Caney Valley in playoffs for first time since 1982
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Friday, November 09, 2012
11/09/12 at 3:22 PM
Related Story: Memorial football relevant again after ending playoff drought at 23 years
Original Print Headline: Ending Droughts
ENDING DROUGHTS
Here are five schools making postseason appearances for the first time in a while.
Caney Valley: It's special for everyone as the 2A Trojans (8-2) visit Kansas in their first postseason appearance in 30 years. "Our motto for four years has been about turning this program around," quarterback Jared Ward said. His father and uncle were on the school's only playoff teams, in 1980 and 1982, respectively. "It's been a long time and these kids deserve it," said coach Anthony Fogle, a 1991 Trojan graduate.
Cleveland: The Tigers were on the verge of qualifying the past two years, but fell just short. "I think that experience has given them a little extra motivation," coach Dale Anderson said. The 4A No. 8 Tigers (8-2) host Broken Bow in their first playoff appearance since 2004.
Haskell: A 1989 Haskell graduate and former Haymakers softball coach, Greg Wilson, took the football helm last year, lending stability to a program that hadn't had a winning season since 2004. "Our kids just needed to start believing in themselves again," he said. The 2A Haymakers (7-3) visit No. 1 Vian for their first playoff game in eight years.
Keota: Coach Eric Henry urged his players to make "the special effort it takes to get over the hump" after going 4-6 each of the past three years. The Class B No. 10 Lions went 8-2 and qualified for the first time since 2003. They visit Coyle on Friday. Senior running back Bryan Robinson has rushed for 1,659 yards and 28 TDs.
Sapulpa: The 6A Chieftains overcame injuries and suspensions to earn the school's first postseason berth since 2005. They visit No. 2 Owasso on Friday. "It's been a total team effort," third-year coach Mike Gottsch said. Casey Pulley rushed for 125 yards in a playoff-clinching win over Edison.
Associated Images:
Jared Ward and Caney Valley are in the playoffs for the first time since 1982. Courtesy
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