by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)9/6/2018 1:17:02 AM
posted in: Articles | 2,484 views
Wild Friday for Ford
Edmond Santa Fe's pep assembly last Friday couldn't start soon enough for Wolves standout Trace Ford. After all, he had a secret to let out.
In the hours before Edmond Santa Fe was slated to take on Edlam rival Edmond North, Ford, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive lineman, announced in front of a full gymnasium that he had decided to verbally commit to Oklahoma State.
"It was very hard keeping it a secret, especially when school started and every single classmate asked me where I was going and if I knew," Ford said. "I wanted to tell but I wanted it to be a surprise."
Ford told the Oklahoman that he managed to keep it a secret for a month, but he was finally ready to get it out, choosing OSU over the likes of Arkansas State, Baylor and California.
Then the Wolves hammered Edmond North for a 31-7 victory, capping a memorable day for Ford.
"Friday was extremely crazy," he said. "I was a superstar in the hallways, and I had crazy adrenaline pumping. And then after winning the game later on, it was probably one of the best days of my life."
The Wolves take on Mustang Friday, and the rest of the season Ford has a mission in mind.
"I want all the schools that believed I wasn't big enough or good enough, or the schools that didn't offer me to wish they did and regret the decision," Ford said.
Walker runs wild in Stillwater victory
There will be no such thing as a sophomore slump for Stillwater's Qwontrel Walker. After emerging as one of the state's top tailbacks as a freshman, Walker picked up where he left off in the Pioneers' 61-18 thrashing of Edmond Memorial last week.
"Qwontrel was incredible," Stillwater coach Tucker Barnard said of Walker's 25-carry, 275-yard, four-touchdown performance. "We watched video (following the game) and were absolutely amazed at some of his runs. His strength, balance, redirection and burst really are special. He's a sophomore, but he's -- no doubt in my mind -- one of the best around."
And there were plenty of other standouts on offense for Stillwater (1-0) against the Bulldogs.
Quarterback Gunnar Gundy completed 13 of 16 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. He also accounted for a rushing touchdown, too.
Anthony Bland led the Pioneers' receiving group with six catches for 110 yards and one touchdowns, and Cal Tracy and Andrew Winn combined to haul in eight receptions for 107 yards and a score.
"Gunnar and our receivers protected the running game," Barnard said. "Gunnar is so accurate and his arm is great, so he can make every throw you want a quarterback to make and he doesn" t="" put="" the="" ball="" in="" jeopardy."<="" span="">
On tap for the Pioneers will be road game at Norman North on Thursday.
*Photos courtesy of Jimmy Gillespie/Stillwater NewsPress/CNHI