High School Football: Class C preview
BY JOHN D. FERGUSON World Correspondent
Sunday, August 26, 2012
8/26/12 at 8:13 AM
2012 High School Football Preview: Everything you need to get ready for the 2012 season.
The favorite
1. Shattuck
The most prolific Oklahoma eight-man team of the 21st century must replace a coaching legend and record-setting quarterback. The Indians have won seven state titles since 2002, finished runner-up once, lost in the quarterfinals and won eight district championships while posting a 135-9 record. Former coach Troy Bullard now tackles private business as new coach Seth Mills inherits five returning starters. Gone, too, is quarterback Aaron McCandless, who scored 89 career TDs, had 7,569 total yards and 8,453 all-purpose yards. Kadyn Schick, who rushed for 785 yards and nine TDs last season, replaces McCandless. Senior receiver Cory Floyd caught 26 passes for 591 yards and eight TDs.
THE CONTENDERS
2. Tipton: Running back Josh Torres ran for 1,565 yards with 18 TDs and scored nine TDs on pass receptions last year. Senior linebacker Kenon White had 88 tackles. Tipton was 22-2 in district play the past three years and was the 2011 state runner-up.
3. Cherokee: Senior running back Josh Argraves leads a huge roster of 36 players as Cherokee moves into Class C for the first time since 1969.
4. Timberlake: Senior lineman Brock Buller is the only returning starter. Since Helena-Goltry and Jet-Nash consolidated to form Timberlake in 1993, the school has had only three losing seasons.
5. Deer Creek-Lamont: Coach David Zachary has had a winning season the past seven years and has not lost a district game in 13 contests. Quarterback Lawson Thompson is the team's four-year returning starter.
6. Sharon-Mutual: Junior lineman John Custar is one of the strongest players in the state. He holds the state dead-lift record at 660 pounds and won the state shot title the past two years.
7. Forgan: Playing in the same district as powerhouse Shattuck equals few district championships in recent years, but the Bulldogs have made the playoffs the past three years and could contend again.
8. Ryan: Coach Stan Mueggenborg's team has made the playoffs every year since 2003.
9. Temple: The Tigers were the second most prolific scoring offense in the state last year at 52.8 points a game.
10. Arkoma: The Mustangs tied a school record for most wins in a season with nine in 2011. Arkoma is still looking for its first playoff win.
GAMES TO WATCH
No. 1 Shattuck at Class B No. 2 Laverne, Aug. 31: It's not Jenks versus Union, but it is a huge game. Will Shattuck rebuild quick enough to compete with a strong Class B Laverne squad on opening night?
Webbers Falls at Thackerville, Sept. 28: Each received preseason ranking votes. This first meeting between the two schools will clarify the District C-4 playoff picture.
Maud at No. 10 Arkoma, Sept. 14: Maud nearly broke into the top 10 rankings, and this early District C-4 test will show if both teams are going in the right direction. The teams are 2-2 head-to-head.
Class B No. 6 Pond Creek-Hunter at No. 5 Deer Creek-Lamont, Aug. 30: Two highly regarded teams clash on opening night. Since 1976, Pond Creek-Hunter holds a 20-6 series edge, but this battle will show where each team stands in their respective classes.
No. 3 Cherokee at Bluejacket, Sept. 7: First meeting between the two schools. Bluejacket opens with a tough Class B Welch team and follows with No. 3 Cherokee.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tyree Noldon, (Arkoma, RB-WR, So.): Played wide receiver last year, but coach Mark Weatherton wants Noldon to get the ball often as a running back and improve on his nine TDs from last season.
R.J. Wofford, (Webbers Falls, OL, Sr.): One of the reasons the Warriors had the top scoring offense (53.3 ppg) in the state was due to the blocking of veteran lineman Wofford.
Tanner Steward, (Arkoma, WR, Jr.): Caught 57 passes for 13 TDs last season and will be a target again.
Tyler Storment, (Maud, QB, Sr.): Rushed for 17 TDs last year and ran for more than 1,400 yards.
Dylon Anderson, (Bluejacket, RB-DB, Sr.): Rushed for 1,600 yards and 24 TDs to help the Chieftains forge a winning season for the first time since 1999.
