Sandite College Football Report: Pennington Makes Playoff Run with Pitt State

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Photo by Derek Livingston, Pitt State Athletics.

Just two seasons removed from establishing himself as the most successful quarterback in Sand Springs history, Ty Pennington is now making a name for himself at Pittsburg State University.

The redshirt freshman has been a productive backup this season, passing 46-of-67 for 447 yards and 6 touchdowns with zero interceptions while carrying the ball 74 times for 344 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The No. 7 ranked Gorillas are 11-1 on the season and poised for an NCAA Division II playoff meeting at No. 2 Grand Valley State (10-1) this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in Allendale, Michigan.

Pennington made his debut in a season-opening 34-7 win against Washburn (2-9), completing his only pass attempt and finishing with 23 total yards on five plays.

In the second game of the year he went 3-of-4 for 44 yards and a touchdown with 43 rushing yards on five attempts in a 40-14 win over Fort Hays State (7-4).

Two weeks later he was 2-of-2 for 23 yards while rushing six times for a career-high 53 yards and a touchdown in a 33-14 win over the Nebraska-Kearney.

In their first ranked matchup of the year, the No. 3 Gorillas prevailed 33-25 over No. 20 Emporia State (8-3) and Pennington had a career night on the ground and in the air. The former Sandite was 8-of-10 passing for 96 yards and two touchdowns while running 10 times for a team-high 80 yards.

Pennington saw limited action in a 31-21 win over Missouri Southern State (5-6) but worked his way into the game early in a 28-7 victory against Northwest Missouri State (7-4), scoring three of the Gorillas’ four touchdowns on short-yardage wildcat packages.

The No. 2 ranked Gorillas improved to 9-0 on Homecoming with a 55-6 rout of Sioux Falls (3-8). Pennington was 4-of-5 passing for 72 yards and two touchdowns.

The Gorillas’ 20-game MIAA win streak came to an end in a 31-30 loss to Missouri Western State (8-3), but Pitt got back on track with a 20-10 win over Central Oklahoma (5-6) to clinch back-to-back MIAA Championships.

Pennington got the start in the win, filling in for injured starter Chad Dodson Jr., and was 18-of-30 passing for a career-high 108 yards and one touchdown.

Pennington returned to his backup role in the first round of the playoffs, passing 1-of-2 for 17 yards while leading the Gorillas on the ground with 8 carries for 76 yards in a 35-14 victory over GLVC Champion University of Indianapolis (9-2).

Saturday’s game against the GLIAC Champions will be broadcast live on pay-per-view at this link for $10.55.

The Gorillas also beat Indianapolis in the first round of last year’s playoffs before falling to Ferris State, last year’s GLIAC Champion.

Pitt State is the winningest program in NCAA Division II history with four national championships, but hasn’t made it past the second round since its 2011 championship season.

The GOAT Retires

While Ty Pennington is the best quarterback in Sandite history statistically, Payton Scott is the best running back, holding almost every single-game, season-single, and career rushing record at Sand Springs.

Scott finished his senior season with 31 carries for 161 yards and one touchdown plus 8 receptions for 51 yards. In his career he had 135 carries for 662 yards and five touchdowns plus 27 receptions for 165 yards. The Bronchos went 5-6 this season

Northwest Oklahoma Reunion

Charles Page High School offensive line coach Jason Medrano was hired as the assistant head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University after the 2022 season and immediately began recruiting some familiar players.

2023 graduates Drake Fain, Kyle Morrall, and Jacob Blevins all enrolled at NWOSU as freshmen and 2022 alum Blake Jones transferred from Northeastern State.

The Rangers went 1-10 in their first season under head coach Ronnie Jones, matching their previous year’s total. They snapped a 15-game losing streak with a 41-0 rout of rival Southwestern Oklahoma State (0-11) in the season finale.

Jones finished the season with 16 carries for 14 yards and one touchdown, one reception for 38 yards, seven kick returns for an average of 10 yards, and one tackle.

Fain had 23 tackles, including a season-best seven against Henderson State, and a sack against SWOSU.

Morrall had one kick return for 15 yards and a tackle. Blevins saw action in one game but recorded no statistics.

CPHS seniors Marcus Sims and Kenneth Page both also have offers from NWOSU and could grow the number of Sandite-Rangers next season.

NSU Looking Forward

2023 alum Brody Rutledge joined 2022 grad Gabe Brown at Northeastern State University this season. The RiverHawks went 1-10 on the season and fired head coach J.J. Eckert following a four-year, 4-40 campaign.

Brown redshirted last year and made 9 tackles in his freshman season, with 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. Rutledge played in four games as a true freshman but didn’t record any stats.

Ten Sandites Sign College Letters of Intent

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Group photo of 10 high school student-athletes

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The Sand Springs athletic department celebrated ten student-athletes Wednesday morning at the Ed Dubie Field House, who have all signed letters of intent to compete at the collegiate level.

For the first time in school history, two Sandites signed to compete in collegiate shooting sports. Gunnar Casey and Sammy Naugle are both headed to Connors State College after building impressive careers with the FFA shooting team.

“We actually started the program back in 2008,” said coach Randy Evans. “Both of these boys have shot with me for the last four years. It’s the first set of kids we’ve ever actually sent to college to shoot.”

Casey was the 2019 SCTP State Skeet Champion, 2019 20-gauge Oklahoma State Skeet Champion, 2020 28-gauge Oklahoma State Skeet Champion, and was on the five-man HOA State Championship team in 2019. 

Naugle was on the 2021 2nd-place team at the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Sporting Clays Championship and placed second at the Dewey Invitational. 

“Our school board and our administration is extremely supportive of that whole program,” said Evans. “They realize the kids never actually have guns in school and when we practice there’s eight to ten adults around, so it’s a really safe and secure thing.”

“I actually started watching these kids when they came to my contests about four years ago,” said Connors State coach Sierra Walker. “They’ve been on my radar since eighth grade. They just have a really unique technique and style about them and they are really good.”

“Even in eighth grade they were making the hits and killing the targets, so I was really excited to get to have them come to Connors.”

The Sandite football team will have three players continuing their careers at the next level.

Quarterback Ty Pennington received a full ride scholarship to play football at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. 

“Pennington, you know, statistically is the greatest quarterback in Sand Springs history,” said Sand Springs coach Bobby Klinck. “I’m going to have to actually coach now that he’s gone. I’m very proud of him and what he’s accomplished.”

Pennington follows in the footsteps of his position coach Darrack Harger, who played for the Gorillas from 2012 to 2013. 

The three-year starter set single-season records of 2,831 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and 39 total touchdowns while leading the Sandites to an 8-4 record and semifinal appearance in the OSSAA 6A-2 playoffs.

He also set career records of 6,455 passing yards, 54 passing touchdowns, and 79 total touchdowns.

“It checked all the recruiting boxes academically and athletically. I know I made the right decision,” said Pennington, who also had offers from Central Oklahoma, Missouri Southern, Washburn, Central Missouri, East Central, and a preferred walk-on opportunity at Oklahoma State.

“At first I thought about going to OSU, but once I started to figure out the kind of school Pitt State was, it was pretty obvious where I wanted to go,” said Pennington. 

Pitt State has won two national championships at the NCAA Division II level. The Gorillas went 8-3 last season in their second year under head coach Brian Wright 

Pennington was recently named to the All-State East team and will play in the All-State game on Friday, July 29th alongside defensive end Gabe Brown.

“It was a marathon, not a sprint for Gabe,” said Klinck. “He played a position that he wasn’t quite sure of and ended up being an All-Stater at it… He’s one of those guys that kept chopping wood and is very deserving of everything that he’s getting now.” 

Brown signed with Northeastern State University after a senior campaign that included 69 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two fumble recoveries, including a 75-yard scoop and score.

NSU competes at the NCAA Division II level in the MIAA. The RiverHawks went 2-9 last season under third-year head coach JJ Eckert. Sandite Justis Myers is also on the roster at NSU. 

Outside linebacker Conner Light signed with Southwestern College, an NAIA school in Kansas that competes in the KCAC. 

Light tallied 74 tackles for the Sandites this season, along with 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He received All-District and Academic All-Conference Honorable Mentions.

“I couldn’t be more proud of that young man,” said Klinck. “He just maxed out his ability and ended up being a really good football player for us.”

“He’s one of those kids that you’re going to miss seeing. I’m very happy for him going off to school. He’ll be successful in whatever he does.”

The Moundbuilders are entering their eighth season under head coach Brad Griffin. They recently finished their most successful season since 1999 after posting a 9-2 mark and making it to the NAIA Championship Series. Light will join fellow Sandite JT Bristow, a sophomore tight end, at Southwestern.

“All three of those guys are great ambassadors for our football program,” said Klinck.

Shortstop Keaton Campbell signed to play baseball at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas. 

Campbell batted .299 last season with 23 runs, 30 RBI, a .465 slugging average, a .392 on-base percentage, with 10 double plays, and one save on the mound. 

In addition to his baseball accomplishments, he was also an All-District selection in football after making 55 receptions for 774 yards and 9 touchdowns this fall, and he received Academic All-Conference accolades for both baseball and football.

The Tigers compete in the NJCAA and have won four consecutive KJCCC East Division titles, finishing 47-10 last season with a fifth-place finish at the JUCO World Series. They are coached by Darren Burroughs. 

Karsen Lynch signed to play soccer at Rogers State University, an NCAA Division II program competing in the MIAA. The Hillcats went 9-8-1 last season and are about to enter a new era under recently appointed head coach Chris Jones.

Lynch is a four-year starter for the Sandites, who are about to start their first season under head coach Cisco Chavez. She also plays for the Side FC 92 semi-pro team, which placed third in its inaugural season in the UWS. Last season she made the Academic All-Conference team and was team offensive MVP.

She will be reunited with former Sandite goalie Alison Day, who is a freshman at RSU.

Cassidy Tiepelman signed to play soccer at Southwestern College. The Moundbuilders went 13-5-1 last season and were the KCAC tournament runners-up. Tiepelman will join fellow Sandite Teagan Smith under head coach Joe Schwartz. Tiepelman was Academic All-Conference last season.

Charley Fahland and Tehya Johnson both signed to play volleyball at Friends University, an NAIA school in Wichita that competes in the KCAC. The Falcons are coached by Martin Ayin and went 12-19 last season.

Fahland and Johnson helped the Sandites to a 14-20 record this season. Fahland was second on the team in aces with 36 and led the team with 353 digs. Johnson had 217 digs and a team-high 689 assists.

Johnson was named to the Frontier Valley All-Conference Second Team and Academic All-Conference. Fahland received an All-Conference honorable mention and both made the Sandite Invitational All-Tournament Team.

The Sandites have now signed 13 athletes from the Class of 2022. Raegan Rector and Avery Tanner previously signed to play college softball in November and John Keim signed to play baseball.

Ty Pennington and Gabe Brown make All-State Football team

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The Charles Page High School football team had two seniors named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State East team this week.

Quarterback Ty Pennington and defensive end Gabe Brown will both get to play in the 2022 All-State football game, Friday, July 29th at 7:00 p.m. The exact location is yet to be announced.

The two will be coached by Collinsville’s Tom Redding, along with Brett Jones (Bristow), Jarrett Hurt (Claremore), and Mike Odom (Poteau).

Brown recently announced his commitment to Northeastern State University. The 6-foot, 225-pound captain for the Sandites tallied 69 tackles during their 8-4 campaign this year, including 11.5 for loss and 5 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and returned one 75 yards for a touchdown. The RiverHawks went 2-9 this season, competing at the NCAA Division II level.

Pennington set single-season records of 2,831 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns, and career records of 6,455 passing yards, 54 passing TDs, and 77 total TDs. He also rushed for 1,306 yards and 23 TDs in his career. He is committed to Pittsburg State University in Kansas. The Gorillas went 8-3 last year.

Ty Pennington commits to Pitt State

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Charles Page High School senior quarterback Ty Pennington has committed to play for Pittsburg State University, an NCAA Division II school in Pittsburg, Kansas. The Gorillas went 8-3 this past season.

Pennington will follow in the footsteps of his position coach, Darrack Harger, who previously held two Sandite records that Pennington broke. Harger played for the Gorillas from 2012 to 2013.

Pennington shattered the Sand Springs football record books this season.

His 2831 passing yards this year beat Cody Hale’s 2012 record of 2416. His 27 passing touchdowns beat Hale’s record of 22, set in 2012 and matched in 2013. His 39 total touchdowns beat Payton Scott’s 2017 record of 34.

In career totals, Pennington’s 6455 passing yards beat Harger’s record of 4813 from 2009-2011, his 54 passing touchdowns beat Hale’s record of 44 from 2012-2013, and his 79 total touchdowns beat Scott’s record of 71 from 2015 to 2017.

Sandite football went 8-4 this year, falling 20-17 to Edmond Deer Creek in the Class 6A-II semifinals. The Sandites went 2-8 under Pennington his sophomore year and improved to 7-5 in 2020.

Pennington picked the Gorillas over offers from the University of Central Oklahoma, Missouri Southern University, Washburn University, the University of Central Missouri, and East Central University. He also had a preferred walk-on offer from Oklahoma State University.

The two-sport star will compete on the Sandite baseball team this spring.

Delvin Jordan signs LOI to play college football at Pittsburg State University

/ Charles Page High School/

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Seven Sand Springs High School students signed letters-of-intent Wednesday morning in the Ed Dubie Field House, bringing the grand total of college-bound athletes from the Class of 2017 to fourteen.

Sand Springs has two softball players, two cross-country runners, two baseball players, one basketball player, three football players, one volleyball player, and two soccer players all headed to the next level.

Delvin Jordan signed on a football scholarship to Pittsburg State University. The linebacker had one of the most prolific careers in Sandite history, racking up 310 tackles as a four-year starter. He holds 45 tackles-for-loss and 31 sacks with three interception for two touchdowns, seven fumble recoveries for three touchdowns, and two blocked kicks for one safety. He was a four-year starter in the first-ever class of Sandites to make the playoffs four-straight years. The Sandites went 28-19 during his career and were the 2015 6A-II State Runner-Up.

He made the All-State, All-Tulsa World, and VYPE Top-100 teams. He was also selected as the 2015 Sandite Pride Defensive Player of the Year and is currently a nominee for the 2016 Sandite Pride recognition. He is currently ranked as the No. 1 wrestler in 6A at 220 pounds and has a 35-2 season record and 66-14 career record. He was the 2016 6A-East Regional Champion and State Qualifier. He has been named the Sandite of the Week twice, once for football and once for wrestling.

PSU is an NCAA-Division II and MIAA program coached by Tim Beck. The Gorillas went 7-4 this past season.