Sandites Throttle Tigers 41-7, Abbi Elder Named Homecoming Queen

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Abbi Elder was named Homecoming Queen and Mason HArris was Kissing Captain. Photo: Charity Emigh.

Tahlequah tried to set the tone early in its Friday night road game at Sand Springs. On fourth-and-one near midfield, the Tigers handed the ball off to Darryn Spahr and the senior back ran into a wall named Owen Floyd.

Two plays later Ali McCoy took the ball 57 yards to the house. Tone set.

McCoy ran for over 200 yards in the first half as the No. 5 Charles Page High School football team (3-2, 1-1) steamrolled to a 41-7 win over No. 6 Tahlequah (1-4, 0-2) on Homecoming.

“It wouldn’t be possible without the five guys up front,” said McCoy, who ended the night with 10 carries for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

“I expected us to do good on the ground, but I didn’t expect that outcome. It feels good sharing this moment with our seniors. We’ve been working really hard.”

One of those seniors was Kenneth Page, who had 12 carries for 132 yards and three scores. Another was wildcat quarterback Jace Arnold who ran the ball six times for 43 yards and another score.

When the clock finally ran dry the Sandites had amassed 392 yards on the ground, averaging a first down with every snap.

“I really like how we came out after a disappointing performance last week,” said head coach Bobby Klinck, referencing a 51-13 loss to No. 1 Muskogee.

“(The offensive line) is the heart and soul of our football team and they’re getting better each week.”

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Kenneth Page scored 3 touchdowns against Tahlequah on Homecoming. Photo: Charity Emigh.

As dominant as the offense was, the defense was equally in control, recording two takeaways, seven tackles for loss, and two turnovers on downs. The Sandites forced four punts on the night and only allowed 79 yards in the second half.

“It was really good to see our secondary as a whole just continue to get better,” said Klinck. “Our secondary hadn’t been our strong point defensively, so for them to kind of lead and do some big things, I’m very happy with them.”

That secondary stepped up time and time again with Landyn Barnes breaking up a pass to force a punt on the Tigers’ second possession before intercepting Cash McAlvain on their third possession.

The pick was crucial for keeping momentum on the Sandites’ side as Tahlequah’s Jacob Morrison had just intercepted Easton Webb on the previous drive.

Two plays later, McCoy had another mad dash for a 49-yard touchdown.

Spahr got the visitors on the board with a 14-yard run to open the second quarter, but Page responded with a 19-yard run, the Tigers went three-and-out, and Arnold scored his 10-yard run to make it 27-7 after a failed PAT.

Two Tiger penalties set the Sandites up for a kickoff from deep in Tahlequah territory and they used the opportunity to practice their onside kick.

Dawson Puckett’s first attempt only traveled eight yards before going out of bounds, but that kick was nullified as the Sandites had lined up offsides and got a re-do.

This time it was flawlessly executed and recovered by Cooper Guardado to set up a 33-yard touchdown run by Page.

Tahlequah successfully moved the ball 61 yards on its next drive before Mason Harris sacked McAlvain and forced a fumble that was snatched up by Keagan Gilman with 42 seconds in the half.

The Sandites nearly punched in another but ran out of time after driving 52 yards on five plays to enter the red zone.

The starters got one more drive to open up the second half and Page scored his third touchdown on a one-yard plunge for the final score of 41-7.

From there, both teams played mostly backups and took turns exchanging punts till the clock ran out.

Sand Springs will take to the road next week with a key district match-up at No.4 Stillwater (3-2, 2-0), who prevailed 48-13 over No. 8 Booker T. Washington in their Week 5 game.

The Pioneers have won their past two meetings with Sand Springs and lead the series 32-12 all-time.

CPHS 41 Tahlequah 7
1Q: CPHS 14-0.
2Q: CPHS 20-7.
3Q: CPHS 7-0.
4Q: 0-0.
First Downs: CPHS 14, Tahlequah 15.
Fumbles-Lost: CPHS 1-0, Tahlequah 3-2.
Penalties: CPHS 9-85, Tahlequah 7-80.
Passing: CPHS 7-11-97-1, Tahlequah 16-25-128-1.
Rushing: CPHS 36-392, Tahlequah 32-114.
Offense: CPHS 47-489, Tahlequah 57-242.

Sandite Football Falls 51-13 to No. 1 Muskogee on the Road

With under six minutes in the opening half, junior running back Ali McCoy took a handoff on the first play of the drive, rolled out around the right side of his line and engaged in a one-on-six foot race, taking the ball 72 yards to the house.

No. 5 Charles Page High School (2-2, 0-1) pulled within a field goal of No. 1 Muskogee (3-1, 1-0) in a district-opening road game.

From there it was all Muskogee. The Roughers scored 35 unanswered points and prevailed 51-13 to solidify their status as the team to beat in Class 6A-II. 

“I got totally out-coached,” said head coach Bobby Klinck. “That’s a really good football team, a really good coaching staff. I’ve got to do a better job of getting our kids in a position to make plays.”

“We’ll go back to the drawing board. This coaching staff will do better and we’ll figure some things out.”

The Sandites have had a tough time with athletic quarterbacks this season. Sapulpa quarterback Colton Howard passed for 379 yards in the season opener. Ponca City’s Tay Moore passed for 151 yards and ran for 153 last week. 

Muskogee junior star Jamarian Ficklin, who holds a handful of Division I offers, presented the same issue, passing for 215 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 152 yards and five more scores. 

“I thought we could get pressure on him,” said Klinck. “That guy did an unbelievable job of eluding and making some big plays with his feet. He’s an outstanding football player.”

Sand Springs opened the game strong with Gatlin Gunn breaking up a third-and-long around midfield to force a punt. The senior earned a single-digit jersey this week for his strong performance against Ponca.

Ficklin’s punt, however, was downed at the three-yard line and Treyveon Houston took down Kenneth Page for a safety two plays later.

Sand Springs forced another punt soon after and put together a 12-play, 46-yard drive, converting on third and fourth down before Deyonn Bowler broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Caleb Goodman.

Muskogee ended the first period with a strong drive, setting up a two-yard plunge from Ficklin on the first play of the second quarter to go up 9-0.

The visitors quickly responded with a 9-play, 74-yard march to score on a 34-yard strike from Easton Webb to Goodman, who also received a single-digit uniform this week.

Not to be outdone, the Roughers used only four plays to score, padding their lead with a 43-yard run from Ficklin.

19 seconds later came McCoy’s marathon touchdown, but from there it was all Muskogee.

Ficklin scored on a 14-yard run, Sand Springs went three-and-out, then Ficklin tossed a five-yard strike to Ondraye Beasley to end the half up 30-13.

Sand Springs punted three times in the second half, lost a fumble to Bowler, and ended the game with a 9-play, 49-yard march that ran out of time inside the Rougher red zone.

“We’ve got to do better at sustaining some drives and not hurting ourselves,” said Klinck.

Muskogee scored on three of its four fourth-quarter possessions, punting once. Ficklin added scoring runs of four and two yards while Israel Martin added the last two-yard dive.

Webb was 8-of-16 passing for 77 yards in his first game back after a shoulder injury against Bixby. Goodman had four catches for 50 yards to lead the receiving corps.

McCoy led the Sandite offense with 10 carries for 107 yards. 

Ficklin ended the night 16-of-23 for 215 yards while carrying 18 times for 152 yards. Kayden McGee had six catches for 93 yards and Martin had 13 carries for 83 yards.

Defensively Sand Springs was led by Gunn with nine tackles and three pass deflections, followed by Alex Dudley and Dallas Elifrits with eight tackles apiece.

Next up for the Sandites is Homecoming against No. 6 Tahlequah (1-3, 1-0), who is fresh off a 29-19 win against No. 9 Putnam City West (3-1, 0-1).

“Next week is a really good football team,” said Klinck. “We can’t afford to take anybody lightly. We’ve got to go to work. We’ve got to figure out how we can sustain drives and how we can get people off the damn field.”

Last year the Sandites won 25-21 on the road after falling behind 21-6 early in the game. Sand Springs leads the all-time series 14-8-1 against the Tigers.

Muskogee 51 CPHS 13

1Q: MHS 2-0.
2Q: MHS 28-13.
3Q: MHS 7-0.
4Q: MHS 14-0.

First Downs: MHS 23, CPHS 11.
Passing: MHS 16-23-215-0, CPHS 9-17-85-0.
Rushing: MHS 39-297, CPHS 29-160.
Offense: MHS 62-512, CPHS 46-245.
Fumbles/Lost: MHS 2/0, CPHS 3/1.
Penalties: MHS 10-93, CPHS 8-37.

Scoring Summary

1Q (8:41): Houston Safety, MHS 2-0.
2Q (11:52): Ficklin 16-yard Run, Espinosa Kick, MHS 9-0.
2Q (7:14): Goodman 34-yard Pass from Webb, Kick Blocked, MHS 9-6.
2Q (5:56): Ficklin 43-yard Run, Espinosa Kick, MHS 16-6.
2Q (5:37): McCoy 72-yard Run, Puckett Kick, MHS 16-13.
2Q (1:53): Ficklin 14-yard Run, Espinosa Kick, MHS 23-13.
2Q (0:03): Beasley 5-yard Pass from Ficklin, Espinosa Kick, MHS 30-13.
3Q (4:51): Ficklin 4-yard Run, Espinosa Kick, MHS 37-13.
4Q (11:56): Ficklin 2-yard Run, Espinosa Kick, MHS 44-13.
4Q (4:52): Chaplin, 2-yard Run, Espinosa Kick, MHS 51-13).

Sandites Survive Wildcats 27-14 Behind Strong Secondary and Sturdy Backup QB

Caleb Goodman hauled in 6 catches for 88 yards and a TD against Ponca City. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

After rallying from a 21-0 halftime deficit with two third-quarter touchdowns, momentum was on the side of the Ponca City Wildcats.

But Sand Springs had an answer. After rushing the ball for only 64 yards through the first three quarters, the Sandites finally put together a methodical 15-play, 95-yard march to chew up more than seven minutes of clock in the fourth quarter.

The three-pronged attack of Ali McCoy, Kenneth Page, and Jace Arnold combined for 63 yards on the ground, capped by a four-yard plunge from Page to restore the two-score lead with only 2:12 remaining.

Then it was time for the defense to do what it had been doing all night.

Wildcat star quarterback Tay Moore juked and jived his way as far as the Sand Springs 22-yard line before the magic ran out. Owen Floyd and Hudson Sheppard combined on one sack, then Waylon Jeffers wrapped up another.

Moore tried to dump a pass off on Brody Wicker, but Dallas Elifrits drilled the senior receiver to make it 4th and 13. Finally, under pressure from Sheppard and Marcum Sims with nowhere to go but Elifrits’s open arms, he chucked the ball out of bounds for the turnover on downs and the game was secure.

Final score 27-13 - the Sandites earned their fourth consecutive win against the Wildcats (0-3).

6A-II No. 5 Sand Springs (2-1) entered the game on uncertain footing after losing starting quarterback Easton Webb to a shoulder injury last week against Bixby, but senior backup Jace Arnold showed his moxie, going 9-of-10 for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

“I felt pretty good,” said Arnold. “I wasn’t nervous coming in. I felt way more prepared this week. We got a good game plan - couldn’t have done it without the coaches’ game plan and everything worked out how we wanted it to work out.”

Arnold, an Allen County Community College baseball commit, ended the night 13-of-23 for 207 yards with another 17 yards on four carries.

“That’s a young man that played as a freshman, quit as a sophomore to concentrate on baseball, but decided he missed it too much and came back,” said head coach Bobby Klinck.

“And now he’s able to come out here and help us win a football game. That kid’s an outstanding young man - I’m so proud of that kid.”

Arnold’s first touchdown pass of the season came on a 40-yard wheel route by Page on the Sandites’ opening drive.

Early in the second quarter he connected on a 56-yard toss to Caleb Goodman to set up a 1-yard dive from McCoy. Then he added a 22-yard dime to Goodman to go up 21-0 with 1:05 in the half.

“I played (quarterback) fairly often when I was younger, so I know a lot of these guys on the starting lineup,” said Arnold. “We’ve had that (connection) for a while, so I feel pretty good getting out there again and throwing it around.”

His primary target was Goodman, who had six catches for 88 yards, followed by Page with four catches for 66 yards. Wyatt Rutledge had 41 yards on a single reception.

Page also had 76 rushing yards on 21 carries.

While the effectiveness of the offense with a new general was a pleasant surprise, it was the defense that often stole the show, coming away with eight tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions, and six pass deflections.

Moore ended the night 15-of-26 passing for only 151 yards after throwing for over 250 last year against the Sandites.

The Sandite secondary effectively shut down his passing game with three picks in the first half, including two from sophomore Alex Dudley, who was elected as a defensive captain by his team this year.

“I’m glad that the team can count on me,” said Dudley. “As a sophomore, it really means a lot.”

Dudley made his first interception at the Sandites’ 7-yard line to prevent a potential game-tying drive early in the second quarter. His second came in the endzone and he returned that as far as the 30-yard line before being tackled.

“Coach Klinck calls great plays and puts me in a great position to make plays,” said Dudley. “When it comes to me, I’m going to try and make a play, no matter what.”

Dudley wasn’t the only playmaker in the Sandite secondary. Landyn Barnes broke up a fourth-down pass attempt early in the second quarter and Gatlin Gunn picked off Moore to end the half.

“It’s easy to play with those guys,” said Dudley. “It’s like a brotherhood. It’s amazing. I think we just click so well it makes everything easy.”

“They stepped up today,” said Klinck. “They were playing with a bunch of confidence…they’ve been working their tails off and it’s starting to show.”

The dual-threat Moore punished the Sandites with his legs, however, carrying the ball 15 times for 143 yards.

On a fourth-and-three early in the second half he got loose for a 44-yard touchdown run, then connected on a 15-yard touchdown toss to Wicker with 3:18 in the third.

The Wildcat defense was highly effective in the third, with Teegan Hodgson getting an interception and Hudson Haas breaking up a fourth-down pass attempt.

Penalties also derailed the Sandites throughout the night. Sand Springs totaled 135 yards on 13 penalties, though Ponca didn’t fare much better with 10 penalties for 80 yards.

“We’ve got to do a much better job of not killing ourselves as a team,” said Klinck. “We’ve been making that a priority. We’ve just got to figure that out.”

“But with Coach (Scott) Harmon, it’s always going to be a difficult game, especially here. These guys aren’t going to quit. They’re well coached, they’ve got good football players. That quarterback’s outstanding.”

“I was proud of our kids for handling adversity. When it got down to 21-14, that was a big-time championship drive at the end of the game.”

Defensively the Sandites were led by Gunn and Sheppard with seven tackles apiece, followed by Jeffers, Christian Freitus, and Floyd with six each. Gunn, Jeffers, and Sheppard had two tackles for loss apiece and Barnes had a team-high three pass deflections.

Sand Springs will really be put to the test next week as it travels to No. 1 Muskogee (2-1) to open district action at Rougher Village.

Last year’s meeting was a wild one as the Roughers took a 27-0 first quarter lead. Sand Springs rallied to 27-26 before Muskogee pulled away to win 48-26.

Jamarian Ficklin passed for 235 yards and six touchdowns in that game while Ondraye Beasley ran for 103 yards and another score. Both of those two are back this year as juniors.

Whether or not Webb will return to lead the Sandites is uncertain as he continues to work through an AC joint sprain, but if Arnold is called back up, he’s ready.

“I’m feeling really comfortable,” said Arnold. “We had a good game this week.”

The defense is also ready to prove itself on an even bigger stage.

“We’re ready,” said Dudley. “We want that. Everyone’s doubting us, don’t think we’re going to win. I’m ready for it. We all are.”

Box Score

CPHS 27 Ponca 14
1Q: CPHS 7-0.
2Q: CPHS 14-0.
3Q: Ponca 14-0.
4Q: CPHS 7-0.
C-A-Y-I: CPHS 13-23-207-1, Ponca 15-26-151-3.
Rushing: CPHS 35-129, Ponca 26-183.
Offense: CPHS 58-336, Ponca 52-334.
First Downs: CPHS 14, Ponca 13.
Fumbles-Lost: CPHS 1-0, Ponca 3-0.
Penalties: CPHS 13-135, Ponca 10-80.

Scoring Summary

1Q - Page 40-yard Reception from Arnold, Puckett Kick (7:59).
2Q - McCoy 1-yard Run, Puckett Kick (7:52).
2Q - Goodman 22-yard Reception from Arnold, Puckett Kick (1:05).
3Q - Moore 44-yard Run, Perez Kick (7:06).
3Q - Wicker 15-yard Reception from Moore, Perez Kick (3:18).
4Q - Page 4-yard Run, Kick Blocked (2:12).

Sandites Fall 61-7 to No. 1 Bixby

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Ali McCoy scored the Sandites’ lone touchdown in the fourth quarter against Bixby. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Every week, some poor soul has the task of trying to get his team to buy into the idea of toppling Bixby. Since 2018, only one team has managed the feat.

Seven of those coaches are district opponents. They have no choice but to suit up against the top-ranked Spartans. But three choose to play the five-time defending State Champions in non-district play, including Sand Springs head man Bobby Klinck.

“When they call me to schedule an appointment, I’m going to say yes,” said Klinck, following a 61-7 Spartan victory Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

“And it’s not going to get any easier next year when we play them and then we play Owasso as well. So let’s go. We’re not going to shy away. You want to play big boy football? You got to play big boys and that’s what we’re going to do around here.”

The Sandites actually kept things competitive for a while.

Last season the Sandites trailed 25-0 by the end of the first quarter - this time around it was only 14-0.

The home team went three-and-out on three of its first-quarter possessions. The fourth ended in an interception.

But they also got some key stops.

Bixby scored on its third offensive play, a 12-yard pass from Carson Kirby to Sam McCormick, but on the next Spartan drive Gatlin Gunn came up with an 18-yard interception.

Then the Spartans were forced into a rare three-and-out.

With less than a minute remaining in the quarter it was only 7-0 Bixby. By that same minute mark of their first two games the Spartans led Owasso and Springdale Har-Ber 21-0.

“After that first quarter it’s 14-0, we made a few plays, we got the pick, we stopped them,” said Klinck. “You could feel the stadium - the air kind of sucked out. And then they get a big-time football play.”

The big-time football play was an interception from Kordell Gouldsby to set up a hurry-up five-play 72-yard scoring drive. Clay Peters, the second head of the Spartans’ three-QB system, punched in a 15-yard run with 14 seconds left in the quarter.

Then the Spartan machine came roaring to life.

Gouldsby opened the second quarter with a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown. Jett Turner made a fourth-down sack in Sandite territory to set up a 5-yard scoring wildcat run by Cooper Parker. Turner made another fourth-down sack to set up a 33-yard TD run from Gouldsby.

Gouldsby ran in one more score on an 11-yard reception from Kirby to end the half 41-0. Still better than last year’s 53-0 halftime deficit, but a far cry from the “close game” it felt like just a half hour earlier.

“You’ve got to go make tackles,” said Klinck. “Number one (Gouldsby)’s an incredible football player, but we’ve got guys in position. You’ve got to go make plays.”

Sand Springs forced another three-and-out to open the second half and put together its most successful drive thus far, picking up three first-downs to knock on the gates of the Bixby red zone before starting quarterback Easton Webb took a late hit out of bounds and suffered what appeared to be a shoulder injury. He did not reenter the game.

“I think he’s going to be okay,” said Klinck. “We’re just going to evaluate him and make sure he’s okay, but we’ll see what happens.”

Webb ended the night 6-of-12 passing for 34 yards and one interception. Senior backup Jace Arnold took over and was 3-of-6 for 13 yards and two interceptions against the stingy Spartan secondary.

“It’s tough,” said Klinck. “I haven’t had him take any live snaps except for a wildcat and to go against a team like that - it’s tough. I thought he did a good job of just being calm and running the offense.”

Arnold’s first snap was a successful 9-yard screen to Ali McCoy, but his next was just in and out of the hands of Caleb Goodman for a turnover on downs.

Bixby responded with an 11-yard pass from Kirby to Garrett Vaughn to go up 48-0. Three plays later and Tyler Wright returned a 21-yard pick six. Then he returned a 41-yard pick six early in the fourth to go up 61-0.

McCoy averted the shutout on the next possession with a 37-yard touchdown run.

The vaunted one-two punch of McCoy and Kenneth Page was held to 109 yards on 25 carries just two weeks after combining for 316 yards in the Sandites’ season opener.

McCoy racked up 60 yards on 12 caries while Page had 49 yards on 13 carries.

Defensively the Sandites were led by Alex Dudley with 10 tackles, while Gunn and Owen Floyd had 7 apiece. The Sandites totaled two sacks and six tackles for loss on the evening.

Next week the Sandites will travel to Ponca City (0-2) in one of the Sandites’ longest-standing rivalries. The two teams have played in 45 consecutive seasons, with the Sandites leading the series 29-20-1. Ponca last beat the Sandites in 2019.

“I haven’t watched them yet,” said Klinck. “I know coach (Scott) Harmon always has a hard-nosed team and we’re going to have to get ready to play.”

Bixby will take a bye week before Norman North (2-0) takes on the tall task of trying to topple the Spartan giant. .

Box Score
1Q: Bixby 14-0.
2Q: Bixby 27-0.
3Q: Bixby 13-0.
4Q: Tied 7-7.
First Downs: Bixby 13, CPHS 7.
C-A-Y-I: Bixby 15-22-167-1, CPHS 9-18-47-3.
Rushes-Yards: Bixby 34-196, CPHS 35-52.
Plays-Offense: Bixby 56-363, CPHS 53-99.
Fumbles-Lost: Bixby 4-0, CPHS 5-0.
Penalties-Yards: Bixby 18-145, CPHS 8-94.

Scoring Summary
1Q: McCormick 12-yard Pass from Kirby, Nguyen Kick (9:21).
1Q: Peters 15-yard Run, Nguyen Kick (0:14).
2Q: Gouldsby 64-yard Punt Return, Nguyen Kick (9:52).
2Q: Parker 5-yard Run, 2pt Pass Failed (4:41).
2Q: Gouldsby 33-yard Run, Nguyen Kick (2:03).
2Q: Gouldsby 11-yard Pass from Kirby, Nguyen Kick (0:22).
3Q: Vaughn 11-yard Pass from Kirby, Nguyen Kick (3:46).
3Q: Wright 21-yard Interception Return, Kick Failed (2:07).
4Q: Wright 41-yard Interception Return, Nguyen Kick (7:47).
4Q: McCoy 37-yard Run, Puckett Kick (5:38).

Sandites Survive Sapulpa in Wild 64-54 Shootout, RB Duo Page/McCoy Excels

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Ali McCoy rushed for 154 yard and three touchdowns in the win over sapulpa. (Photo: Charity Emigh),

For only the second time in series history, Sapulpa hung half a hundred on Sand Springs. But unlike that 60-19 game in 2002, this time around it wasn’t enough.

It was only fitting that the 97th installment of Highway 97 Rivalry would be the wildest spectacle in the history of the series.

At 11:36 p.m., a shootout totaling 118 points and 894 yards finally came to a close. Sand Springs secured its fourth consecutive win against Sapulpa and its ninth in the past decade, 64-54 after trailing 40-28 by halftime.

It was a close three-way tie for the game’s MVP. Kenneth Page carried the ball 23 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Ali McCoy carried it 22 times for 154 yards and three touchdowns. And the 100-degree heat index sent Chieftain after Chieftain to the turf with cramps that derailed their would-be win.

“Our strategy obviously worked, not to tackle wide receivers and not tackle the quarterback to the point that they cramped so we could win the game,” quipped head coach Bobby Klinck, who improved to 4-0 against the Chieftains since arriving in Sand Springs.

“That is an unbelievable football team. Number seven (Colton Howard) is an unbelievable quarterback. Number one (Kylen Edwards) is an unbelievable receiver. Coach (Tim) Holt is an unbelievable coach. We’re lucky to come out on top.”

Howard lit up the first half to the tune of 215 yards passing and six total touchdowns before cramps repeatedly sent him to the ground in the second half. Even so, he ended the night 15-of-32 passing for 374 yards and seven TDs.

His top connection, Edwards, had seven catches for 167 yards and four scores.

Although the heat hampered the Chieftains, it was just as hot on the Sand Springs side of the field, but the Sandites’ second half ground-and-pound offense seemed unstoppable.

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Kenneth Page (Left) and Ali McCoy (right) celebrate after the game. (Photo: Charity Emigh).

“We leaned on our offensive line and our two tailbacks, and they got it done,” said Klinck.

Last year, Page bore the brunt of the Sandites offense, rushing for 205 yards and five touchdowns to beat the Chieftains, but this year he didn’t have to go it alone.

After Page scored on a 12-yard run to cut the Sandite deficit to 46-43 early in the third, McCoy followed it up with a 13-yard bruising run on the next possession, bullying past three would-be tacklers to regain the lead for the first time since midway through the first quarter.

“He can go and then I can go,” said Page. “We can rest, go out there and pound them, rest, then pound them again. We just kept going back and forth.”

“When I’m gassed out and tired, I know Kenny can come in, press the defense, and I’m back fresh and can do the same thing for him,” said McCoy.

Sapulpa threatened to regain its lead, marching to the Sand Springs’ 36-yard line before a devastating miscommunication between Howard and his center resulted in the ball being unexpectedly snapped right to the quarterback’s face as he looked toward the sideline.

Keagan Gilman recovered it and five plays later McCoy got loose on a 45-yard run, scoring behind a big downfield block from Wyatt Rutledge to pad the lead.

A sack from Waylon Jeffers forced a quick three-and-out and this time it was Page’s turn to score on a one-yard plunge, giving the home team a 64-46 advantage.

Sapulpa put two more scores on the board - a 36-yard completion to Carter Calvert, followed by a two-point bullet to Jaylen Friday. But those would be the last points of the game.

Jordan Reider wrapped up an onside kick attempt and the Sandites were able to drain three minutes off the clock before the two teams traded turnovers on downs. For the final possession McCoy bullied his way to the Sapulpa 22 before the Sandites assumed victory formation.

While the Sandite offense was lethal in the second half, it barely saw the field in the first quarter.

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Caleb Goodman had 143 yards receiving and two total touchdowns. (Photo: Charity Emigh).

Both teams forced punts on their opening drives, but Sapulpa never got theirs off. A bad snap was scooped up by Caleb Goodman deep in the backfield and returned 20 yards for a touchdown.

Sapulpa soon tied it on a 7-yard pass from Howard to Edwards and the Sandites’ corresponding drive ended on a bad pitch that was recovered by Sapulpa. Two plays later and Edwards cashed in on an 8-yard completion.

Then came Alex Dudley with an 84-yard kick return to tie it back up.

Sapulpa would still end up on top to end the first quarter, however, scoring on a 57-yard catch by Edwards as time expired.

Sand Springs’ next possession ended in a fumble recovery by Christian Sonich after a bad hike sailed over Easton Webb’s head, and Future Ledbetter made the Sandites pay with a five-yard reception on the next play.

Continuing the shootout was Goodman with a 90-yard reception on the very next play, and McCoy tied it on the next possession with a 7-yard run.

Two plays later and Edwards Mossed a Sandite defender for a 59-yard score. Howard gave the visitors their final points of the half on a 4-yard scramble with 28 seconds left, though the PATs for both touchdowns were blocked.

While the one-two punch of Page and McCoy was the talk of the second half, it was an opening-play 49-yard pick six by Hunter Wilson that first disrupted the Chieftain momentum.

Wilson sniffed the play out immediately and jumped the route, going untouched till he shrugged off a cramping Howard near the end zone and waltzed over the goal line.

“That was huge,” said Klinck. “That was big time…Coach (Shane) Ingram came up with a great scheme…we changed some things up and that helped us right there.”

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American Heritage Bank presented two checks for $5,000 to the Sand Springs and Sapulpa Athletic Departments as the Title Sponsor of the Highway 97 Rivalry. (Photo: Charity Emigh).

Sapulpa had an answer two plays later on a 70-yard toss to David Richardson, but a two-point pass attempt was broken up by Kehlan Corbbrey.

Soon after came the debilitating hammering by Page and McCoy, and the rest is history.

“I love those running backs,” said Klinck. “They’re super competitive. They want the ball in their hands, but they understand they’re better together than just one.”

“Without the O-line, the job wouldn’t get done, so you’ve got to thank the O-line for what they’re doing,” said Page. “It feels amazing to beat them four years in a row and just keep that legacy going for the next generation.”

“It feels great,” said McCoy. “We all work hard together so it feels really deserving to have this victory.”

While the running backs did most of the scoring this week, Webb and Goodman gave a preview of what will likely be another dynamic duo over the course of the season, connecting for 143 yards, despite there only being two pass attempts in the entire second half.

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Sandites Hoist the trophy high after winning their fourth consecutive highway 97 rivalry. (photo: Charity Emigh).

Special teams were a strong point for the Sandites, who averaged 30.5 yards per return. Dawson Puckett was perfect on PATs, going 8-for-8 on the night, while Jace Arnold added a two-point wildcat run early in the third quarter.

Defensively, the Sandites were led by Owen Floyd, Hudson Sheppard, Marcum Sims, Gilman, Corbbrey, Gatlin Gunn, and Dudley.

Sand Springs will get a bye week before taking on defending 6A-I State Champion Bixby (1-0), who steamrolled Owasso 42-16 in its season opener on Thursday.

Sapulpa will play its home opener next Friday against Tahlequah in the Tigers’ season opener.

Box Score

CPHS 64 Sapulpa 54
1Q: Sapulpa 21-14.
2Q: Sapulpa 19-14.
3Q: CPHS 22-6.
4Q: CPHS 14-8.
C-A-Y-I: CPHS 6-12-149-1, Sapulpa 15-32-374-1.
Rushing: CPHS 49-304, Sapulpa 31-67.
Offense: CPHS 61-453, Sapulpa 63-441.
Fumbles-Lost: CPHS 3-2, Sapulpa 4-2.
Penalties: CPHS 12-103, Sapulpa 10-73.

Scoring Summary

1Q (7:24): Goodman 20-yard Fumble Recovery, Puckett Kick, 7-0.
1Q (3:38): Edwards 7-yard Pass from Howard, Peper Kick, 7-7.
1Q (3:05): Edwards 8-yard Pass from Howard, Peper Kick, 7-14.
1Q (2:52): Dudley 84-yard Kick Return, Puckett Kick, 14-14.
1Q (0:00): Edwards 57-yard Pass from Howard, Peper Kick, 14-21.
2Q (10:26): Ledbetter 5-yard Pass from Howard, Peper Kick, 14-28.
2Q (10:12): Goodman 90-yard Pass from Webb, Puckett Kick, 21-28.
2Q (7:39): McCoy 7-yard Run, Puckett Kick, 28-28.
2Q (6:51): Edwards 59-yard Pass from Howard, Kick Failed, 28-34.
2Q (0:28): Howard 4-yard Run, Kick Failed, 28-40.
3Q (11:46): Wilson 49-yard Interception, Puckett Kick, 35-40.
3Q (11:10): Richardson 70-yard Pass, Pass Failed, 35-46.
3Q (8:02): Page 12-yard Run, Arnold Run, 43-46.
3Q (2:01): McCoy 13-yard Run, Puckett Kick, 50-46.
4Q (10:57): McCoy 45-yard Run, Puckett Kick, 57-46.
4Q (6:44): Page 1-yard Run, Puckett Kick, 64-46.
4Q (5:17): Calvert 64-yard Pass from Howard, Friday Pass from Howard, 64-54.

Season Primer: Sandite Football Kicks Off Friday vs. Sapulpa

SAnd Springs hosts the highway 97 rivalry trophy after a 2022 road victory at sapulpa.

Since 1952, Sand Springs and Sapulpa have been connected by State Highway 97, but since 1922 something else has connected the two Tulsa suburbs.

Blood, sweat, pigskin, and gridiron have been bringing the two communities together for 30 years longer than the rivalry has had a name - and for the 97th time in the past 102 seasons, Sandites and Chieftains will be at each other’s throats on Friday, August 25th at Memorial Stadium

Both Charles Page High School and Sapulpa High School will open their seasons in Zero Week in the American Heritage Bank Highway 97 Rivalry.

The defending 97 Champs? Sand Springs by way of a 35-21 road win that saw now-senior running back Kenneth Page lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 205 yards and five touchdowns.

With their eighth win in the past nine years, the Sandites finally took their first series lead since 1943 at 46-45-5.

Both teams are looking to take a big step this season. After three consecutive seasons with playoff wins, the Sandites aim for their first State Finals berth since 2015. Sapulpa is coming off back-to-back winning seasons and is looking for its first playoff win since 2005.

Both teams will be eager to start the season on the right foot with a win against their chief rivals before a packed house on statewide television.

The Sandites started the year with a 21-7 half-game loss to Choctaw at the Jenks Football Preview on Friday, August 18th. The Yellowjackets took a 14-0 lead before Easton Webb connected with Wyatt Rutledge, the latest in a long line of Rutledge football stars.

“We were a little bit tired towards the end of that scrimmage, which is natural,” said fourth-year head coach Bobby Klinck, who owns a 22-14 record since arriving at Sand Springs.

“You can run and sprint and do all that stuff, but football shape is different. You’ve got to be ready for it. So I thought there were some plays that we left out there, but for the most part, when we watched film and went back and looked at it, I thought we’re a much-improved football team from last year and I look forward to showing that on Friday.”

Klinck isn’t one to gently test the water toes-first. Choctaw was last year’s State Runner-Up, beating the Sandites 48-29 in the quarterfinals. His team will also take on defending 6A-I State Champion Bixby in the second game of the season.

The Sandites’ strength this season will be their offensive line. Six-foot-four sophomore Ryley Kester is already receiving Division I offers, checking in at 270 pounds. 275-pound senior Tyler Smith stands six feet fall, as does 280-pound senior Marcus Sims. At center, State Tournament-placing wrestler Mason Harris will provide six feet and 260 pounds of intensity.

“Combine that with Ali McCoy and Kenneth Page, we’re looking to run the football,” said Klinck. “There’s no doubt we should be able to. I’ve always told the O-line that we’ll go as far as they go.”

Page was the workhorse for the Sandites last year, carrying the ball 210 times for 1022 yards and 17 touchdowns. McCoy also showed off his speed with 53 carries for 297 yards and 7 TDs.

Klinck expects to split the workload pretty evenly between the two this year. “Those guys love it because they understand that when they’re fresh, they’re a lot better."

Also taking advantage of that powerful line will be 6’4” sophomore quarterback Easton Webb, who was 127-of-203 passing last season for 1,564 yards and 13 touchdowns after winning the starting job in week four.

But despite the football hype, Webb’s primary sport is baseball. In fact, he was recruited by and committed to Oklahoma State University as a freshman before he had ever played a varsity minute.

“In the summer, when you’re that type of athlete, you’ve got to juggle your time between baseball and football,” said Klinck. “And he needs to do that because he excels at both. We’re happy now that it’s coming up on fall and we get him full time.”

“His command, his physicality, the way he’s grown physically. Obviously we’re looking for great things from him.”

Webb also shows strong potential as a dual threat, carrying the ball for nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns last year.

“He’s a lot faster than what people think,” said Klinck. “He definitely wants to throw, but he’s not afraid to tuck it down and put his shoulder pads down when he has to. He’s an all-around type of player and we’re looking for him to make major strides this year.”

Untested for the Sandites will be their receiving corps after graduating their top four from last season.

“Wyatt Rutledge has really come on,” said Klinck. “I think (Caleb) Goodman is going to show some things this year. It’s a bunch of guys that are unproven but we feel that they have the talent to get it done. They’ve just got to prove it on Friday night.”

Defensively, the Sandites will be returning only a handful of their top guys from last season, but Klinck expects big things nonetheless.

“This is a group that they’ve been in the system for a minute and they’re playing fast. We’re going to be aggressive this year. We think that’s kind of our mentality and our nature.”

Gatlin Gunn, Keagan Gilman, Dallas Elifrits, Waylon Jeffers, and Alex Dudley are all expected to make a big impact as some of the top returning tacklers from last season.

As for the leadership this season, the team captains will be Harris, Sims, Dudley, and Gillman.

“We vote team captains. I allow the players to do that,” said Klinck. “They’ve done an unbelievable job. When it’s hot, when guys want to get testy, they’re the ones stepping in saying ‘we can’t be doing this, we’re on the same team.’”

“At the end of practice Alex Dudley’s telling all the scouting guys ‘thank you so much for helping us, it’s a big deal what you’re doing.’ It’s the old adage, ‘when players lead, those are the best teams.’ They’re doing it right now; it’s exciting.”

Sand Springs is hoping to #Sellout97 in what would be the first sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium since it was expanded to a 6,700-seat capacity in 2007. Fans who don’t like crowds will be able to tune in on Yurview (Cox Channel 3). The game will start late at 8:00 p.m. to help dodge the sun.

For game coverage, follow @SSEmigh on X (formerly known as Twitter) during the game. Check in on SanditePride.com for the game story and consider subscribing for only $4.00/month to support local, independent coverage of all things Sand Springs.