon Prows was 20-33 for 345 yards, 3 td's and 0 picks.
Gavin Williams caught 4 passes for 165 and 2 td's.
Thomas
Ethan Hamberlin 15 carries 211 yards 2 TD
Jayce Miller 8 tackles- Int- blocked punt
Cache
Hunter Tate. 6 carries 118 yards 2TDs, 2 receptions 63 yds 1TD / 7 Tackles / He only played first half
Dewar
Ty Whitlow - 11 catches for 193 yards and 3 TD’s
Lawton
Christian Houston - 20 carries 150 yards 2 tds
Ardmore
Anton Scallion - 16 carries for 190 yards & 3 TDs
Wagoner
Braden Drake - 159 yards on 18 carries with 2 tds. Also had 8 tackles
Isaac Smith - 8 tackles, 3 sacks, and a fumble recovery
Christian Heritage
Kye Davis - 10/17 passing, 262yds. 3 TDS and 1 int / 3 carries, 47 yds
Cade Hale - 5 receptions, 186 yds, 1 TD / 4 tackles
Cashion
Brexton Green - 7-198-4TDs receiving
Purcell
Sam Wofford - 12 tackles, 1 sack
Kody Kroth - 19-34 for 339 2tds no Ints
Crescent
Hunter Wilmoth - 10 rushes 150 yds 3 rushing td. 1 passing td
Chandler
Casmen Hill - 10 carries for 143 yds, 2 TD / 95 yard kick return for a TD / 4 receptions for 53 yds
Frederick
Adrian Gaytan - 9-14 passing, 167 yds 2 td’s
Pawnee
Trevor Mitchell - 19 rushes, 144 yards, 1 TD
Blake Skidgel - 20 rushes, 109 yards, 3 TDs
Carl Albert
Noah Dobson (offensive tackle) - Coaching staff graded him at a 90 percent
Antlers
Isaac Sorrells - Kick return for a TD / Rushing TD / two 2pt conversions / 48 yards receiving / 12 tackles
Grove
Greg McCurdy - 4 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs
Weatherford
Sam Hoffman - 14 carries 174yds 4 TD’s / 7 tackles
Piedmont
Caden Hendren - 3 catches for 100 yards 2 TDS / 11 tackles on defense.
Collinsville
Oscar Hammond (WR/FS Junior) - 3 catches for 119, 2tds / 6 tackles
Verdigris
Alec James - 117 rushing yards and 2 TD / 40 receiving yards and 1 TD / 4 tackles
Checotah
Dontierre Fisher - 11 carries 156 yards, 3 tds
Washington
Luke Hendrix - 4 receptions 132 yards and 2 td
Atoka
Andrew McCall - 3 carries 158 yards rushing, two touchdowns
Salina
Jack Wilkins soph QB - 17 carries 157 yds rushing long of 66, 2 TD, 1 pass TD
Skiatook
Jace Woodrow (Corner) - 2 interceptions, 1 pick 6, 4 tackles.
Barnsdall
Hunter Auschwitz - 13 carries, 128 yards, 3 TDs / 4 tackles, 1 sack
Carson Auschwitz - 12 tackles, 5 for loss / 1 rush, 25 yards / 5 catches, 38 yards
Enid
Nate Gamble - 5 pancake blocks after rehabbing sprained ankle all week long
Porter
Caleb Brewer - 14 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
East Central
Cunu Fields - 6/10 passing, 241 yards, 5 TDs + 1 67-yard rushing TD
Stigler
Ridge McClary - 14 rushes, 115 yds, 1 TD
Bruce Engle - 12 tackles, 2 sacks
Chelsea
William Hampton - 4/9 passing, 63 yards, 2 TDs + 12 rushes, 121 yards, 2 TDs
Tahlequah
Malik McMurtrey - 26 rushes, 135 yards, 1 TD
Have a player of the week candidate? Let us know. Email Ben Johnson at benjohnsontdp@gmail.com
**PHOTO CREDIT - JASON ELMQUIST - STILLWATER NEWSPRESS
WEEK 4 PICKS
| Ben Johnson
Swisher is still in the lead, and blah blah blah. Whitt and I need to step it up
Week 3 picks
Michael Swisher - 9-6
Whitt Carter - 12-3
Ben Johnson - 13-2
Overall standings
Michael Swisher - 46-13
Whitt Carter - 41-18
Ben Johnson - 43-16
Broken Arrow at Jenks
Swisher: Broken Arrow
Whitt: Broken Arrow
Ben: Broken Arrow
Union at Owasso
Swisher: Owasso
Whitt: Owasso
Ben: Owasso
Del City at Choctaw
Swisher: Del City
Whitt: Del City
Ben: Del City
Sapulpa at Bixby
Swisher: Bixby
Whitt: Bixby
Ben: Bixby
Claremore at Collinsville
Swisher: Claremore
Whitt: Collinsville
Ben: Claremore
Elgin at Weatherford
Swisher: Elgin
Whitt: Elgin
Ben: Weatherford
Bethel at Sulphur
Swisher: Sulphur
Whitt: Sulphur
Ben: Sulphur
Cascia Hall at Verdigris
Swisher: Verdigris
Whitt: Cascia Hall
Ben: Verdigris
Lincoln Christian at Stigler
Swisher: Lincoln Christian
Whitt: Lincoln Christian
Ben: Lincoln Christian
Metro Christian at Adair
Swisher: Metro Christian
Whitt: Metro Christian
Ben: Metro Christian
Morris at Beggs
Swisher: Beggs
Whitt: Beggs
Ben: Beggs
Vian at Spiro
Swisher: Vian
Whitt: Vian
Ben: Vian
Barnsdall at Pawhuska
Swisher: Pawhuska
Whitt: Pawhuska
Ben: Pawhuska
Christian Heritage at Cashion
Swisher: Cashion
Whitt: Cashion
Ben: Cashion
Hooker at Thomas
Swisher: Thomas
Whitt: Thomas
Ben: Hooker
Tonkawa at Pawnee
Swisher: Tonkawa
Whitt: Tonkawa
Ben: Pawnee
Weleetka at Dewar
Swisher: Dewar
Whitt: Weleetka
Ben: Dewar
Buffalo at Boise City
Swisher: Boise City
Whitt: Buffalo
Ben: Boise City
Graham Dustin at Midway
Swisher: Midway
Whitt: Graham-Dustin
Ben: Midway
Seiling at Cherokee
Swisher: Cherokee
Whitt: Cherokee
Ben: Cherokee
**Photo by David Stacy
CLASS 3A PREVIEW
| Ben Johnson
Class 3A preview
Rankings
**1. Heritage Hall2. Lincoln Christian
3. Plainview
4. Berryhill
5. John Marshall
6. Sulphur
7. Kingfisher
8. Seminole
9. Cascia Hall
10. Perkins-Tryon
**Last year’s champion
Our best guess(es)
Michael Swisher: Heritage Hall -- Much like CA in Class 5A, I’m going to take the Chargers until someone proves me wrong. Even in years when Heritage Hall doesn’t overwhelm you with talent, it plays tough, disciplined football. The Bogerts always have them primed for big games and I have no reason to believe this year will be any different.Whitt Carter: Heritage Hall -- This team lost some very key players from last year’s title team. But they return some guys primed for a breakout and seem to be on another level than most in this class currently.
Ben Johnson: Lincoln Christian -- The combination of Chase Ricke and Sam Brueggeman gives the Bulldogs a great chance to upend Heritage Hall in the 3A race.
Verdigris two-way standout commits to Arkansas State
| Ben Johnson
Verdigris’ offense took a drastic leap forward in 2018. A big credit for that goes to the offensive line, especially offensive tackle Austin Woods.
On Tuesday, Woods announced his commitment to Arkansas State on Twitter.
“Without the help of my coaches, teammates, friends, and most importantly my parents, this decision would of been much harder than I could’ve ever imagined,” Woods tweeted.
Woods opted for the Red Wolves while holding offers from Eastern Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana Tech, Texas State, Tulane and then two in-state Division II offers from Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma.
“It’s extremely exciting,” Woods told Skordle. “The thought of having my school paid for is unbelievable.”
With Woods anchoring the offensive line in 2018, the Cardinals averaged 27.9 points per game, while earning a playoff berth District 3A-4. He also recorded 44 tackles and five sacks on defense during his junior season.
Of his commitment to Arkansas State, Woods said, “from the facilities to the people, I just felt like I fit in and it felt like home.”
Feedback or comments? Email me at ben@skordle.com
Skordle Showdown arrives in Bixby again
| Ben Johnson
The Skordle Showdown is back again in 2019. Some of the state’s premier teams will be in Bixby on Friday. Take a look at all the teams that will be there.
Large school teams
Broken Arrow Tigers
Head coach: David Alexander
Players to watch
- CB Myles Slusher: Highly sought-after defensive back has committed to Oregon. Capped his junior season with an interception on Jenks’ final drive in the Class 6A-I title game to secure Broken Arrow’s first championship.
- S Campbell Yeager: Finished with 74 tackles last season for the Tigers.
- RB Maurion Horn: Sophomore-to-be call carrier already holds offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Baylor.
Need to know: Most notable Broken Arrow player in 2019 will be offensive lineman Andrew Raym, who holds offers from just about every major program in the country. … Tigers will be deploying a new quarterback after Quintevin Cherry and Tate Robards graduated. … Horn likely will be the Tigers’ new running back after Noah Cortes graduated. …. Broken Arrow’s defense did not allow more than 20 points in a game last season, and the Tigers issued only 27 points in three playoff games.
Union Redskins
Head coach: Kirk Fridrich
Players to watch
- QB JD Geneva: Threw for 2,752 yards and 32 touchdowns for Coweta in 10 games last season. Moved to Union just after the first of the year.
- WR Kyler Pearson: Kansas commit caught 57 passes for 551 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Need to know: Union lost to Jenks, 27-24, in last year’s 6A-I semifinal matchup. … Fridrich is 138-21 since taking over at Union in 2007.
Jenks Trojans
Head coach: Keith Riggs
Players to watch
- WR/TE Bo Estes: Trojans top receiver measures in at 6 feet, 3 inches and 190 pounds. Primed for a big senior season and plenty of college offers along the way.
- RB Will Cox: Slated to be the Trojans’ top ball carrier and has offers already from Davidson and Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Need to know: Jenks’ 2018 season ended with a 28-20 loss to Broken Arrow in the 6A-I title game. The Trojans’ only two losses last season were to Broken Arrow. … Jenks will have a new quarterback in 2019 after Ian Corwin graduated.
Owasso Rams
Head coach: Bill Blankenship
Players to watch
- WR/CB Duece Mayberry Jr.: Kansas commit had 27 tackles and three interceptions on defense last season.
- RB Isaiah Jacobs: Rams ball carrier has offers from Arkansas, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State and plenty more. Also the little brother of former McLain standout Josh Jacobs.
Need to know: A year after winning the 2017 title, Owasso pushed Broken Arrow to the limit in a 10-7 game in the 6A-I semifinals. … Quarterback Will Kuehne passed for 2,378 yards and 23 touchdowns during his senior season in 2018. … Mario Kirby and Trey Goins combined for 1,156 receiving yards for the Rams last season, and both return in 2019.
Bixby Spartans
Head coach: Loren Montgomery
Players to watch
- QB Mason Williams: Junior-to-be was one of Oklahoma’s top quarterbacks in 2018. Guided the Spartans to a 6A Division II championship with 3,225 yards and 36 touchdowns.
- WR/DB Brennan Presley: Superb athlete on both sides of the ball and starting to gain a lot of recruiting traction. Caught 67 passes for 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense last season.
Need to know: Bixby beat Stillwater 34-13 in the 6AII title game in 2018. For the Spartans, it was their fourth championship in five years. … WR/DB Jordan Reagan is gaining attention after drawing an offer from Oklahoma State earlier in June.
Coweta Tigers
Head coach: Tim Harper
Player to watch
- WR Blake Lair: Caught 56 passes for 952 yards and 15 touchdowns during his junior season in 2018.
Need to know: Harper was named Coweta’s new head coach in early June after Tim Holt Jr. accepted a position on Broken Arrow’s coaching staff. … The Tigers reached the 5A quarterfinals in 2018 before being eliminated by Ardmore.
Cleveland Tigers
Head coach: Ricky Ward
Player to watch
- QB Ben Ward: Emerged on the scene as a sophomore in 2018 with 2,355 yards and 33 touchdowns through the air.
Need to know: Tigers finished 5-5 and missed the playoffs in 2018. … Cleveland is looking for its first playoff appearance since 2013.
Hilldale Hornets
Head coach: David Blevins
Player to watch
- WR/SS/LB Dylan Walker: Recorded 76 tackles and 10 tackles for loss on defense during his sophomore season in 2018.
Need to know: Blevins left his post as Locust Grove’s head coach to take over at Hilldale in the offseason. … Hilldale went 9-3 in 2018 and made it to the 4A quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Tuttle.
Bishop Kelley Comets
Head coach: JJ Tappana
Players to watch
- WR Cori Lewis: Caught 57 passes for 867 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
- RB Zach Middleton: Oklahoma State commit spearheads the Comets’ rushing attack and racked up 1,129 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Also a disruptive force on defense with 83 tackles as a junior.
- TE Cooper McMurry: Can play nearly any position on offense and doubles as a baseball standout with a commitment to Kansas.
Need to know: Reached the Class 5A semifinals last year before being beat by Ardmore, 21-13, one game shy of the title game.
Booker T. Washington Hornets
Head coach: Brad Calip
Players to watch
- WR JJ Hester: Perhaps the state’s top receiving target in recruiting circles for the 2020 graduating class. Stands 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs 181 pounds with offers from Georgia, Arkansas, Kansas State, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and plenty more.
- LB Krishawn Brown: Recently committed to Kansas after logging 119 tackles and 14 sacks in 2018.
Need to know: Followed a 6AII championship in 2017 with a semifinal appearance in 2018. Hornets lost to Stillwater a game shy of playing for back-to-back titles.
Small school teams
Cushing Tigers
Head coach: Rusty Morgan
Player to watch
- WR Keaton Crooks: One of the state’s top wideouts in 2018 with 1,117 yards on 68 receptions.
Need to know: Tigers went 4-7 in 2018 but still earned a playoff spot in Class 4A.
Henryetta Knights
Head coach: Lance Beck
Player to watch
- QB Jakob White: Passed for 1,142 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
Need to know: Knights went 1-9 in 2018. … Beck took over at Henryetta after serving as linebacker coach at Sand Springs.
Verdigris Cardinals
Head coach: Travis East
Players to watch
- QB Brant Hager: Passed for 1,607 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior in 2018.
- WR Toby Willis: Caught 39 passes for 894 yards last season.
Need to know: Cardinals went 5-6 with a playoff berth in 2018. … Sloan Roller returns as Verdigris’ top tackler last season with 142.
Pawhuska Huskies
Head coach: Matt Hennesy
Players to watch
- QB/LB Bryce Drummond: Threw for 1,697 yards and 17 touchdowns during his sophomore season in 2018. Also had 104 tackles at linebacker.
- WR/DB Cade McNeil: Led the Huskies with five interceptions on defense, and was Pawhuska’s top receiver with 536 yards as a junior in 2018.
Need to know: Huskies went 6-5 with a playoff berth in their first year under Hennesey in 2018.
Beggs Golden Demons
Head coach: David Tenison
Player to watch
- S Kendal Daniels: Uber-athletic defensive back has offered from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas and many more.
Need to know: Golden Demons have had back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2018. Last season, Beggs lost to Sperry in the 2A title game, after losing to John Marshall in the 3A championship game in 2017.
Locust Grove Pirates
Head coach: Cameron Conder
Player to watch
- QB Trystin Gutierrez: Senior signal caller takes over an offense that averaged 28.2 points per game in 2018.
Need to know: Pirates went 8-3 with a playoff berth in 2018. … Conder took over after Blevins became the head coach at Hilldale.
Okmulgee Bulldogs
Head coach: Brent Scott
Need to know: Scott takes over at Okmulgee after a two-year stint at Kellyville, where he guided the Ponies to an 8-4 record with a second-round playoff appearance in 2018.
Morris Eagles
Head coach: Robert Daniels
Player to watch
- QB Kolby Burgess: As a sophomore, guided the Eagles to five wins and a playoff berth last season.
Need to know: Eagles went 5-6 before being eliminated from the playoffs by Adair in 2018.
Lincoln Christian Bulldogs
Head coach: Jerry Ricke
Player to watch
- Chase Ricke: One of the state’s top passers in 2018 with 3,116 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Need to know: The Bulldogs finished 11-2 in 2018 with a semifinal appearance in Class 3A.
Blackwell Maroons
Need to know: The Maroons were 2-8 in 2018.
PODCAST: It's Skordle Showdown time!
| Ben Johnson
FOOTBALL'S BACK!! Well, not really. But kind of.
Skordle is hosting two different 7-on-7 football tournaments, all thanks to wonderful sponsors, Tulsa Tech and Charleston's.
The guys break down both Showdowns, and chat about players to watch and what to keep an eye out for. And shoutout to the 7-on-7 event in Norman live streaming several of the matchups.
Later in the episode, the OSSAA's Chris Wilfong joins the podcast to talk about his tremendous website - IWasAtTheGame.com ... if you've never checked it out, do it now. It has everything you'd ever want to know about high school sports in Oklahoma.
As always, thanks for listening.
And send us your feedback at @benjohnsontul or @michaelswisher