By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Photo: Austin Evans, Sandite Pride Correspondent
The greatest year for Sandite football in nearly half a century came to a close last Friday with a 38-28 loss in the State Championship. Here's the stats for one of the best teams this town has ever fielded.
By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
The Charles Page High School girls' varsity basketball team fell to 1-1 for the season after a couple of strong rallies weren't enough to overcome an early deficit. Junior standout Sydney Pennington led her team both offensively and defensively with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Right behind her was Cierra Scott with 18 points and impressive accuracy, only missing 2 of her 9 shots, and scored 11 points in the third period alone.
#17 Bixby's Addison Richards led both teams with 24 points in the Lady Spartans' 61-51 season-opener at the Whitey Ford Athletic Center Tuesday night.
Last week the #16 Lady Sandites won their season opener in a 59-39 blowout of the Green Country Defenders (home school) at home. Pennington scored a game-high 22 points, aided by Destiny Johnson with 7, Scott with 5, Holly Kersgieter 5, Selena Hitchcock 5, Isabella Regalado 5, Gloria Mutiri 4, Kimi Presnell 3, Lee Leslie 3.
The Spartans were a much tougher opponent, however, and took a 15-12 lead midway through the first period and only briefly gave it up.
Richards started the scoring with a 2pt field goal, but Kersgieter was right behind her with a layup, followed by a field goal from Pennington to take the lead.
It was a back and forth effort from there. Regan Reinholz sank a 3 to tie it at 9, but Scott retaliated with a 3 of her own, then it was Dariann Myles who tied things up. Richards dropped the game-changing field goal and the Lady Spartans pulled ahead to a 20-14 lead to end the first period.
Pennington went 2-2 on free throws and Kersgieter and Hitchcock sank a few goals to narrow the gap to 22-20, then Hitchcock tied it up at 23 before a Reinholz layup took the lead back.
Already trailing 32-26, the Sandites were put further in the hole by a last-second near-half-court 3-pointer from Myles to end the third that even she was shocked she made. Despite outscoring the Spartans 17-15 in the third, our girls were too far behind to make a comeback in the low-scoring fourth period and Richards iced the cake with the last goal of the game.
The JV girls were back and forth for most of their game before pulling ahead to a 26-18 win in their first game of the season. Amari Grant led the team with two 3-pointers and one 2-pointer.
By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Photo: Austin Evans, Correspondent
Senior line backer and defensive captain Jacob Taber earned himself the title of Sandite of the Week with yet another stellar performance. At the 6A-II State Championship game against Bixby, Taber had 11 tackles and arguable the greatest play of the season.
The Sandites found themselves down 16-7 to the defending state champions going into the half and needed a big play to get things rolling. The Spartans had the ball to start the half. On 3rd and 11 at their 36, Spartan QB Tanner Griffin tried to throw a screen but found Taber's waiting arms for his first interception of the season.
The interception was one thing, but Taber didn't stop there. Quick on his feet, Taber returned it 11 yards to the 20, and realizing he was about to get tackled, pitched it to Cruz Desjarlais who took it the rest of the way for a touchdown, evening things up to 16-14.
The Sandites would briefly pull ahead to 21-16 on their next drive, but ultimately Bixby would rally to a 38-28 win for their second state title.
By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Clyde Boyd Middle School hosted 12 schools Saturday for a Junior High wrestling tournament. The Sand Springs Gold team came in first with 2 first place champions, Sand Springs Black came in 9th with 1 champion, and Sand Springs White came in 15th.
80 - Carter Young (6-0) placed 1st and scored 63.50 team points.
Round 1 - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 won by fall over Skyy Johnson (Stillwater) 1-4 (Fall 0:27)
Round 2 - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 won by fall over Gabe Valencia (Perry) 4-2 (Fall 0:42)
Quarterfinal - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 won by tech fall over Payton Brown (Cleveland) 1-4 (TF-1.5 2:05 (16-0))
Semifinal - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 won by fall over Tristan Burdick (Ponca City) 4-3 (Fall 1:11)
1st Place Match - Carter Young (Sand Springs Gold) 6-0 won by major decision over Ryan Smith (Perry) 5-1 (MD 14-5)
89 - Cody Spaan (1-4) placed 8th and scored 24.00 team points.
Round 1 - Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 won by fall over Logan McCaully (Sallisaw) 1-5 (Fall 0:22)
Round 5 - Kristopher Humble (Ponca City) 4-1 won by fall over Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (Fall 3:51)
Quarterfinal - Nathan Dekker (Cleveland) 5-2 won by tech fall over Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (TF-1.5 4:26 (15-0))
Cons. Round 2 - Kaden Stanley (Claremore) 4-3 won by tech fall over Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (TF-1.5 4:00 (15-0))
7th Place Match - Luke Young (Sapulpa) 2-3 won by fall over Cody Spaan (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (Fall 2:28)
98 - Caden Vaughn (5-2) placed 3rd and scored 49.00 team points.
Round 1 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by fall over Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 (Fall 2:59)
Round 2 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - David Boucher (Bartlesville) 5-1 won by decision over Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 (Dec 10-4)
Round 4 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by fall over Shayden Trant (Ponca City) 3-3 (Fall 2:26)
Quarterfinal - Rocky Stephens (Tulsa Union) 6-0 won by tech fall over Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 (TF-1.5 4:01 (15-0))
Cons. Round 2 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by fall over Keanu Lee (Tulsa Union) 4-2 (Fall 0:51)
Cons. Round 3 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by decision over Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 (Dec 9-5)
3rd Place Match - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won in sudden victory - 1 over Ethan Stevenson (Claremore) 4-3 (SV-1 8-6)
106 - Scott Patton (4-3) placed 5th and scored 35.00 team points.
Round 1 - Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by fall over Caleb Pence (Sallisaw) 0-5 (Fall 0:44)
Round 2 - Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 (Dec 5-0)
Round 4 - Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Michael Harjo (Sapulpa) 9-1 won by decision over Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (Dec 5-2)
Quarterfinal - Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Josh Taylor (Skiatook) 4-3 (Dec 6-4)
Semifinal - Cade Nicholas (Stillwater) 5-0 won by major decision over Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (MD 15-3)
Cons. Round 3 - Cole Harris (Claremore) 3-3 won by decision over Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (Dec 5-4)
5th Place Match - Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Josh Taylor (Skiatook) 4-3 (Dec 6-5)
113 - Seth Jones (4-3) placed 6th and scored 35.00 team points.
Round 1 - Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by fall over Dillon Brown (Cleveland) 3-4 (Fall 2:48)
Round 2 - Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by fall over Andre Ross (Tulsa Union) 4-2 (Fall 0:59)
Round 4 - Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Lane Bristow (Ponca City) 4-3 (Dec 6-2)
Quarterfinal - Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Foster Thaxton (Owasso) 3-3 (Dec 11-4)
Semifinal - Spencer Edwards (Coweta) 5-1 won by decision over Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (Dec 6-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Lane Bristow (Ponca City) 4-3 won in sudden victory - 1 over Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (SV-1 3-1)
5th Place Match - Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 won by major decision over Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (MD 11-2)
120 - Tyler Ash (6-1) placed 3rd and scored 52.50 team points.
Round 1 - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 won by major decision over Blake Ramos (Tulsa Union) 4-3 (MD 15-3)
Round 2 - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 won by fall over Hunter Schulz (Coweta) 3-4 (Fall 1:36)
Round 4 - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 won by tech fall over Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 (TF-1.5 3:37 (19-3))
Quarterfinal - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 won by fall over Hunter Proffitt (Sallisaw) 1-4 (Fall 1:29)
Semifinal - Dylan Avery (Perry) 5-0 won by fall over Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 (Fall 3:23)
Cons. Round 3 - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 won by major decision over Blake Ramos (Tulsa Union) 4-3 (MD 12-1)
3rd Place Match - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 won by major decision over Hunter Hall (Skiatook) 5-2 (MD 10-2)
126 - Tyler Rush (3-3) placed 9th and scored 22.00 team points.
Round 1 - Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Avante Wilkins (Tulsa Union) 5-1 won by fall over Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 (Fall 1:43)
Round 3 - Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Joey Gomez (Owasso) 1-5 won by fall over Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 (Fall 0:59)
Round 5 - Jacob Hightower (Cleveland) 3-3 won by fall over Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 (Fall 2:21)
Cons. Round 1 - Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 won by fall over Branden Hines (Bartlesville) 1-4 (Fall 0:37)
Cons. Round 2 - Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 won by major decision over Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 (MD 14-2)
9th Place Match - Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 won by fall over John Lawson (Stillwater) 2-3 (Fall 2:39)
132 - Braden Dahl (2-4) placed 11th and scored 16.00 team points.
Round 1 - Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Coby Ervin (Skiatook) 3-2 won by fall over Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 1:38)
Round 3 - Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Brody Lawson (Bartlesville) 3-3 won by fall over Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 2:33)
Round 5 - Cougar Anderson (Skiatook) 6-0 won by fall over Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 0:39)
Cons. Round 1 - Darren Wills (Cleveland) 1-4 won by fall over Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 0:54)
Cons. Round 2 - Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 won by fall over Brennan Asbill (Sallisaw) 0-4 (Fall 3:31)
11th Place Match - Braden Dahl (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 won by fall over Darren Wills (Cleveland) 1-4 (Fall 2:30)
140 - David Cooper (4-3) placed 4th and scored 43.00 team points.
Round 1 - David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Zane Lorenz (Bartlesville) 4-2 (Dec 7-1)
Round 2 - David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by fall over Conner Aaron (Claremore) 0-5 (Fall 2:26)
Round 4 - David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Landon Carter (Owasso) 5-2 won by fall over David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (Fall 2:55)
Quarterfinal - Colton Konell (Sapulpa) 6-1 won by decision over David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (Dec 10-9)
Cons. Round 2 - David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by fall over Andrew Petermann (Stillwater) 2-4 (Fall 2:55)
Cons. Round 3 - David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Dec 10-4)
3rd Place Match - Colton Konell (Sapulpa) 6-1 won by fall over David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (Fall 2:38)
150 - Noah Almy (5-1) placed 2nd and scored 61.00 team points.
Round 1 - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 won by fall over Koby West (Claremore) 3-3 (Fall 0:46)
Round 2 - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 won by fall over Heurbey Magallon (Owasso) 3-3 (Fall 0:29)
Round 4 - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 won by fall over Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 (Fall 0:44)
Quarterfinal - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 won by fall over Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 (Fall 0:41)
Semifinal - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 won by fall over Cody Miller (Ponca City) 5-1 (Fall 0:50)
1st Place Match - Draven Weeden (Skiatook) 5-0 won by injury default over Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 (Inj. 0:22)
162 - Jake Wright (5-0) placed 1st and scored 63.00 team points.
Round 1 - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 won by fall over Atticus Aguilar (Cleveland) 2-4 (Fall 0:43)
Round 2 - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 won by fall over Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 (Fall 0:44)
Quarterfinal - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 won by fall over Seth Seago (Claremore) 2-3 (Fall 1:52)
Semifinal - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 won by fall over Dajaun Taylor (Perry) 3-2 (Fall 0:53)
1st Place Match - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 won by decision over Adam Cole (Ponca City) 3-1 (Dec 6-2)
175 - Jasanne Harjo (5-2) placed 3rd and scored 50.00 team points.
Round 1 - Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by decision over Matt Reed (Claremore) 4-2 (Dec 11-7)
Round 2 - Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Aaron Lytle (Sapulpa) 5-1 won by fall over Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 (Fall 2:25)
Round 4 - Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by fall over Luke Hollowell (Cleveland) 1-6 (Fall 0:53)
Quarterfinal - Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by fall over Abram Arechiga (Ponca City) 5-2 (Fall 6:00)
Semifinal - Darius Boone (Tulsa Union) 5-0 won by decision over Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 (Dec 7-1)
Cons. Round 3 - Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by fall over Oscar Mendez (Owasso) 3-4 (Fall 3:36)
3rd Place Match - Jasanne Harjo (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by decision over Blake Watkins (Skiatook) 5-2 (Dec 14-10)
200 - Ty Rutledge (1-4) placed 8th and scored 24.00 team points.
Round 1 - Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 won by fall over Marshal Bates (Bartlesville) 0-4 (Fall 0:09)
Round 5 - Zane Collinsworth (Coweta) 4-1 won by fall over Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (Fall 1:04)
Quarterfinal - Daxx Arnold (Perry) 4-2 won by fall over Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (Fall 1:10)
Cons. Round 2 - Tristan Petree (Sallisaw) 2-4 won by fall over Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (Fall 1:00)
7th Place Match - J.R. Clark (Cleveland) 3-3 won by fall over Ty Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 1-4 (Fall 0:43)
285 - Austin Rutledge (2-4) placed 6th and scored 34.00 team points.
Round 1 - Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 won by fall over Alan Carey (Owasso) 0-3 (Fall 0:43)
Round 5 - Teaguen Wilson (Perry) 5-0 won by fall over Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 1:23)
Quarterfinal - Wyatt Jones (Claremore) 4-2 won by fall over Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 1:47)
Cons. Round 2 - Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 won by fall over William Willis (Stillwater) 0-4 (Fall 3:40)
Cons. Round 3 - Rylan Reynolds (Bartlesville) 4-1 won by fall over Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 0:28)
5th Place Match - Wyatt Jones (Claremore) 4-2 won by fall over Austin Rutledge (Sand Springs Gold) 2-4 (Fall 0:51)
80 - Dylan Luker (4-2) placed 9th and scored 20.50 team points.
Round 1 - Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Tristan Burdick (Ponca City) 4-3 won by fall over Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 (Fall 1:16)
Round 4 - Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 won by decision over Tanner Kernan (Coweta) 2-4 (Dec 6-5)
Round 5 - Ryan Smith (Perry) 5-1 won by tech fall over Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 (TF-1.5 3:29 (16-0))
Cons. Round 1 - Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 won by fall over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Fall 2:30)
Cons. Round 2 - Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 won by tech fall over Trenton Morris (Sallisaw) 0-5 (TF-1.5 3:40 (15-0))
9th Place Match - Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 won by decision over Tanner Kernan (Coweta) 2-4 (Dec 2-1)
98 - Brenden Wiseley (5-2) placed 5th and scored 41.00 team points.
Round 1 - Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 won by fall over Blake Stone (Claremore) 2-4 (Fall 3:39)
Round 3 - Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 won by fall over Hunter Hutchison (Sallisaw) 1-6 (Fall 0:56)
Round 5 - Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 won by decision over Ethan Stevenson (Claremore) 4-3 (Dec 3-0)
Quarterfinal - Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 won by fall over Henry Warren (Stillwater) 2-4 (Fall 3:09)
Semifinal - David Boucher (Bartlesville) 5-1 won by decision over Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 (Dec 2-1)
Cons. Round 3 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by decision over Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 (Dec 9-5)
5th Place Match - Brenden Wiseley (Sand Springs Black) 5-2 won by fall over Killian McNichols (Owasso) 3-4 (Fall 4:44)
106 - Kyler Clark (2-4) placed 12th and scored 12.00 team points.
Round 1 - Cade Nicholas (Stillwater) 5-0 won by fall over Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 0:55)
Round 2 - Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Cole Harris (Claremore) 3-3 won by fall over Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 1:48)
Round 5 - Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 1 - Garret Johnson (Tulsa Union) 3-4 won by decision over Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Dec 11-10)
Cons. Round 2 - Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by fall over Caleb Pence (Sallisaw) 0-5 (Fall 1:47)
Cons. Round 3 - Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by decision over Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 (Dec 6-0)
11th Place Match - Garret Johnson (Tulsa Union) 3-4 won by decision over Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Dec 14-8)
113 - Irwin Portiilo (6-0) placed 1st and scored 64.00 team points.
Round 1 - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 won by fall over Tony Johnson (Skiatook) 3-4 (Fall 2:29)
Round 2 - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 won by fall over Skyler Lancaster (Stillwater) 1-6 (Fall 1:48)
Round 4 - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 won by fall over Foster Thaxton (Owasso) 3-3 (Fall 0:59)
Quarterfinal - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 won by major decision over Lane Bristow (Ponca City) 4-3 (MD 11-2)
Semifinal - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 won by decision over Hadyn Redus (Perry) 7-1 (Dec 6-2)
1st Place Match - Irwin Portiilo (Sand Springs Black) 6-0 won by injury default over Spencer Edwards (Coweta) 5-1 (Inj. 2:26)
120 - Devin Britton (2-3) placed 7th and scored 29.00 team points.
Round 1 - Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 won by fall over Jace Young (Claremore) 0-5 (Fall 0:24)
Round 5 - Dylan Avery (Perry) 5-0 won by fall over Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 (Fall 0:44)
Quarterfinal - Hunter Hall (Skiatook) 5-2 won by decision over Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Blake Ramos (Tulsa Union) 4-3 won by fall over Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 (Fall 1:45)
7th Place Match - Devin Britton (Sand Springs Black) 2-3 won by fall over Hunter Proffitt (Sallisaw) 1-4 (Fall 1:14)
126 - Rico Slattery (3-3) placed 11th and scored 15.00 team points.
Round 1 - Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Jace Hightower (Claremore) 2-4 won by fall over Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 (Fall 1:54)
Round 3 - Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Moises Davalos (Tulsa Union) 4-3 won by fall over Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 (Fall 0:54)
Round 5 - Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 won by fall over Isaac Smith (Coweta) 1-5 (Fall 1:14)
Cons. Round 1 - Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Tyler Rush (Sand Springs Gold) 3-3 won by major decision over Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 (MD 14-2)
Cons. Round 3 - Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 won by fall over Isaac Smith (Coweta) 1-5 (Fall 0:55)
11th Place Match - Rico Slattery (Sand Springs Black) 3-3 won by decision over Branden Hines (Bartlesville) 1-4 (Dec 9-4)
132 - Santana Naugle (1-3) placed 10th and scored 17.00 team points.
Round 1 - Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Malik Morgan (Tulsa Union) 1-4 won by fall over Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 (Fall 1:29)
Round 5 - Dillon Hooper (Coweta) 5-1 won by fall over Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 (Fall 0:49)
Cons. Round 1 - Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 won by disqualification over Darren Wills (Cleveland) 1-4 (DQ)
9th Place Match - Coby Ervin (Skiatook) 3-2 won by fall over Santana Naugle (Sand Springs Black) 1-3 (Fall 0:10)
140 - Dayvon Taylor (2-4) placed 6th and scored 35.00 team points.
Round 1 - Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by fall over Robert Gauches (Cleveland) 1-5 (Fall 2:21)
Round 5 - Bryan Pollard (Skiatook) 5-0 won by tech fall over Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (TF-1.5 3:57 (19-4))
Quarterfinal - Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by fall over Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 (Fall 1:26)
Semifinal - Jacob Rogers (Tulsa Union) 4-2 won by fall over Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 4:02)
Cons. Round 3 - David Cooper (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Dec 10-4)
5th Place Match - Landon Carter (Owasso) 5-2 won by fall over Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 0:59)
150 - Riley Magee (2-4) placed 6th and scored 33.50 team points.
Round 1 - Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by fall over Matthew Jenkins (Sallisaw) 0-4 (Fall 0:45)
Round 5 - Draven Weeden (Skiatook) 5-0 won by fall over Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 0:46)
Quarterfinal - Cody Miller (Ponca City) 5-1 won by fall over Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 0:32)
Cons. Round 2 - Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by tech fall over Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 (TF-1.5 2:54 (16-0))
Cons. Round 3 - Terrell Williams (Perry) 4-2 won by fall over Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 2:29)
5th Place Match - Christian McCutcheon (Stillwater) 3-3 won by fall over Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 2:42)
162 - Justin Smith (0-3) placed 10th and scored 13.00 team points.
Round 1 - Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Atticus Aguilar (Cleveland) 2-4 won by fall over Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 (Fall 1:24)
Round 5 - Jake Wright (Sand Springs Gold) 5-0 won by fall over Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 (Fall 0:44)
Cons. Round 1 - Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 received a bye () (Bye)
9th Place Match - Davin Carrol (Owasso) 1-2 won by fall over Justin Smith (Sand Springs Black) 0-3 (Fall 0:35)
175 - Ethan Sartin (2-4) placed 8th and scored 26.00 team points.
Round 1 - Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by fall over Kainana Wade (Cleveland) 0-5 (Fall 1:20)
Round 3 - Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by fall over Jake Liston (Stillwater) 2-4 (Fall 1:06)
Round 5 - Blake Watkins (Skiatook) 5-2 won by fall over Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 0:32)
Quarterfinal - Darius Boone (Tulsa Union) 5-0 won by fall over Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 1:47)
Cons. Round 2 - Abram Arechiga (Ponca City) 5-2 won by fall over Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Fall 0:36)
7th Place Match - Piper Pennington (Coweta) 2-3 won by decision over Ethan Sartin (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 (Dec 6-3)
80 - Juan Sanchez (1-5) placed 12th.
Round 1 - Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Leyton Warne (Owasso) 3-3 won by fall over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Fall 2:00)
Round 4 - Colby Strachan (Bartlesville) 5-2 won by fall over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Fall 1:47)
Round 5 - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by decision over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Dec 13-11)
Cons. Round 1 - Dylan Luker (Sand Springs Black) 4-2 won by fall over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Fall 2:30)
Cons. Round 2 - Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 won by fall over Skyy Johnson (Stillwater) 1-4 (Fall 0:40)
11th Place Match - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by decision over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Dec 10-6)
80 - Kaden `KJ` Clark (3-3) placed 11th and scored 14.00 team points.
Round 1 - Colby Strachan (Bartlesville) 5-2 won by fall over Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 (Fall 3:21)
Round 2 - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Leyton Warne (Owasso) 3-3 won by fall over Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 (Fall 2:47)
Round 5 - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by decision over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Dec 13-11)
Cons. Round 1 - Tanner Kernan (Coweta) 2-4 won by fall over Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 (Fall 1:47)
Cons. Round 2 - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by fall over Trenton Morris (Sallisaw) 0-5 (Fall 2:03)
11th Place Match - Kaden `KJ` Clark (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by decision over Juan Sanchez (Sand Springs White) 1-5 (Dec 10-6)
98 - Hunter Carter (0-6) placed 16th and scored 2.00 team points.
Round 1 - Caden Vaughn (Sand Springs Gold) 5-2 won by fall over Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 (Fall 2:59)
Round 2 - Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Shayden Trant (Ponca City) 3-3 won by fall over Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 (Fall 1:46)
Round 5 - David Boucher (Bartlesville) 5-1 won by fall over Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 (Fall 0:58)
Cons. Round 1 - Ethan Calhoon (Perry) 4-2 won by forfeit over Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 (For.)
Cons. Round 2 - Hunter Hutchison (Sallisaw) 1-6 won by forfeit over Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 (For.)
15th Place Match - Blake Stone (Claremore) 2-4 won by forfeit over Hunter Carter (Sand Springs White) 0-6 (For.)
106 - Jacob Rampy (3-4) placed 13th and scored 12.50 team points.
Round 1 - Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Michael Harjo (Sapulpa) 9-1 won by fall over Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 (Fall 2:45)
Round 3 - Scott Patton (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 won by decision over Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 (Dec 5-0)
Round 4 - Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 - Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 won by fall over Caleb Pence (Sallisaw) 0-5 (Fall 2:27)
Cons. Round 1 - Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 won by fall over C.J. Clifton (Coweta) 0-6 (Fall 3:23)
Cons. Round 2 - Jesse Collinsworth (Coweta) 2-3 won by major decision over Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 (MD 9-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Kyler Clark (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by decision over Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 (Dec 6-0)
13th Place Match - Jacob Rampy (Sand Springs White) 3-4 won by fall over C.J. Clifton (Coweta) 0-6 (Fall 1:04)
113 - Colten Roberts (5-3) placed 5th and scored 39.00 team points.
Round 1 - Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 won by fall over Mark Turner (Owasso) 4-3 (Fall 0:23)
Round 2 - Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 won by fall over Reed Gaddy (Coweta) 2-5 (Fall 1:08)
Round 3 - Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 won by fall over Seth Hammer (Claremore) 0-4 (Fall 0:18)
Round 5 - Hadyn Redus (Perry) 7-1 won by fall over Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 (Fall 0:51)
Quarterfinal - Spencer Edwards (Coweta) 5-1 won by fall over Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 (Fall 3:21)
Cons. Round 2 - Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 won by decision over Foster Thaxton (Owasso) 3-3 (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Hadyn Redus (Perry) 7-1 won by fall over Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 (Fall 3:19)
5th Place Match - Colten Roberts (Sand Springs White) 5-3 won by major decision over Seth Jones (Sand Springs Gold) 4-3 (MD 11-2)
120 - Caleb Phillips (2-3) placed 10th and scored 19.00 team points.
Round 1 - Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 won by fall over Hunter Schulz (Coweta) 3-4 (Fall 1:13)
Round 3 - Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Blake Ramos (Tulsa Union) 4-3 won by decision over Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 (Dec 7-3)
Round 5 - Tyler Ash (Sand Springs Gold) 6-1 won by tech fall over Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 (TF-1.5 3:37 (19-3))
Cons. Round 1 - Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 won by fall over Isaac Wilson (Stillwater) 2-5 (Fall 0:25)
9th Place Match - Enrique Hernandez (Owasso) 3-2 won by decision over Caleb Phillips (Sand Springs White) 2-3 (Dec 4-0)
126 - Preston Medlin (3-3) placed 4th and scored 43.00 team points.
Round 1 - Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by decision over Branden Hines (Bartlesville) 1-4 (Dec 6-2)
Round 5 - Cale Glover (Skiatook) 5-0 won by fall over Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 (Fall 0:45)
Quarterfinal - Avante Wilkins (Tulsa Union) 5-1 won by fall over Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 (Fall 1:47)
Cons. Round 2 - Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by fall over Jace Hightower (Claremore) 2-4 (Fall 2:13)
Cons. Round 3 - Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 won by fall over Moises Davalos (Tulsa Union) 4-3 (Fall 3:00)
3rd Place Match - Daniel Millett (Ponca City) 5-1 won by decision over Preston Medlin (Sand Springs White) 3-3 (Dec 7-2)
140 - Josh Fincannon (4-2) placed 7th and scored 31.00 team points.
Round 1 - Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 won by fall over Andrew Petermann (Stillwater) 2-4 (Fall 3:30)
Round 3 - Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 won by fall over Austin Hiser (Bartlesville) 2-5 (Fall 2:21)
Round 5 - Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 won by fall over Hunter Gilstrap (Coweta) 2-4 (Fall 2:39)
Quarterfinal - Dayvon Taylor (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by fall over Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 (Fall 1:26)
Cons. Round 2 - Landon Carter (Owasso) 5-2 won by major decision over Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 (MD 12-0)
7th Place Match - Josh Fincannon (Sand Springs White) 4-2 won by decision over Andrew Petermann (Stillwater) 2-4 (Dec 7-6)
150 - Lonnie Mills (2-4) placed 10th.
Round 1 - Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Heurbey Magallon (Owasso) 3-3 won by fall over Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 (Fall 1:08)
Round 3 - Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Koby West (Claremore) 3-3 won by fall over Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 (Fall 1:00)
Round 5 - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 won by fall over Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 (Fall 0:44)
Cons. Round 1 - Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 won by fall over Caleb Griffin (Coweta) 0-4 (Fall 1:38)
Cons. Round 2 - Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 won by fall over Matthew Jenkins (Sallisaw) 0-4 (Fall 1:22)
9th Place Match - Tyler Merriman (Cleveland) 2-2 won by fall over Lonnie Mills (Sand Springs White) 2-4 (Fall 0:54)
150 - Tegen Campbell (1-4) placed 8th and scored 24.00 team points.
Round 1 - Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 - Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 won by fall over Caleb Griffin (Coweta) 0-4 (Fall 1:23)
Round 5 - Terrell Williams (Perry) 4-2 won by fall over Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 (Fall 0:56)
Quarterfinal - Noah Almy (Sand Springs Gold) 5-1 won by fall over Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 (Fall 0:41)
Cons. Round 2 - Riley Magee (Sand Springs Black) 2-4 won by tech fall over Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 (TF-1.5 2:54 (16-0))
7th Place Match - Heurbey Magallon (Owasso) 3-3 won by fall over Tegen Campbell (Sand Springs White) 1-4 (Fall 1:32)
175 - Robert Parrish (4-3) placed 11th and scored 20.00 team points.
Round 1 - Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 - Oscar Mendez (Owasso) 3-4 won by fall over Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 (Fall 0:32)
Round 3 - Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 - Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 won by fall over Garret Graham (Sallisaw) 1-5 (Fall 0:52)
Round 5 - Abram Arechiga (Ponca City) 5-2 won by fall over Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 (Fall 0:53)
Cons. Round 1 - Luke Hollowell (Cleveland) 1-6 won by fall over Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 (Fall 3:41)
Cons. Round 2 - Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 won by fall over Kainana Wade (Cleveland) 0-5 (Fall 0:31)
Cons. Round 3 - Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 won by fall over Jake Liston (Stillwater) 2-4 (Fall 2:48)
11th Place Match - Robert Parrish (Sand Springs White) 4-3 won by forfeit over Garret Graham (Sallisaw) 1-5 (For.)
By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Photo: Austin Evans
Football is more than just a sport in a small town like Sand Springs. It's an opportunity for a community to come together, forget the hardships of their week, and find common ground and unity.
Football is a way of life that continues well beyond the gridiron.
It's strange to think that I could be so enthralled by a sporting event, less than 24 hours after I sat in a room filled with grieving family saying goodbye to a loved one. But, that's what football does. It brings out the best in people--and yes, sometimes the worst. But it's an escape.
When those Friday night lights illuminate the turf, the cold crisp air whips across your face, and you and your friends huddle together for warmth, focused intently on the next play...the rest of the world fades away. You're in a moment that the movies will never manage to live up to. It's not just about the players, it's about the town.
It takes a village to raise a child, and during those games, the whole team are our children. We have their backs, we have no problem giving the refs a piece of our mind if we feel our kids were wronged. We're one community. One family.
It also helps when you're winning.
Charles Page has been to the playoffs four years in a row now. We've won games the last two years. This time we made it to the Championship.
Once upon a time, Sand Springs went 12-0 and defeated El Reno 14-7 for a 2A state title at the Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City. That was nearly half a century ago. Since then, the Sandites have had more losing seasons than winning seasons, and have only made the playoffs 15 of those 49 years.
The program never really turned south until 1998. That season we posted a 5-5 record, ending 3-straight seasons of playoff appearances and winning records.
From 1999-2006, we went 21-59, and we didn't see a winning season till 2008, during Dustin Kinard's second year at head coach. That year we got our first playoff appearance since 1997. It wouldn't be a trend-setter, however.
When I was in school we went 8-22.
I remember being at the University of Oklahoma and hearing about how we were winning games back home and I couldn't believe it. Sandites didn't win games.
One night I decided to make the long trip back to Tulsa to catch a game against Booker T, and we won 21-7 at their stadium. That season finally brought a change to Sandite football. Despite being killed 35-6 in the first round of the playoffs--we had posted an 8-2 regular season record.
As we saw in 2008, however, some seasons can be isolated incidents.
The next season wasn't quite as hot; we only went 6-4 before losing to Westmoore in the playoffs.
In 2014, however, it became clear that this wasn't just a couple of decent seasons. It was a legitimate turnaround for a school that most teams in the state laughed at. That season saw a 63-6 rout of Nathan Hale, two shutouts, and the first post-season win since 1997.
It was 20 degrees in Midwest City, but I have never been so happy as when that overtime 2-pt conversion attempt failed, and a 1 point victory was sending Sand Springs into uncharted waters.
The Charles Page Class of 2016 is the only team in the history of Sand Springs athletics to make it to the playoffs all four years.
The season started rough: two forfeitures, one cancelled game, and a defeat at the district opener mean the Sandites were 0-3 and were in a district with the top 3 teams in the division. Making the playoffs would be far from easy.
Sand Springs took it one step at a time. A 27-7 homecoming win over Claremore. A 44-10 rout of Highway 97 rival, Sapulpa. A 44-21 win over Ponca City and a 34-10 win against Muskogee. In week 9, the Sandites went up against the #1 team in the state. A team that had just slaughtered the defending state champions 52-7, and came within a field goal.
In week 10 Sand Springs dealt the Spartans their first shutout in 7 years, 20-0 on senior night. At Stillwater, Sand Springs won their quarter-final game for the second year in a row, 49-14, then upset #1 Booker T Washington 30-23 at Sapulpa. The Hornets learned there that it's hard to beat a good team twice.
This time it was the Sandites who had to learn that lesson.
The Class of 2016 can't focus on their 38-28 loss to the Bixby Spartans. A lot of people have been talking about how these Sandites are making history. I disagree.
The Class of '67 made history. That season is shrouded in legend. The Sandites didn't make the playoffs for another decade after that.
The Class of '16 isn't making history.
They're building a future.
What Charles Page seniors like Lane Lettich and Jacob Taber have done doesn't belong in the history books. It belongs in the forefront of every student's mind in the coming years. What these boys did isn't just what's possible. It's what's going to continue happening. Their torch may have been dampened tonight, but it was far from extinguished. And tonight they passed it off to the next generation.
As cool as it is to make history, it's far greater to build a future. That's what the resilience and perseverance of these great athletes has done. They showed their underclassmen that it's not your ranking or your record that matters, it's your heart. "We had a lot of heart," said junior QB Hunter Greathouse after the loss. "We put a lot into it all year...and we'll get them next season."
The Class of 2016 may have been disappointed tonight. Hell, we all were. But their great sportsmanship has paved the way and set the example for their young peers.
These boys will go on about their lives. Some may play college ball. Most won't. They'll probably end up in the history books, and one day they may be giving a pep talk to a future team like the Class of 66 did for them earlier this week. But they accomplished a lot more tonight than they'll ever know. They proved that it doesn't matter where you came from, it matters what you're made of.
Sandite Pride News, LLC is a locally owned and operated Sand Springs, Oklahoma news source, serving the community since 2014.
On August 16, 2025, Mildred Joan Davis ("Joanne") (nee, Brown), beloved Mother and Grandmother was taken from this life to the next into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She dedicated her life to the education of children and to her family.
Sand Springs Public Schools is proud to introduce the 2024-25 Site Teachers of the Year! Representing each of our schools, these outstanding educators exemplify excellence, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the students of Sand Springs.
Three of the films that Circle Cinema is showcasing were filmed in the Sand Springs area, including “Out,” “Inside the Mind of Virgil Hammond,” and “When Shadows Lay Darkest.”
What is Sandite Pride News?
Sandite Pride is the only locally owned and operated news source for Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Sandite Pride News was founded in 2014 by Scott Emigh. The site is primarily focused on Sandite sports, Sand Springs city development, events, and community news.
The City of Sand Springs is pleased to announce that a new Chipotle Mexican Grill will be built at 420 S. Highway 97 in Sand Springs, further strengthening the community’s growing commercial landscape. The restaurant will be located within Sheffield Crossing; a key development area being advanced by the City of Sand Springs.