Sandite Freshmen Move to 8-0 with 26-14 Win at Booker T. Washington
/Thomas Parks, pictured in a varsity game, is in his first year as head freshman coach after leading back-to-back 8th grade teams to FVC titles. (Photo: Charity Emigh).
The Sandite freshman football team is in the driver’s seat for a second consecutive Frontier Valley Conference Championship after a 26-14 win over Booker T. Washington Tuesday evening.
The Class of 2027 went 7-1 during its eighth grade season and shared the FVC title with Carver Middle School, the feeder program for Washington. This time around the Sandites are 8-0 and looking to finish unbeaten next Tuesday against Sapulpa.
“It was good to come out and execute the way we did early,” said head coach Thomas Parks, who is pursuing his third consecutive conference title. “We got a little sluggish in the second half but we got the job done.”
The visiting Sandites jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and scored the opening touchdown of the third quarter before letting the Hornets on the board.
“This is a good group (of kids) and playing Booker T. Washington is always a good test,” said Parks. “I’m happy with the way they came out and played.”
Sand Springs set the tone early with a trick play for a touchdown on the first play of the game. Boston Kissee pitched a reverse to quarterback Dom Forbes who aired out a downfield pass to Kaden Pope for the opening score. Ornelas kept for a two-point conversion just 34 seconds into the game.
"Dom Forbes is a really good player for us,” said Parks. “He’s going to be a really good player at the high school. I’m excited to see what he accomplishes here.”
Pope picked off a fourth-down pass attempt on the Hornets’ ensuing possession, cutting inside on a 50/50 ball and wrestling it away from the receiver.
The Sandites took a more methodical approach to their next drive, marching 65 yards before fumbling the ball away in the Hornet red zone.
The defense forced a quick three-and-out, however, and this time the offense went back to its single-play approach, scoring on a 42-yard keeper by Forbes.
“We really just let Dom do his thing,” said Parks. “He’ll throw it, he’ll run it. He can do everything we ask him to do. He’s also a great leader and a great teammate. He’s just the perfect player to have on your team. I love everything about Forbes.”
Kissee broke up a fourth-down deep ball on Washington’s next drive to set up a three-play drive capped by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Forbes to Sutton Cook to go up 20-0.
Kissee also had the last play of the half, forcing out the Hornet quarterback at the 8-yard line to preserve the first-half shutout.
“Sutton Cook’s been a great player for us, Kaden Pope’s always making plays, Boston Kissee’s really good. It’s a total team effort,” said Parks.
Washington got the ball to open the second half and advanced as far as the Sandite 38-yard line before a fumbled handoff resulted in a 52-yard scoop-and-score from Grady Harris for the final Sandite touchdown.
Washington scored on a seven-yard run to end the third quarter and on a four-yard run with 2:08 left in the game, but Cook successfully fielded an onside kick attempt and the Sandites ended the game in victory formation.
Forbes ended the game 7-of-8 passing for 159 yards and two touchdowns plus five carries for 60 yards and a score. Pope had two receptions for 83 yards and Cook had four catches for 51 yards.
Defensively the Sandites were led by Nikyllien Crisp and Kasen McAffrey with six tackles apiece. Joseph Farmer, who also had an interception in the varsity game last week, had four tackles and two pass deflections.
“Joseph Farmer - I gave him the task of covering the best player in my opinion on Booker T.’s team,” said Parks. “He showed up, showed out, and did a great job.”
Sand Springs will look to finish the season undefeated when it hosts Sapulpa Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
"The kids know how important it is to win that one,” said Parks. “We’re just going to show up, have a good week of practice and get after it next Tuesday.”
