Week Eight 6A-II rankings and predictions; a look at this weekend's games

No. 1 Booker T. Washington Hornets (Last Week No. 1) vs. No. 7 Sand Springs Sandites (7)* District 2

The Hornets (6-1, 3-0) are coming off a bye week after a dominant 42-21 win against Muskogee (3-4, 2-2). Thomas Grayson rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns while Philip Wheatley was 10-19-226 passing. They picked off two passes and held the Roughers to 295 yards, forcing seven punts. Still battling the refs, they ended the night with 9 penalties for 98 yards. 

Sand Springs (4-3, 2-1) saw their four-straight streak come to a close in a back-and-forth 40-34 Homecoming loss to Muskogee. The Sandites jumped out to a 13-0 lead, the Roughers scored thirty-straight, then the Sandites scored 21 more to reclaim the lead. A 96-yard kick return and field goal gave Muskogee the final points of the game and the Sandites ran out of time in the Rougher red zone. 

The Sandites forced two fumbles, recovered four, posted six tackles-for-loss, and picked off one interception. Payton Scott was 34-199 rushing with two touchdowns while Caden Pennington had his breakout night passing 9-21-151-0 with three touchdowns.

The pick: BTW 42 CPHS 24.

No. 2 Midwest City Bombers (2) vs. No. 8 Putnam City Pirates (8)* District 1

Midwest City (6-1, 4-0) remains undefeated in District 1 after a 61-25 win over Putnam City West (1-6, 0-4). The Bombers have dominated most of their foes this season, winning by an average score of 40-18. 

Putnam City (6-1, 3-1) won their second straight, doubling down on Deer Creek (3-4, 1-3) 48-24. The Pirates held only a 28-21 lead at halftime, but won the second half 20-3 behind A.J. Newsome's powerful passing abilities. The quarterback was 19-28-435-0 with six touchdowns but their run game was held to 69 yards on 25 carries. They gave up one fumble, offset by an interception. 

The pick: MWC 42 Putnam 23.

No. 3 Bixby Spartans (3) vs. No. 13 Bartlesville Bruins (13)* District 2

The three-time defending State Champions (4-3, 3-0) remained undefeated in districts with their biggest win of the season, 68-7 over Ponca City (1-6, 1-3). Tucker Pawley returned to the trenches for eight carries and 65 yards after missing three weeks with a knee injury. 

Bartlesville (1-5, 1-2) picked up their first win of the season, 9-2 against Sapulpa (0-7, 0-4). Noah Sunday was 12-23-81-0 passing while Deandre Young led the ground assault with fourteen carries for 111 yards and the lone touchdown. 

The pick: Bixby 65 Bartlesville 10.

No. 4 Lawton Wolverines (4) vs. No. 9 Choctaw Yellowjackets (9)* District 1

Lawton (5-2, 3-1) has rattled off three straight victories since their loss to Midwest City, most recently 54-28 at Enid (3-4, 1-3). They were held to a close 20-14 lead going into halftime before rapidly outpacing their hosts in the second half. Miles Davis ran 17-184 with three touchdowns.

Choctaw (4-5, 1-3) played a close game against Stillwater (6-1, 3-1), trailing only 28-24 in the fourth quarter before the Pioneers added one last touchdown for a final score of 35-24. 

The pick: Lawton 35 Choctaw 24.

No. 5 Stillwater Pioneers (5) vs. No. 11 Enid Plainsmen (11)* District 1

Stillwater (6-1, 3-1) fended off Choctaw 35-24 last week behind an ample run game. Tyler Disidore ran eleven times for 32 yards and three touchdowns while Qwontrell Walker amassed 193 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. 

Enid (3-4, 1-3) kept up with Lawton till halftime but was ultimately swept away 54-28. Telin Phillips and Khalid Lee combined for 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns while Mason Skrimager passed 19-36-182-2 with two touchdowns.

The pick: Stillwater 38 Enid 23.

No. 6 Muskogee Roughers (6)* District 2

Muskogee (3-4, 2-2) won a key 40-34 district shootout in Sand Springs (4-3, 2-1) and shouldn't have any further obstacles in reaching the playoffs. The Roughers gave up four fumbles, an interception, and a pair of turnovers on downs and still managed to trump the Sandites. Jacob Medrano was 18-24-381-1 with all four Rougher touchdowns. They will have a week off to adjust and work out their miscues before taking on Sapulpa (0-7, 0-4). 

No. 10 Deer Creek Antlers (10) vs. No. 12 Putnam City West Patriots (12)* District 1

Deer Creek (3-4, 1-3) had a rough night last week, falling 48-24 to Putnam City (6-1, 3-1). They kept to the ground most of the night, running 44 times for 221 yards, and passed 14-27-131-1. They won the turnover battle 2-1 and gave up only 35 yards in penalties but couldn't handle the lethal Wolverine offense.

Putnam West (1-6, 0-4) took a heavy 61-25 hit against Midwest City (6-1, 4-0) for their sixth-straight loss. The won their season opener 16-15 against 5A Duncan (3-4) and nearly defeated Enid in week four before blowing a 42-point lead. 

The pick: DC 27 PCW 23.

No. 14 Ponca City Wildcats (14)* vs. No. 15 Sapulpa (15)* District 2

Ponca City (1-6, 1-3) suffered their worst loss of the season, 68-7 at Bixby (4-3, 3-0) and will hope to get back in action with winless Sapulpa (0-7, 0-4). Justin Andrews was 13-32-174-0 passing and the Wildcats were held to 39 yards on 28 carries. 

Sapulpa took on previously winless Bartlesville (1-5, 1-2) and were defeated 9-2. Their lone points came on a safety after a bad snap sent an intended punt into the Bruin end zone. 

The pick: Ponca 18 Sapulpa 13. 

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
Overall: 47-16 (.746)
Last Week: 6-1 (.857)
Last Year: 48-21 (.695)

Virgil Noah
Staff Writer
Overall: 37-14* (.725)
Last Week: 7-0 (1.00)
Last Year: 43-26 (.623)

*Virgil missed the first week of picks.

CPHS Football: Sandite Homecoming spoiled by No. 6 Muskogee 40-34

Members of the Sand Springs Homecoming Court before the game. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

MHS 40 CPHS 34

1Q Tied 13-13
2Q MHS 3-0
3Q MHS 14-7
4Q CPHS 14-10

Passing: MHS 18-25-381-1, CPHS 9-21-151-0.
Rushing: CPHS 50-222, MHS 28-91.
Plays-Offense: MHS 53-472, CPHS 71-373.
First Downs: CPHS 16, MHS 10.
Penalties: MHS 10-75, CPHS 1-10.
Fumbles/Lost: MHS 5/4, CPHS 1/1.

Click here to view full photo gallery by Morgan Miller.

The No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School varsity football team (4-3 overall, 2-1 district) saw their four-straight win streak come to an end as the No. 6 Muskogee Roughers (3-4, 2-2) spoiled the Sandite Homecoming 40-34 in a wild turnover-plagued shootout. 

Sand Springs started out by doing what they do best: feeding the ball to Payton Scott. The 5'5" junior running back showed off the strength and resilience that made him a wrestling State Champion, carrying 8 times for 80 yards on the opening drive and scoring from 12 yards out. A fumbled hike prevented the point-after attempt but the Sandites had drawn first blood at 6-0. 

Hyatt Cartwright forced a fumble for Hayden Cramer to recover on the first Muskogee pass of the night. Two plays later junior quarterback Caden Pennington sent a 21-yard touchdown pass to Luke Bratcher. This time Jaden Weiser got to kick the ball and give his team a 13-0 lead.

The Roughers finally showed off their potent offense as Jacob Medrano hit Diante Crutchfield for a 79 yard touchdown reception. Manuel Espinosa's point-after kick was a miss, and the Sandites held the 13-6 lead.

After a quick three-and-out the Roughers got the ball back and marched 64 yards in five plays, scoring on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Crutchfield. This time Espinosa got the job done and tied the game with 2:10 in the first.

Sand Springs fumbled the ball away on their next possession, then Braden Askew recovered another Rougher fumble shortly before the end of the first. Another three-and-out for the Sandites, another fumble for the Roughers, and yet another three-and-out for the Sandites. Sand Springs would ultimately end up with seven turnovers and would only score on three of them. 

Both teams traded turnovers on downs late in the second quarter and Muskogee finally got back on the scoreboard with a twenty-yard field goal from Espinosa for a 16-13 halftime lead.

The Roughers got the ball to start the second half and wasted no time in scoring on a 25-yard pass to D.J. Mayes. A three-and-out from Sand Springs and Muskogee scored two plays later with another Mayes reception, this time from 34 yards out. 

Down 30-13, Sand Springs kicked it in overdrive and marched 80 yards in 12 plays, scoring on a sixteen-yard pass to Daren Hawkins.

The defense came in clutch with a forced fumble from Tre Finch and a recovery by Kris Edwards. The Sandites marched all the way to the thirteen-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Three plays later and Askew picked off a pass at the 38 and set up Garrett McCallie for a 35-yard touchdown reception. Weiser's PAT cut it to a one-score game at 30-27 with 11:07 to play.

Muskogee's next drive took them from their 20 to the Sandites' 14 before an offensive holding penalty and an incomplete pass gave them a turnover on downs at the 29-yard line. Sand Springs returned to their vaunted run game and fed Scott the ball seven times for 71 yards and a nine-yard touchdown run to reclaim the lead at 34-30.

The lead would only last 14 seconds, however. Kaiden Cox drilled the kick to the four-yard line where Crutchfield received it and took it all the way back to the house.

This time the Sandites went back to the passing game and saw three-straight incompletions turn over the ball at their own 28. The defense played well and prevented a touchdown, but they couldn't stop a 28-yard field goal from Espinosa to make it 40-34. 

With only a minute to play, the Sandites traveled 56 yards before the clock ran out. The final play was a twelve-yard screen to Scott who dragged three defenders several yards before finally being dragged down at the thirteen as time ran out. 

After starting the season 15-44-195-3 over the first three games, Pennington hadn't gotten to throw many passes over the past three weeks. When he did pass he was golden, throwing 13-16-155-0, but the Sandites mostly relied on Scott's seven yards per carry to get them through.

After Scott's impressive opening drive, the Roughers figured out how to shut down the Sandite run game and forced the inexperienced Sandites to learn on their feet. Not only are the Sandites utilizing a first-year quarterback, but an entirely first-year receiving team as well. Pennington finished the night 9-21-151-0 with three breakups and three dropped passes. By his own talents he was usually spot on and could have easily been 15 of 21. 

Scott was still the bread-and-butter of the evening, carrying 34 times for 199 yards, but most of those came in the first and fourth quarters. He was 12-25 for a two-quarter stent in the middle of the game, which is when Pennington did most of his damage.

Defensively, the Sandites were likely unprepared for the Roughers' passing game, simply due to not playing many passing teams this season. In the season opener they fell 59-21 to Pulaski Academy, who found 75% of their yards by air. In week two they fell 21-20 to Choctaw, who found 72% of their yards in the air.

Since then their past four opponents have passed about as much as the Sandites, giving them little real-life experience to prepare for Medrano's lethal skills. Every time they double or triple manned a receiver, Medrano would find a way to miraculously thread the needle. The defense smothered Muskogee on the ground, however, giving up only 91 yards in 28 plays.

Medrano finished the evening 18-24-381-1, putting him well over 2,000 yards for the season. He is also playing with an entirely first-year offensive line, and his numbers last season were even more staggering. 

The Sandites drop to third in the district with the loss, still ahead of Muskogee who has losses to No. 3 Bixby (4-3, 3-0) and No. 1 Booker T. Washington (6-1, 3-0). The Roughers will likely have an easy time next week when they host No. 15 Sapulpa (0-7, 0-4). Sand Springs will have a far tougher opponent next Thursday when they travel to the top-ranked Hornets at S.E. Williams Stadium.

The Sandites will likely need only one more win to make the playoffs and they should find it in week nine when they host No. 13 Bartlesville (1-5, 1-2). If they can manage to upset the Hornets or Spartans, they could position themselves for a home playoff game. 

Prior to the game, Olivia Silversmith was crowned Homecoming Queen and adorned with a crown and robe by Kissing Captain Payton Scott. The Sandites held their Homecoming Parade on Thursday in downtown Sand Springs. Those photos can be found here. 

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 9-21-151-0, 3TD.
Receiving: McCallie 4-80, 1TD. Scott 2-24. Bratcher 1-21, 1TD. Hawkins 1-16, 1TD. Mock 1-10.
Rushing: Scott 34-199, 2TD. Pennington 15-23. Fleischman 1-0. 
PAT: Weiser 4/4.
Punting-Avg: Smith 5-24.
Kicking-Avg: Cox 3-49. Weiser 3-36. 
Kick Return: Denton 2-23. Bratcher 2-15. Millican 2-8.
Tackles: Cramer 13, Finch 8, Askew 6, Fleischman 5, Edwards 3, Cartwright 3, Fain 3, McCallie 3, Lyons 2, Adcock 2, Haley 1, Bratcher 1, Mock 1, Hunter 1.
Tackles For Loss: Finch 3-7, Fain 2-6, Cramer 1-2, Lyons 1-1.
Sacks: Fain 1-4.
Interceptions: Askew 1.
Break-Ups: Finch 1, Adcock 1.
Forced Fumbles: Finch 1, Cartwright 1. 
Fumble Recoveries: Edwards 2, Askew 1, Cramer 1.

Muskogee Individual Statistics

Passing: Medrano 18-24-381-1, 4TD. Cherry 0-1-0-0.
Receiving: Crutchfield 3-155, 2TD. Devin Hillmon 4-105. Mayes 4-74, 2TD. Cherry 7-47.
Rushing: Beasley 13-63. Kristian Hillmon 3-13. Crutchfield 1-9. Medrano 5-3. Cherry 5-2. Mayes 1-1. 
PAT: Espinosa 3/4.
Field Goals: Espinosa 2/2.
Kicking-Avg: Espinosa 7-48.
Kick Return: Crutchfield 1-96, 1TD. Mayes 2-29. 

CPHS Football Preview: No. 6 Muskogee hopes to sabotage No. 7 Sandites' Homecoming

Former Sandite quarterback Hunter Greathouse hands the ball off to Payton Scott in last year's 26-25 victory over No. 1 Muskogee. Scott carried 25 times for 116 yards and a touchdown in that game. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School varsity football team (4-2 overall, 2-0 district) will host No. 6 Muskogee (2-4, 1-2) for Homecoming Friday night at Memorial Stadium as they look to secure their fifth-straight victory and first home-victory of the season.

The Sandites dropped their season opener unsurprisingly, 59-21 to nationally ranked No. 21 Pulaski Academy (6-0), then gave up a come-from behind 21-20 loss to No. 9 Choctaw (4-3, 1-3). Since then they've rattled off wins of 28-14 at No. 12 Putnam City West (1-5), 31-16 at No. 15 Sapulpa (0-6, 0-3), 26-21 at 6A-I No. 9 Yukon (3-3) and 41-7 at No. 14 Ponca City (1-5, 1-2).

Muskogee (2-4, 1-2) lost a close 26-20 battle to No. 2 Midwest City (5-1) in the season opener, then scored a 54-0 shutout over 5A McAlester (1-5). They fell 43-35 to Arkansas 7A No. 5 Bentonville West (6-0), but rebounded with a 71-6 drubbing of No. 13 Bartlesville (0-5, 0-2). They lost their last two bouts 38-23 to No. 3 Bixby (3-3, 2-0) and 42-21 to No. 1 Booker T. Washington (6-1, 3-0). 

Historically Muskogee leads the series 20-6, but all six of the Sandites' wins have been in an ongoing streak dating back to 2011. Their most recent win involved a radical two-point conversion that earned them the No. 1 ranking and the ESPN No. 1 Play of the Night. Hunter Greathouse's pass was batted back at him and he tried to take it to the house himself. He pitched a lateral to Josh Taber while being tackled, and Taber broke several tackles to score the winning points with under a minute remaining to upend the undefeated Roughers. 

Dustin Kinard is the only Sand Springs coach to ever win against Muskogee, and has a career record of 59-56 in his eleven years heading the program. He gave the Sandites their first winning season and first playoff appearance in over a decade in 2008, and the Sandites have had winning records and playoff appearances for the past five years, with a 6A-II State Finals appearance in 2015. 

Rafe Watkins is 17-20 in his fourth season at Muskogee, and last year took them to a 9-2 record after three-straight 3-7 seasons. He previously spent thirteen years in Guthrie where he led the Bluejays to four 5A State Championships. His career record stands at 150-44.

Both teams have taken heavy losses since last year. Muskogee graduated their entire O-line, while the Sandites lost their quarterback and entire receiving squad. 

This year's game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. and will be preceded by a tailgate party with the Church That Matters Holy Smokers. The church will be selling hot dogs, burgers, drinks, and other foods prior to the game as a fundraiser for the defending State Champion Sandite Wrestling team. 

Muskogee Avg. Box Score

Points: 37
Rushing: 30-119
Passing: 21-35-332-1
Plays-Yards: 51-451
Penalties 9-84

Allowed: 26
Rushing: 39-159
Passing: 11-22-202-1
Plays-Yards: 61-361
Penalties: 9-66

Sand Springs Avg. Box Score

Points: 28
Rushing: 43-278
Passing: 5-10-66-1
Plays-Yards: 53-344
Penalties: 4-33

Allowed: 23
Rushing: 38-211
Passing: 13-21-142-1
Plays-Yards: 59-353
Penalties: 6-47

Sand Springs vs. Muskogee History

2016: Sand Springs 26-25 (A)
2015: Sand Springs 34-10 (H)
2014: Sand Springs 13-0 (A)
2013: Sand Springs 39-14 (H)
2012: Sand Springs 40-28 (A)
2011: Sand Springs 7-3 (H)
2010: Muskogee 44-14 (A)
2009: Muskogee 37-29 (A)
2008: Muskogee 39-37 (H)
2007: Muskogee 49-21 (A)
2006: Muskogee 57-21 (H)
2005: Muskogee 47-25 (A)
2004: Muskogee 27-6 (H)
2003: Muskogee 37-14 (H)
2002: Muskogee 38-12 (A)

1995: Muskogee 28-6
1994: Muskogee 20-14 (OT)

1961: Muskogee 38-6
1960: Muskogee 14-5
1959: Muskogee 40-14
1958: Muskogee 12-0
1957: Muskogee 34-6
1956: Muskogee 7-0
1955: Muskogee 24-6
1954: Muskogee 40-12
1953: Muskogee 20-0

Week Seven 6A-II rankings and predictions; a look at this weekend's games

No. 1 Booker T. Washington Hornets (Last week No. 1)* District 2

The Hornets (6-1, 3-0) got a big obstacle out of the way in Muskogee (2-4, 1-2) and will have a bye week to recover before taking on Sand Springs in Week Eight. 

On Friday they handily doubled down on the Roughers 42-21. Thomas Grayson rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns while Philip Wheatley was 10-19-226 passing. They picked off two passes and held the Roughers to 295 yards, forcing seven punts. Still battling the refs, they ended the night with 9 penalties for 98 yards. 

No. 2 Midwest City Bombers (2) vs. No. 12 Putnam City West Patriots (12)* District 1

Midwest City (5-1, 3-0) continued to show off their defensive might with a 27-3 beatdown of Choctaw (4-2, 1-2). Oklahoma-commit Jalen Redmond had four tackles-for-loss as the Bombers held Choctaw to 171 offensive yards. 

Putnam West (1-4, 0-2) suffered a blowout against undefeated Stillwater (5-0, 2-0) falling 49-7. The Patriots attempted only three passes and didn't complete any. They were 44-246 on the ground, but gave up three fumbles and 159 yards in penalties. 

The pick: MWC 49 PCW 7.

No. 3 Bixby Spartans (3) vs. No. 14 Ponca City Wildcats (14)* District 2

The three-time defending State Champions (3-3, 2-0) notched another district win 48-10 in Sapulpa (0-6, 0-3). Staton King passed 11-17-198-0 while Braden Roller and Vic Griffin combined for 198 yards on the ground. Defensively they held the Chieftains to 30-22 rushing yards and only eight first downs. They were up 48-0 to start the fourth quarter before sending in the backups. 

Ponca City (1-5, 1-2) had their homecoming sabotaged 42-7 by Sand Springs (4-2, 2-0). Double-threat sophomore quarterback Justin Andrews was 12-25-102-1 passing and 24-83 rushing to account for 65% of the Wildcat offense. He scored the lone touchdown for his team with three minutes remaining against the Sand Springs reserves. 

The pick: Bixby 55 Ponca 9.

No. 4 Lawton Wolverines (5) vs. No. 11 Enid Plainsmen (10)* District 1

Lawton (4-2, 2-1) is out to prove themselves after falling to Midwest City three weeks ago, knocking undefeated team in back-to-back weeks. After topping Putnam City (5-1, 2-1) 27-21 two weeks ago, they handled the Stillwater Pioneers (5-1, 2-1) 43-29. The Wolverines led 28-3 early in the third quarter before allowing the Pioneers to battle back.

Enid (3-3, 1-2) averaged 45 points per game over the first four weeks before being shut out 37-0 by Choctaw (4-1, 1-2). They fared better last week against Deer Creek (3-3, 1-2) but still fell 38-24 and will need a few upsets to have a shot at the playoffs.

The pick: Lawton 42 Enid 18.

No. 5 Stillwater (6)* vs. No. 9 Choctaw Yellowjackets (9)* District 1

The Pioneers (5-1, 2-1) saw their undefeated season come to an end in a 43-29 drubbing at Lawton (4-2, 2-1). The Pioneers were down 28-3 in the third quarter before staging a comeback attempt. Turnovers plagued the visitors, however, and Gunnar Gundy was 15-31-235 with three interceptions. 

Choctaw (4-4, 1-2) had their worst offensive output of the season. After steamrolling Enid 37-0 the week before, karma repaid them and they fell 27-3 to Midwest City (5-1, 3-0). The Yellowjackets struck first with a field goal but Midwest City scored two touchdowns by air, one by run, and one on an interception return. Choctaw gave up two interceptions and one fumble while failing to secure any turnovers of their own. They were 8-12-69-2 passing and 53-102 rushing.

The pick: Stillwater 42 Choctaw 28.

No. 6 Muskogee Roughers (4) vs. No. 7 Sand Springs Sandites (8)* District 2

Muskogee (2-4, 1-2) is coming off back-to-back losses and will be out for blood when they visit Sand Springs (4-2, 2-0) for the Sandite Homecoming. Jacob Medrano was 18-35-208-2 in a 42-21 loss to Booker T. Friday and the Roughers were held to only 87 rushing yards on 32 carries. The Roughers gave up 80 yards in penalties.

Sand Springs is coming off their biggest win of the season, 42-7 at Ponca City (1-5, 1-1). The Sandites were up 35-0 to start the fourth when they sent in the JV. Braden Foster hit Daren Hawkins for a 45-yard touchdown on his first varsity pass and the coaches cleared the press box and called it a night with eight minutes to go. 

Caden Pennington was 3-3-53-0 passing and 6-46 rushing, while Payton Scott was 25-284 with five touchdowns. Jaden Weiser was six-for-six on extra points, Tre Finch accumulated four tackles-for-loss including two sacks, and Braden Askew had a 20-yard interception return.

Virgil says: Muskogee 31 CPHS 21.
Scott says: CPHS 35 Muskogee 21.

No. 8 Putnam City Pirates (7) vs. No. 10 Deer Creek Antlers (11)* District 1

Putnam City (5-1, 2-1) got back in the win column with a lackluster 21-11 performance against Putnam West (1-5, 0-3). West led by as much as 9-0 before the Pirates got on the board. The favorites trailed 11-7 at halftime before winning the second half 14-0. Deer Creek (3-3, 1-2) notched their first district victory 38-24 against Enid (3-3, 1-2). 

The pick: Putnam 24 DC 16.

No. 13 Bartlesville Bruins (13) vs. No. 15 Sapulpa (15)* District 2

It's a battle of defeateds as both Sapulpa (0-6, 0-3) and Bartlesville (0-5, 0-2) are looking for their first wins of the year. At least one of these teams will avoid an 0-10 season. The other will have a far tougher time getting in the win column in the coming weeks.

Bartlesville is coming off a bye week following a 14-10 upset by Ponca City (1-5, 1-2), who will be the Chieftain's best hope for a win if they don't pull it off against the Bruins. The Bruins won their season opener 30-25 against McAlester (1-5) on the field, but later forfeited due to an ineligible player. Sapulpa put up a decent fourth quarter effort against Bixby (3-3, 2-0) finishing with 10 unanswereds to avoid the 48-0 shutout. 

The pick: Bartlesville 26 Sapulpa 17.

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
Overall: 41-15 (.732)
Last Week: 6-1 (.857)
Last Year: 48-21 (.695)

Virgil Noah
Staff Writer
Overall: 30-14* (.681)
Last Week: 6-1 (.857)
Last Year: 43-26 (.623)

*Virgil missed the first week of picks.

CPHS Volleyball: Sandites fall 3-0 to No. 5 Stillwater in Regional Championship

SHS 3 CPHS 0
Set One: SHS 25-18
Set Two: SHS 25-22
Set Three: SHS 25-19

Kills: SHS 31, CPHS 22.
Blocks: SHS 4, CPHS 3.
Aces: SHS 7, CPHS 6.
Service Errors: SHS 8, CPHS 4.

Click here to view full photo gallery by Morgan Miller.

In the eleventh game of the season, the Sandites came back from an 0-2 deficit to win 3-2 against the No. 5 team in Class 6A. Unfortunately, that was a once-in-a-season type of comeback. The No. 12 ranked Charles Page High School varsity volleyball team (16-17) saw their season come to an end with a valiant last stand at No. 5 Stillwater (26-7) in the Regional Championship finals. Kansas State-commit Gloria Mutiri led her team with 18 kills, Madison Burris had 18 assists, Madison Ward and Kylie Taylor had six digs apiece, and Makenzie Ward had three aces.

SEE RELATED: No. 12 Sandites sweep Ponca 3-0 in Regional Playoffs.

The Sandites kept up with their foes well throughout the beginning of set one, drawing first blood with a kill from Cloe Campfield. Sophomore standout McKenzie Vilade gave her team a 2-1 lead with an ace, Mutiri retaliated with back-to-back kills with assists from Burris, then Lauren Phillips and Neely Holt combined for a block. Mutiri scored a kill, Orianna Clements retaliated, Burris scored on a tip, Clements retaliated, then the Pioneers went on a six point run for an insurmountable 11-6 lead. The Sandites tried to rally with five-straight late in the game to make it 18-15, but the home team outpaced then from there to win 25-18.

The Sandites jumped out to big lead early in game two, winning five straight rallies with a pair of aces from Makenzie Ward to make it 7-2. They held their lead till the Pioneers won six straight to take the lead at 17-15. Mutiri scored a kill and a block for an 18-17 lead, the Pioneers briefly tied it again, then Mutiri scored two straight kills and Makenzie Ward served an ace to make it 21-18. Ward's next serve went OB and Vilade killed to make it 21-20, Mutiri notched another point, then the home team went on a five point run for the win.

Sand Springs got out to a quick lead in game three with a four-point run capped by an ace from Madison Blaylock. The Pioneers responded with a six point streak starring Lauren Phillips, who hit three aces, one kill, and one assist for a 9-7 lead. Sand Springs tied it up at 14-14 with an ace fromTaylor but never managed to take the lead. They cut it to 19-22 before the Pioneers went on a three point run for the win. 

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Kills: Mutiri 18, Campfield 2, Burris 1, Cypert 1.
Assists: Burris 18, Mutiri 1, Blaylock 1.
Blocks: Mutiri 1, Cypert 1, Burris 1, Neely 1.
Digs: Madison Ward 6, Taylor 6, Makenzie Ward 4, Campfield 1, Burris 1, Mutiri 1. 
Aces: Makenzie Ward 3, Taylor 2, Mutiri 1.

Stillwater Individual Statistics

Kills: Kloos 7, Vilade 7, Clements 6, Holt 5, Riley 4, Phillips 2.
Assists: Phillips 12, Vilade 6.
Blocks: Phillips 2, Holt 2, Clements 1, Riley 1, Kloos 1.
Aces: Phillips 3, Vilade 3, Riley 1, Lynch 1.

CPHS Volleyball: No. 12 Sandites sweep Ponca 3-0 in Regional Playoff

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(Photo: Morgan Miller). 

The No. 12 ranked Charles Page High School varsity volleyball team (16-16) easily handled Ponca City (13-14) with a 3-0 sweep in the first round of the Regional Championship Tuesday evening in Stillwater. The Sandites won sets of 25-13, 25-18, and 25-18, led by Kansas State-commit Gloria Mutiri with 25 kills and sophomore Madison Burris with 27 assists.

CPHS 3 PC 0
Set One: CPHS 25-13
Set Two: CPHS 25-18
Set Three: CPHS 25-18

Kills: CPHS 34, PC 14.
Blocks: CPHS 6, PC 4.
Aces: PC 8, CPHS 2.
Service Errors: CPHS 9, PC 5.

Ponca started hot with a kill and ace from Sunny Bastchellett, but the Lady Cat's next serve was out and the Sandites went on a ten-point run from there. Mutiri and Kenzie Bradshaw recorded blocks, Mutiri scored a pair of kills, and Kylie Taylor served an ace before Hannah Balzer notched her first kill of the night. Things were a little more back and forth from there and both teams ran up the service errors, but the Sandites maintained their lead. Ponca tried to rally with a kill and ace from Emily Lawrence, a block from Balzer and Hannah Lawson, and a kill from Riley Barrick, but Bradshaw got things back on track with a kill and Mutiri sealed the deal at 25-13.

The second set was far closer as neither team broke out with a definitive lead till late in the game. The Sandites started to pull ahead at 16-12, Ponca battled back with a kill from Barrick and an ace from Balzer, but Balzer's next serve was long and the Lady Cats rattled off three more errors to give Sand Springs a healthy 20-15 lead. Sand Springs committed an error of their own, but Ponca kept beating themselves and the Sandites prevailed with kills from Cloe Campfield and Mutirifor the 25-18 win and 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats scored first in game three with a kill from Bastchellett, but forfeited four straight points on errors before Bastchellett notched another. They tied it up shortly after, but Sand Springs jumped back out to a 9-5 lead with three kills and a block from Mutiri. The game tied again at 12-12 and the Wildcats took a brief lead before netting the Sandites three-straight points. Campfield, Bradshaw, and Makenna Cypert all got in on the scoring action in the final stretch and Cypert sealed the deal with an assist from Burris. 

The Lady Sandites will return to action immediately with a match against No. 5 Stillwater (25-7). The winner will advance to the State Tournament next week.

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Kills: Mutiri 25, Cypert 3, Burris 2, Bradshaw 2, Campfield 2.
Assists: Burris 27, Bradshaw 1.
Blocks: Mutiri 5, Bradshaw 3, Cypert 1, Neely 1.
Digs: Madison Ward 5, Burris 2, Blaylock 1, Mutiri 1, Wise 1.
Aces: Madison Ward 1, Taylor 1.