Tulsa World: High school teams rescued by new coaches

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High school teams rescued by new coaches

WINNING WAYS
Aaron Meier: "I didn't come here to lose."

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Published: 11/1/2009 2:31 AM
Last Modified: 11/1/2009 12:13 PM

Read Barry Lewis' blog

IN August, Aaron Meier was optimistic about his first season as Catoosa's coach, despite inheriting a team that went 2-8 in 2008.

"I didn't come here to lose," Meier said.

Meier has certainly gotten the most out of the Indians, who will enter the final week of the regular season with a shot at their first district title since 1980. Catoosa moved into a three-way tie for the 4A-3 lead with a 9-0 win at No. 9 Jay on Friday. Jay, Catoosa and Oologah are 5-1 in the district. Due to tiebreakers, Catoosa needs to beat winless Locust Grove in the finale and an Oologah loss against Collinsville to come away with the district crown.

Catoosa is tied for the district lead despite averaging only 14.3 points, by far the lowest-scoring offense of any team leading or tied for a district lead in the state.

Meier was 19-13 at Adair from 2005-07 before spending last year out of education.

Oologah also has a new coach this season, Brandon Craig, who inherited a perennial playoff team. The Mustangs have not won a district title since 2004.

Meier and Craig are not the only head coaches making a big impact in their first year in their respective jobs. Below are others who have led notable turnarounds.

Anthony Fogle, Hale: The Rangers (5-4) are in the playoffs for the first time in this decade after winning only two of their previous 24 games entering the season. Fogle's son, Justin, has emerged as one of the area's top offensive players, primarily at running back. He also is a playmaker at wideout and quarterback as well as on defense. Anthony Fogle came to Hale from Guymon, which he led to the playoffs in his first two seasons there after a 17-year absence.

Mike Legg, Bristow: The Purple Pirates can earn their first playoff berth since 2005 with a victory against Roland in the regular-season finale. Bristow, 6-3 after going 4-6 last year, gave undefeated Metro Christian its toughest test this season in a 49-42 loss in Week 8. The Purple Pirates bounced back from that disappointment with an impressive 21-0 victory over Hugo on Friday.

Mark Lippe, Adair: The former University of Tulsa tight end had not been a head coach previously. Before a 51-18 loss to unbeaten Tahlequah Sequoyah on Friday, the Warriors (6-3) had only allowed 93 points through eight games. The defense has shown major improvement after giving up 30 points per game while going 3-7 last year. Adair can clinch a playoff berth win a win over Kansas.

Tom Schroeder, Stilwell: Only six weeks ago, Stilwell was trying to avoid a school-record 15th straight loss. However, entering the regular season's final week, Stilwell still has playoff hopes with three wins in its past six games. Stilwell can earn a postseason berth with a win over Central and an Ada win at McAlester. Schroeder was a head coach the previous nine years in Kansas, including the last three at Liberal where his team went from 2-8 in 2006 to 5-5 in 2008. By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (11/1/2009 9:58:19 AM) Great job Coach Fogle!
	Report Comment BrainBent, (11/3/2009 1:08:12 PM) 4A-4 will go 4-0 against 4A-3 in Week 1 of the playoffs.

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