CPHS Football: Q&A with Head Coach Dustin Kinard - Season Preview
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The Charles Page High School varsity football team kicked off the season this past Saturday in Mansfield, Texas with a 41-7 loss in the 2nd Annual Border Brawl.
The Sandites are taking a bye week before beginning a three-game home series.
Two quarterbacks are still dueling for the starting position following the season-opening loss. Senior Braden Foster scored both of the team’s touchdowns in the final preseason scrimmage and was given the start in Mansfield, but was held to a 7-15-46-2 performance and relieved at halftime. Sophomore Ty Pennington was 6-14-45-0 in the second half for the team’s only touchdown and will be getting the start against Putnam City with Foster at backup.
13th-year Head Coach Dustin Kinard says that the QB competition will continue until Homecoming against Shawnee, and he will name the starter prior to District action beginning. Kinard owns a 63-68 record as the second-longest tenured coach in Sand Springs history. This is the first time in his career that quarterback competition has carried over into the regular season. The position is a historic strong point for Sand Springs and four of Kinard’s six QBs have gone on to play at the collegiate level.
Which players do you expect to be leaders this season?
“Josh Fincannon, Jarrett Haley.”
Haley is a 6’1” 175-pound senior defensive back. He amassed 45 tackles last year with 5 pass breakups and was named Defensive Captain for the 2019 season. He led the team with 10 tackles and 2 breakups in Saturday’s season opener.
At 6’2” and 220 pounds, Fincannon is a staple on the offensive line and was selected as an Offensive team Captain for his senior year.
Which newcomers do you expect to make a difference?
“Brooks Dudley.”
What the 5’9” 205-pound sophomore lacks in stature, he makes up for with explosive energy on both the gridiron, and the wrestling mat. Dudley only played five games last year but totaled 15 tackles and made an interception in his varsity debut as a freshman. Dudley was second on the team in Saturday’s season opener with 6 tackles.
Team strengths and weaknesses going into the season?
Strengths: “Offensive line has 3 returning starters.”
Weaknesses: “Young on Defense.”
Goals/Expectations for the year?
“Play-offs, because you can’t win it if you’re not in it.”
The Sandites have made the post-season seven times under Kinard, with semifinal appearances in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and a State Championship appearance in 2015.
Do you have any particular teams circled on the schedule?
“Always Sapulpa.”
The Highway 97 rivalry spans 92 games over 97 years and has been played continuously since 1930. Sapulpa owns a 44-43-5 lead, but Sand Springs has won the past five meetings and is 9-3 under Kinard. The series hasn’t been tied since 1944 and the Chieftains have been out front since 1945.
Last year was the first time since 2011 that we were under .500 in the regular season and failed to make the playoffs. However, we took Shawnee to overtime and had fourth quarter leads against Muskogee and Bartlesville. What do we need to do to win our toss-up games this year and finish strong in the fourth?
“Stay healthy and play one side of the ball for linemen.”
Do you have a particular coaching style/philosophy?
“Hold them accountable and that we control our attitude and effort everyday.”
Who are some of your coaching influences?
“My father - who always said you be a man of your word and do what you say you’re going to do, and do it to the best of your ability.”
What is your life like outside of coaching/teaching? Hobbies, interests, family?
“I love to travel with my wife.”
2019 Coaching Staff:
Head Coach/Running Backs: Dustin Kinard
Offensive Coordinator: Kenney Gooch
Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers: Kevin Avey
Offensive Line: Mike Edwards
Wide Receivers: Kenny Gooch/ Mike Stephens
Tight Ends/Offensive Line: Michael Bowie
Assistant Coach: Burgess Shaw
Safeties: Jay Fleischman/Jason Tolbert
Outside Line Backers: Blake Williford
Defensive Line: Chris Duke
Quarterbacks: Ben Riggs/ Darrack Harger
2019 Schedule
8.31 Mansfield Summit 41-7 CPHS.
9.13 CPHS vs. Putnam City.
9.20 CPHS vs. Greenwood, AR.
9.27 CPHS vs. Shawnee (Homecoming).
10.4 CPHS @ Muskogee.
10.11 CPHS @ Bartlesville.
10.17 CPHS vs. Ponca City.
10.25 CPHS @ Bixby.
11.1 CPHS @ Sapulpa.
11.8 CPHS vs. Booker T. Washington (Senior Night).
11.14 Playoff Quarterfinals.
11.21 Playoff Semifinals.
12.6 State Championship.
