Tulsa World: Wait was worth it for Lincoln's Grauer

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Wait was worth it for Lincoln's Grauer

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Published: 11/23/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 11/23/2009 8:35 AM

Read Barry Lewis' blog

LINCOLN CHRISTIAN quarterback Cale Grauer had to sit out last season after transferring from Claremore.

Transfers can't play varsity athletics for a year at an Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association member unless they receive a hardship waiver. For Grauer, however, it was worth the wait.

"It was a little tough for me to leave my friends (in Claremore)," Grauer said. "But this is such a great opportunity for me here, in school and in football. It has been a great experience."

Grauer, a senior, is making the most of his only football season on the field for Lincoln, which is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A. Despite rarely playing a full game due to the Bulldogs' many lopsided victories, Grauer has passed for 2,123 yards and 30 touchdowns.

On Friday night, however, Grauer will probably need to play four quarters as the Bulldogs (11-1) visit second-ranked Davis (12-0) in a 2A quarterfinal showdown.

"We know Davis is very good," Grauer said. "We'll have to be ready to play and play great football."

Grauer and the Bulldogs have done that through 12 weeks of the season. Last Friday, Grauer passed for 284 yards and three TDs in a 30-0 victory over Beggs. Grauer has passed for 490 yards and six TDs in two playoff games.

"I've got the best offensive line in the state," said Grauer, whose favorite athlete is New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. "I've hardly been touched the last few games. I've also got some great receivers. Roman Wilson made an unbelievable (diving one-handed) catch for a touchdown against Beggs. I just threw it up there. It was awesome."

It hasn't been an easy season physically for Grauer, who suffered torn (non-throwing) shoulder ligaments in a Week 2 loss at Arkansas power Shiloh Christian. After missing a game, Grauer came back and has thrown at least three TD passes in eight of the last nine games. Grauer is playing with a brace on his injured shoulder that will require surgery after the season.

"There's some pain but I'm playing through it," Grauer said.

Verdigris faces another challenge: Fifth-ranked Verdigris (10-2) hosts No. 3 Oklahoma City Millwood (10-2) in another 2A quarterfinal on Friday night. Verdigris advanced with a 14-13 comeback win at Chandler.

"We're having to go through the tradition-rich programs," Verdigris coach Dan Nickles said. "But this is where we want to be Friday."

Verdigris rallied against Chandler after trailing 13-0 at halftime. In the third quarter, quarterback Kevin Stout scored on a 25-yard run, Brandon Melton returned an interception for a TD and Tyler Hanslovan kicked both extra points.

"Thirteen points is not a huge deficit so at halftime we just talked about how we needed to execute better and play better defense," Nickles said. "And we did that in the second half.

"Because of their veer offense, in the first half we weren't as aggressive defensively. We got after them with blitzes in the second half and our defense shut them down."

Verdigris is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2003.

"The win at Chandler was very important for our program," Nickles said. "But we want to go further. We want to get to the finals."

Class 6A semifinals set: Both 6A semifinals will be played Saturday night as No. 2 Union (11-1) meets No. 3 Broken Arrow (10-2) at Tulsa's Chapman Stadium and No. 1 Jenks (12-0) plays No. 4 Southmoore (11-1) at Putnam City High School.

Advance tickets for the Union-Broken Arrow game will only be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Broken Arrow's stadium and Union's UMAC ticket office. Tickets for all state football semifinal and championship games are $7 for adults and $5 for students.

Jenks interim had coach Loren Montgomery prepares for Southmoore after a 28-14 quarterfinal victory over Edmond Memorial, which is coached by Justin Merideth. Montgomery and Merideth were college teammates at Northeastern State.

"It was interesting (coaching against Merideth)," Mongtomery said. "He does a great job with them."

Edmond Memorial gave Jenks its toughest test since defeating Union in Week 2.

"I think it will be good for the team to have had to have dug our heels in and be exposed just a little bit," Mongtomery said. "I think it will make us stronger in the long run."

Forms needed: Tulsa World All-State football questionnaires were mailed to all state high schools recently. Coaches who have not already mailed the form back to us are urged to return the completed forms as soon as possible or after their season is completed. If you did not get a form, or need a new one sent, please contact mark.foster@tulsaworld.com or barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com or Barry Lewis at (918) 581-8393.

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

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