By Dave Krider
MaxPreps.com
L.T. Pfaff is a mere 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds soaking wet. To make the following statistics even more improbable, he is just a sophomore. Last week, however, he broke the Oklahoma state record for the second time this year by passing for 629 yards as Atoka blew past Marietta, 52-39.
Pfaff, who broke his own state record of 569 yards, now ranks No. 5 in USA prep history. He completed 42-of-55 passes, with eight going for touchdowns. His 42 completions are tied for No. 4 in national history. For the year, he completed 227-of 330 passes for 3,349 yards and 38 touchdowns. He threw only 10 interceptions.
Kennon Holder set a Tennessee state record when he ran for 503 yards as Huntingdon routed University School of Jackson, 63-38. He carried 37 times (13.6 average) and scored six touchdowns. The previous state record of 477 rushing yards had stood for 60 years…Though national records aren’t available for longest interception return, how about this one? Tyriq Patrick scored on a spectacular 109-yard interception return as Philadelphia (Miss.) defeated Mize, 63-26.
In Arkansas, Fayetteville sophomore Brandon Allen stole the show on Senior Night by passing for a school-record seven touchdowns during a 63-34 triumph over Rogers Heritage. He connected on his first 13 passes and finished with 31-of-40 for 384 yards. Most of the damage was done in the first half…Monroe-Woodbury kicker Jamie Boyle set a New York state record by converting 83 consecutive extra points…Garrett Gilbert now stands No. 2 in Texas career touchdown passes after completing 20-of-23 for 352 yards and six touchdowns as Austin Lake Travis routed Marble Falls, 54-14.
More Football Notes
* Four long winning streaks came to a screeching halt last week. In Minnesota, Blaine severed perennial state champion Eden Prairie’s 39-game streak with a 28-24 shocker in the Class AAAAA state quarterfinals…In Connecticut, unranked Waterbury Crosby halted No. 1 Ansonia’s 35-game streak in an 18-14 nailbiter…In Iowa, Bettendorf’s 24-game streak was broken by Cedar Rapids Washington, 48-27…In California, Westlake Village Oaks Christian snapped Santa Clara’s 18-game streak with a decisive 49-6 victory, but lost 6-0, 215-pound junior running back Malcolm Jones (27 touchdowns) for several weeks due to a separated shoulder.
* LSU recruit Michael Ford (5-10, 200) ran for 443 yards and six touchdowns as Leesville (La.) defeated Tioga, 42-29…John Uribe completed 34-of-50 passes for 524 yards and seven touchdowns while leading Santa Barbara (Calif.) to a 49-28 victory over San Marcos…Ames (Iowa) nipped Southeast Polk, 49-48, in a four-overtime thriller…Little Rock Central, which has won 32 Arkansas state titles, went winless (0-10) for the first time since 1905.
* In Pittsburgh, Pa., James Reed was a one-man gang, making four interceptions and scoring all of Brashear’s touchdowns during a 26-20 victory over Perry…LaSalle junior Drew Loughery passed for a Philadelphia (Pa.) city playoff record 378 yards during a 31-28 victory over St. Joseph’s Prep. LaSalle is loaded with outstanding underclass players at the skill positions and should be a team to reckon with next year.
* Oregon State has received commitments from Lake Oswego (Ore.) quarterback Jack Lomax and receiver Micah Hatfield. The 6-3, 165-pound Lomax – son of former NFL signal caller Neil Lomax - has completed 67 percent of his passes in two years for 4,084 yards and 54 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Hatfield has 31 catches this year for 619 yards and eight touchdowns…The University of Notre Dame has reached into Southern California for another big-time recruit with the commitment of wide receiver Shaquelle Evans (6-1, 203) of Inglewood. Earlier he had pledged to nearby USC.
* Another talented receiver, Jheranie Boyd, has made a commitment to the University of North Carolina. The 6-3, 185-pounder has 42 catches for 773 yards and eight touchdowns this year for Ashbrook (Gastonia, N.C.). He can run 40 yards in a swift 4.4 seconds and has a superb vertical jump of 43 inches…Texas Tech was pleased to hear from defensive tackle Romario Cathey (6-3, 275), who has 53 tackles, 15 for losses, 12 sacks and five forced fumbles this year for Maplewood (Nashville, Tenn.)…Other recent commitments: South Oak Cliff (Dallas, Texas) safety Kevin Brent (5-11, 200), to Oklahoma; and Washburn (Minneapolis, Minn.) tight end Ra’Shede Hageman (6-6, 252), to Minnesota.
* Congratulations to Mike Smith, who won his 400th game – No. 7 in national history – as Hampton (Va.) blanked Chesapeake Indian River, 35-0. In 38 years the 67-year-old coach has compiled an outstanding 400-59-2 record with 12 state titles and an amazing 173 shutouts…Other recent milestone wins included No. 250 for Denny Pelley of Speedway (Ind.) and No. 200 for Craig Clayton of Franklin (Tenn.)…In Arizona, 72-year-old Vern Friedli of Tucson Amphitheater tied Jesse Parker’s recent state record with his 309th career victory.
Basketball Notes
* Bob Hurley’s family had a big retirement party for him last week. Son Bobby came from Florida. Son Danny came one hour from Newark. “From now on, I’m going to do just basketball stuff,” the legendary St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) boys basketball coach told MaxPreps after retiring as director of the Jersey City Recreation Department. “I’ll do camps and speak at clinics,” he added. Oh, yes, and he’ll still be out there leading St. Anthony to state and national championships.
* Oklahoma City (Okla.) has some of its best basketball talent ever, but injuries have cut down its two most talented players. Daniel Orton, in fact, appears to be out for the season after having knee surgery. The 6-11, 260-pound Kentucky recruit averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks as a junior for Bishop McGuinness…Meanwhile Putnam City star Xavier Henry, a 6-6 guard, will miss at least six weeks following a two-hour surgery to repair a broken cheekbone, suffered during an October car accident.
* Another of the nation’s top players, 6-10 DeMarcus Cousins, did not play as LeFlore (Mobile, Ala.) opened its season with a 72-58 victory over B.C. Rain. No explanation was given…Mike Mueller has retired as coach at Lakota West (Ohio). The 59-year-old Mueller compiled a 572-301 career record, which includes the 1992 Ohio Division I state title. His son, Scott, will serve as interim coach this year.
* Powerful Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) has added two more to its growing list of Division I players. Andy Brown, a 6-8 senior, has made a commitment to Stanford, while 6-2 junior guard Gary Franklin has picked Southern California…Southern California also has received a commitment from 6-8 Derrick Williams, who averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds as a junior at La Mirada (Calif.).
* Thomas Knight, a 6-8, 245-pound center, has chosen Notre Dame. A good perimeter shooter, he averaged 17 points and eight rebounds as a junior for Dirigo (Dixfield, Maine)…Other recent commitments were made by 6-0 freshman Wesley Staten of West (Sioux City, Iowa), to Iowa State; 6-7 junior Justin Martin of Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.), to Louisville; 6-7 senior Karron Johnson of Mount Zion Christian Academy (Durham, N.C.), to Oklahoma State; and 6-6 junior J.D. Weatherspoon of Northland (Columbus, Ohio), to Xavier.
* The women’s program at Texas Tech has picked up three recent commitments: 6-1 Shauntel Nobles, who averaged an impressive 19.7 points and 15.6 rebounds per game as a junior for Northwest (Justin, Texas); 6-1 junior Marissa Ashton, who averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds as a sophomore for Dickinson (Texas); and 5-9 senior Chynna Brown of Lincoln (Dallas, Texas)…Another member of Dallas Lincoln’s defending Class 4A state champions, Kimetria Hayden, will miss most of the season following knee surgery. She averaged 17.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a junior.
* LSU received a major commitment from 5-11 Adrienne Webb, who averaged 21 points as a junior at Sparkman (Harvest, Ala.). As a sophomore she averaged 19 points and 6.4 rebounds and earned MVP honors while leading Sparkman to the Class 6A state title…LSU also has received a commitment from Bianca Lutley, a 5-11 senior, who has transferred from Pensacola (Fla.) to American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.). Last year she averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds for a 27-1 state runner-up and was named Class 4A Player of the Year.
Volleyball Notes
* One of the great volleyball collisions in the country this year took place last week in Fairborn, Ohio, where Olmsted Falls shocked Cincinnati Ursuline, 39-37 (that’s right!), 16-25, 25-21, 25-12, to win the Division I state title. Both teams entered the contest with 28-0 records and Ursuline had built up great confidence by ousting perennial power Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame, 25-15, 25-21, 25-18, in the semifinals.
“This is going to be better than my wedding,” Brittany Snider told media members after getting 17 digs and 19 kills – including the winning shot in the incredible marathon first game, which set a state record for points. Leading the champs, however, was 6-foot senior Lauren Whyte, who finished with a career-high 36 kills and made just 10 errors out of 86 hits. The George Washington recruit also had 22 digs and two blocks.
* In Indiana, Muncie Burris won its 12th consecutive Class 2A state title with a 25-16, 25-15, 25-20 victory over Brownstown Central. The 36-4 Owls, who have won 20 overall state titles, were led by Taylor Unroe with 17 kills and 13 digs. Coach Steve Shondell’s dynasty will continue, because he loses only one starter through graduation…Indiana’s Class 4A title went to Indianapolis Cathedral (36-2) with a 21-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 victory over No. 2 Muncie Central as 6-5 Duke commitment Christiana Gray produced 22 kills.
* In Colorado, Fleming defeated Otis, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20, to win the Class A state championship, finished with a 33-0 record and ran its winning streak to 65. Fleming’s six seniors have helped compile a 110-9 record during the past four years…Colorado’s Class 5A title was won by Greenwood Village Cherry Creek (31-0) with a 28-26, 25-11, 25-11 victory over Grandview. Carrie Baird sparked Cherry Creek’s fifth championship with 15 kills.
* Shakopee (31-2) won its second consecutive Minnesota Class 3A state championship with a 26-24, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22 victory over second-seeded Eastview. Ashley Wittman, a 6-1 junior, paced the Sabers with 32 kills and 28 digs. Lauren Grant, a 6-4 junior, had 18 kills for the losers. The champs already are looking toward a three-peat, because they lose only two players through graduation and neither was in the starting rotation.
Cross Country Notes
* Two of the nation’s premier boys cross country teams put on a scintillating show during the Illinois state championships. No. 3-ranked Naperville North nipped longtime power Elmhurst York (ranked No. 5) by a paper-thin 84-85 margin to capture the Class AAA crown. Jeff Thode of Hoffman Estates Conant was a surprise individual champion in a superb time of 14:18. Geneva’s No. 4-ranked girls coasted to a 115-point victory in Class AAA.
* Turning to Maryland, Sandy Spring Sherwood senior Solomon Haile won the Class 4A state title in a sizzling record of 15:43 on one of the East Coast’s most famous and difficult courses at Parkton Hereford High School…In New York, Roslyn junior Emily Lipari won her second consecutive Class A state title – by passing two runners in the last 10 seconds – in a time of 18:18.27.
* Kennebunk freshman Abbey Leonardi became the first girl from Maine to win the New England Championships when she was clocked in 18:12.7 at Manchester, N.H. Another Maine freshman, Emily Durgin of Bonny Eagle, placed second. The boys title went to Mark Feigen of East Greenwich (R.I.), who was timed in 15:47.1. Danbury (Conn.) captured its third consecutive boys team championship, while Glastonbury (Conn.) won its first girls title.
Hockey Notes
* The U.S. National Under-18 Team edged Finland, 3-2, to win the Four Nations Cup Championship at Lake Placid, N.Y. Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich.) paced the Americans with five assists and Kenny Ryan (Franklin Village, Mich.) set the pace with three goals Earlier the Americans defeated Switzerland 4-2, Finland 5-4 and Sweden 3-1.
* The U.S. Junior Select Team routed Canada West, 7-1, to capture the World Junior A Challenge Championship in Camrose, Alta, Canada. Mike Cichy (New Hartford, Conn.) led the tournament with 10 points – five goals and five assists – and was named MVP. Goalie Mike Lee (Roseau, Minn.) had a .933 save percentage. After losing their first match, 5-2, to Germany, the Americans defeated Canada East 5-3 and 5-1 and Russia 8-2 to reach the finals.
* The U.S. National Under-17 Team won three of four games during the Four Nations Cup Championships in Monthey, Switzerland. The Americans defeated Switzerland 5-0 and 4-0 and Slovakia 7-0 while losing to Russia, 5-4.
Swimming Notes
* The Arizona state swimming meet was filled with spectacular performances. Phoenix Brophy Prep’s boys won every event but two en route to their 21st consecutive Class 5A-Division I crown with an amazing 522 points. Brophy senior Alex Lendrum, junior John Wojciechowski and sophomore Brian Stevens each took home four gold medals after winning two individual events and sharing two relay triumphs. Wojchiechowski set a state record of 47.87 in the 100-yard butterfly, but Lendrum was named MVP after setting a state record in the 500-yard freestyle (4:27.67) and tying the record in the 200-yard individual medley (1:49.41).
Chandler Hamilton senior Chris Mickelson also got into the Class 5A-Division I act by breaking a 17-year-old Arizona record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 56.35 during qualifying…The Phoenix Xavier Prep girls won their 10th consecutive Class 5A-Division I state title with 396 points. The 100-yard breaststroke produced a shocking upset when Desert Vista sophomore Katie Olsen beat Gilbert Mesquite senior Christine Olson, who had never lost in seven state-championship races. It took a 5A state-record time of 1:02.11.
* In Iowa, West Des Moines Valley senior Danielle Harris ended her career in a blaze of glory. She was named MVP after setting state records in the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.24) and the 100-yard backstroke (56.15). The backstroke record had stood for 15 years, while the IM mark had stood for 13 years…In Wyoming, Gillette Campbell County senior T.J. Padova was named MVP after setting two individual state records and swimming on two state-record relay teams. The individual records were 1:51.68 in the 200-yard freestyle and 5:09.53 in the 500-yard freestyle. Cheyenne’s Morgan Hartigan erased the oldest state record (from 1982) by winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:04.34.
Golf Notes
* LPGA star Morgan Pressel has a younger sister following in her footsteps. Madison Pressel recently won Florida’s Class 2A state title with a 3-over-par score of 147. It was the first title for the Boca Raton Spanish River senior. She defeated two-time champion Alex Buelow of Stuart Martin County by a single stroke…In Arizona, Phoenix Xavier Prep won its 11th consecutive and 27th overall Class 5A state championship with a two-day total of 586. The champs also had the top three individual medalists.
* Michael Cromie of Cary, N.C., won the boys division of the FCWT Bermuda Run Open with a 10-under-par score of 134. He fired 12 birdies and had just two bogeys during the 36-hole tournament. The girls title was won by Courtney Boe of Hilton Head Island, S.C., in a playoff. She had a score of 155.
Soccer Notes
* The Waterville girls (18-0) defeated Gorham, 5-1, to win Maine’s Class A girls soccer championship. Gorham (17-1) had been unbeaten (68-0-2) over the past four years and had won the last three state titles…In Kentucky, Louisville St. Xavier set a state-finals scoring record during a 7-2 rout of Highlands. St. X, which won its last 16 games, now has won two consecutive and eight overall state titles.
* Coaching milestones: Ramapo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) coach Paul Heenehan extended his girls soccer state-record with victory No. 600, an 8-0 rout of Wayne Valley. We hope he likes Butterfinger candy bars, because his team presented him a large basket filled with – you guessed it – 600 Butterfingers…Another New Jersey soccer coach, John Belluardo of North Bergen, posted his 300th boys victory, 3-1, over Fair Lawn.
Potpourri
* Severna Park (19-1) blanked Quince Orchard, 6-0, to win its fourth consecutive and state-record 18th overall Class 4A Maryland field hockey state championship…Dallas Highland Park (20-0) won its 10th Texas Class 4A state team tennis title with a 10-0 victory over Boerne Champion. New Braunfels (26-0) claimed the Class 5A crown with a 10-2 victory over Houston Clear Lake.
* The University of Minnesota has received a commitment from standout wrestler Bart Reiter of Don Bosco (Gilbertville, Iowa). Reiter has a brilliant 118-2 career record and will be seeking his fourth consecutive state championship. His brother, Mark, who is a graduate assistant at Minnesota where he was a three-time All-American, compiled a 182-3 record with four state titles in high school. Iowa never has had four-time state wrestling champs from the same family.
