By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
The Year of the Quarterback
You would be hard-pressed to find better quarterbacks at the small-school level anywhere in America. In Class 2A alone, three signal callers are receiving plenty of recruiting hype nationwide heading into the 2007 season.
The list is arguably led by Sequoyah-Tahlequah's Nathan Stanley. Stanley threw for 2,311 yards and 26 touchdowns in just 145 attempts last season for the Indians, who lost in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs to Spiro. With Stanley returning, Sequoyah-Tahlequah will look to advance further in the postseason.
Adair's Kenny Davis did not have as good of a team campaign in 2006, as the Warriors finished 5-5 and missed out on the playoffs. Davis has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 48 touchdowns in his high school career, and could use a solid senior campaign to springboard Adair into the playoff picture, and himself into solid offers. Davis has Alabama, Kansas, Kansas State, and North Carolina keeping a close eye on his senior season.
Former Oklahoma Christian School quarterback Landon Greve was on pace to eclipse the 10,000-yard plateau over his career, which would have been a state record. After throwing for 889 yards as a freshman, Greve exploded for 3,072 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore. According to the Oklahoman, Greve has unexpectedly moved to Colorado to get a fresh-start after the death of his father.
The list does not stop there. Alva's Mitchell Gale nearly threw for over 2,000 yards last season and 24 touchdowns. Chandler's Jack Gray became the starter in week four last season as a sophomore and did not disappoint, totaling over 1,500 yards for the Lions.
Bethany's J.P. Grasmick was one of the few Oklahomans to post over 1,000 yards in both rushing and passing. As a junior, Grasmick passed for 1,441 yards and seven touchdowns. Grasmick did his damage on the ground, rushing for 1,029 yards and hit paydirt 20 times for the Broncos.
Oklahoma City has Heritage Hall's Garrett Valdez, who defeated the likes of Stanley and Davis to take home the title in Oklahoma's first Top Gun Challenge on July 28. Grasmick and Gale also participated in the event. As a junior, Valdez threw for 839 yards and six touchdowns. Look for him to improve on those numbers for the Chargers this season.
Class 2A Preseason Rankings (2006 record)
1) Alva (11-2)
Alva is not short on talent heading into the 2007 season. Two sons of head coach Steve Gale lead the way for the Goldbugs. Quarterback Mitchell Gale (1,988 yards passing, 24 TDs; 65 tackles, 3 INTs on defense) and Tyson Gale (174 tackles, three interceptions) return.
Trent Lanie (816 yards receiving, 12 TDs) and Derek Lohmann (590 yards receiving 6 TDs; 4 rushing TDs; 75 tackles, 8 INTs on defense) also return for the team that only lost one game last season to in-state competition.
2) Cascia Hall (Tulsa) (11-1)
Cascia Hall was another team victimized by a load of upsets in the second round of the playoffs last season.
Expect running back Denny Clement (1,496 yards, 21 TDs) to continue to pile up the yards for the Commandoes. Kicker Chad Susman (6-10 field goals, long of 42 yards) is one of the top kickers in the state, and he's just a junior. Another junior, WR/DB Price Pinkerton (6 INTs) is another threat for Cascia Hall.
3) Millwood (OKC) (14-1)
How could a team that went 14-1 be No. 3 in the preseason poll the next season? When you lose the likes of Gerald Jones (Tennessee) and Tramain Swindall (Texas Tech), along with two other Division I talents on offense, that could explain it all. But don't expect the Falcons to fall off the face of the Earth.
Millwood has won four state titles in Class 2A since 2000 for good reason. Reggie Berry (137 tackles, nine sacks) could emerge into the star Millwood is looking for on either side of the ball. Junior Christian Crigler registered 12 quarterback sacks, and should do his part to strengthen the defense. Junior running back Rodrick Douglas (407 yards, 7 TDs) could go for 2,000 this season. Those are three very good reasons why the transition will not take too long for the Falcons.
4) Sequoyah-Tahlequah (11-1)
The Indians have one of the emerging quarterback prospects in the Midwest in Nathan Stanley (2,311 yards passing, 26 TDs). Stanley, who stands at 6-5, is being heavily recruited by the likes of Arkansas, Purdue, Northwestern, and a host of Big XII schools. Stanley led the Indians to 11-straight wins to kick off the 2006 campaign before being upset in the second round of the playoffs with a loss to Spiro. With Stanley running the show, the Indians should figure heavily into the 3A race once again.
5) Bethany (9-3)
The Broncos started the 2006 season with a 1-2 record before catching fire, winning eight-straight games by an average score of 38-11. A second round loss to Heritage Hall ended their season in the playoffs, but quarterback J.P. Grasmick (1,029 yards rushing, 20 TDs; 1,441 yards passing, 7 TDs) returns for Bethany to lead the way. Bethany only lost a handful of players from last season. Running back Jeremy Smith also returns to bolster the squad.
6) Chandler (11-2)
Junior quarterback Jack Gray returns for the Lions after stepping into the signal caller role in the fourth week of the campaign. Against Henryetta, Gray threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns in a rout. Gray threw for 1,147 yards and rushed for over 350 in limited appearances, but could emerge into one of the top five quarterbacks in this quarterback-heavy class.
295-pound senior and four-year starter Danny Crittenden will return to bolster the Chandler defensive unit. In week two, Chandler could face a telling game when they travel to Class 3A Kingfisher. Also in a loaded district, Chandler must get passed Henryetta and Prague, both preseason top team teams.
7) Davis (13-1)The Wolves are led by a tiny, exciting running back in Quincy Black (876 yards, 10 rushing touchdowns; 2 TDs receiving on just six receptions). Davis is just 5-5 and 165 pounds. Cody Tinsley (58 tackles on defense) should get the nod at quarterback, getting the difficult task of replacing All-Stater LaQuentin Black. Sophomore Jericho Rogers (92 tackles, two sacks) returns to lead the defense along with defensive lineman Toby Long (49 tackles, four sacks).
8) Prague (7-4)
The Red Devils have plenty to be excited about in 2007. Quarterback Dakota Harris (992 rushing yards, 17 TDs; 1,866 passing yards, 15 TDs) returns for Prague. Expect big things out of Ryan Behrnes (297 receiving yards, 2 TDs), who is the top returning receiver for Prague. With Prague, Henryetta, and Chandler in District 2A-5, it should be one of the toughest out there.
9) Henryetta (11-2)
The school is located on Troy Aikman Drive in Henryetta. Aikman's alma mater posted five shutouts last season en route to an appearance in the quarterfinals before falling to Davis, who eventually finished as the runner-up in Class 2A.
The Knights have plenty of starters returning on defense to make some noise once again. Colby Blondell, also the starting running back, leads the defense holding down the linebacker position. Nick Whitlow joins Blondell at linebacker for the Knights, and could be one of the top defensive player in 2A.
10) Heritage Hall (OKC) (8-5)
The Chargers lose two all-state players, but have plenty returning for the Class 3A quarterfinalists from last season. Quarterback Garrett Valdez (839 passing yards, 6 TDs) returns for Heritage Hall. Tucker Cason (3 rushing TDs) is the top returnee at running back. Ford Binning (94 tackles, 6 sacks) will anchor the defense for the Chargers.
Teams to watch: Tishomingo (5-6) - The Indians started the season 1-4 with a youth-laden roster. Tishomingo eventually turned things around and qualified for the playoffs. Junior Jordan Vasquez (740 yards passing, 2 TDs; 6 rushing TDs) returns as the quarterback. Sophomore running back Dalton Williams (649 yards rushing, 7 TDs) performed well as a freshman. Another junior, Bryson Campbell (106 tackles, 7 sacks) leads the defense.
Class 2A Districts (2006 playoff teams in BOLD)
2A-1: Alva (11-2), Watonga (7-4), Perkins-Tryon (6-6), Fairview (7-3), Hennessey-Dover (6-4), Newkirk (2-8), Chisholm (2-8), Perry (0-10)
2A-2: Millwood (14-1), Oklahoma Christian (7-4), Heritage Hall (8-5), Jones (6-5), Bethel (7-3), Meeker (4-6), Mount St. Mary (2-8), Wellston (1-9)
2A-3: Bethany (9-3), Hobart (9-3), Lindsay (6-6), Bridge Creek (6-5), Lexington (3-7), Frederick (2-8), Little Axe (2-8), Comanche (1-9)
2A-4: Davis (13-1), Valliant (7-4), Tishomingo (5-6), Kingston (7-4), Coalgate (6-4), Antlers (2-8), Atoka (1-9), Marietta (0-10)
2A-5: Chandler (11-2), Henryetta (11-2), Prague (7-4), Morris (6-5), Beggs (5-5), Okemah (3-7), Haskell (2-8), Holdenville (2-8)
2A-6: Vian (14-1), Spiro (12-2), Wilburton (7-4), Stigler (4-7), Eufaula (5-5), Hartshorne (4-6), Heavener (2-8), Savanna (2-8)
2A-7: Cascia Hall (11-1), Sperry (9-3), Verdigris (7-4), Nowata (5-6), Pawhuska (3-7), Chelsea (2-8), Chouteau-Maize (1-9), Caney Valley (1-9)
2A-8: Sequoyah-Tahlequah (11-1), Colcord (10-2), Keys (6-5), Westville (4-6-1), Kansas (4-6), Adair (4-5), Wyandotte (3-7), Salina (2-8)
Class 2A 2006 Playoff Scores
First Round
Alva 21, Jones 7; Bethany 50, Kingston 25; Cascia Hall (Tulsa) 52, Westville 19; Chandler 40, Stigler 0; Colcord 39, Verdigris 20; Davis 47, Bridge Creek 7; Henryetta 45, Wilburton 0; Heritage Hall (OKC) 28, Watonga 0; Hobart 48, Tishomingo 0
Lindsay 48, Valliant 6; Millwood 27, Fairview 2; Perkins-Tryon 32, Oklahoma Christian (Edmond) 28; Sequoyah-Tahlequah 56, Nowata 16; Sperry 54, Keys 8; Spiro 28, Prague 21; Vian 35, Morris 0
Second Round
Alva 14, Hobart 6; Vian 56, Colcord 14; Davis 41, Perkins-Tryon 14; Henryetta 28, Cascia Hall (Tulsa) 23; Chandler 42, Sperry 27; Millwood 50, Lindsay 6; Spiro 26, Sequoyah-Tahlequah 20
Heritage Hall (OKC) 21, Bethany 18
Quarterfinals
Vian 41, Alva 7; Davis 36, Henryetta 35 (OT); Millwood 35, Chandler 14; Spiro 19, Heritage Hall (OKC) 14
Semifinals
Vian 34, Davis 27; Millwood 56, Spiro 26
Class 2A State Championship
Millwood 21, Vian 20
Class 2A State Champions (since 1996)
2006: Millwood, 2005: Chandler, 2004: Sulphur, 2003: Bethany, 2002: Millwood, 2001: Millwood, 2000: Millwood, 1999: Fairview, 1998: Heritage Hall, 1997: Hobart, 1996: Frederick
Class A Preseason Rankings (2006 record)
1) Velma-Alma (14-1)
The Class A runner-up is back for another run at a title in 2007 and talented enough to win a gold ball. The Comets are loaded at the skill positions, with senior running back John Darter (1,279 rushing yards, 14 TDs).
Sophomore Trenten Files (834 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and Josh Hensley (412 rushing yards, 6 TDs; 126 tackles on defense) are two other reasons why the Comets could very easily hoist the gold ball in December. Ryan Miller is likely to win the starting nod at quarterback. Kyle Tilley (173 tackles) anchors a defensive unit that allowed just 5.6 points per game last season.
2) Washington (13-1)
Arguably the best small-school athlete in the state hails from Washington, none other than quarterback and defensive back Tyler Hancock. Hancock (1,923 yards passing, 19 TDs; 678 yards rushing, 13 TDs; 45 tackles, 9 INTs on defense) can do it all. The Warriors were young on defense, and should be stout there led by Hancock, Jeff Tompkins (106 tackles), junior Josh Zimmer (75 tackles), and junior Darrin Madden (4 INTs).
3) Crescent (12-2)
If you are looking around the state to find the next small school running back to put up ridiculous numbers, just as Hugo's Derrick Locke and Sallisaw's Bubba Philpot did in 2006, look no further than Crescent's Shelby Hill. Hill (1,429 rushing yards, 24 TDs) is expected to take the entire rushing load for the departing Brett Gage. Despite Hill's success as a junior, he was second on the team in rushing yards.Tanner Lewis (4 TDs passing, 5 TDs rushing) returns as the signal caller for the Tigers. Seth Hill (89 tackles, three sacks, 2 INTs) is the leading returnee on defense.
4) Rush Springs (11-2)
Another stellar two-way player is Rush Springs' Dustan McClenny (1,621 yards rushing, 22 TDs; 152 tackles on defense). Brian Lloyd (569 receiving yards, 6 TDs; 7 rushing TDs; 4 INTs) also returns for the Redskins. Jaime Lester (140 tackles) also bolsters an impressive defensive unit for Rush Springs.
5) Okeene (15-0)
In 2006, there was not a better set of athletes in Class A than in Okeene. The Whippets took home their first gold ball in football with an unbeaten season, and then followed it up with another title in basketball. Gone are a lot of reasons why they won those titles. Junior Matt Benham (1,323 yards rushing, 17 TDs) is the top returnee for the Whippets.
6) Pawnee (11-1)
The Black Bears had a respectable season in 2006 despite losing in a shocker in round two of the playoffs, and are solid once again this time around. Junior Colby Ellis (383 yards receiving, 7 TDs; 48 tackles, 6 INTs on defense) is one to watch for Pawnee. Kaleb Schwartz (629 yards rushing, 8 TDs) also returns. Chace Green (124 tackles, four sacks) and Austin LeForce (102 tackles) will anchor the defense for the Black Bears.
7) Panama (10-2)
Panama has an outstanding one-two punch on offense, led by Josh Moss (1,416 yards, 16 TDs rushing ) and Beau Norris (1,236 yards, 6 TDs). Norris leads the defense, coming back from his output of 14 interceptions last season. Moss also had five interceptions to make Moss and Norris a formidable defense combination as well. Brandon McCage (131 tackles) also returns for Panama.
8) Foyil (7-4)
Taylor Antle (1,025 rushing yards, 14 TDs; 1,040 passing yards, 12 TDs) returns, but will shift back to wide receiver for the Panthers. Jared Ward, who was the starter to open the campaign, returns to the fold to step back into the quarterback hotseat. Kris Mount is the player to watch at running back and wide receiver.
9) Drumright (6-5)
Drumright made a playoff run last season in a tough 1A-5 District despite playing a freshman quarterback, and could break the top three this season. Sophomore Layne Foster (827 rushing yards, 7 TDs; 1,121 passing yards, 14 TDs) leads the offense for Tornadoes. Junior Sean Paul (550 receiving yards, 5 TDs) is a reliable receiving target for Foster.
10) Hominy (8-4)
Senior Anthony Davis (790 yards rushing, 10 TDs) should see an increase in production this season for the Bucks. Anthony Crawford (750 receiving yards, 8 TDs) also returns to bolster the offense. James Cotton (79 tackles, three sacks) and junior Chase Fairweather (57 tackles, three sacks) will be the main threats on defense for Hominy.
Team to Watch- Ringling (10-2)- The Blue Devils have two very good prospects in the backfield returning to the fold in 2007. Junior Josey Harbour (1,237 rushing yards, 17 TDs) and Randy Apala (680 yards, 4 TDs) are back to boost Ringling. If Ringling answers questions as quarterback and defensively, watch out.
Class A Districts (2006 playoff teams in BOLD)
1A-1: Okeene (15-0), Beaver (10-2), Texhoma (6-5), Mooreland (6-6), Seiling (5-5), Thomas-Fay-Custer (4-6), Hooker (1-9), Turpin (0-10)
1A-2: Mangum (10-2), Apache (8-3), Carnegie (5-6), Hinton (4-7), Sayre (3-8), Cordell (3-7), Snyder (1-9), Hollis (0-10)
1A-3: Velma-Alma (14-1), Ringling (10-2), Healdton (7-3), Walters (4-7), Wynnewood (5-5), Wilson (4-6), Waurika (3-7), Empire (2-8), Elmore City-Pernell (1-9)
1A-4: Washington (13-1), Rush Springs (11-2), Dibble (7-4), Wayne (6-5), Stratford (6-4), Minco (5-5), Konawa (2-8), Maysville (2-8), Wewoka (0-10)
1A-5: Crescent (12-2), Crooked Oak (8-3), Tonkawa (7-4), Drumright (6-5), Stroud (3-7), Luther (2-8), Oklahoma Bible (2-8), Yale (0-10)
1A-6: Pawnee (11-1), Woodland (11-2), Hominy (8-4), Foyil (7-4), Mounds (6-4), Hulbert (3-7), Liberty (3-7), Barnsdall (2-8), Okay (1-9)
1A-7: Commerce (9-3), Afton (7-4), Oklahoma Union (6-5), Fairland (4-7), Ketchum (3-6), Quapaw (2-7), Copan (1-8)
1A-8: Panama (10-2), Talihina (9-3), Central Sallisaw (7-4), Gore (6-5), Pocola (6-4), Warner (4-6), Quinton (2-8), Porum (1-9), Keota (0-10)
Class A 2006 Playoff Scores
First Round
Afton 29, Gore 19; Apache 26, Texhoma 13; Beaver 35, Carnegie 13; Commerce 41, Central Sallisaw 6; Crescent 14, Foyil 13; Hominy 23, Crooked Oak 16; Mangum 42, Mooreland 7
Okeene 49, Hinton 18; Panama 42, Fairland 14; Pawnee 53, Drumright 20; Ringling 14, Wayne 0
Second Round
Okeene 41, Ringling 14; Pawnee 55, Talihina 19; Washington 40, Apache 0; Commerce 26, Hominy 17
Crescent 55, Afton 16; Rush Springs 27, Mangum 6; Woodland 49, Panama 0; Velma-Alma 41, Beaver 14
Quarterfinals
Okeene 31, Pawnee 21; Washington 27, Commerce 0; Crescent 20, Rush Springs 12; Velma-Alma 46, Woodland 22
Semifinals
Okeene 34, Washington 7; Velma-Alma 27, Crescent 7
Class A State Championship
Okeene 24, Velma-Alma 7
Class A State Champions (Since 1996)
2006: Okeene, 2005: Tonkawa, 2004: Pawnee, 2003: Ringling, 2002: Thomas, 2001: Hominy, 2000: Tonkawa, 1999: Tonkawa, 1998: Rush Springs, 1997: Turpin, 1996: Washington
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net