Football playoffs are nothing new for many Tri-County teams, but Meeker’s Bulldogs will have their first taste of the postseason in almost a decade when they visit defending Class 2A champion Heritage Hall tonight.
“They’re excited to be in Week 11,” said Meeker head coach Mike Hedge, whose Bulldogs finished the regular season at 5-5.
“I’m proud of our kids. They go out and play hard week in and week out. You can’t ask for more than that,” Hedge said. “They just love to play football.”
The Bulldogs went 3-4 against District 2A-2 opposition, and were not in contention for a playoff spot until a ruling came down last week from the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA). The OSSAA ruled that Jones had employed an ineligible player, and the Longhorns were required to forfeit six wins — including five district triumphs.
The decision propelled Meeker into fourth place in the district, thus allowing the Bulldogs to complete all of their preset goals for the season.
“They achieved their goals this year,” Hedge said. “They’re excited to be where they are, regardless of what happens.
“We’ve got nothing to lose and the world to gain.”
Heritage Hall’s Chargers went 15-0 in 2008 en route to the Class 2A title. Coming into this year’s playoffs, they are 6-4 overall and 6-1 opposite District 2A-1 foes.
Their only district loss was a 12-7 setback to John Marshall in Week 9.
“They’re a little beat up, but they’re still pretty talented,” Hedge said of the Chargers, who defeated Chandler last year in the championship game.
Sophomore Barry Sanders, Jr. of Heritage Hall has rushed for 1,331 yards on 176 carries, including 15 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs will face off with the Chargers at 7:30 tonight.
Spiro at Chandler
Chandler’s Lions, Class 2A’s defending state runners-up, got off to a shaky start in the 2009 campaign, but came out on top in District 2A-5 with a 6-1 record.
Chandler is 6-4 overall on the regular season.
“The kids are ready to get started and see what happens,” said Chandler head coach Neal Bacon.
Spiro’s Bulldogs, the District 2A-6s fourth-place finisher, came out of the regular season at 5-5 overall and 5-2 in district play. They finished 3-7 in 2008.
Bacon said traditionally the Lions — as well as other 2A-5 competitors — have “fared pretty well” against 2A-6 teams. Chandler defeated Stigler in 2006, Vian in 2007 and Heavener in 2008.
The Lions upended Spiro in 2004.
“We feel pretty good going in,” Bacon said. “We’re pretty excited about it.”
This is Chandler’s seventh consecutive appearance in the postseason. The Lions were state champions in 1984 and 2005.
Leading Chandler’s offense are quarterback Brandon Cummings and tailback T.J. Tillis, both seniors. Cummings has accumulated close to 700 rushing yards this season, and Tillis averaged more than 100 yards per game through the last half of the season.
Prague at Stigler
Rounding out the Tri-County’s 2A playoff representatives are Prague’s Red Devils, who finished the regular season in third place in District 2A-5.
The Red Devils are in the hunt for their first-ever football championship.
Head coach Chuck Atchison said his players are trying to keep their enthusiasm in check, but are nonetheless excited about reaching the postseason.
“The kids are excited,” he said. “We feel good about where we’re at. We match up well against them.”
Stigler’s Panthers came out of the regular season at 7-3 overall and 5-2 against District 2A-6 competition, putting them in second place in their district. The Red Devils finished the regular run at 5-5, and were 5-2 against 2A-5 foes.
“I think we’re on a roll. We’re in a good spot right now,” Atchison said. “Hopefully good things will happen.”
This will be the Red Devils’ fifth consecutive playoff appearance under Atchison. Prague made the semifinals in 2007, and finished in the second round last year.
The Red Devils are 2-1 against 2A-6 teams over the past three years.
Stigler finished the 2008 season at 7-4 after a first-round postseason loss.
Atchison said his team is healthy.
The kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
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Football playoffs are nothing new for many Tri-County teams, but Meeker’s Bulldogs will have their first taste of the postseason in almost a decade when they visit defending Class 2A champion Heritage Hall tonight.
“They’re excited to be in Week 11,” said Meeker head coach Mike Hedge, whose Bulldogs finished the regular season at 5-5.
“I’m proud of our kids. They go out and play hard week in and week out. You can’t ask for more than that,” Hedge said. “They just love to play football.”
The Bulldogs went 3-4 against District 2A-2 opposition, and were not in contention for a playoff spot until a ruling came down last week from the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA). The OSSAA ruled that Jones had employed an ineligible player, and the Longhorns were required to forfeit six wins — including five district triumphs.
The decision propelled Meeker into fourth place in the district, thus allowing the Bulldogs to complete all of their preset goals for the season.
“They achieved their goals this year,” Hedge said. “They’re excited to be where they are, regardless of what happens.
“We’ve got nothing to lose and the world to gain.”
Heritage Hall’s Chargers went 15-0 in 2008 en route to the Class 2A title. Coming into this year’s playoffs, they are 6-4 overall and 6-1 opposite District 2A-1 foes.
Their only district loss was a 12-7 setback to John Marshall in Week 9.
“They’re a little beat up, but they’re still pretty talented,” Hedge said of the Chargers, who defeated Chandler last year in the championship game.
Sophomore Barry Sanders, Jr. of Heritage Hall has rushed for 1,331 yards on 176 carries, including 15 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs will face off with the Chargers at 7:30 tonight.
Spiro at Chandler
Chandler’s Lions, Class 2A’s defending state runners-up, got off to a shaky start in the 2009 campaign, but came out on top in District 2A-5 with a 6-1 record.
Chandler is 6-4 overall on the regular season.
“The kids are ready to get started and see what happens,” said Chandler head coach Neal Bacon.
Spiro’s Bulldogs, the District 2A-6s fourth-place finisher, came out of the regular season at 5-5 overall and 5-2 in district play. They finished 3-7 in 2008.
Bacon said traditionally the Lions — as well as other 2A-5 competitors — have “fared pretty well” against 2A-6 teams. Chandler defeated Stigler in 2006, Vian in 2007 and Heavener in 2008.
The Lions upended Spiro in 2004.
“We feel pretty good going in,” Bacon said. “We’re pretty excited about it.”
This is Chandler’s seventh consecutive appearance in the postseason. The Lions were state champions in 1984 and 2005.
Leading Chandler’s offense are quarterback Brandon Cummings and tailback T.J. Tillis, both seniors. Cummings has accumulated close to 700 rushing yards this season, and Tillis averaged more than 100 yards per game through the last half of the season.
Prague at Stigler
Rounding out the Tri-County’s 2A playoff representatives are Prague’s Red Devils, who finished the regular season in third place in District 2A-5.
The Red Devils are in the hunt for their first-ever football championship.
Head coach Chuck Atchison said his players are trying to keep their enthusiasm in check, but are nonetheless excited about reaching the postseason.
“The kids are excited,” he said. “We feel good about where we’re at. We match up well against them.”
Stigler’s Panthers came out of the regular season at 7-3 overall and 5-2 against District 2A-6 competition, putting them in second place in their district. The Red Devils finished the regular run at 5-5, and were 5-2 against 2A-5 foes.
“I think we’re on a roll. We’re in a good spot right now,” Atchison said. “Hopefully good things will happen.”
This will be the Red Devils’ fifth consecutive playoff appearance under Atchison. Prague made the semifinals in 2007, and finished in the second round last year.
The Red Devils are 2-1 against 2A-6 teams over the past three years.
Stigler finished the 2008 season at 7-4 after a first-round postseason loss.
Atchison said his team is healthy.
The kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
