The Programs
Sand Springs is coming off a 3-7 season but prior to that was riding a program-best six straight years of playoff appearances. They are 65-69 (.485) under thirteenth-year Head Coach Dustin Kinard. The Sandites own one gold ball, from 1966, and made their last State Finals appearance in 2015.
Muskogee went 6-5 last season, falling 48-13 to Stillwater in the first round. They are 30-26 (.535) under sixth-year Head Coach Rafe Watkins. The Roughers have three State titles (1986, 1950, 1948).
Muskogee won the first twenty meetings between the two schools, then Sand Springs went on a six-year win streak from 2011-2016. The Roughers won the past two meetings and lead the series 22-6 with an average score of 29-17. Muskogee has shut out the Sandites three times, and has been shut out once.
1953: Muskogee 20-0.
1954: Muskogee 40-12.
1955: Muskogee 24-6.
1956: Muskogee 7-0.
1957: Muskogee 34-6.
1958: Muskogee 12-0.
1959: Muskogee 40-14.
1960: Muskogee 14-5.
1961: Muskogee 38-6.
1994: Muskogee 20-14 (OT).
1995: Muskogee 28-6.
2002: Muskogee 38-12 (A).
2003: Muskogee 37-14 (H).
2004: Muskogee 27-6 (Homecoming).
2005: Muskogee 47-25 (A).
2006: Muskogee 57-21 (H).
2007: Muskogee 49-21 (A).
2008: Muskogee 39-37 (H).
2009: Muskogee 37-29 (A).
2010: Muskogee 44-14 (A).
2011: Sand Springs 7-3 (H).
2012: Sand Springs 40-28 (A).
2013: Sand Springs 39-14 (H).
2014: Sand Springs 13-0 (A).
2015: Sand Springs 34-10 (H).
2016: Sand Springs 26-25 (A).
2017: Muskogee 40-34 (Homecoming).
2018: Muskogee 45-27 (H).
Sand Springs led last year’s game 27-24 to start the fourth quarter, but the Roughers surged ahead with a 21-0 fourth quarter shutout. Joel Mackey was 15-104 rushing for one score and Trey Wilkerson was 7-34 for another. Caden Pennington was 5-14-80-0 passing with a 60-yard TD pass to Daren Hawkins, and was 12-55 rushing for another score.
This Season
Sand Springs fell 41-7 to Mansfield Summit (5-0) and 50-20 to Greenwood (4-0) but rolled 35-0 against Putnam City (1-3) and won 21-19 against Shawnee (1-3). The Sandites own the No. 9 offense, No. 11 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in Class 6A-II.
SEE RELATED: CPHS Football: Sandites beat Shawnee 21-19 on Homecoming, Snodgrass scores 2 TDs
SEE RELATED: CPHS Football: Sand Springs vs. Shawnee Homecoming Photo Gallery
The Sandites average four points in the first period, seven points in the second and third periods, and three points in the fourth. The offense averages 5.3 yards per pass attempt, 10.4 yards per completion, 3.7 yards per carry, and 4.4 yards per play. They convert on 36% of third down plays and are 55% on fourth down. They score on 28% of possessions and 55% of red zone penetrations, and are 0-1 on two-point plays.
The Sandite Defense has held its foes to 7.4 yards per pass, 12.6 yards per completion, 3.6 yards per carry, and 5.5 yards per play. They have prevented scores on 66% of their foes’ possessions, and stopped 66% of third down attempts, 75% of fourth down attempts and 36% of red zone penetrations. Their opponents are 1-of-2 on two-point plays.
Sand Springs has struggled with penalties on all three sides of the ball. The offense is averaging 4-36 in penalties, defense is 4-53, and special teams are 2-27 for over 100 yards per game. The defense has given up nine first-downs this season on penalties.
Average Sandite Box Score
Points: CPHS 21, Opponent 28.
First Downs: CPHS 15, Opp 15.
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 1/0, Opp 3/1.
Penalties: CPHS 10-114, Opp 13-114.
C-A-Y-I: CPHS 15-30-159-1, Opp 16-27-201-1.
Rushing: CPHS 35-127, Opp 28-101.
Offense: CPHS 64-286, Opp 55-302.
Muskogee won 43-7 against McAlester (1-2), 19-12 against Midwest City (1-3), 52-16 against Putnam West (0-4), and 47-6 against Ponca City (2-2). The Roughers own the No. 3 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in the division.
Players to Watch