Howe Lions

Howe, OK 74940

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    McKinley Whitfield headed to NY Giants mini camp

    |  Ben Johnson

    Fort Coffee is headed for the big stage.

    Wait, Fort Coffee? Where is that? Is it in Oklahoma?

    It’s a town that might go unrecognized, outside of severe weather coverage in Oklahoma, but Fort Coffee sits in the Arkansas River bend near Skullyville and northeast of Spiro. Just find LeFlore County in far eastern Oklahoma, and it sits at the very northern tip of the county.

    It’s where McKinley Whitfield has called home all his life.

    Now Whitfield will fly the Fort Coffee flag proudly when he attends New York Giants mini camp.

    “It means everything in the world to me to represent Spiro and Fort Coffee,” said Whitfield, a former standout at Spiro High School before playing college football at the University of Tulsa.

    “I grew up there my whole life, and I just try my best to be a inspiration to all the younger kids there.”

    Whitfield, measuring at 6 feet, 3 inches and 217 pounds, knows professional athletic endeavors don’t come along often for those growing up in Fort Coffee.


    “Not many people from the area get changes like these,” he said, “so it’s a blessing.”

    Whitfield, a safety by trade, recently watched the NFL Draft intently, hoping for his name to appear in the later rounds. But all seven rounds breezed by, despite a few draft boards mentioning Whitfield as a possible late-round candidate.

    “It was very frustrating,” said Whitfield, who logged 264 tackles and 19 pass breakups during his collegiate career. “Everybody was thinking that I was going to get drafted, so I didn’t want to let anybody down. I just tried to keep myself busy during the whole process and be around my family.”

    It didn’t take long for Whitefield to draw an invitation to New York’s minicamp, which begins this weekend.

    “It feels good getting a chance to go play at the next level,” said Whitfield, who nabbed four interceptions while at Tulsa. “Of course I would rather have gotten drafted or a free agent deal, but it’s just more motivation for me.

    Whitfield joins four other TU players as mini camp invitees. Justin Hobbs and Willie Wright will work out for the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns, respectively, and two other in-state talents, Tyler Bowling (Yukon) and Chandler Miller (Bixby), will try to earn a spot with the Atlanta Falcons.

    Leading up to the draft, Whitfield never had much interaction with the Giants, chatting with the organization once while at a senior event in Texas. But now he gets a chance to prove Fort Coffee belongs in the NFL.

    “I’ve always been a hard worker since I was a kid,” Whitfield said. “That definitely isn’t going to stop now.”




    *Photo credit: University of Tulsa

    SKORDLE NOTEBOOK: Bixby's Blankenship bursting onto the scene

    |  Ben Johnson

    Bixby has been stingy when it comes to hoarding football championships. The Spartans have won four of the past five Class 6AII championships, and don’t expect them to slow down anytime soon.

    What Bixby hasn’t claimed often since the turn of the century has been wrestling titles. Nic Roller’s individual championship at 220 pounds in 2016 has been the Spartans’ only crown since 1998.

    But freshman Zach Blankenship is out to change all of that.

    At 120 pounds, Bixby’s wrestling phenom is 24-0, and that includes four tournament championships to his credit so far.

    “I didn’t really think I’d be having the season I am now,” Blankenship said. “I’m just thankful that I’ve been having this much success.”

    Bixby came up short in its pursuit of the District 6A-7 crown on Tuesday night with a loss to Jenks, but Blankenship posted two victories and collected another one by forfeit. Those came only days after winning the Jerry Billings Invitational at Sapulpa, where he won by fall at 1:43 in the 120 finals against Collinsville’s Rocky Stephens, a 5A state champion at 113 last season.


    “Zach has risen to the occasion and made a name for himself in the high school realm,” Bixby coach Brock Moore said. “He goes hard every second of every match and makes good things happen. He wants to wrestle the best guys he can. He’s fun to watch and coach.”

    To reach the finals in Sapulpa, Blankenship won by fall against Sand Springs’ Riley Weir, who won last year’s 113 championship in 6A.

    “His most impressive win so far might’ve been at Sapulpa, where he beat two-time state champion Riley Weir,” Moore said. “And that’s saying a lot for someone who has 21 wins by fall this season.”

    Blankenship started the 2019 calendar year by winning the Larry Wilkey Invitational at Jenks. He knocked off Stillwater’s Cade Nicholas 4-2 in the finals.

    “As a freshman, he has won four tournaments and has also been named the most outstanding wrestler at each of those tournaments, too,” Moore said. “I haven’t ever seen or known of another freshman to do that.”

    Announcing his presence at the varsity level, Blankenship won the 120-pound division at the Perry Tournament of Champions in December. He cruised through the entire field with all of his victories by fall, including pinning Edmond Memorial’s Garrett Johnson at 3:32 for the 120 crown.

    Not bad for someone who was wrestling among the junior high ranks not too long ago.

    “The biggest difference between varsity and junior high has been the kids I’ve had to wrestle,” Blankenship said. “In junior high, the kids I had to wrestle were usually my age and size. In varsity, I’ve had to wrestle a lot older and bigger kids, which has made it a lot tougher.

    “I’m just fortunate to have great coaches and parents who help me get better every tournament.”


    ‘Wrestleback’ Wildcats win Carl Albert tourney

    It was Skiatook, Duncan, Piedmont and Altus vying for the Malcolm Wade Invitational crown at Carl Albert on Saturday, and with a quick glance it doesn’t appear as though Piedmont fared well. But on the contrary, Piedmont managed to claim the team title with only one individual champion.

    The Wildcats, led by Josh Heindselman’s triumph at 285, finished with 242.5 points and won the tournament title. Skiatook (226) and Duncan (219) rounded out the top three.


    “We were excited to win it,” Piedmont coach Erik Ford said. “We knew we had a chance going into the tournament. On Saturday, it was really exciting to see our guys score a lot of bonus points and really wrestle well on the backside of the bracket to give us the push that we needed.”

    In the final match of the tournament, Heindselman recorded a pin at 2:37 against Lawton MacArthur’s Montana Phillips, who won last year’s 5A championship at heavyweight.

    “Josh has been really impressive,” Ford said of the University of Oklahoma signee. “He weighs about 225 right now, so he is really wrestling up a weight. He has found another level as far as his movement and attacks go. His pressure and constant attacking has been the most impressive part about his wrestling this year. It has really allowed him to negate some of the size that he is giving up against heavyweights.”

    Piedmont finished the tournament with 10 wrestlers recording top-six finishes. Tabor McLure (138) and Landis Scoon (152) both came in second place, and Mitchell Lance (132), Braden Culp (170) and Austin Cooley all posted third-place finishes atop the consolation bracket.

    “Our guys learned that they can wrestle with some of the top 5A teams in the state,” Ford said. “…Our guys understand that winning the Carl Albert tournament is huge for our program, but they also know that our end-of-season goals as individuals and as a team are what we have been working for all year. And we’ll continue to work on those going forward.”


    Other wrestling notes

    - Edmond North picked up 194.5 points and won the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference (COAC) Tournament title on Saturday. Mustang was second at 191.

    - Tuttle cruised to the Greg Henning Invitational crown on Saturday with 362 points.



    Prep hoops notes

    - There’s a new No. 1 in Class 6A boys after Edmond Memorial beat Edmond Santa Fe 56-42 in the championship game of the Bishop McGuinness Classic. Edmond Memorial was ranked fifth Saturday and moved up to 6A’s top spot, while Edmond Santa Fe dropped from No. 1 to third. Booker T. Washington is second in between the two.

    - Crushing the field in the Putnam City West Invitational wasn’t enough to move Heritage Hall (14-0) to the top of the 4A coaches’ poll. The Chargers are still second behind top-ranked Kingfisher (11-1). Heritage Hall’s Trey Alexander scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Chargers’ win over PC West in the finals.

    - It's a big week for the state's two smallest classes as playoff assignments will be released Friday by the OSSAA (as if 95 percent of the coaches don't already know, through the grapevine, where they're headed). We're told David Glover, who makes the assignments for 4A and below, was about 99 percent finished with the assignments early this week. A committee meeting was held Wednesday, which generally leads to a few tweaks. Most of those are host sites, although sometimes teams are moved to different regionals or areas as a result of those meetings. No doubt a lot of people will be up in arms once the assignments are released, but that happens every year. What it does signify is that the playoffs are near and we all love that part of the season.

    - One of those small school teams got a big boost during the holiday break. The Duke boys, already undefeated and ranked second in Class B, added Jameson Richardson to the roster at the beginning of this semester. Richardson, a 6-foot-8 junior forward with a load of versatility, transferred from his hometown of Mangum. He averaged right around 20 points and was a solid rebounder and rim protector for Mangum in his eight games prior to the move. Duke was already manhandling most opponents before his arrival, but hasn't been played closer than 18 points (61-43 over Granite last week) since his arrival.

    - Next week is the biggest tournament week of the basketball season and it will be loaded with top matchups. However, a couple of No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdowns already took place during girls championship games during last week's slate. In Class 2A, top-ranked Dale held off No. 2 Howe 65-55 at the Kingston New Year's Classic. Howe's Jalei Oglesby was "held" to 31 points. "She missed a few shots and eventually fouled out or she would have had more," said first-year Dale coach Eric Smith, who led Alva to a pair of titles and got Frontier to last year's Class A title game. "She is unbelievable." Dale, led by Lacey Savage's 18 points, improved to 14-1 with the victory, which very well could have been a state championship preview. Down in Class B, No. 1 Hammon defended its Warrior Classic championship by earning a 50-44 come-from-behind win over No. 2 Lomega. Last year, Hammon was No. 2 when it beat No. 1 Lomega in the finals and it carried that momentum to a state championship. This time around, Hammon had to outscore its guests by seven in the second half to win. Five different Lady Warriors scored at least six points, led by 13 from Halee Morris. Kenedie Walker scored seven of her 10 in the fourth quarter. Lomega got 14 points each from Mady Meier and Courtney Fox.



    *Photo credit: Steve Doak

    ** The unflappable Michael Swisher contributed to this report.

    High School Football rankings

    |  Michael Swisher

    6A Division-I

    1. Owasso (10-0)
    2. Jenks (7-3)
    3. Norman (9-1)
    4. Bixby (8-2)
    5. Edmond Memorial (8-2)
    6. Union (7-3)
    7. Deer Creek (7-3)
    8. Moore (6-4)
    9. Norman North (3-7)
    10. Broken Arrow (4-6)

    6A Division-II

    1. Muskogee (10-0)
    2. Choctaw (8-2)
    3. Stillwater (8-2)
    4. Sand Springs (7-3)
    5. Piedmont (6-4)
    6. Putnam City (6-4)
    7. Putnam City North (7-3)
    8. Bartlesville (3-7)
    9. Lawton Ike (4-6)
    10. Sapulpa (4-6)

    Class 5A

    1. Carl Albert (10-0)
    2. Del City (9-1)
    3. Booker T. Washington (8-2)
    4. Newcastle (7-3)
    5. Guthrie (7-3)
    6. McAlester (8-2)
    7. Bishop McGuinness (7-3)
    8. Bishop Kelley (5-5)
    9. Lawton Mac (7-3)
    10. Pryor (7-3)

    Class 4A

    1. Wagoner (10-0)
    2. Elgin (10-0)
    3. Tuttle (10-0)
    4. Blanchard (9-1)
    5. Bethany (8-2)
    6. Ada (7-3)
    7. Weatherford (8-2)
    8. Sallisaw (8-2)
    9. Clinton (8-2)
    10. Miami (8-2)

    Class 3A

    1. Lincoln Christian (10-0)
    2. Heritage Hall (9-1)
    3. Sulphur (9-1)
    4. Cascia Hall (9-1)
    5. Plainview (9-1)
    6. Perkins-Tryon (8-2)
    7. Pauls Valley (7-3)
    8. Bristow (6-4)
    9. North Rock Creekl (6-4)
    10. Idabel (7-3)

    Class 2A Division-I

    1. Washington (10-0)
    2. Millwood (9-1)
    3. Metro Christian (10-0)
    4. Kingston (9-1)
    5. Marlow (8-2)
    6. Jones (8-2)
    7. Kiefer (7-3)
    8. Chandler (7-3)
    9. Chisholm (6-4)
    10. OCS (7-3)

    Class 2A Division-II

    1. Vian (10-0)
    2. Adair (10-0)
    3. Stroud (10-0)
    4. Holdenville (10-0)
    5. Alva (8-2)
    6. Davis (6-4)
    7. Beggs (8-2)
    8. Colcord (9-1)
    9. Henryetta (8-2)
    10. Salina (6-4)

    Class A Division-I

    1. Hooker (9-1)
    2. Fairview (9-1)
    3. Rejoice Christian (9-1)
    4. Walters (9-1)
    5. Pawnee (7-3)
    6. Pawhuska (8-2)
    7. Christian Heritage (7-3)
    8. Pocola (8-2)
    9. Wynnewood (8-2)
    10. Minco (7-3)

    Class A Division-II

    1. Woodland (10-0)
    2. Regent Prep (9-1)
    3. Hominy (8-2)
    4. Thomas (9-1)
    5. Mangum (9-1)
    6. Talihina (9-1)
    7. Central Sallisaw (7-3)
    8. Velma-Alma (8-2)
    9. Texhoma (7-3)
    10. Mooreland (7-3)

    Class B Division-I

    1. Laverne (9-1)
    2. Dewar (8-1)
    3. Yale (9-0)
    4. Turpin (9-1)
    5. Hollis (7-2)
    6. Drumright (7-3)
    7. Empire (9-1)
    8. Garber (7-3)
    9. Caddo (8-2)
    10. Keota (7-3)

    Class B Division-II

    1. Seiling (9-1)
    2. Weleetka (10-0)
    3. Covington-Douglas (10-0)
    4. Okeene (9-1)
    5. Wilson-Henryetta (8-1)
    6. Waukomis (8-2)
    7. Copan (8-2)
    8. Shattuck (6-3)
    9. Webbers Falls (6-4)
    10. Alex (6-4)

    Class C

    1. Tipton (10-0)
    2. Timberlake (10-0)
    3. Ryan (9-1)
    4. Medford (7-2)
    5. Welch (9-1)
    6. Tyrone (7-2)
    7. Maysville (8-2)
    8. Paoli (7-3)
    9. Geary (7-3)
    10. Waynoka (5-5)

    SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 10 (2024): Sunrise Cafe in Kingfisher

    |  Michael Swisher

    In Kingfisher, Oklahoma, there is a great little food place called Sunrise Cafe.

    I have had breakfast here a few times over the years, but my most recent trip had me giving the incredible looking "Gravy Train" a try after scanning over the menu.

    When it comes to breakfast dining out, I normally tend to migrate towards some combination that includes biscuits and this morning would be no different with the Gravy Train selection I was making. 


    So what is the Gravy Train?

    It's two open-faced homemade biscuits with sausage gravy and hash browns on top. I then added cheese, two runny medium eggs and bacon.



    The Gravy Train is so good and covers all the bases when it comes to breakfast.

    It's one of those breakfast plates that when you're done you either (A) feel like you should go build a fence or chop wood in the snow or (B) head on back to the couch for a morning nap.

    The Gravy Train is definitely not a "light breakfast" by any measure, but rather a heavy and hearty breakfast that is extremely satisfying for those not afraid of a big breakfast. 

    I'm sure local Kingfisher icon Micheal Swisher would have strong recommendations for Sunrise Cafe as well and probably not just for breakfast either.

    It's the kind of small-town cafe that I really enjoy and probably has an excellent hamburger or chicken fried steak meal if i was guessing.

    So the next time you are rolling through Kingfisher in the morning, stop in at the Sunrise Cafe and give the Gravy Train a try because it's a really solid breakfast all the way around!

    Week 10 High School Football Rankings

    |  Michael Swisher

    6A Division-I

    1. Owasso (9-0)
    2. Bixby (8-1)
    3. Union (7-2)
    4. Jenks (6-3)
    5. Norman (8-1)
    6. Edmond Memorial (7-2)
    7. Deer Creek (6-3)
    8. Moore (5-4)
    9. Mustang (5-4)
    10. Norman North (2-7)

    6A Division-II

    1. Muskogee (9-0)
    2. Choctaw (7-2)
    3. Stillwater (7-2)
    4. Sand Springs (6-3)
    5. Putnam City (6-3)
    6. Putnam City North (7-2)
    7. Piedmont (5-4)
    8. Southmoore (4-5)
    9. Bartlesville (2-7)
    10. Lawton Ike (3-6)

    Class 5A

    1. Carl Albert (9-0)
    2. Del City (8-1)
    3. Booker T. Washington (7-2)
    4. Newcastle (6-3)
    5. Guthrie (6-3)
    6. Lawton Mac (7-2)
    7. McAlester (7-2)
    8. Bishop McGuinness (6-3)
    9. Pryor (7-2)
    10. Bishop Kelley (4-5)

    Class 4A

    1. Wagoner (9-0)
    2. Elgin (9-0)
    3. Tuttle (9-0)
    4. Blanchard (8-1)
    5. Sallisaw (8-1)
    6. Bethany (7-2)
    7. Weatherford (7-2)
    8. Ada (6-3)
    9. Clinton (7-2)
    10. Miami (7-2)

    Class 3A

    1. Lincoln Christian (9-0)
    2. Heritage Hall (8-1)
    3. Sulphur (8-1)
    4. Cascia Hall (8-1)
    5. Plainview (8-1)
    6. Perkins-Tryon (7-2)
    7. Idabel (7-2)
    8. Pauls Valley (6-3)
    9. Berryhill (6-3)
    10. Holland Hall (6-3)

    Class 2A Division-I

    1. Washington (9-0)
    2. Millwood (8-1)
    3. Metro Christian (8-0)
    4. Kingston (8-1)
    5. Marlow (7-2)
    6. Jones (7-2)
    7. Kiefer (6-3)
    8. Chandler (6-3)
    9. Chisholm (5-4)
    10. Lindsay (6-3)

    Class 2A Division-II

    1. Vian (9-0)
    2. Adair (9-0)
    3. Stroud (9-0)
    4. Holdenville (9-0)
    5. Alva (7-2)
    6. Davis (5-4)
    7. Beggs (7-2)
    8. Colcord (8-1)
    9. Henryetta (7-2)
    10. Kansas (6-3)

    Class A Division-I

    1. Hooker (8-1)
    2. Fairview (8-1)
    3. Rejoice Christian (8-1)
    4. Walters (8-1)
    5. Pawnee (6-3)
    6. Pawhuska (7-2)
    7. Wynnewood (8-1)
    8. Christian Heritage (6-3)
    9. Pocola (7-2)
    10. Cashion (7-2)

    Class A Division-II

    1. Woodland (9-0)
    2. Regent Prep (8-1)
    3. Hominy (7-2)
    4. Thomas (8-1)
    5. Mangum (8-1)
    6. Mooreland (7-2)
    7. Talihina (8-1)
    8. Central Sallisaw (6-3)
    9. Velma-Alma (7-2)
    10. Texhoma (6-3)

    Class B Division-I

    1. Laverne (8-1)
    2. Dewar (7-1)
    3. Yale (8-0)
    4. Turpin (8-1)
    5. Caddo (8-1)
    6. Hollis (6-2)
    7. Drumright (6-3)
    8. Empire (8-1)
    9. Garber (6-3)
    10. Pond Creek-Hunter (7-2)

    Class B Division-II

    1. Seiling (8-1)
    2. Weleetka (9-0)
    3. Covington-Douglas (9-0)
    4. Okeene (8-1)
    5. Wilson-Henryetta (7-1)
    6. Waukomis (7-2)
    7. Cherokee (5-4)
    8. Alex (6-3)
    9. Copan (7-2)
    10. Shattuck (5-3)

    Class C

    1. Tipton (9-0)
    2. Timberlake (9-0)
    3. Ryan (8-1)
    4. Tyrone (7-1)
    5. Medford (6-2)
    6. Welch (8-1)
    7. Maysville (7-2)
    8. Paoli (6-3)
    9. Geary (6-3)
    10. Waynoka (4-5)

    SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 9 (2024): Revisiting Our Top Candy Picks, Good Soup & Happy Birthday Adam

    |  Michael Swisher

    Since it is Halloween today, I thought it would be fun and timely to run back some previous SKORDLE Halloween Candy Blogs from 2021 and 2022.

    I discuss many important topics related to candy preference, secretly stealing lots of candy from my children and my love for the old days of homemade Halloween treats.

    If you are fortunate enough to come across a Popcorn Ball, Brownie, Candy Apple, or Rice Krispies Treats, rather than a full-sized candy bar (what's really special about that?), you are truly one of the lucky ones tonight! 

    I have also included - in the 2021 blog - an incredible Minestrone Soup recipe courtesy of Mr. SKORDLE himself Adam Diesselhorst.

    Speaking of Adam, today is his birthday, so tell him Happy Birthday! 

    Week 9 Pay Dirt Picks & Results

    |  Korry Rogers


    MARK
    11-1
    JACOB
    9-3
    TOM
    9-2
    TONY
    10-2
    Anadarko
    @
    Kingfisher
    Chandler
    @
    Sperry
    Crossings
    @
    Washington
    Hinton
    @
    Cashion
    Minco
    @
    Christian Heritage
    Keota
    @
    Dewar
    Piedmont
    @
    Stillwater
    Perry
    @
    Chisholm
    Norman
    @
    Mustang
    Sand Springs
    @
    Putnam City North
    Carl Albert
    @
    Guthrie
    Bishop McGuinness
    @
    Newcastle

    Week 9 High School Football Rankings

    |  Michael Swisher

    6A Division-I

    1. Owasso (8-0)
    2. Bixby (7-1)
    3. Union (6-2)
    4. Jenks (5-3)
    5. Norman (7-1)
    6. Edmond Memorial (6-2)
    7. Mustang (5-3)
    8. Deer Creek (6-2)
    9. Norman North (2-6)
    10. Moore (4-4)

    6A Division-II

    1. Muskogee (8-0)
    2. Choctaw (6-2)
    3. Stillwater (6-2)
    4. Sand Springs (5-3)
    5. Putnam City North (7-1)
    6. Southmoore (4-4)
    7. Piedmont (5-3)
    8. Putnam City (5-3)
    9. Lawton Ike (3-5)
    10. Sapulpa (4-4)

    Class 5A

    1. Carl Albert (8-0)
    2. Del City (7-1)
    3. Guthrie (6-2)
    4. Booker T. Washington (6-2)
    5. Newcastle (5-3)
    6. Bishop McGuinness (6-2)
    7. Lawton Mac (6-2)
    8. McAlester (6-2)
    9. Shawnee (6-2)
    10. Pryor (6-2)

    Class 4A

    1. Wagoner (8-0)
    2. Elgin (8-0)
    3. Tuttle (8-0)
    4. Blanchard (7-1)
    5. Clinton (7-1)
    6. Sallisaw (7-1)
    7. Bethany (6-2)
    8. Weatherford (6-2)
    9. Ada (5-3)
    10. Miami (6-2)

    Class 3A

    1. Lincoln Christian (8-0)
    2. Heritage Hall (7-1)
    3. Sulphur (7-1)
    4. Cascia Hall (7-1)
    5. Plainview (7-1)
    6. Perkins-Tryon (6-2)
    7. Idabel (6-2)
    8. North Rock Creek (5-3)
    9. Pauls Valley (5-3)
    10. Berryhill (5-3)

    Class 2A Division-I

    1. Washington (8-0)
    2. Millwood (7-1)
    3. Metro Christian (8-0)
    4. Kingston (7-1)
    5. Marlow (6-1)
    6. Jones (6-2)
    7. Kiefer (5-3)
    8. Perry (6-2)
    9. Hugo (6-2)
    10. Chandler (5-3)

    Class 2A Division-II

    1. Vian (8-0)
    2. Adair (8-0)
    3. Stroud (8-0)
    4. Davis (5-3)
    5. Holdenville (8-0)
    6. Alva (6-2)
    7. Beggs (6-2)
    8. Colcord (7-1)
    9. Wyandotte (6-2)
    10. Salina (5-3)

    Class A Division-I

    1. Hooker (7-1)
    2. Fairview (7-1)
    3. Rejoice Christian (7-1)
    4. Christian Heritage (6-2)
    5. Walters (7-1)
    6. Pawnee (5-3)
    7. Pawhuska (6-2)
    8. Pocola (6-2)
    9. Wynnewood (7-1)
    10. Cashion (6-2)

    Class A Division-II

    1. Woodland (8-0)
    2. Mangum (8-0)
    3. Regent Prep (7-1)
    4. Hominy (6-2)
    5. Talihina (8-0)
    6. Thomas (7-1)
    7. Ketchum (6-2)
    8. Mooreland (6-2)
    9. Central Sallisaw (5-3)
    10. Velma-Alma (6-2)

    Class B Division-I

    1. Laverne (7-1)
    2. Dewar (6-1)
    3. Yale (7-0)
    4. Turpin (7-1)
    5. Caddo (7-1)
    6. Hollis (5-2)
    7. Garber (6-2)
    8. Keota (6-2)
    9. Drumright (4-2)
    10. Waurika (4-4)

    Class B Division-II

    1. Seiling (7-1)
    2. Weleetka (8-0)
    3. Covington-Douglas (8-0)
    4. Okeene (7-1)
    5. Wilson-Henryetta (6-1)
    6. Waukomis (6-2)
    7. Copan (7-1)
    8. Shattuck (5-2)
    9. Cherokee (4-4)
    10. Wetumka (5-3)

    Class C

    1. Tipton (8-0)
    2. Timberlake (8-0)
    3. Ryan (7-1)
    4. Tyrone (6-1)
    5. Medford (5-2)
    6. Geary (6-2)
    7. Welch (7-1)
    8. Maysville (6-2)
    9. Paoli (5-3)
    10. Sasakwa (6-1)

    Week 8 Pay Dirt Picks & Results

    |  Korry Rogers


    MARK
    9-3
    JACOB
    9-3
    TOM
    9-3
    DOUG
    10-2
    Okeene
    @
    Boise City
    Kingfisher
    @
    North Rock Creek
    Tulsa Central
    @
    Chandler
    Lincoln Christian
    @
    Checotah
    Texhoma-Goodwell
    @
    Mangum
    Southwest Covenant
    @
    Thomas-Fay-Custer
    Blanchard
    @
    Tuttle
    Turpin
    @
    Garber
    Sequoyah Claremore
    @
    Cascia Hall
    Muskogee
    @
    Sand Springs
    Jenks
    @
    Moore
    McAlester
    @
    Booker T Washington

    SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 8 (2024): Flamingo Lounge

    |  Michael Swisher

    If you haven’t had a burger at the Flamingo Lounge in Enid, you really need to because they are absolutely delicious! 


    The Flamingo is located right at the main intersection of town (U.S. 81 and U.S. 412 or Van Buren and Garriott for the locals).


    It’s a classic dive joint that has been a favorite for many for a really long time. 


    Simple is why they are great. 


    The burgers are incredible and what I love the most is the melty cheese and warm greasy bun.


    I would highly recommend the Double Meat, Double Cheeseburger.




    You can even add chili if you’re brave enough or have arteries made of steel.


    Regulars normally get some Chili Cheese Nachos as an appetizer or side. 


    If you’re wanting to try something truly unique, follow the lead of Mr. SKORDLE Adam Diesselhorst and order the Pickled Eggs. 


    I have never brought myself to try them (I stick to the nachos and burgers), but Adam loves them and you might too. 


    The place has a shuffleboard, pool and video games for the kids. 


    The next time you are in Enid, I would strongly suggest a stop at the Flamingo for an awesome burger!!!

    Week 8 High School Football Rankings

    |  Michael Swisher

    6A Division-I

    1. Owasso
    2. Bixby
    3. Union
    4. Jenks
    5. Deer Creek
    6. Norman
    7. Edmond Memorial
    8. Mustang
    9. Moore
    10. Broken Arrow

    6A Division-II

    1. Muskogee
    2. Stillwater
    3. Choctaw
    4. Sand Springs
    5. Piedmont
    6. Putnam City North
    7. Putnam City
    8. Sapulpa
    9. Southmoore
    10. Lawton Ike

    Class 5A

    1. Carl Albert
    2. Del City
    3. Lawton Mac
    4. McAlester
    5. Guthrie
    6. Bishop McGuinness
    7. Collinsville
    8. Booker T. Washington
    9. Newcastle
    10. Shawnee

    Class 4A

    1. Wagoner
    2. Elgin
    3. Tuttle
    4. Blanchard
    5. Broken Bow
    6. Clinton
    7. Poteau
    8. Sallisaw
    9. Bethany
    10. Weatherford

    Class 3A

    1. Lincoln Christian
    2. Heritage Hall
    3. Sulphur
    4. Cascia Hall
    5. North Rock Creek
    6. Plainview
    7. Perkins-Tryon
    8. Sequoyah-Claremore
    9. Pauls Valley
    10. Idabel

    Class 2A Division-I

    1. Washington
    2. Millwood
    3. Metro Christian
    4. Kingston
    5. Marlow
    6. Jones
    7. Kiefer
    8. Perry
    9. Crossings Christian
    10. Hugo

    Class 2A Division-II

    1. Vian
    2. Adair
    3. Stroud
    4. Davis
    5. Holdenville
    6. Alva
    7. Beggs
    8. Colcord
    9. Kansas
    10. Community Christian

    Class A Division-I

    1. Hooker
    2. Fairview
    3. Rejoice Christian
    4. Christian Heritage
    5. Walters
    6. Pawnee
    7. Pawhuska
    8. Pocola
    9. Hartshorne
    10. Wynnewood

    Class A Division-II

    1. Woodland
    2. Mangum
    3. Regent Prep
    4. Hominy
    5. Talihina
    6. Thomas
    7. Texhoma
    8. Ketchum
    9. Central Sallisaw
    10. Velma-Alma

    Class B Division-I

    1. Laverne
    2. Dewar
    3. Yale
    4. Turpin
    5. Garber
    6. Caddo
    7. Empire
    8. Hollis
    9. Keota
    10. Drumright

    Class B Division-II

    1. Seiling
    2. Weleetka
    3. Covington-Douglas
    4. Okeene
    5. Wilson-Henryetta
    6. Copan
    7. Boise City
    8. Waukomis
    9. Shattuck
    10. Cyril

    Class C

    1. Tipton
    2. Timberlake
    3. Ryan
    4. Welch
    5. Tyrone
    6. Maysville
    7. Geary
    8. Medford
    9. Paoli
    10. Sasakwa

    Week 7 Pay Dirt Picks

    |  Korry Rogers


    MARK
    5-7
    TOM
    10-1
    CHRIS
    8-4
    HUNTER
    8-4
    Ardmore
    @
    Blanchard
    Oklahoma Christian School
    @
    Perry
    Minco
    @
    Walters
    Thomas-Fay-Custer
    @
    Texhoma-Goodwell
    Waynoka
    @
    Timberlake
    Garber
    @
    Pond Creek-Hunter
    Marlow
    @
    Washington
    Fairview
    @
    Hooker
    Deer Creek
    @
    Jenks
    Stillwater
    @
    Choctaw
    Colcord
    @
    Adair
    Norman
    @
    Moore

    SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 7 (2024): Fun Facts on Win Streaks and Mr. Burger

    |  Michael Swisher

    SKORDLE has two MASSIVE Games of the Week on the SKORDLE.TV network for Week 7.

    Class 2A Division 1's fourth-ranked Marlow will be at #1 Washington and Class A Division 1 #1 Fairview will be at #2 Hooker.

    The winner of both games will have a big leg up on the district races and these could be a preview of future playoff matchups down the road.

    I asked Chis Wilfong of Iwasatthegame.com for some "fun facts" related to both of these matchups and he had some very interesting ones to share. 

    In the Marlow-Washington game, the all-time head-to-head matchup favors Marlow by a 5-2 margin.

    Do you know who Washington's last loss in a game was?

    You guessed it, Marlow in the 2021 state championship. 

    In the Fairview-Hooker game, the all-time head-to-head matchup favors Fairview by an 11-4 margin.

    This is a rematch of last year's Class A State Championship game won by Fairview. Currently in Class A Division I, when it comes to scoring, Fairview is No. 3 while Hooker is No. 4 so the scoreboard operator could be very busy Thursday night. 

    As mentioned in an earlier Sampler this season, Washington and Fairview are both riding 30-plus game winning streaks and now they have company in this lofty club. It is the Carl Albert Titans, who have won 31 games in a row.

    According to Chris Wilfong, this is the first time ever in state history that we have had three 30-plus-game winning streaks going on at the same time in 11-man football.

    Now that is a truly "fun fact" heading into these big games this week. 

    As for food recommendations, if you are heading to Washington there are plenty of quality stops on the way, including my favorites of Victoria's Pasta Shop in Norman (Shrimp Lasagna Rolls) or Purcell at the Original Jo's Famous Pizza (any of it). 

    For those of you heading way out west to Hooker, I highly suggest you stop and eat at the Mr. Burger in Guymon or Hooker. 

    I randomly stumbled across this gem in the panhandle coming home from a ski trip in 2023. I ended up having a really great Bacon Cheeseburger, 13 tater tots and a delicious Cherry Limeade.

    Local insider (Todd Kerr) also highly recommends the Jalapeno Chicken and onion rings, which also sounds fantastic.

    Good luck to all the teams this week as it is starting to feel like actual Fall outside and keep a close eye on these two big matchups on SKORDLE.TV

    Week 7 High School Football Rankings

    |  Michael Swisher

    6A Division-I

    1. Owasso
    2. Bixby
    3. Deer Creek
    4. Union
    5. Jenks
    6. Edmond Memorial
    7. Broken Arrow
    8. Moore
    9. Mustang
    10. Norman

    6A Division-II

    1. Muskogee
    2. Stillwater
    3. Choctaw
    4. Sand Springs
    5. Piedmont
    6. Putnam City North
    7. Putnam City
    8. Sapulpa
    9. Lawton Ike
    10. Southmoore

    Class 5A

    1. Carl Albert
    2. Del City
    3. Lawton Mac
    4. Collinsville
    5. McAlester
    6. Guthrie
    7. Bishop McGuinness
    8. Booker T. Washington
    9. Newcastle
    10. Shawnee

    Class 4A

    1. Wagoner
    2. Elgin
    3. Tuttle
    4. Blanchard
    5. Broken Bow
    6. Grove
    7. Weatherford
    8. Clinton
    9. Poteau
    10. Cushing

    Class 3A

    1. Lincoln Christian
    2. Heritage Hall
    3. Sulphur
    4. Plainview
    5. Cascia Hall
    6. North Rock Creek
    7. Bristow
    8. Perkins-Tryon
    9. Checotah
    10. Sequoyah-Claremore

    Class 2A Division-I

    1. Washington
    2. Millwood
    3. Metro Christian
    4. Marlow
    5. Kingston
    6. Jones
    7. Hugo
    8. OCS
    9. Kiefer
    10. Chisholm

    Class 2A Division-II

    1. Vian
    2. Adair
    3. Stroud
    4. Davis
    5. Holdenville
    6. Colcord
    7. Luther
    8. Salina
    9. Alva
    10. Beggs

    Class A Division-I

    1. Fairview
    2. Hooker
    3. Rejoice Christian
    4. Hartshorne
    5. Christian Heritage
    6. Walters
    7. Pawnee
    8. Pawhuska
    9. Pocola
    10. Wynnewood

    Class A Division-II

    1. Woodland
    2. Mangum
    3. Texhoma
    4. Regent Prep
    5. Hominy
    6. Talihina
    7. Thomas
    8. Ketchum
    9. Central Sallisaw
    10. Velma-Alma

    Class B Division-I

    1. Laverne
    2. Turpin
    3. Dewar
    4. Yale
    5. Garber
    6. Caddo
    7. Empire
    8. Hollis
    9. Keota
    10. Pond Creek-Hunter

    Class B Division-II

    1. Seiling
    2. Weleetka
    3. Covington-Douglas
    4. Okeene
    5. Wilson-Henryetta
    6. Shattuck
    7. Copan
    8. Cherokee
    9. Thackerville
    10. Boise City

    Class C

    1. Tipton
    2. Ryan
    3. Timberlake
    4. Welch
    5. Tyrone
    6. Maysville
    7. Geary
    8. Sasakwa
    9. Medford
    10. Balko-Forgan

    Week 6 Pay Dirt Picks

    |  Korry Rogers


    MARK
    10-2
    JACOB
    9-3
    TOM
    8-4
    SHANE
    9-3
    Tonkawa
    @
    Pawhuska
    Beggs
    @
    Holdenville
    Crossings
    @
    Marlow
    Millwood
    @
    Oklahoma Christian School
    Wynnewood
    @
    Minco
    Waukomis
    @
    Covington-Douglas
    Perry
    @
    Mount St. Mary
    Hooker
    @
    Cashion
    Moore
    @
    Deer Creek
    North Rock Creek
    @
    Pauls Valley
    Tuttle
    @
    Bethany
    Alva
    @
    Stroud

    SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 6 (2024) Part I: Flour and Fennel

    |  Michael Swisher

    The Game of the Week this Friday night is Hooker at Cashion.

    For this week's installment of the Sampler Blog we revisit my column from Week 3 last year when I shared the excellence that is Flour and Fennel Pizza in Cashion.

    If you're traveling to Cashion for the game this week, I highly recommend going to Flour and Fennel for some of the best pizza you can find in the entire Sooner State!

    Recently our go-to meal has been Salad (Shareable), Cheesy Bread (Incredible) and Arby's Pizza (Meat lovers). I would also encourage you to check the specials menu and consider the homemade meatballs! 

    SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 6 (2024) Part II - REVISITING AUBURN 25 YEARS LATER

    |  Michael Swisher

    Great food experiences are often tied to core memories.


    We enjoyed a great meal as part of a bigger experience and often linked them together.


    Sometimes, sadly, that great memory inflates the actual quality of the meal.


    I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been disappointed to revisit a restaurant on my own - after having previously experienced a fantastic meal there before - only to discover the meal was….just….OK.


    It was the overall time I had that was fantastic.


    So that was my concern as I was driving into Auburn, Ala., early in the afternoon of Sept. 27.



    I was headed there for a showdown between MY two teams.


    I grew up in Oklahoma, was lured in by Barry Switzer’s OU teams of the 1980s and have never been able to shake a love and a pride of the crimson and cream ever since.


    However, I also moved to Alabama in 1989. Lived there for eight years. I went to high school in Muscle Shoals and, after a stellar academic career in JUCO, went to Auburn to pursue a journalism degree.


    Eventually, I landed back in Oklahoma, but I grew to truly love Auburn, the Tigers, War Eagle, Toomer’s Corner and everything that came with it.


    But it’s not easy to return to a place that’s 865 miles away.


    I went once for a few days in 1999.


    Then I flew in and flew out in 2018 when Auburn hosted Jace Sternberger and Texas A&M.


    That’s it.


    It had been 25 years since I’d spent an measurable time in a place that holds a big spot in my heart.


    When OU was announced to be joining the SEC, I was ecstatic. When it was announced OU would be visiting Auburn this season, I. HAD. TO. GO.


    So I did.


    Lots of people stepped up for me to make it happen, but it did.


    Anyone who has followed me through the years knows I love food. I’m not some big connoisseur of fine dining. I just love to find cool spots with great food.


    And there were two places in Auburn that I insisted on revisiting: Momma Goldberg’s and Guthrie’s.


    Both were Auburn staples when I was there in the mid- to late-1990s and both remain today.


    I pulled into Auburn at about 1 p.m. on that Wednesday prior to the OU game. 


    By 2 p.m., me and my buddy Elk were sitting inside Momma Goldberg’s with three Momma’s Love sandwiches and a pitcher sitting in front of us.


    Yes, three. Elk loves to eat, too.


    You can read about Momma Goldberg’s and its history here.


    They have multiple “signature” sandwiches but their signature of signatures is the “Momma’s Love.” 


    It’s roast beef, ham, hickory smoked turkey with muenster cheese served on a seeded hoagie bun. All signature sandwiches there have spicy brown mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato and “Momma’s sauce.”


    And they’re also steamed before they are served which, to me, is the kicker.



    Yes, it’s simple. Yes, it’s just a sandwich.


    Which had me wondering….did I really love the Momma’s Love or did I just love being at Auburn and the Momma’s Love is part of that.


    My first bite into one in over a quarter-century told me I did, in fact, love the Momma’s Love.


    It was all that I had remembered.


    A couple days later, it was time to revisit Guthrie’s.


    Now I know what you’re thinking. It’s a chicken finger restaurant. How original. There’s 20 different franchises and 100 locations in Oklahoma City.


    True.


    But Guthrie’s is truly the original chicken finger restaurant. It opened its first location in Auburn in 1982.


    When I actually had some money in my pocket while in college, Guthrie’s was a must-stop for me.


    The order: Box, no slaw, extra fries, extra sauce.



    Sounds like Raising Cane’s, right?


    Just think Cane’s before there was Cane’s. 


    That was - and is - Guthrie’s.


    But did it live up to my hype?


    Now imagine this….


    Just think Cane’s chicken…..but SEASONED. Guthrie’s actually has flavor WITHOUT using the dipping sauce.


    But you also can’t not (double negative alert) use their signature sauce which was Cane’s sauce before there was Cane’s sauce!!!!!


    Needless to say, Guthrie’s - like Momma Goldberg’s - wasn’t just about great memories at Auburn.


    It was great food and remains so today….almost 30 years after I first fell in love.

    Week 6 High School Football Rankings

    |  Michael Swisher

    6A Division-I

    1. Owasso
    2. Bixby
    3. Deer Creek
    4. Union
    5. Jenks
    6. Edmond Memorial
    7. Moore
    8. Mustang
    9. Norman
    10. Broken Arrow

    6A Division-II

    1. Muskogee
    2. Stillwater
    3. Choctaw
    4. Sand Springs
    5. Piedmont
    6. Putnam City North
    7. Putnam City
    8. Sapulpa
    9. Lawton Ike
    10. Southmoore

    Class 5A

    1. Carl Albert
    2. Del City
    3. Bishop McGuinness
    4. Lawton Mac
    5. Collinsville
    6. McAlester
    7. Guthrie
    8. Claremore
    9. Booker T. Washington
    10. Newcastle

    Class 4A

    1. Wagoner
    2. Elgin
    3. Tuttle
    4. Blanchard
    5. Broken Bow
    6. Grove
    7. Weatherford
    8. Bethany
    9. Clinton
    10. Poteau

    Class 3A

    1. Lincoln Christian
    2. Heritage Hall
    3. Sulphur
    4. Plainview
    5. Cascia Hall
    6. Pauls Valley
    7. Bristow
    8. Seminole
    9. North Rock Creek
    10. Checotah

    Class 2A Division-I

    1. Washington
    2. Millwood
    3. Metro Christian
    4. Marlow
    5. Kingston
    6. OCS
    7. Jones
    8. Crossings Christian
    9. Hugo
    10. Kiefer

    Class 2A Division-II

    1. Vian
    2. Adair
    3. Stroud
    4. Davis
    5. Holdenville
    6. Colcord
    7. Kansas
    8. Alva
    9. Beggs
    10. Luther

    Class A Division-I

    1. Fairview
    2. Hooker
    3. Rejoice Christian
    4. Hartshorne
    5. Tonkawa
    6. Christian Heritage
    7. Walters
    8. Pawnee
    9. Pawhuska
    10. Minco

    Class A Division-II

    1. Woodland
    2. Hominy
    3. Mangum
    4. Regent Prep
    5. Texhoma
    6. Thomas
    7. Talihina
    8. Central Sallisaw
    9. Mooreland
    10. Ringling

    Class B Division-I

    1. Laverne
    2. Turpin
    3. Dewar
    4. Yale
    5. Garber
    6. Pond Creek-Hunter
    7. Caddo
    8. Hollis
    9. Empire
    10. Keota

    Class B Division-II

    1. Seiling
    2. Weleetka
    3. Okeene
    4. Covington-Douglas
    5. Wilson-Henryetta
    6. Shattuck
    7. Webbers Falls
    8. Thackerville
    9. Waukomis
    10. Copan

    Class C

    1. Tipton
    2. Ryan
    3. Timberlake
    4. Welch
    5. Tyrone
    6. Maysville
    7. Waynoka
    8. Geary
    9. Paoli
    10. Sasakwa


    Week 5 Pay Dirt Picks

    |  Korry Rogers


    MARK
    9-3
    JACOB
    9-3
    TOM
    8-3
    NICK
    7-5
    Blackwell
    @
    Perry
    Bethany
    @
    Blanchard
    El Reno
    @
    Carl Albert
    Jones
    @
    Millwood
    Mooreland
    @
    Texhoma-Goodwell
    Cashion
    @
    Watonga
    Mount St. Mary
    @
    Chisholm
    Davis
    @
    Beggs
    Owasso
    @
    Union
    Putnam City
    @
    Choctaw
    Pocola
    @
    Rejoice Christian
    Pauls Valley
    @
    Plainview

    SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 5 (2024): Taco Stop in Ponca City

    |  Michael Swisher


    This week the Blackwell vs. Perry football game is on the SKORDLE PayDirt Pick’em Show as well as SKORDLE PayDirt.

    When these two schools meet, it must be one of, if not the only, Maroons vs. Maroons game in America and by all accounts a heck of rivalry. 


    In between the two towns and just slightly east is Ponca City and for many years I have heard numerous folks rave about Taco Stop. 


    When I was rolling through Ponca City this year, the time had come for me to try this popular place myself. 


    I decided my best bet was to get the favorites of two people who are big fans of Taco Stop, my wife Amanda and food expert Mark Rodgers. 


    Amanda’s favorite item on the menu is the Taco Salad while Mark’s go-to the is Casadia. 


    Both Amanda and Mark stated that the famous taco sauce - and a lot of it - is what really made the meals at Taco Stop. 


    I went to the counter and placed my order of a Taco Salad and Casadia along with a refreshing fountain drink to wash it all down. I also made sure that some taco sauce would be readily available at the table. 


    When I got my food and sat down, I could immediately tell this was going to be a solid lunch! 


    The Taco Salad had all the markings of being great, most notably the paper-thin crunch taco shell and pile of shredded cheese. 


    The Casadia had a generous layer of taco meat topping and melted shredded cheese on top of a corn tortilla.  



    I also added a ton of taco sauce as I devoured my food and found myself generously adding some more to every single bite. 


    Quite frankly, Taco Stop was fantastic! 


    It is easy to see why Taco Stop, with its great food and extremely reasonable prices, is such a popular place to eat in Ponca City. 


    I would highly recommend stopping in any time you are in town and remember to put a lot of the famous taco sauce on everything you order because it makes everything even better.

    Week 5 High School Football Rankings

    |  Michael Swisher

    6A Division-I

    1. Owasso
    2. Bixby
    3. Union
    4. Deer Creek
    5. Jenks
    6. Moore
    7. Norman
    8. Edmond Memorial
    9. Mustang
    10. Broken Arrow

    6A Division-II

    1. Muskogee
    2. Stillwater
    3. Choctaw
    4. Sand Springs
    5. Putnam City
    6. Putnam City North
    7. Piedmont
    8. Southmoore
    9. Sapulpa
    10. Bartlesville

    Class 5A

    1. Carl Albert
    2. Del City
    3. Bishop McGuinness
    4. Lawton Mac
    5. Collinsville
    6. McAlester
    7. Guthrie
    8. Claremore
    9. Shawnee
    10. Booker T. Washington

    Class 4A

    1. Wagoner
    2. Elgin
    3. Tuttle
    4. Blanchard
    5. Sallisaw
    6. Poteau
    7. Bethany
    8. Cushing
    9. Grove
    10. Weatherford

    Class 3A

    1. Lincoln Christian
    2. Heritage Hall
    3. Sulphur
    4. Pauls Valley
    5. Plainview
    6. Seminole
    7. Cascia Hall
    8. Idabel
    9. Anadarko
    10. Muldrow

    Class 2A Division-I

    1. Washington
    2. Millwood
    3. Metro Christian
    4. Jones
    5. Marlow
    6. Kingston
    7. OCS
    8. Mount St. Mary
    9. Chandler
    10. Crossings Christian

    Class 2A Division-II

    1. Vian
    2. Adair
    3. Stroud
    4. Davis
    5. Holdenville
    6. Beggs
    7. Colcord
    8. Kansas
    9. Alva
    10. Luther

    Class A Division-I

    1. Fairview
    2. Hooker
    3. Rejoice Christian
    4. Pocola
    5. Pawhuska
    6. Wynnewood
    7. Hartshorne
    8. Tonkawa
    9. Christian Heritage
    10. Walters

    Class A Division-II

    1. Woodland
    2. Regent Prep
    3. Hominy
    4. Mooreland
    5. Mangum
    6. Thomas
    7. Velma-Alma
    8. Texhoma
    9. Talihina
    10. Central Sallisaw

    Class B Division-I

    1. Laverne
    2. Turpin
    3. Dewar
    4. Yale
    5. Garber
    6. Pond Creek-Hunter
    7. Keota
    8. Caddo
    9. Hollis
    10. Empire

    Class B Division-II

    1. Seiling
    2. Weleetka
    3. Okeene
    4. Covington-Douglas
    5. Wilson-Henryetta
    6. Shattuck
    7. Webbers Falls
    8. Thackerville
    9. Waukomis
    10. Copan

    Class C

    1. Tipton
    2. Ryan
    3. Timberlake
    4. Welch
    5. Tyrone
    6. Maysville
    7. Mt. View-Gotebo
    8. Waynoka
    9. Paoli
    10. Sasakwa


    Oklahoma State Fair Trip 2024 - Where is the Beef?

    |  Michael Swisher

    This past weekend my family made our annual trip to the Oklahoma State Fair. We go mainly to eat our favorite fair foods which are the corn dog and roasted corn. Funnel cake normally makes the rotation, especially for the kids, but for some reason it took a year off this time. Here are some pictures of our trip and man these were great!


    Also, the Brown’s Lemonade stands never disappoint because they only serve actual real hand squeezed lemonade. Multiple lemonade refills were needed on our trip because it was hot!

    The Indian Taco used to ALWAYS be in the rotation until this year. The last couple of years I noticed that my Indian Tacos were severely lacking in beef. From my estimation the “chili mix” as described on the menu was about 99.9% beans and 0.1% beef. Last year I even went into the State Fair with a gameplan to only order meat and cheese so the lack of beef couldn’t be hidden under a pile of toppings. My suspicion of no beef was only confirmed even further, and I was disappointed.

    I made the decision this year that I would do some reconnaissance of the Indian Taco hoping for improvements. Unfortunately, I saw none, so I just passed on the Indian Taco this year. As I looked at several Indian Tacos passing by, I saw the delicious fry bread, piles of beans, heaps of lettuce, and a handful of shredded cheese, but no noticeable beef.

    It is a sad day at the State Fair when the Indian Taco is no longer in the line-up! Has anyone else felt the same way or had a similar experience? This will be my final comments on the matter until actual beef topping makes its triumphant return to the Indian Taco at the State Fair. Until then I will remember the days of old when this great State Fair food staple was at its peak. 

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