Chieftains take down Sandites 3-1 in Highway 97 Rivalry

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A version of this story was originally published in the Sapulpa Times.

Just four days after the Sapulpa football team suffered a 53-26 defeat at the hands of their archrivals, the volleyball team found themselves in a similar position Tuesday night. 

Down 10-1 in the first set of a Highway 97 rivalry matchup at Sand Springs, the Chieftains could have counted themselves out, but instead they surged back with a seven-point streak to make it competitive. And even when the Sandites ultimately won the first set 25-20, the Chieftains didn’t let it get them down. They stayed focused and rallied to win the next three.

“I think Sapulpa and Corey (Harp) just did a really good job,” said Sandite head coach Derek Jackon after the game. “The Heard sisters played really well, both offensively and defensively.”

Stailee Heard, a 5’11” junior, led the Chieftains offensively with 13 kills, as well as three blocks and three aces, while 6’0” sophomore Tyla Heard added eight kills and two blocks.

Even with all that firepower, it was a close match and the Chieftains trailed late in each of the last three sets

Down 24-23 in game two, they scored three straight points for the win on Sandite errors.

In game three Amauri Pratt served two aces and Hoey scored a block and a kill en route to a 5-0 start, and the Chieftains held that margin till 19-14 when the Sandites’ Kasidy Holland kicked off a six-point run for the lead. Down 22-20, Tyla Heard scored a kill to get the visitors back on track, and Sapulpa won 25-23. 

It looked like Sand Springs might tie things up in game four after a pair of Chieftain errors put them up 23-21, but this time it was Stailee Heard’s time to shine, scoring a kill to launch a 4-0 run, and capping the 25-23 win with an ace.

5’10” uncommitted senior Ryann Hoey was the heart and soul of the Chieftains, scoring 11 kills with two blocks, two aces, and countless impressive digs while firing up her team at every opportunity with energetic cheers and unbridled passion.

Sapulpa, ranked No. 5 in Class 5A is 12-9 on the season after falling 3-0 to 6A No. 5 Jenks (8-1) on Thursday. They are 2-2 in Frontier Valley Conference action, having beaten Muskogee 3-0 last week to snap a 15-game conference losing streak dating back to 2019. 

Last season saw a successful 18-15 outing that was one win shy of matching their win total for the previous five seasons combined. They even won a Regional Championship and made a State Tournament appearance, despite not winning any conference matches. With two conference wins already under their belts this year, it’s safe to say the Chieftains are aiming for even greater heights.

Sandite Roundup: Shelli Brown celebrates 600th win in 25th season

25th-year Sandite Softball Head Coach Shelli Brown is presented with a commemorative ball for her 600th win by the Class of 2022 seniors.

A version of this story was originally published in the Sand Springs Leader.

Shelli Brown has been the head softball coach at Charles Page High School since before her current class of seniors was even born. In fact, she’s been the head coach since before some of her assistant coaches were born.

Now in her 25th season as a Sandite, Coach Brown is a pillar in the community. 

“Shelli’s an icon in women’s softball at the high school level,” says Sand Springs Athletic Director Rod Sitton. “She started her career here, hopefully she ends her career here. She’s not only a great coach, but a great leader and a great example for the young ladies that go through here. It’s been a real privilege to have her here and work with her, and also be her boss. She’s just a great person all around.”

On Tuesday, August 24th, the team celebrated Brown’s 600th career win in fast pitch. The milestone came in a 14-6 rout of Adair on Thursday, August 19th at the Rogers State festival in Claremore. They also beat Lincoln Christian 11-2 in the first game of the festival.

Owning a 603-326 record with 10 regional championships, two academic state championships, two district championships, and one conference championship, Brown has been one of the most successful coaches in school history in any sport. Under her guidance, 32 sandites have received All-State accolades and at least 60 have signed to play at the next level.

“It’s not about excellence just in softball itself, but it’s also about academic excellence,” added District Superintendent Sherry Durkee. “Personally, I’m super proud of the two academic state championships.” 

Prior to the Tuesday-night doubleheader against Enid, Brown’s senior class presented her with a commemorative game ball signed by the entire team, along with flowers and balloons. Then they gave her a 601st and 602nd win by drubbing the Pacers 20-3 and 3-1.

Raegan Rector went 3-for-3 at the plate with five RBI and two doubles in the first game, Mikenna Stephens was 3-of-4 with four RBI, and Kelsi Hilton was 3-of-4 with four runs. 

With temperatures nearing 100℉, the bats slowed down in game two, and the Sandites actually needed a fifth-inning comeback. Trailing 1-0, Taylor Skipper tied it up with a single to score Ashlyn Clark, then Skipper and Jolee McNally scored on an error for the lead.

Nataley Crawford pitched eight strikeouts and only three hits in the first game, and Hilton got the win in game two. 

The Sandites followed it up with a 12-4 district beatdown of Bartlesville on Thursday that saw Hilton go 3-of-4 at the plate with a triple, two runs, and four RBI, while also striking out four batters in four innings from the circle. Lauren Hammock was also 3-of-4 with three runs and two RBI.

Sandite Softball is now 5-3 on the season and will continue district action on the road with a Thursday game at Bixby (9-2, 5-0).

CPHS Volleyball

The Class 6A No. 13 ranked Sandite Volleyball team (7-4) suffered a 3-1 conference loss to No. 3 Broken Arrow (10-3) Tuesday, August 24th at the Ed Dubie Field House.

The Sandites lost sets of 25-15, 25-22, and 25-9, but stole the third set 25-20 for their first game win against the Tigers since 2018.

Payton Robbins scored nine kills with three blocks, 16 digs, and three aces in the loss. Layla Lenex had three kills and five blocks. Tehya Johnson had two kills, two aces, and 23 assists. Jacelyn Smith scored seven kills and two blocks. Charley Fahland had two aces and 17 digs, and Kasidy Holland had seven kills and three digs.

Sandite Volleyball will travel to Regent Prep Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

CPHS Cross Country

The Lady Sandite varsity cross country team placed 11th in a 5K run at Edmond Deer Creek, August 21st, led by Jazmin Lopez in fifth place out of 105 runners with a time of 23:13.98. 

The boys team didn’t have enough runners to place as a team, but Noah Hanlon finished in 26th with a time of 19:13.58.

The elementary girls placed third at Kiefer Saturday, August 28th. Chloe Grona won the one-mile run in 5:52.45, Josie Grona placed third in 6:19.71, and Sophie Grona placed 15th in 7:06.99.

Sand Springs Football: Blake Jones scores 4 TDs in 53-26 rout of Sapulpa

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*A version of this story was originally published in the Tulsa World.

For the first time in the 99-year history of the Highway 97 Rivalry, the Sandites can boast of hanging half a hundred on their archrivals. 

After trailing 14-0 early in the first quarter, Class 6A-II No. 8 ranked Charles Page High School rattled off 30 straight points to close the first half of their season opener against 5A No. 9 Sapulpa, then coasted to a 53-26 final score.

“Sapulpa’s a very well-coached football team,” said second-year Sandite Head Coach Bobby Klinck about the Chieftains’ early lead. “I’ve coached with Tim Holt before. I knew they were going to come out here with a great game plan against us and I’m not surprised by it.”

The Sandites have won the series back-to-back under Klinck, and they’ve won it seven of the past eight seasons, evening the all-time record to 45-45-5. Sapulpa had held the overall series lead since 1945.

It didn’t start pretty, though.

D’Angelo Mitchell set up the Chieftains’ opening drive with a 47-yard kick return, and Sapulpa marched the remaining 50 yards in only five plays, scoring on a 12-yard pass from Zac Mason to Xander Konell.

The Chieftains got another short field on a mishandled punt attempt at the Sandite 49-yard line. Mason soon found Mitchell on a 47-yard pass and Ethan Peterson’s kick gave the visitors a 14-0 lead.

There were other mistakes throughout the game, too. Sand Springs committed 12 penalties for 125 yards, including a few unsportsmanlike calls. 

“We’ve got to be smarter in terms of the after-whistle penalties,” said Klinck. “We talk about emotional stability all the time with our team and we didn’t have that today. So we’ve definitely got to figure some things out in terms of making the other team earn everything they get.”

The Sandites did a pretty good job of stopping Sapulpa outside of those first two drives. The defense forced five punts and two turnovers on downs. Drake Fain sacked Mason for a safety in the first quarter, and Chase White picked him off on a fourth-down pass attempt in the endzone. 

The offense also showed up, anchored by lots of returning star power in the skill positions, while a brand new offensive line showed that they could hang with the best of them. 

“(Offensive Line) Coach (Jason) Medrano’s just done an unbelievable job,” said Klinck. “I’m so happy we were able to get him on board. Just the physicality and the mentality he brings to that front - it was evident. I was telling the offense ‘let’s run the ball, let’s run the ball. They haven’t stopped it yet.’ That’s a great weapon to have.”

Running the ball proved very successful, as Blake Jones amassed 181 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries. Jones was in and out last season with injuries, but he made his presence known Friday night with a new career-best performance.

Also putting up big numbers was third-year veteran quarterback Ty Pennington, who was 16-of-25 passing for 245 yards and three scores. He had help from two triple-digit receivers.

In the first half, his primary target was backup quarterback Brody Rutledge, who finished the night with five receptions for 112 yards and two scores. His first two catches were touchdowns of 49 yards and 44 yards, the second of which gave Sand Springs the lead once and for all.

“I think it goes past the football field, just that personal relationship we have,” said Pennington of his receiver. “I trust him, he trusts me, it just showed on the field tonight. He had a big night.”

Jacob Blevins also had a big night, with nine receptions for 118 yards and a 35-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

First-year Sandite kicker Logan Wolfe connected on all six of his PATs, as well as a 27-yard field goal. 

“I was proud of The Wolfe,” said Klinck. “For a guy who’s been a soccer guy, probably hasn’t played in front of this many people before, I thought he did an absolutely great job, especially on kickoffs. He’s going to become a weapon for us.”

Overall, the Sandites outgained the Chieftains 421 yards to 297. Mason finished the game 11-of-22 passing for 126 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Tyreese Jones also gave the Sandites fits at times, rushing for 138 yards with another 15 by air. He scored one touchdown on a 61-yard breakaway run in the third quarter.

Sandite Football will return to action next Friday at 7:00 p.m. with a road game against 5A No. 6 Bishop Kelley (0-1). Sapulpa will host unranked Edison Prep Academy (0-0), which is now led by former Chieftain Head Coach Robert Borgstadt, who resigned from Sapulpa in January.

Sandite Football stuns Collinsville 17-0 in preseason scrimmage

A version of this story was originally published in the Sand Springs Leader.

Anytime a team graduates 27 players, including a top receiver, a top running back, several top defenders, and almost the entire offensive line, they might be sweating their ability to reload the next year.

But not Sand Springs. After watching their Friday-night scrimmage against Collinsville, a person might reasonably conclude that this was a veteran group.

In two quarters of action, the Sandites blanked 5A Collinsville 17-0. Despite being a lower classification, the Cardinals are a no-joke program that was unanimously voted by the coaches in its district to repeat as district champs. They went 11-1 last season, only falling in the playoff semifinals to eventual champion Carl Albert.

The Sandites forced two punts, Alex Turner returned a pick 45 yards, and the Cardinals’ two other drives ended with the clock. Meanwhile the home team scored on three of their four possessions and only punted once. 

Senior quarterback Ty Pennington was 7-of-11 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns behind a fairly young offensive line. Keaton Campbell stole the show at receiver, scoring both touchdowns on three catches and racking up 154 yards overall, and backup QB Brody Rutledge had three catches for 30 yards. 

The offensive line is a younger unit as well after the team graduated five linemen with starting experience. Mason Harris, Matthew Shelton, Morgan Eubanks, Owen Higgins, and Marcus Sims will anchor the offensive front this time around.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys,” said Head Coach Bobby Klinck after the game. “Coach Medrano has come in here and just done an unbelievable job. That goes for the rest of this coaching staff. This is the least amount of work I’ve ever done getting ready for a season. I told them, this camp, practice, and everything in this scrimmage - man we’ve been on point. I’m very proud of this coaching staff, and we’ve got some good football players on this team. 

Jason Medrano is leading the Sandites’ offensive line this season after a two-year stint as Catoosa’s Head Coach. Lee Kizzar is taking over as offensive coordinator after Stephen Hogan returned to his hometown of Greenwood, Arkansas for the same position there. Kizzar previously coached tight ends for the Sandites. 

Not much has changed on the defensive side of the ball, and defensive coordinator Shane Ingram’s unit looks ready to go, based on their performance Friday night. 

Brooks Dudley, Drake Fain, Landon Hendricks, Turner, Conner Light, Gabe Brown, and Dom Ornelas are among the names to look for on the defense this season.

It won’t be an easy road. Bixby is the odds-on favorite to repeat, having won three-straight titles and six of the last seven. Choctaw, last year’s State Runner-Up, and Booker T. are also in the same district as the Sandites. The Washington Hornets are the only other team besides Bixby to win a Class 6A-II title.

The Sandites remain loaded at the skill positions. Top running back Blake Jones returns after amassing 484 yards and seven TDs in an injury-riddled campaign. Campbell and Jacob Blevins will give Pennington options at receiver as both posted over 600 yards apiece and combined for ten TDs last year. Ryan Shoemaker also showed skill at tight end, collecting 226 yards. 

Pennington is already ranking among the top QBs in Sandite history with over 3600 yards passing and 27 TDs, as well as 744 yards rushing and 14 TDs in the past two seasons.

“Keaton Campbell’s a two-sport star,” said Klinck. “Our quarterback’s a two-sport star. These are guys that are going to make big plays all year, and college recruiters need to start waking up a bit.”

Despite their success, the team wasn’t flawless. They gave up a handful of penalties, had a three-and-out, and stalled in the red zone on their first drive.

“We’ve got a lot of things to get better at in terms of penalties,” said Klinck. “We scored points on big plays, we have that capability. I’d like to see more sustained drives. I’d have liked for us to have finished that first drive instead of kicking a field goal.”

The Sandites are coming off a 7-5 mark in their first season under Klinck. Last year they won their rivalry game at Sapulpa, dealt Shiloh Christian their only loss of the season, finished fourth in the district, and won a playoff game against Deer Creek before falling to powerhouse Stillwater on the road.

Prior to that, they went 10-21 over the previous three seasons, but were perennial playoff contenders from 2012 to 2017, including a State Runner-Up performance in 2015. 

The Sandites will start their season Friday at 7:00 p.m. with the 95th installment of Highway 97 Rivalry when they host Sapulpa. Sapulpa leads the series with a 45-44-5 record, and the two teams have met annually since 1930. 

Ty Pennington is one of Oklahoma's top under-recruited football players

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A version of this story was originally published in the Sand Springs Leader.

“Pennington” and “Quarterback” have become synonymous in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. 

Brett Pennington led the Charles Page High School Sandites from 1989 to 1991. His daughter, Sydney, played quarterback on the powder-puff team from 2016 to 2017. His oldest son, Caden, led the varsity squad from 2017 to 2018, and now it’s Ty Pennington’s time to shine.

“It’s been great,” says Ty about his family tradition. “My dad gives me all the confidence in the world. He tells me he’s proud of me every day. Him just being a great leader for this town gives me a lot of confidence.”

He also has a strong bond with his brother. 

“He just enlisted in the Army, he’s going to be an Army Ranger. He’s really been my hero and even though we’ve butted heads our whole lives, I love that dude to death. He’s always been my hero.”

The Penningtons are a family that oozes excellence. Both Brett and Caden took their teams to the playoffs, as did Ty last season. Ty’s mom, Amy, was an All-State and collegiate basketball player. Brett was a wrestling State Champion and collegiate baseball player. Caden played collegiate football at Northeastern State University before enlisting in the Army, and Sydney is a starter on the Oklahoma State softball team.

Ty hopes to continue that tradition at the next level too.

“I hope to play in college. I’ve been to several camps this year just trying to get my name out there. I just hope to have a big year and get on the radar of some guys.

Ty is also a starter on the varsity baseball team, and he hasn’t ruled out a future in that sport either. “It’s not set in stone right now. I love them both so we’ll just see from here.”

Some D2 and D3 colleges have been recruiting him for football, but he’s hoping to get some bigger looks once the season starts. “I’ve just got to stick to it and keep grinding each week and they’ll come eventually. I think I have what it takes to go D1. My talent’s there and I know I work hard.”

After winning the starting spot in week two of 2019, Ty is now a senior veteran with a lot to prove. He has seen his team go 2-8, suffering their worst loss in 75 years, and he’s led his team two rounds deep in the playoffs. Now his eyes are on nothing short of a gold ball.

I don’t really have a lot of individual goals - just chasing that state championship,” says Ty. “That’s all I really want. We’re all in.” 

It wasn’t long ago that the Sandites were only two scores away from a state title, falling 38-28 to perennial powerhouse Bixby in the 2015 Class 6A-II State Finals. Ty’s old enough to remember that year, but it’s the 2-8 season he led his team through that motivates him the most.

“I feel like a lot of people just gave up hope on us. Last season we came out pretty good and had a pretty successful season. We’re just trying to build on that and keep it rolling.”

When asked if Sand Springs could hang with teams like Bixby and Booker T. Washington, Pennington wasn’t fazed. “The confidence is through the roof with this group,” he said. “We think we can do big things this year. Everyone’s bonded and excited for it, for sure.”

Pennington will need a lot of help if he wants to overthrow the blue blood programs like Bixby and Booker T. Washington. Fortunately he’s got most of his receiving corps back, and his young offensive line seems promising.

“They’re really looking good through this fall camp,” he says of his O-line. “I’m excited for them. They’re the most important part of the team. Whatever our success is depends on how good they do. This is the closest team I’ve ever been a part of. We all just have a super close friendship and brotherhood we’ve created. The O-Line, they’re my guys. I love them to death.”

If the O-line is as good as last year’s, then Pennington should be poised to put up some big numbers this season. He already ranks fifth in school history in passing yards, sixth in passing TDs, third in rushing yards by a QB, and third in rushing TDs by a QB. 

In his past two seasons as a starter, Pennington is 257 of 489 passing for 3624 yards and 27 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He also has 230 carries for 744 yards and 14 TDs. After finishing his sophomore season with only 80 yards on the ground, he emerged as one of the state’s top double-threats last year and led the team rushing.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t still have room for improvement, however. 

“I’ve really been trying to work on my speed this year, my strength of course. Just throwing the ball, making sure all my receivers are on the same page. I could definitely improve on my speed, that’s what I’ve worked on a lot this year. Throwing on the run, stuff like that. I always have room to improve.”

But his ceiling is very, very high. As a pocket passer, he can go deep and accurate with ease, and his ability to read the defense is one of his best features. 

“Our quarterback’s a two-sport star,” says Head Coach Bobby Klinck. “College recruiters need to start waking up a little bit. My quarterback, he’s the best dang quarterback in the state. But he plays baseball so he doesn’t get to do all the camps and everything so nobody notices him. All that guy does is win and throw dimes every single day. That guy’s an unbelievable football player.”

If the rest of the season goes the way of the Sandites’ Friday-night scrimmage against Collinsville, Pennington should get the recruiters’ attention quickly. In only two quarters of action, the young stud went 7-of-11 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

The quarterback couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to showcase his talents than what he’ll have Friday night, as the Sandites’ season-opening game against Sapulpa will be broadcast statewide on Yurview.