Sand Springs at Bixby pre-game analysis

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The No. 2 ranked Charles Page High School varsity football team (6-3, 4-1) will travel to the No. 3 Bixby Spartans (6-3, 4-1) this Friday in the regular-season finale as they fight for their first District Title in nearly two decades. The two teams each have playoff berths clinched at this point, and are each vying for the right to host. If Sand Springs loses, they take fourth in the district and will play the District One Champion. If Bixby loses, they take third in the district. 

SEE RELATED: Spartan rivalry continues Friday in the District Title game

Here's how the two teams played against mutual opponents:

No. 3 Spartans (6-3, 4-1)

lost 45-42 to Muskogee
defeated Sapulpa 62-17
defeated Ponca City 60-6
defeated Bartlesville 63-14
defeated Booker T 28-0

Average score: 51-16
First downs: 23
First downs allowed: 13
Fumbles-lost: 8-5 (total)
Fumble recoveries: 6 (total)
Penalties-Yards: 7-68

C-A-Y-I: 18-28-260-0
Average: 9.28
Allowed: 18-32-224-1
Average: 7.00

Rushes-Yards: 42-241
Average: 5.73
Allowed: 25-46
Average: 1.84

Plays-Yards: 70-500
Average: 7.14
Allowed: 57-270
Average: 4.73

No. 2 Sandites (6-3, 4-1)

defeated Muskogee 26-25
defeated Sapulpa 35-7
defeated Ponca City 56-35
defeated Bartlesville 47-28
lost 17-12 to Booker T

Average score: 35-22
First downs: 18
First downs allowed: 14
Fumbles-lost: 6-3 (total)
Fumble recoveries: 6 (total)
Penalties-Yards: 4-36

C-A-Y-I: 12-22-162-1
Average: 7.36
Allowed: 14-23-154-1
Average: 6.69

Rushes-Yards: 40-211
Average: 5.27
Allowed: 34-131
Average: 3.85

Plays-Yards: 62-373
Average: 6.01
Allowed: 57-285
Average: 5.00

The one district loss for Bixby came at the hands of No. 1 Muskogee (8-1, 4-1) in a shootout at the Indian Bowl. The lead changed eleven times in the game that saw a combined 911 yards of total offense. Offensively the Spartans outperformed with six touchdowns, more yards, more first downs, and a higher pass-completion rate. Muskogee's defense won it, however with two interceptions, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and four punts. Muskogee utilized a high-powered fast-paced offense that averaged 7.26 yards per play, 11.08 yards per pass, and 2.26 yards per carry. As low as that 2.26 is, it's the highest average allowed by Bixby in district play this season. The Spartans were more methodical, averaging only 5.3 yards per play, 4.02 yard per carry, and 6.36 yards per pass.

Sand Springs traveled to Muskogee two weeks after Bixby and stunned the home crowd with a wild last-minute play that attained national coverage. Sand Springs, like Bixby, outperformed in total yardage and first downs, but had to come from behind with a 65-yard drive in only 38 seconds. They scored on an incredible two-point run to take the lead and the victory. Sand Springs averaged 3.97 yards per carry and 6.91 yards per pass, while giving up 5.63 yards per carry and 5.71 yards per pass.

No. 4 Booker T. Washington (6-4, 4-2) played the spoiler for Sand Springs, despite being outmatched offensively by a considerable margin. The Sandite run game was utterly shut down by the Hornets, being held to 0.93 yards per carry, but the Sandites more than adapted with 9.11 yards per pass. The Hornets were without their starting QB, Phillip Wheatley, and managed only 2.48 yards per pass and 0.4 yards per carry. The Sandites should have won 12-10, but midway through the fourth quarter, QB Hunter Greathouse was unable to haul in a high snap, and Booker T. recovered the fumble at the Sandite two-yard line. Till then, the Sandite defense had been practically impenetrable, forcing seven punts and holding one drive to a field goal, but were unable to stave off the Hornets this time. The Hornet defense pulled out all the stops and forced a turnover on downs in their own redzone, then hauled in a Hail Mary interception to seal the victory.

Booker T. hosted Bixby last week and were soundly defeated in their first shutout since 2012, despite putting up the best defense the Spartans have experienced all season. The Hornets held them to 4.65 yards per run and 5.04 yards per pass, while racking up 2.08 yards per run and 3.81 yards per pass. The Spartans scored twice by air in the first half and twice on the ground in the second half. The Hornets split time between two backup QBs, but neither was able to break even passing.

The Prediction?

Firstly, when you look at a box of the two teams' averages based on mutual opponents, Bixby should win hands down. That's misleading, however, because the Sandites always play to their opponents, while the Spartans play balls-to-the-wall no matter what. To get a true comparison of the two teams, you have to limit your focus to just Booker T. and Muskogee. When you compare those stats, the teams are a whole lot closer.

Sand Springs prefers to keep the ball on the ground when they can, but have adapted well to the air when necessary. The Sandite O-line is powerful, but Bixby's linemen will likely be their biggest test of the season. The Sandites averaged 2.5 yards per carry against Muskogee and Booker T., and won't be likely to fair any better against Bixby.

The Spartans as a whole have the number six defense in the division when it comes to points per game, but gave up an average 7.74 yards per pass against Muskogee and Booker T., meaning that will be the Sandites' best bet for moving the ball. The Sandites have only been held to double digits running once this season, against Booker T., and easily transitioned to a 13-26-237 aerial barrage. Greathouse is 51% for the year with 1,654 yards, fifteen touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He has no problem stepping up when his team needs him, and his 237 against Booker T. was a career-best. 

While the Spartans were more capable of running against Muskogee and Booker T. than the Sandites were, averaging 4.07 yards per carry, they were significantly hampered in the air, averaging only 5.48 yards per pass. 

Bixby will come out with all pistons firing and double the Sandites in the first quarter 14-6. Sand Springs will win the second quarter 14-9 and enter the half trailing by a field goal. Both teams will come out of the half fired up, but defense will hold tough and the Spartans will score the lone touchdown, while the Sandites give up a failed fourth-down conversion attempt inside the Spartan redzone on one posession and kick a field goal on another. The Sandites will win it in the fourth quarter, however, with big passes and trick plays for a come-from-behind stunner.

Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. at Spartan Stadium, located at the intersection of Riverview and Stadium Road. 

Four meetings in two years, the Sandite-Spartan rivalry continues Friday in the District Title game

Sand Springs takes on Bixby in the 2015 6A-II State Championship game at Union Stadium. (Photo: Austin Evans).

Sand Springs vs Bixby History
Year, Coach, QB, Result

1922 A.R. Bateman, Sixkiller, 14-19 loss
1926 30-12 win
1927 20-6 win
1980 Gary Quimby, Eric Haines, 10-7 win (A)
1981 Gary Quimby, Eric Haines, 12-14 loss (H)
1982 Chris Thurmond, 32-6 loss (H)
1983 LD Baines, Brad Johnson, 4-21 loss (A)
1984 LD Baines, Shawn Morand, 5-3 win (H)
1985 LD Baines, Shawn Morand, 14-3 win (A)
1992 LD Baines, Mike Quimby, 17-20 OT loss (H)
1993 LD Baines, Delvin Jordan, 26-20 win (A)
1994 LD Baines, Delvin Jordan, 33-7 win (H)
1995 LD Baines, Dustin Morrow, 10-17 loss (A)
1996 LD Baines, Keith Hooks, 28-7 win (H)
1997 Archie Loehr, Keith Hooks, 19-0 win (A)
1998 Archie Loehr, Keith Hooks, 30-6 win (H)
1999 Archie Loehr, Ryan Summers, 7-23 loss (H)
2010 Dustin Kinard, Darrack Harger, 35-48 loss (H)
2011 Dustin Kinard, Darrack Harger, 23-43 loss (A)
2012 Dustin Kinard, Cody Hale, 21-7 win (H)
2013 Dustin Kinard, Cody Hale, 21-35 loss (A)
2014 Dustin Kinard, Conner Sitton, 31-34 loss (A)
2014 Dustin Kinard, Jacob Taber, 14-41 loss (BA)
2015 Dustin Kinard, Hunter Greathouse, 20-0 win (H)
2015 Dustin Kinard, Hunter Greathouse, 28-38 loss (Union)

Overall Record: 12-13-0

Longest Streak: CPHS 3
Longest Streak: Bixby 3

Shutouts: CPHS 2
Shutouts: Bixby 0

Road wins: CPHS 4
Road wins: Bixby 5

Biggest win: CPHS 33-7
Biggest win: Bixby 41-14
 

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The High School football season still has a month left, but the regular season will come to a close this Friday as the No. 2 Sand Springs Sandites (6-3, 4-1) travel to No. 3 Bixby (6-3, 4-1) to try and earn their first district title since 1997. In the last two seasons the teams have met four times, including two playoff games and a State Championship. High-stakes games are all these two teams know.

In 2014 the Spartans lost their season-opener at Jenks (11-2), then won twelve-straight with an average margin of victory of 27 points. Sand Springs, meanwhile, was the sleeper with a 7-2 record prior to their first meeting with Bixby. Two of those wins were by a touchdown or less and their average win was by 17 points. Bixby was heavily favored throughout the season, but that didn't stop the Sandites from coming within a field goal in their last visit to Spartan Stadium. Sand Springs posed the closest threat to the Spartans all season in a 34-31 loss to end the regular season. Bixby got payback two weeks later, however, ravaging the injury-plagued Sandites 41-14 at Broken Arrow Memorial Stadium.

The Sandites were without starting quarterback Conner Sitton and leading wide-receiver Davey Thayer due to concussions sustained in a quarterfinal playoff game against Midwest City. University of Houston-bound kicker, Blake Boyles, had an injured leg from the last game with Bixby. The starting nose-tackle was out due to disciplinary issues, and a smattering of other players were either out all-together, or nursing mild injuries and well below 100%. Also, one of their leading defensive linemen, Jacob Taber, was filling in at quarterback. 

Last season the Spartans started with the number one ranking, despite a season-opening 58-24 loss to Jenks (11-1), then won three straight, including a 71-7 murder of East Central (0-8) before falling 50-33 to No. 4 Bartlesville (10-2). From there they had less than impressive wins against Ponca (3-6) and Sapulpa (2-7), then were blown out 52-7 by Booker T. Washington (10-1). They nearly even gave up a loss to Muskogee (3-7) before holding on to the 48-41 overtime win. Sand Springs had realistically earned a 7-2 record by the time of their meeting with the Spartans, but had to forfeit two wins due to an ineligible player, and a third game was cancelled at half time due to weather, despite the Sandites having a significant lead. While the Sandites were dominated 24-7 by Bartlesville, their only other loss was a close 17-14 to Booker T., who annihilated Bixby. 

When the two teams met in the regular season finale at Memorial Stadium, the Spartans were utterly dominated by the Sandite defense, and gave up their first shutout since 2008. Sand Springs managed only 255 yards of total offense against the Spartans' 268, but pulled off four fumble recoveries and 13 tackles for loss, totaling 74 yards, including five sacks for 51 yards in the 20-0 win.

Bixby went on to dominate Lawton 36-6 in the quarterfinals and Bartlesville 67-21 in the semis, while the Sandites defeated Stilwater 49-14 in the quarterfinals and Booker T. 30-23 in the semis. 

In the Sandites' first State Championship appearance since they won it in 1966, Bixby played the role of spoiler. The Spartans took a quick 16-0 lead before the Sandites came from behind with three-straight touchdowns to make it 21-16. The teams exchanged scores from there, but Bixby got the last two to win it 38-28. 

If the Sandites fall to Bixby, they'll need a miracle upset from Ponca City over Muskogee in order to remain in the top-two of the district. The current class of Sandites are 16-4 on their home turf and only 12-9 on the road. If the Sandites can clinch a home playoff game, it'll be a big step in the direction of a State Title. Sand Springs hasn't seen a State Title since 1966, and a 50th anniversary win would make it even more special.

The Spartans still have a possibility of a District Title if they win over Sand Springs and Ponca upsets Muskogee, but realistically they're in the same boat of looking for a home playoff game. Over the past four seasons, the Spartans are 15-5 at home and 14-7 on the road, but it's less important for them as they're 6-1 in the playoffs and defending back-to-back State Titles. 

Sandite Pride News has picked Sand Springs as the victor of this weekend's game by a narrow 32-30. Stay tuned for the pre-game analysis, exclusively from Sandite Pride.

Week Ten 6A-II Rankings and Predictions; a look at this weekend's games

Photo: Scott Emigh

By: Sandite Pride Editorial Board

It's the final week of the regular season and many teams have make-or-break games that will decide their post-season fate. The parity of the division has left things muddled with no single team going undefeated in their district.

There's a three-way tie for the District-Two title, with the deciding bout to be played Friday night at Bixby against the Sand Springs Sandites. Sand Springs, Bixby, and Muskogee are all 4-1. Sand Springs has a win over Muskogee, Muskogee has a win over Bixby, Bixby has a win over Booker T., and Booker T. has a win over Sand Springs. Muskogee is more-or-less certain to defeat Sapulpa, so if Bixby beats Sand Springs, the Roughers will get the Title. If Sand Springs beats Bixby, the Sandites get the Title. 

In District One, Midwest City has the district title on lock, currently holding a 5-1 record with a game at Stillwater left to play. Midwest City has wins over both the number two and three teams, so even if they lose their final game, they'll get the Title on head-to-head. 

In District One, Midwest City and Lawton are guaranteed to make the playoffs, while Stillwater, Choctaw, and Putnam City West are all still up in the air. In a scenario where Stillwater beats Midwest City, and Choctaw beats Putnam West, the three teams will all have 3-4 records with circular losses, and the berths will be decided on point-differential. Deer Creek, Enid, and Putnam City are out of contention.

In District Two, Muskogee, Bixby, and Sand Springs are guaranteed to make the playoffs. Sapulpa and Ponca City have been eliminated. The winner of Bartlesville versus Booker T. will get the fourth seed.

No. 1 Muskogee Roughers (Last week No. 1) vs No. 15 Ponca City Wildcats (15)

An undefeated season may not have been in the cards for Muskogee (8-1, 4-1), but they're still well within the running for the District and State Titles. The Roughers are guaranteed to host a playoff game, so long as they defeat the Wildcats, marking their first playoff appearance in six years. They also have a shot at their first district title in more than a quarter-century. Last week they trounced the Sapulpa Chieftains (1-8, 1-5) 62-21 with over 500 yards of offense. Quarterback Jacob Medrano was 14-20-250 for two touchdowns and no interceptions, and Molijah Gilbert led the ground with 104 yards and two touchdowns on only eleven carries. The Roughers are looking for their first State Title since 1986.

Ponca City (2-7, 0-5) snapped their five-straight losing streak with a 10-6 victory over Norman (1-8, 1-4). QB Brice McDougal was 16 of 25 for 154 yards and a touchdown, while Darrell Arita led the ground with eighteen carries for 93 yards. 

The pick: Muskogee 63, Ponca 6.

No. 2 Sand Springs Sandites (2) vs No. 3 Bixby Spartans (4)

The Sand Springs-Spartan match-up has become the Jenks-Union-esque rivalry of 6A Division Two with four meetings in two years, and the intensity isn't slowing down this year. In 2014, the Sandites nearly upset the Spartans in the regular season finale before the Spartans trounced them in the playoffs. Last year Sand Springs dealt the Spartans their first shutout in years to end the regular season, then Bixby got payback in the State Title game. The high-stakes battle will be in Bixby this year as the Spartans are all that stand in the way of the Sandites' first District Title since 1997. Whichever team wins will also get to host a playoff game. Sand Springs is looking for its first State Title since 1966, while the Spartans are defending back-to-back Championships.

The Sandites (6-3, 4-1) made national headlines with a wild last second play to defeat the previously undefeated Roughers (7-1, 4-1) and briefly earned the number one ranking before falling to Booker T. Washington (5-4, 3-2). Sand Springs more than doubled the Hornet offense before giving up the win on a fumble inside their own two-yard-line late in the fourth. They rebounded from that game with a 47-28 win at Bartlesville (3-5, 2-3). The Bruins hung tight with the Sandites through the first half, but the visitors scored 22 unanswered points in the third to clinch the win. Running back Payton Scott racked up nearly 300 yards on the ground for five touchdowns to complement the two aerial scores from Hunter Greathouse.

Bixby (6-3, 4-1) picked up their biggest win of the season when they knocked off Booker T. Washington (5-4, 3-2) in a 28-0 shutout. The Hornets were without starting QB Phillip Wheatley, and Bixby made the most of it, dealing Booker T. their first shutout since 2012. It was the defense that carried Bixby, as offensively they were well below their standard performance. Tanner Griffin, who normally completes about 65% of passes and holds over 2100 yards this season with 31 touchdowns, was held to only 13 of 25 for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Tucker Pawley made up for it on the ground, however, with 34 carries for 198 yards and a touchdown. Bixby also won the turnover battle with two fumble recoveries and an interception.

The pick: Sand Springs 32, Bixby 30.

No. 4 Booker T. Washington Hornets (3) vs No. 13 Bartlesville Bruins (13)

When looking at their season records as a whole, the Hornets (5-4, 3-2) should have little difficulty in finishing the season with a district win against Bartlesville (3-5, 2-3). However, looking at the last couple of weeks, the match-up could be fairly close.

The Hornets have been without their starting QB, and that's been a major thorn in their offense. They barely beat the Sandites thanks to a late fumble deep in the Sand Springs redzone, but were actually outperformed drastically in the game overall. Then they gave up a 28-0 shutout loss to Bixby. 

Bartlesville, meanwhile, gave an impressive performance against the Sandites and only trailed 25-21 at the half before losing their momentum in the third quarter and ultimately losing 47-28. With a playoff berth on the line and the knowledge that they can run with the best, the Bruins will be bringing everything they have. QB Garrett Meidl brought the rain against Sand Springs and was 19 of 32 for 225 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. 

The pick: BTW 33, Bartlesville 18.

No. 5 Midwest City Bombers (5) vs No. 9 Stillwater Pioneers (10)

Midwest City (6-3, 5-1) has worked hard all season to maintain the edge in the district with the most parity, and having defeated both Putnam West and Lawton, they can afford to lose this game without forfeiting their district title or home playoff berth. Stillwater (5-4, 3-3), however, has to win to clinch a playoff berth. They can still make it in with a loss, so long as Choctaw loses to Putnam West and Lawton beats Putnam City, but they can be counted on to bring their A-game and put fate in their own hands. 

The Bombers are coming off a solid 39-10 win over Enid (3-6, 2-4) that saw a 13-3 halftime lead expanded with 26-straight points in the second half. The stout defense racked up five sacks and held Enid QB Mason Skrimager to only 46 yards on 12 completions. One of those completions was for 34 yards in the fourth quarter. The Plainsmen finished the first half with only one passing yard. The Bombers were wild on kick returns, scoring one punt return touchdown and scoring soon after a 75-yard kick return. 

The Pioneers won a close one at Putnam City (3-6, 1-3) to stay alive in playoff contention. Two different Pioneers racked up triple digits on the ground and the team finished with 311 rushing yards as a whole after the pass game was fruitless on the first two possessions. QB Jace Brownlee missed the first three district losses while rehabbing from a Spring shoulder surgery, and his presence has been crucial in the three-straight district wins. Though his return makes a win against Midwest City slightly more likely, he's still not at one-hundred percent and the Pioneers have had to get creative in how to play him. They'll have their work cut out for them against the number one defense in the division.

The pick: MWC 35, Stillwater 12.

No. 7 Choctaw Yellowjackets (8) vs No. 8 Putnam City West Patriots (6)

The biggest battle of the Southwest holds major implications for both teams as they seek to clinch playoff berths. Putnam needs a win to guarantee a spot, while Choctaw needs a win just be in consideration. Even if Choctaw wins, they could miss the cut on head-to-head or point-differential depending on how other games shake out around the State.

The Yellowjackets (5-4, 3-3) have been hit or miss most of the season, at times rolling through powerful teams like Sand Springs and Midwest City, and other times dropping losses to teams like Putnam City and Enid. They're on good footing now, however, steamrolling their last two opponents. They scored a major 52-26 upset over Lawton (5-4, 4-2), then brutalized Deer Creek (2-7, 2-4) with 47 unanswered points for a 54-7 victory. They have the number three offense in the State and have a 3-0 record against top-six teams this season. 

Putnam West (6-3, 4-2)'s three losses were to top-ten teams only, barely getting edged out by a touchdown or less to Sand Springs, Midwest City, and Lawton. They have the number two defense in the State, giving up only two touchdowns per game, but even Midwest City couldn't stymie Choctaw's air raid. Last week they took on Lawton with the number four offense and fell 35-28 after giving up a 63-yard touchdown return late in the fourth quarter.

The pick: Choctaw 45, PCW 32.

No. 6 Lawton Wolverines (7) vs No. 12 Deer Creek Antlers (12)

The Wolverines (5-4, 4-2) secured a playoff berth with their win over Putnam West, and now hope to clinch a home game if they can beat Deer Creek. The Antlers (2-7, 2-4) have nothing to gain from winning, other than bragging rights.

Lawton went head to head with Putnam West and were neck-and-neck for the duration. Were it not for Miles Davis's interception return, anything could have happened.  They were actually outperformed offensively and gave up an interception and fumble. For once it was Lawton's defense that saved the day, whereas it's normally the offense that gets the headlines.

Deer Creek suffered a massive blowout against Choctaw, scoring one touchdown in the first quarter before being rolled to a 54-7 defeat. They racked up less than 200 yards and were devastated on turnovers with two interceptions and four fumbles. 

The pick: Lawton 35, DC 13.

No. 10 Putnam City Pirates (9) vs No. 11 Enid Plainsmen (11)

These two teams are playing for bragging rights only with neither capable of making the post-season. Putnam City (3-6, 1-5) just went down 29-22 after a solid effort against Stillwater, while Enid (3-6, 2-4) was muffled 39-10 by the powerful Bomber defense.

The pick: Putnam 21, Enid 14.

No. 14 Sapulpa Chieftains (14) vs 6A-I Broken Arrow Tigers

The Chieftains (1-8, 1-5) won't finish the season without a win, thanks to a 31-27 upset of Ponca City, but that's likely to be their only victory as they finish the season with a non-conference game against 6A-I Broken Arrow (5-4). Last week they went down 62-21 to Muskogee, while Broken Arrow trounced Edmond Memorial (3-5, 1-4) 31-13. BA isn't as powerful this year as they have been in the past, but they should have little difficulty in Sapulpa.

The pick: BA 47, Sapulpa 14.

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District Two Standings

4-1 Sand Springs (+41)
4-1 Muskogee (+47)
4-1 Bixby (+57)
3-2 Booker T (+5)

2-3 Bartlesville (-15)
1-5 Sapulpa (-71)
0-5 Ponca City (-64)

District One Standings

5-1 Midwest City (+38)
4-2 Lawton (+23)
4-2 Putnam West (+31)
3-3 Stillwater (+12)

3-3 Choctaw (+22)
2-4 Enid (-41)
2-4 Deer Creek (-47)
1-5 Putnam City (-38)
 

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Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Record: 37-17, 69%

Virgil Noah, Staff Writer
Record: 32-23, 58%

CPHS JV Dance takes First Place at TSF Championship

The CPHS Dance team gives a stellar halftime performance at the Highway 97 Rivalry game. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Eighth Grade, Ninth Grade, and Junior Varsity Dance Teams competed at the 12th Annual TSF Dance Championship this past weekend and the JV/Ninth Grade team took first place in Hip Hop and second place in Pom.

The Tulsa State Fair Cheer and Dance Championship is the second largest dance competition in Oklahoma and has four categories of competition.

The Ninth Grade and JV teams competed together in Hip Hop and took first place over Booker T. Washington. They also competed together in Pom and took second place. Jenks took first place and Broken Arrow claimed third. The Eighth Grade team competed in Pom but did not place.

In the Pom competition, poms must be used for at least 80% of the routine and props are not allowed. A pom routine focuses on synchronization and visual effects. The Hip-Hop competition focuses on creativity, body isolations, jumps, stalls, and floor work. Judges score on overall effect, choreography, group execution, and dance technique. 

Cheyenne Walden wins fourth State Title in Cross Country by 41 second margin

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Charles Page High School senior and Oklahoma State University-commit Cheyenne Walden is not only the most heavily decorated high-school athlete in town history, she accounts for a third of all track and field medals in city history, and that's including all three high schools. Already holding three Spring Track State Championships, Walden added her fourth Fall Cross Country State Title Saturday at Edmond Santa Fe High School. Her seven total State Titles radically outpace any other Sandite in history, and she still has half of her senior year left to compete.

Only one other Sandite in town history has accounted for four State Championships; Shawn Gilton. Gilton won four medals in three years in various Track and Field competitions. She won the Long Jump in 1980 and 1982, the 220 yard dash in 1981, and the 440 yard dash in 1982. We also have two three-time State Champions in Wrestling: David McGuire and Daton Fix. Fix has the opportunity to win a fourth State Title this Winter.

Walden's seven State Titles account for a third of all track and field Championships in town history, but if you limit it to running only, it's nearly half. Sand Springs has fifteen State Championships in running competitions, and Walden is the only Sandite to ever win a Cross Country Title. Her achievements are not only remarkable among Sand Springs athletes, but even on the State-wide level. 

Only five other runners have ever won Cross Country titles in all four years of their high school careers. Natalie Gray of Cascia Hall accomplished the feat from 1990-1993, followed by Amanda Jordan of Bishop McGuinness from 1997-2000. Plainview High School holds a special place in history; they had two four-time State Champions, and both were at the same time. From 1998-2001, Jesse Gordon won it for the girls and Patrick McGuire won it for the boys. The last time anyone pulled it off was in 2004 when Brooke Edsall of Lomega won her fourth Title. 

At Friday's meet, Walden finished with the fifth-best time of her career, but her fastest State Championship performance. In 2013 she won the State Title in a 3200 meter run by eleven seconds with a time of 11:19.50. In 2014 she won the State Title in a 5K run by fifteen seconds over teammate Morgan Long with a time of 17:56.3. Long is a two-time State Champion in Track. In 2015 she won the 5K run by 53 seconds with a time of 17:57.9. This time she finished the 5K in 17:55.6, 41 seconds ahead of Bartlesville's Shay Stayton. 

Walden and teammate Alexis Davis are the only two Sandites in school history to qualify for the State meet all four years. The two helped bring their team with them three of those four years, and qualified as individuals last year. Davis tied her previous-best at State with a 21st place finish. As a freshman she finished in 59th place with a time of 13:01.48 in the 3200 meter run. She took 21st place in 2014 with a career-best 19:53.6. Last season she came in 45th place with a time of 21:02.5. This year she finished in 20:21.0.

Junior transfer Tiqvah Soap, formerly of Jenks, came in 25th place with a time of 20:29.5. This was her first State appearance, and she was only three seconds away from beating her previous personal-record of 20:27.93. Sophomore Sara Abbet came in 88th place with a time of 23:01.5. Sophomore Elizabeth Watts placed 95th with a time of 23:25.6. Freshman Chezney Kelley placed 96th with a time of 23:29.2. Freshman Kaitlyn Walden, Cheyenne's sister, finished in 106th with a time of 26:28.2. 

As a team, the Lady Sandites finished in eighth place of fourteen teams with an average time of 21:02.7. They also placed eighth in 2014, and tenth in 2013. 

Sophomore Aden Baughman is working on qualifying for State all for years as well, and posted his fifth-best performance with a time of 17:36.7 for 44th place. Last year he came in 69th place with a time of 17:53.5. He was the only Sandite boy to qualify. 

Payton Scott rushes for five touchdowns in 47-28 rout of Bartlesville to clinch playoff berth

Photo: Morgan Miller

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

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Charles Page High School junior Payton Scott scored a career-high five rushing touchdowns in only three quarters of play Friday night at Custer Stadium, leading the Sandites to a dominating 47-28 district win over Bartlesville.

No. 2 ranked Sand Springs (6-3, 4-1) clinched a playoff berth for the fifth-straight year with the victory over No. 13 Bartlesville (3-5, 2-3), and notched their first win at Custer Stadium since 2008. Despite a close loss to No. 3 Booker T. Washington (5-4, 3-2) last week, the Sandites still have a chance at the district title if they can defeat No. 4 Bixby (6-3, 4-1) next week on the road. Bartlesville still has a game left at Booker T., and will have to win to make the playoffs. 

The game started out fairly close as the Bruins rallied shortly before the half to close the deficit to 25-21. Sand Springs rattled off 22 unanswered points in the third quarter, however, and sent in the backups to finish out the game. 

The home team struck first with a seven-play, seventy-yard drive that scored on a four-yard run by Deandre Young. The visitors didn't need long to tie it, however, driving eighty yards on seven plays to score on a three yard run from Scott. Alejandro sent in the point-after to tie things up with 7:06 in the first.

The Sandite Defense was brutal throughout the evening, and held the Bruins' next possession to fourth and three to force a punt. The offense needed only three plays, all of them through Scott, to take the lead once and for all. Scott picked up seven yards on a run, and after failing to connect with a screen pass from Hunter Greathouse, ran another 54 yards for the score. Hernandez's kick was blocked, but the Sandites lead 13-7.

The two teams traded punts, then Tre Finch forced a fumble that was recovered by Nathan Simonton to give Sand Springs possession to close the first quarter. Scott scored shortly into the second period on a seven yard run. Kasey Bales faked a point-after kick and Greathouse attempted a two-point pass to tight-end Dash Fleischman, but the ball sailed high out the back of the endzone. 

Bartlesville hit pay-dirt on their next possession, hustling sixty yards on six plays to score on an eleven-yard pass to A.J. Archambo. Andre Johnson sent in the kick and cut the score to 19-14.

The Bruins attempted an onside kick, but Caleb Wash secured the ball and returned it eleven yards to set up a 68-yard drive that ended with an eight-yard pass to Dalton Morgan for a touchdown. Morgan was also the intended target for a two-point pass attempt that fell flat. With 2:18 the Sandites were sitting comfortable at 25-14, but the home team wouldn't go down without a fight.

Bartlesville drove 75 yards to score on their next possession in nine plays. After back-to-back sacks from Finch and Gage Fain pushed the Bruins back to third and 26 from the 36, it looked like Sand Springs would hold them. That's when Bartlesville brought out the big play. Garrett Meidl sent a sixteen-yard pass forward to Archambo, who lateraled to John Cone. Cone picked up ten yards, then pitched the ball to Young who took it to the house. The point-after cut the deficit to 25-21 with only seconds remaining, and the Bruins went to the locker room feeling good.

It was Sand Springs who came out of the half with renewed vigor, however. On the first drive of the second half, Scott picked up his fourth touchdown of the evening on a six yard run. The Bruins fumbled the opening handoff their possession and Luke Bratcher got the recovery, setting up Sand Springs for yet another scoring drive.

This time it was Bales who found the endzone on a 22-yard reception from Greathouse. He sent in his own extra-point and the visitors lead 38-21. 

The next Bruin possession failed to convert a first down and the Sandites got the ball at their 31. Scott picked up 62 yards on that possession and ended with a 33-yard run to score his final points of the evening.

On the next Sandite possession they settled for a 23-yard field goal after being held to fourth and six, and Hernandez put them up 47-21 with under a minute in the third quarter.

By the fourth quarter the Sandites were running second and third string and Scott didn't see any further action. Greathouse took a few snaps, but only attempted one pass before sophomore Caden Pennington came in. Tyler McCallie took over for Scott.

The Sandites held off the Bruins till there were just moments to play when they finally gave up a twelve-yard run to Lard with 0:19 left. Greathouse returned to take a knee for the final play and end the game 47-28.

Greathouse finished the evening 12 of 23 for 102 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Bales was his leading receiver with five receptions for 48 yards. Scott racked up 221 yards on 31 carries, the second-highest performance of his career. 

Meidl lit up the air for the Bruins, completing 19 of 32 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Archambo was the leading receiver with 11 receptions for 119 yards, while Lard led the ground with 8 carries for 72 yards.

The Sandites have one game left in the regular season, and it will be a tough one as they travel to No. 4 Bixby (6-3, 4-1), who just shutout Booker T. 28-0. If they win that game, they'll get their first district title since 1997. Win or lose, they're headed to the playoffs for the fifth-straight year, the longest streak in Sandite history.