McKinley Whitfield headed to NY Giants mini camp

5/2/2019 |  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

PODCAST TIME! Wall to wall basketball and wrestling

2/28/2019 |  Ben Johnson

Medals and trophies have been handed out to wrestlers across the state. Now it’s time for basketball teams to start claiming hardware.

Ben and Michael dive into Class A & B state basketball tournaments on tap this week, and they guys also make their predictions in each class.

Ben breaks down what happened at the state wrestling tournament and some of the various highlights along the way. 

Also added a new segment where the guys named their MVPs of the week. Listen in and find out who they dubbed as last week’s MVPs.

All that leading up to Michael's interview with Okarche coach Ray West. You don't want to miss what West had to say.

Thanks for listening & enjoy!

Have any feedback? Email the show at ben@skordle.com

Week 2 High School Football Rankings

9/10/2024 |  Michael Swisher

6A Division-I

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

6A Division-II

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

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert
2. Collinsville
3. Coweta
4. Guthrie
5. Del City
6. McAlester
7. Bishop McGuinness
8. Tahlequah
9. El Reno
10. Lawton Mac

Class 4A

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

Class 3A

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

Class 2A Division-I

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

Class 2A Division-II

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

Class A Division-I

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

Class A Division-II

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

Class B Division-I

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

Class B Division-II

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

Class C

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

Week 1 High School Football Rankings

9/4/2024 |  Michael Swisher

6A Division-I

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

6A Division-II

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

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert
2. Collinsville
3. McAlester
4. Guthrie
5. Del City
6. Coweta
7. Bishop Kelley
8. El Reno
9. Bishop McGuinness
10. Lawton Mac

Class 4A

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

Class 3A

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

Class 2A Division-I

1. Washington
2. Millwood
3. Jones
4. Metro Christian
5. Kingston
6. Prague
7. Marlow
8. Chandler
9. OCS
10. Sequoyah-Tahlequah

Class 2A Division-II

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

Class A Division-I

1. Fairview
2. Minco
3. Pocola
4. Crescent
5. Hooker
6. Pawhuska
7. Rejoice Christian
8. Pawnee
9. Walters
10. Stratford

Class A Division-II

1. Hominy
2. Woodland
3. Central Sallisaw
4. Apache
5. Regent Prep
6. Velma-Alma
7. Thomas
8. Ringling
9. Mangum
10. Gore

Class B Division-I

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

Class B Division-II

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

Class C

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

The Casady Cyclones inaugural season in the OSSAA

9/4/2024 |  Michael Swisher

Offense - Welcome to the Airbone offense. That’s the coin termed by offensive coordinator Cliff Prestidge on a retreat this summer with passing guru Hal Mumme. It’s safe to say that no team will put the ball in the air more than the Casady Cyclones. Casady averaged 52 passes per game in 2023 and has most of its skill weapons back for another go. Quarterback Ethan Hamilton (6-0, 180, SR) started every game a year ago for the Cyclones. Hamilton threw for 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns to an army of wide receivers returning to action. Dyson Fay (5-8, 165, SR) is a big-play threat out of the slot. Fay averaged 27 yards per catch last year and handles all the kick and punt return duties. Henry Lewis (5-8, 160, JR) and Micah White (5-8, 160, JR) earned the nickname “muscle hamsters” due to their size and strength. They will be a part of the rotation at inside receiver. Landon Hamilton (6-0, 180, SR) is one of the outside receivers for the Cyclones and also a key member of the defense. He’s the twin brother of quarterback Ethan Hamilton. James Elder (6-5, 200, JR) came on strong as a deep threat a year ago and is set to contribute right away this fall. Andrew Fitzpatrick (6-0, 190, JR) has started every game of his varsity career at running back. He earned his stripes as a freshman and can now enjoy having that experience. The offensive line must be rebuilt. Alex Spiropoulos (6-0, 290, SR) is the lone returning starter for the Cyclones. Robert Evans (6-2, 250, SR) is also projected as a starter up front. 

Defense - Most of the same faces will be responsible for the defense. With the number of players utilized in the passing game, the defense should be able to stay energized. Landon Hamilton is the top returning tackler on the team at outside linebacker. He pursues the football well and has the strength needed for secure tackling. Dyson Fay returns at strong safety with Andrew Fitzpatrick at outside linebacker. Most of the rest of the wide receivers will see time in the secondary where Luke Woodroof (5-11, 185, SR) has started the last two seasons at cornerback. Landon Hart (5-10, 190, SR) will see action at defensive end. It’s a special year at Casady. Hall of fame head coach Ty Prestige is entering his 50th season on the sidelines and it is the first year for the Cyclones to compete in the OSSAA. Casady has played a representative schedule the past couple of seasons and should be up to the task of challenging for a playoff spot in the district. 

Schedule

8-30 - BYE

9-6 - at OCS

9-13 - at Community Christian

9-20 - vs. Mt. St. Mary

9-27 - vs. Alva

10-4 - at Newkirk

10-11 - vs. Kellyville

10-18 - at Meeker

10-25 - at Stroud

11-1 - vs. Luther

11-8 - vs. Hennessey

Class C Football Preview

9/3/2024 |  Michael Swisher

Class C Top 10 Rankings

1.     Tipton Tigers

2.     Ryan Cowboys

3.     Timberlake Tigers

4.     Mountain View-Gotebo Tigers

5.     Waynoka Railroaders

6.     Tyrone Bobcats

7.     Medford Cardinals

8.     Maysville Warriors

9.     Welch Wildcats

10.  Grandfield Bearcats



Players to Watch

Alaniz, Xavier - Grandfield

Alviso, Noah - Maysville

Boone, Conner - Paoli

Brown, Davieon - Tipton

Clinton, Mason - Welch

Fernandez, Johnny - Tipton - Pre-season offensive player of the year

Garrett, Scotty - Paoli

Gonzalez, Ethan - Medford

Hawley, Malakye - Oaks

Hobbs, Cash - Mountain View-Gotebo

Judd, Maveric - Timberlake

Johnson, Wyatt - Tyrone

Payne, Zach - Mountain View-Gotebo

Pool, Landon - Tipton

Rodriguez, Carson - Ryan

Seiger, Landon - Waynoka - Pre-season defensive player of the year

Tomberlin, Kyson - Ryan

Tonitigh, Creed - Mountain View-Gotebo

Notable Coaching Moves

1.    Payson Slater from Tyrone to Waynoka

2.    Caleb Howell from Canton to Geary

Unranked Teams to Look Out For

1.    Deer Creek-Lamont Eagles

2.    Corn Bible Crusaders

Games of the Year

September 6 - Mountain View-Gotebo at Maysville

September 6 - Geary at Canton

October 11 - Tipton at Ryan

October 17 - Waynoka at Timberlake

October 17 - Mountain View-Gotebo at Tipton

October 25 - Welch at Medford

November 1 - Mountain View-Gotebo at Ryan

November 1 - Grandfield at Corn Bible

Mountain View-Gotebo has the longest streak of consecutive winning seasons in Class C with six.

Timberlake has finished the last four seasons with double digit wins.

Ryan’s 12 wins in 2023 was the most in a season at the school since 2009.

District 3 has only one team that finished with a winning record in 2023, the Welch Wildcats. Tipton has won 27 consecutive games.

Five teams in Class C have losing streaks that date back to 2022

-  South Coffeyville 35 straight losses - last win September 11th, 2020 vs. Cave Springs.

-  Bray-Doyle 27 straight losses - last win September 3, 2021 at Ryan.

-  Beaver - 25 straight losses - last win October 1st, 2021 vs. Corn Bible.

SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 1 (2024): The Best Corn on the Cob You've Ever Had

9/3/2024 |  Michael Swisher

We are finally here.

It’s Week 1 of the Oklahoma High School football season and I know everyone is excited for everything that comes with Friday Night Lights. 

The college football season got going this past weekend and the NFL gets started this Thursday, so this means the 2024 football season is in full swing from now until the Super Bowl in February. 

If you have been reading the Sampler the last couple of years, you know our affinity for BBQ. 

I want to give a major round of applause to Edge Craft Barbecue in Oklahoma City for making Daniel Vaughn’s Texas Monthly’s Magazine Top 10 list of best Texas BBQ places outside the state of Texas. 

We have been big fans of Edge Craft for a long time and this comes as no surprise to anyone who has visited them for the best BBQ in Oklahoma City. 

Check out Layne Jones' article from last year outlining how great Edgecraft really is and why you need to go.

  In addition to Edge Craft, two other Oklahoma BBQ joints also received recognition in the same article and that was Phat Tabb’s BBQ in Idabel (Past Sampler as well from Week 1 2020), and Oakhart Barbecue in Tulsa. 

I’m a really big fan of Phat Tabb’ss and would highly encourage anyone visiting Southeast Oklahoma/Broken Bow/Hochatown area to visit Tabb Singleton's place. 

Not only because his BBQ is great, but because all his culinary creations are truly exceptional! A quick Google search will tell you why. 

As for Oakhart in Tulsa, I have heard and seen some good things about them. Oakhart is on my list of places to visit the next time I’m in Tulsa for lunch and when I do, you can bet they will be mentioned in the next Sampler. 

Do you want an easy way to make the very best corn on the cob you have ever had at home? 

I came across a simple recipe online last year for Jalapeño Honey Butter Corn and ever since, it has become my go-to for making homemade corn on the cob.