By J.D. Meisner
SAND SPRINGS — The air was cool last Friday, but the Sandites were red-hot. Playing under home lights at Memorial Stadium, Sand Springs throttled Putnam City North 49-0, extending their winning streak to seven straight and keeping a firm hold on their half of first place in District 6A-II-2.
For a while, though, it didn’t look like it was going to be the rout everyone anticipated. The first quarter came with Sandite confusion, flags, and zero rhythm.
“Though we started off slow,” said Sand Springs head coach Bobby Klinck, “with too many mistakes and penalties. I was glad we picked it up in the second half.”
The Sandites finally cracked the end zone as the first quarter ended with a touchdown pass —the ice was broken. Two more strikes before halftime sent them into the locker room up 20-0, the offense appeared to be settling into stride. The defense was already smothering everything in red and gold.
Whatever Klinck said to his boys at halftime worked. The third quarter turned into a full-blown onslaught — five straight passing touchdowns in less than five minutes — each drive sharper, faster, and more ruthless than the last. By the time the band struck up the fight song for the umpteenth time, the scoreboard read 49-0, and Putnam City North just wanted to get on their warm bus and go home.
“I think we are running the ball with some good success, so that is great,” Klinck said. “People are starting to key on Dominic Forbes, so we have to be ready when that happens.” Defensively, Sand Springs looked like a playoff team — quick to the ball, sure in their tackles and disciplined against the deep shot.
“Defensively I think the guys are playing well,” Klinck said. “The opponents have dictated some of the scores, but we are playing fast on that side of the ball and tackling well. Not giving up big-play touchdowns is key.”
When the clock — and Sandite fans — counted down the final seconds, the Sandites had their fourth shutout in district play and the kind of dominant win that sends a message across the 6A-II.
Showdown
Now comes the one everyone’s been waiting for — Sapulpa: the Highway 97 Rivalry — a great game on any year — but this year, it’s more than just a cross-county rivalry between the two biggest kids on the block. This game is everything to both Sand Springs and Sapulpa. These guys share the top spot in district standings heading into Week 10, and Friday night’s clash in Sand Springs will determine home-field advantage for the playoffs — plus district championship bragging rights for another year.
Klinck knows this will be a war.
“I think Sapulpa is playing their best football right now,” he said. “They are playing with a lot of confidence, so we have to match that.”
Klinck’s message to his players won’t change.
“I don’t really tell our kids anything different,” he said. “This game is big no matter what. Whether both teams were 0-9, or fighting for a district title, this game still means so much to both towns.”
The Sandites have been riding high for seven straight weeks. The Sapulpa Chieftains for six weeks. This Friday night, the trail to the post season, runs straight through Memorial Stadium and their fiercest rival.