CPHS Football Preview: Sandites host Putnam City Friday

The Class 6A No. 12 ranked Charles Page High School varsity football team (0-1) will play its first home game of the season Friday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. against No. 16 Putnam City (0-1). Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens, and $7.00 for adults.

Prior to the game, the Church That Matters Tailgate Crew will be serving up hot dogs, burgers, and chicken sandwiches with chips and a drink for only $6.00. The event will benefit the Sandite Quarterback Club this week to help cover team meals, transportation, and other football expenses throughout the season.

Last Season

The Sandites are coming off a 3-7 season that snapped a program-best six-year streak of playoff appearances. Putnam City went 0-10 last year with the worst offense and worst defense in the division.

The two teams have met only once, last season, when Sand Springs prevailed 45-24. Caden Pennington was 9-15-169-0 passing with three touchdowns. Daren Hawkins was 3-43 receiving with two touchdowns. Joel Mackey was 13-150 rushing for one touchdown and Trey Wilkerson was 12-109 for two touchdowns. Pennington and Mackey are gone now, but Hawkins and Wilkerson will help lead the new offense.

This Year

Sand Springs currently has dueling quarterbacks in senior Braden Foster and sophomore Ty Pennington. Foster got the start against Mansfield Summit (2-0) and was 7-15-46-2 in the first half. Pennington started the second half and was 6-14-45-0 with the team’s lone touchdown. Pennington will get the start against Putnam City, but quarterback competition will continue till districts begin.

Sand Springs also has a new kicker in junior Zach Heinen. Heinen connected on his only PAT attempt against Mansfield and averaged 33 yards per punt and 45 yards per kick.

Keaton Campbell was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 38 yards and a score. Tyyee Atkison led the ground game with 10 carries for 63 yards, including a 50-yard run to set up Pennington’s TD pass. Jacob Snodgrass had a 17-yard kick return, Bryson Chase made an interception, and Jerret Haley led in tackles (10) and pass breakups (2).

Sand Springs fell 41-7 to Mansfield in Week Zero and took a bye last week, while Putnam is fresh off their 50-0 loss to Putnam City North (1-0). Putnam was shutout five times last year and averaged only 5.2 points per game last year, with their best offensive performance coming against the Sandites.

The Sandites are rebuilding on defense, but have a fiercely energetic captain in Jerret Haley. Sophomore Brooks Dudley and freshman Drake Fain also made a big impact in the season opener with six tackles apiece.

Nicolas Hancock, Ryan Johnson, Josh Fincannon anchor a talented offensive line coached by Mike Edwards and Superbowl Champion Michael Bowie.