Choctaw Ends Sandites' Season 45-15 in Quarterfinals

Bill Jensen Field is becoming a familiar, heartbreaking setting for the Sand Springs community. The Choctaw stadium has been the final resting place for the Sandite football team in back-to-back seasons.

Down 22-0 at halftime of the 6A-II quarterfinals Friday night, the Sandites scored on their first two drives of the second half to try and make a game of it, but the Yellowjackets scored two unanswered touchdowns to end the game 45-15.

“I got outcoached,” said head coach Bobby Klinck. “They did a great job of running counter and doing a few different things, cutting it up inside. We thought they wanted to go outside more on the perimeter. They had a great game plan.”

No. 3 Choctaw improved to 8-2 on the season and advanced to the semifinals for the fourth time in the past five years while No. 5 Charles Page High School ended the year 8-4.

Thus ended the high school careers of one of the most successful senior classes in school history.

The Class of 2024 was the first class to play all four years under Klinck, who arrived in 2021. They went 30-18 in that timeframe, the highest win total since the class of 1999, the only other team to hit that mark.

They won the highest-scoring game in Highway 97 Rivalry history (64-54) and the highest-scoring playoff game in Sandite history (56-24 against Lawton). The Class of 2024 was also part of the biggest win in school history last season when they routed U.S. Grant 83-0.

The Class of 2024 went 4-0 against their rivals from Sapulpa, and more importantly, they won playoff games all four years of their careers. The Sandites also went 5-1 on their home turf this season for their best record at Memorial Stadium since 1997.

Not a bad legacy.

“I think we’ve come pretty far,” said Klinck. “I think this senior class set up the standard of what we’re looking for.”

“We’re going in the right direction. I know we are. I’ve been a part of really good programs. I know what it’s like, and it takes time. I just wish that it could have been faster for this group of kids.”

The Sandites didn’t go down without a fight

With 4:07 in the third, junior running back Ali McCoy took a wildcat snap and flipped it to sophomore quarterback Easton Webb in motion from the slot. Webb dodged two would-be tacklers before finding McCoy again, wide open on a post route for a 25-yard touchdown.

The Sandites cut it as close as 29-14 and got a stop on the Yellowjackets’ next drive as well.

Unfortunately, a goal-line stand pinned the Sandites inside their own end zone. After three plays failed to find any vertical momentum and nobody got loose on fourth down, Webb stepped out of the back of the end zone for an intentional safety.

Mayor Morgan returned the ensuing kick 33 yards to set up a 37-yard touchdown run by Cash Williams, followed by a 12-yard touchdown run from Morgan after a Sandite three-and-out.

A turnover on downs with 2:02 remaining sealed the Sandites’ fate.

Sand Springs struggled to contain the explosive Yellowjackets, surrendering 505 yards on the night.

Williams, a Tennessee baseball commit, was 9-of-13 passing for 149 yards while carrying the ball eight times for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

Morgan ran the ball 16 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns with another 54 yards receiving.

Despite the final numbers, the Sandites did get some key stops early in the game and it looked like fans might have been in store for a defensive battle.

The Yellowjackets went three-and-out to open the game. After a fumbled handoff at midfield, the Sandites responded with a turnover on downs when Owen Floyd broke up a pass.

The Sandites marched as far as the Choctaw 31 before being turned away after a bad snap on a field goal attempt resulted in a turnover on downs.

Choctaw wouldn’t be denied on its third possession and scored on a 47-yard scamper by Williams, who connected with LT Simmons for the two-point conversion.

Sand Springs put together yet another semi-successful drive, marching as far as the Choctaw 25-yard line before McCoy was stuffed on fourth-down.

Gatlin Gunn deflected a third-down pass on Choctaw’s next possession and Landyn Barnes intercepted it, but once again the Sandites were stuffed on fourth down as Webb was stood up at the 14-yard line.

Five plays later, Hayden Mounce took a pitch 51 yards for the score.

Austin Hubert paid back the Sandites’ interception, picking off Webb to set up a 36-yard touchdown run from Morgan.

Once again the Sandites worked their way down the field, getting as close as the Choctaw 22-yard line before a bad snap on third-and-three sailed over Webb’s outstretched hands. Webb recovered, but the Sandites were forced to punt.

“We were able to move the ball, we get inside the 20 to the red zone, and then we just can’t finish drives,” said Klinck. “We’ve got to be able to do that to play at a top-notch program like Choctaw.”

“That’s what we talked about this year is to try to take the next step and when we get down in there, we’ve got to be able to convert.”

The Yellowjackets nearly scored again as JuJu Smith got loose on a forward pitch for 67 yards before Barnes made the touchdown-saving tackle as time expired.

Sand Springs adjusted well at halftime and scored four plays into the third quarter on a 42-yard run by Kenneth Page, then Jace Arnold ran in the point-after try to make it 22-8.

Choctaw responded with a 7-yard touchdown run by Morgan, followed by Webb’s touchdown throw to McCoy.

Webb finished the night 12-of-25 passing for 125 yards, getting in a strong rhythm with Dom Forbes, who had nine catches for 83 yards.

Page ended the night with 11 carries for 88 yards, putting him over 1,000 on the season. He also had a 14-yard reception from Forbes on a trick play.

McCoy had 38 yards on 16 carries to go with his 25-yard reception.

Defensively, the Sandites were led by Gunn and Keagan Gilman with eight tackles apiece.

Choctaw will advance to play No. 1 Stillwater (9-2) in a rematch of last year’s State Championship, which the Pioneers won 26-21. Stillwater is coming off a 56-7 rout of Putnam City (5-7) in its quarterfinal matchup.

Choctaw 45 CPHS 15

First Downs: Choctaw 10, CPHS 14
Fumbles/Lost: Choctaw 0/0, CPHS 4/1.
Passing: Choctaw 9-13-149-1, CPHS 13-26-139-1.
Rushing: Choctaw 39-356, CPHS 35-104.
Offense: Choctaw 52-505, CPHS 60-229.
Punts-Avg: Choctaw 1-38, CPHS 2-32.
Penalties: Choctaw 17-150, CPHS 5-39.

Scoring Summary

1Q (5:40) - Williams 47-yard Run, Simmons Pass from Williams, Choctaw 8-0.
2Q (5:51) - Mounce 51-yard Run, Jennings Kick, Choctaw 15-0.
2Q (4:16) - Morgan 36-yard Run, Jennings Kick, Choctaw 22-0.
3Q (10:29) - Page 42-yard Run, Arnold Run, Choctaw 22-8.
3Q (7:35) - Morgan 7-yard Run, Jennings Kick, Choctaw 29-8.
3Q (4:07) - McCoy 25-yard Pass from Webb, Puckett Kick, Choctaw 29-15.
4Q (11:00) - Safety, Webb Stepped out of End Zone, Choctaw 31-15.
4Q (9:54) - Williams 37-yard Run, Jennings Kick, Choctaw 38-15.
4Q (3:48) Morgan 12-yard Run, Jennings Kick, Choctaw 45-15.

Sandite Football Falls 48-29 to Choctaw in Playoffs

The No. 6 Charles Page High School football team (7-5) saw its season come to an end Friday night in Choctaw as the No. 2 Yellowjackets (10-1) prevailed 48-29 in the 6A-II quarterfinals.

The last time Sand Springs visited Bill Jensen Field, in 2020, the Sandites took a 9-6 lead before surrendering 28 unanswered points to end the game in a 34-9 loss.

Friday’s rematch briefly looked like it might go the same way. The visiting Sandites took a 9-0 lead and Choctaw surged back to another 34-9 advantage, but this time the Sandites wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“We’re not going to quit; we’re not ever going to give up,” said third-year head coach Bobby Klinck. “That’s ingrained in this community and our town. It shows in our football team and I’m very proud of these guys.”

The Sandites went toe to toe with the Yellowjackets in a 21-20 second half but couldn’t overcome six turnovers and 156 yards in penalties.

“I put every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears into this and I’m just sad we came up short,” said senior linebacker Drake Fain, who led the team with 9 tackles on Friday and 101 this season.

Choctaw quarterback Steele Wasel took an intentional grounding penalty for a safety late in the first quarter to avoid a sack by Dom Ornelas, and the Sandites opened the second quarter with a touchdown.

Easton Webb connected with senior receiver Jacob Blevins, who broke a tackle and bullied his way into the endzone for a 25-yard touchdown.

Then the wheels fell off the wagon.

Wasel, an Akron-commit, scored on throws of 4 yards to JuJu Smith and 30 yards to La’Trell Ray to take the lead.

The Yellowjackets recovered two muffed kicks and two interceptions in the second quarter and Wasel and Smith connected for two more touchdowns from 25 and 21 yards.

The home team opened the second half with a 10-yard scoring run by Ray and it was starting to look like 2020 all over again before the Sandites rallied.

Gatlin Gunn picked off a fake punt pass attempt by Smith to set up a 5-yard scoring strike from Webb to Brody Rutledge.

Fain blocked a field goal attempt to open the fourth quarter and the Sandites threatened deep in Choctaw territory before Drake Fittro snagged the Yellowjackets’ third interception of the night.

Wasel found Connor Stover wide open for an 84-yard score on the next play, but the Sandites responded with a 12-yard touchdown strike from Webb to Blevins.

Choctaw returned the favor with a 22-yard scoring toss from Wasel to Nathan Keiffer, but the Sandites had the final say of the night with a 57-yard toss from Webb to Jabe Schlehuber.

“I’ve been here three years, so I remember when these seniors were puppies,” said Klinck.

“We’re not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. We’ve got some things we’ve got to do better, but just the heart and the attitude and the love that these kids showed each other; it was pretty cool.”

The class of 2023 saw its team go 2-8 as freshmen, but since Klinck’s arrival in 2020 they’ve finished in the top half of the district and won playoff games all three years.

“You spend more time with these kids than your own family, especially during football season,” said Klinck. “You have no choice but to get close.”

“It stinks right now. It happens every year. Only one team can not lose at the end. But I told them, the cool thing that happens is when I get invited to their weddings and meet their kids and see how they become successful men; because ultimately that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Webb was 19-of-33 passing for a career high 257 yards. Schlehuber had five catches for 74 yards, Rutledge had six catches for 72 yards, and Blevins had five catches for 67 yards.

Kenneth Page ended the night with 11 carries for 29 yards, surpassing 1,000 in his junior season.

Wasel was 23-of-33 passing for 453 yards and six total touchdowns for the Yellowjackets. Smith was his top receiver with 13 catches for 173 yards. Ray ended the night with 18 carries for 105 yards and also had two catches for 43 yards.

Choctaw will advance to the semifinals for the third time in the past four years and the seventh time in school history. The Yellowjackets will play No. 4 Muskogee (10-1) at a location to be determined.

Scoring Summary

Choctaw;0;27;7;14–;48
SS;2;7;7;13–;29

First Quarter
SS - Ornelas safety, 2:05

Second Quarter
SS - Blevins 25 pass from Webb (Daniels kick), 7:59
CHO - Smith 4 pass from Wasel (Yousey kick), 6:37
CHO - Ray 30 pass from Wasel (Yousey kick), 4:36
CHO - Smith 25 pass from Wasel (run failed), 4:20
CHO - Smith 21 pass from Wasel (Yousey kick), 0:38

Third Quarter
CHO - Ray 10 run (Yousey kick), 9:28
SS - Rutledge 5 pass from Webb (Daniels kick), :01

Fourth Quarter
CHO - Stover 84 pass from Wasel (Yousey kick), 5:24
SS - Blevins 12 pass from Webb (Daniels kick), 4:48
CHO - Keiffer 6 pass from Wasel (Yousey kick), 3:25
SS - Schlehuber 57 pass from Webb (pass failed), 2:31

Team Statistics:

First Downs: CHO 16, SS 15. Rushes-Yards: CHO 26-129, SS 26-109. Comp-Att-In: CHO 23-33-1, SS 19-33–3. Passing Yards: CHO 453, SS 257. Total Yards: CHO 582, SS 366. Fumbles-Lost: CHO 2-0, SS 4-3. Penalty Yards: CHO 157, SS 156. Punts-AVG: CHO 0-0, SS 2-44. Records: CHO 10-1, SS 7-5.

Sandite Football drops third-straight, prepares for Bartlesville trip

A version of this story was originally written for the Sand Springs Leader.

The Sandite football team has been through the gauntlet this past month, dropping three consecutive games to the top three teams in Class 6A-II.

No. 4 Charles Page High School (5-3, 2-3) fell 41-28 at home last Friday in a district match against No. 2 Choctaw (6-2, 4-1), ending a brutal three-game stretch that also saw losses to Bixby and Booker T. Washington.

With the loss, the Sandites can finish no higher than fourth in the district, and they’ll need to win their last two games to make the playoffs. Fortunately they’ll be heavy favorites after three weeks as underdogs. 

“We still control our own destiny,” said Sand Springs head coach Bobby Klinck. “That’s what I tell these kids. It’s okay to be disappointed. Last week we got rolled at Bixby. I could tell the kids were disappointed.”

“We’ve got two weeks to get a lot better. I do feel we’re going to be a dangerous football team when it comes time for the playoffs.”

Choctaw already saw the Sandites as a dangerous team, and was on upset alert throughout the night.

“They’ve got tough, hard-nosed kids like us that just keep battling,” said Choctaw coach Jake Corbin. “We knew it would be an absolute battle on the road and a great atmosphere. It’s a cool place to play when you’re not the opponent. We knew it’d be a big-time game and we knew that they were a really good team, a really talented team.”

Choctaw struck first on a 34-yard pass from Steele Wasel to Jax Smith, but Drake Fain stopped a two-point conversion attempt, and the Sandites took their only lead of the night soon after. Keaton Campbell put the home team on the board with a 15-yard reception from Ty Pennington, and Logan Wolfe kicked the point-after for the lead.

The Yellowjackets got back on top with a two-yard run by Wasel, who then tossed a two-point pass to La’Trell Ray to make it 14-7 late in the first. Ray then scored on a 40-yard run in the second quarter.

Brooks Dudley brought pressure on Choctaw’s next possession to force a three-and-out, and a bad punt snap was recovered by Landon Hendricks to set up a three-yard run from Pennington to make it 21-14.

JuJu Smith scored on a 10-yard reception late in the half, and added a two-yard run in the third quarter to put his team up 34-14, but Sand Springs wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Pennington connected with Brody Rutledge for a 24-yard score, the defense forced a punt and a turnover on downs, then Pennington found Ryan Shoemaker for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 34-28 with 4:10 to play.

Ryder Barnes recovered an onside kick and the Sandites marched to the Choctaw 35-yard line before Cameron Hunt picked off Pennington and set up a 61-yard touchdown run by Ray for the final points of the game.

Even down double digits with only two minutes left, they didn’t give up, and the Sandites put together a ten-play 54-yard drive that ended on a fourth-down incompletion in the red zone as time expired. 

“The difference between winning and losing can be just a few plays,” said Klinck. “Whether it’s blown coverage or a missed interception opportunity, those types of things. We’ve got to start making those types of plays if we’re going to get this program over the hump.”

“That’s what we try to get these kids to understand, that’s why we’re so hard on them during practice and demand excellence. Hat’s off to Choctaw, really good football team, but I like my team.”

While the Sandites matched up well against the Yellowjackets overall, they couldn’t find an answer for the heavily recruited DeSean Brown, who sacked Pennington four times for 37 yards.

The senior record-breaking quarterback was 19-of-33 passing on the night with 272 yards, and even strung together nine-straight completions late in the game with 189 yards in the fourth quarter. He also ran for 74 gross yards, but lost 63 to sacks.

“He’s an absolute stud,” Corbin said of the Sandite QB. “He’s just a tough kid, throws really accurate balls. He plays tough as nails. He can barely walk at the end and he’s still standing in there firing off, running it. I definitely shook his hand after the game and wanted to tell him what a great job he did. He’s a super tough kid.”

Choctaw was paced offensively by Wasel, who was 16-of-29 passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns, while Ray had 11 carries for 122 yards and two scores.

Shoemaker led the Sand Springs receiving corps with four catches for 77 yards, while Kenneth Page led on the ground with ten carries for 62 yards. Fain paced the defense with nine tackles, three for loss, and two pass deflections, followed by Dudley with eight tackles, three for loss, one sack, and one deflection.

Next up for the Sandites is a district road match at Bartlesville (2-6, 1-4), Friday at 7:00 p.m. Last year the Sandites beat Bartlesville 21-14 at home on Senior Night.