It seems like this summer has been a long summer, though it seems like it went by pretty fast, and we’re almost there.
For fall sports, girls softball season will get here by probably Aug. 10. We started in the always tough Ripley Festival that has teams like Dale, Lindsey, Ripley and others.
The Lady Tornadoes played in the Sapulpa Summer League, and let me tell you, Oilton has a killer freshman class, and their older players played very hard, so watch out for them.
Our girls, coached by Lezlie Robinson, and assisted by Kerik Brown; maybe Coach Aylssa Feuxa might also be coaching.
The ladies had a tough time with Mannford and Oilton, but beat Kellyville, Mounds and several other teams. We have several started with a lot of experience. Alyssa Roe, Kaiton Vann, Aubree Brimmer, Boiton Lunzford, Aubrey Allen, Lauren Janzen and Tinley Freeman moved in from Bristow.
Addy Ingraham is a talented outfielder who finished great last season. Evie Oolz graduated last year, so our pitchers have big shoes to follow – they are Kaiton Vann, Aubree Brimmer and Tinsley Freeman.
Also watch out for Braelin Wright, Kailtyn Roden. Brinlee Christy has a lot of experience behind the plate with a lot of integrity.
There is also Zoe Neighus, Mary Meyers and promising freshman, Kymber Gann. Also playing is Kallie Jo DeShazer.
The varsity football team has been in eight-man football for the last six years, but now they move up to 11-man. The six years in eight-man were the only years that we weren’t in 11-man, so we have been there before.
Mark Ryan, head coach, is in his first year, so I don’t know what lineups he will have this season.
I do remember Garrett Wright, Aidan Lumpkins, Cordae McCormick, Keagan Ward, Kypton Ward, Aiden Coffelt, Conrad Reed, Sammy Blackburn saw a lot of playing time last year. Wright also played a lot.
The first game on Friday night, Aug. 28, will be at home against Wewoka who made it to the playoffs last year. They will be pretty fast.
Next will be at Oklahoma Union. I don’t know that much about them; they’ve had some pretty good teams that are either up or down. The game is at Oklahoma Union, Sept. 4.
Next is a familiar opponent, Barnsdall at Barnsdall on Sept. 11. They have always been very scrappy, and never give up. This is Barnsdall’s third year back in 11-man.
The next week is a bye week. Sept. 25, we will be home against Porter. That series has been pretty even.
Oct. 2, we will be traveling to Central Sallisaw, who has done pretty well in the playoffs the last several years.
Next on Oct. 9, we will host Mounds, who had some good years, and lately have struggled, they have always played hard against us. October, the Tornadoes will travel to Gors, who has a lot of tradition, but sometimes struggles.
Oct. 23, we travel to #1 Talahina, last year's state champions. We will need to play our A-game.
Oct. 30, at home, we will play Liberty, who always played with a chip on their shoulder; I don’t expect anything different this time.
Senior night will be against Regent Prep at home on Nov. 6, who had a tough season last year, but still made the playoffs. This is their third year in 11-man.
Tornado assistant coaches are Moses Williams, Hunter Kirby, Kevin Gooch and James Osteshout.
Play hard, Tornadoes.
Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall
Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall Tornado Watch with Robert Marshall