Sandite of the Week Hayden Cramer leads Sandite defense in total tackles
/Charles Page High School junior Hayden Cramer was selected as our Sandite of the Week for his consistent outstanding performance on the Sandite defense this season. The 5'10" 200-pound linebacker has led his team in total tackles in seven of eight games this season and has 76 for the season.
In the first game of the season the Sandites were trounced 59-21 by nationally-ranked No. 45 Pulaski Academy (8-0). Cramer led the team with eight tackles and two pass breakups.
In week two the Sandites were upset 21-20 No. 9 Choctaw (4-4). Cramer recorded eight tackles, one for a loss of three yards. He also had a six-yard interception return and one pass breakup.
In week three the Sandites notched their first win 28-14 over No. 12 Putnam City West (1-7), led by Cramer with eleven tackles. In week four they recorded a 31-16 rivalry win over No. 15 Sapulpa (1-7, 1-4) led by Cramer with nine tackles and one tackle for a loss of three yards.
Week five was another double-digit effort from Cramer, who recorded ten tackles in a 26-21 victory at 6A-1 Yukon (4-4). In week six he recorded seven tackles, including a twelve-yard sack, in a 41-7 beatdown of No. 14 Ponca City (1-7, 1-4).
Two weeks ago the Sandites fell off their winning streak in a 40-34 shootout against No. 6 Muskogee (3-4, 2-2) despite a season-best thirteen-tackle performance from Cramer that included one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. Last week the Sandites were shut out 40-0 by No. 1 Booker T. Washington (7-1) and Cramer recorded ten tackles, one for loss, and one pass breakup.
The Sandites are currently ranked No. 8 in Class 6A-II with a 4-4 record overall and a 2-2 district record. They are fourth in district standings with two games left. The three teams behind Sand Springs are Bartlesville (1-6, 1-3), Sapulpa, and Ponca.
Only No. 13 Bartlesville has the potential to knock Sand Springs out of the post-season, and they will get their chance this Friday at Memorial Stadium at 7:00 p.m. If the Sandites win against the Bruins they'll clinch a playoff game. If they lose to Bartlesville they'll have to upset No. 4 Bixby (5-3, 4-0) in the regular-season finale to secure their spot.