That is the message from Darrell Hall, head football coach of the Midwest City Bombers following their disappointing 3-7 campaign last fall.
The 2012 season remains etched in Hall’s mind.
“The taste is still pretty bitter,” he said. “It was just bad.”
Hall said that a 3-7 will not cut it at Midwest City considering the school’s tradition of success. What seems to particularly irk Hall is not the 2012 record itself, but how the Bombers got there.
“3-7 is never good,” he said, “but there is a difference between going 3-7 when you are competing hard and going 3-7 and you give up. Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Carl Albert Titans’ drive to the Class 5A state title in 2012 may turn out to be one for the ages. After all, the squad sputtered out of the gate, winning only one of its first six games.
And although the memory of the championship is still fresh on the minds of many, it is not at the forefront of the mind of Gary Rose, the team’s head football coach.
“Well, last year’s first six games were a disaster,” he said. “But we kept getting better. Then, we got healthy. We won eight in a row to win the state championship.”
For Rose, things appear to be that straightforward. He, along with the rest of Carl Albert program have their sights set squarely on a return to the top. Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Del City Eagles search to replace quarterback Jon McBride will continue for a while longer.
In the July 4th issue of the Eastword News, we reported that three players, junior Will Trotter and sophomores Terry Wilson and Colin Watford were competing to be the Eagles’ new signal caller.
Nick Warehime, Del City’s head football coach, tabbed Trotter as the likely starter at that time.
However, all three quarterbacks played one series apiece with the other offensive starters.
The trio flourished in a scrimmage against Carl Albert on Aug. 23 as the Eagles offense moved the ball well. Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Leadership changes are part of all level of sports. In high school football, this can mean new coaches, a shift in systems, and even moving at a different pace from day to day.
While these can be tricky propositions, it’s so far, so good for the Choctaw Yellowjackets since the arrival of Todd Dilbeck and his staff earlier this year.
Since Dilbeck joined the program in April, he has added five other coaches with previous head coaching experience to his staff; most notably, Ty Prestidge, who led Mustang from 2006 to 2012.
“Those guys have been there so they understand what I am doing,” he said. Dilbeck and Prestidge worked together to help build Mustang into a contender in 6A. After a trip to the state championship game in 2005, Dilbeck spent a year coaching at Rice University. He then led Alma High School (Ark.) to playoff appearances five of his six seasons there. Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Early morning workouts, closing games, and a renewed focus on the little things are priorities for the Harrah Panthers as they look to bounce back under new Head Coach Phil Webb.
Webb, who served as the team’s defensive coordinator last season, described the squad’s 1-9 season in 2012 as a “snake bite year”. Seven of the team’s nine losses were decided by seven points or less.
“Those are district games,” Webb said disappointedly. “I’m not gonna go into coach speak and say we had injuries [and the like] because the bottom line is we didn’t win.”
The Panthers’ penchant for close losses shows a need for renewed focus, Webb said.
“The close losses tell me that the problem isn’t with our schemes,” he said, “it’s with the intangibles.” Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Despite outscoring opponents 455 to 176 over 14 games in 2012, it’s not all offense for the Jones Longhorns. Rather, the squad and its coaches are focused on defense and its role in the program’s tradition.
The Longhorns’ defense gave up an average of 12.6 points per game last fall. This figure includes the team’s final game; a 35-7 loss at Blanchard in the Class 3A playoffs.
Dave Martin, Jones head football coach, said the defeat is an incentive for players and coaches alike.
“You think about it all summer,” He said, “but our kids are anxious to get on the field.” Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Shawn Meek and the Luther Lions are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2012 season, as Meek enters his second season as the team’s head football coach.
In 2012, the Lions went 2-8 overall with a 1-5 record in class 2A, District 2. Meek said various factors contributed to the Lions’ losing record.
“Four games into the schedule we started our district games,” he said. “At that point, injuries started to pile up.”
The Lions also were hampered by a young secondary and limited time to prepare for games week to week.
“There was too much on their shoulders,” Meek said. “Each week you only have three days to prepare for a team.
You have to be a jack of all trades and a master of none.”
This season will mark Meek’s fifth at the school. Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Star Spencer Bobcats are looking to take the next step as coach James Harding starts his third year leading the SSHS Bobcats.
“The kids we have had really bought into what we are trying to do here at Star Spencer.”
After winning a state title in 2009, the Bobcats went 1-9 in both the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Harding’s brand of tough love paid dividends as the 3A squad improved to 5-6 in 2012.
“I told them this ship is off course,” he said, “I told them you have to set it back on course and that’s what we set out to try and do.” Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The goal for the Christian Heritage Academy football team is a simple one: be great, not just good. John Merrell, the Crusaders head coach, makes this very clear.
“Essentially, good is the enemy of great,” he said. “We want to be the best.”
When asked about his expectations for the 2013 season, Merrell does not offer a goal in terms of wins and losses. Wednesday, August 28, 2013
As they head into the 2013 season, the Destiny Christian Wildcats are looking to replace four seniors; including three who started for last year’s title-winning squad.
Most importantly is finding replacements for departed offensive linemen Shawn Edwards and Jacob Rookard, Biddle said. Edwards, a right guard, is now a scholarship football player at East Central University in Ada while Rookard, a center, has a walk on try out at the University of Oklahoma.
“They are going to be hard to replace,” Biddle said. “The missing ingredient (this year) is the line. Once it is sewn up we’ll be ready to repeat (as state champions).” Wednesday, August 28, 2013
In observing practice, it is clear there is a two-person battle for the starting QB position for the Life Christian Academy Eagles.
The competitors in this race are sophomores Cole Shipman and Caleb Scott.
Although the duo eventually split reps when the team goes through drills, Head Football Coach Tayler Burchett doesn’t offer a hint of who will get the job. Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Destiny Christian Wildcats finished 2012 with a resounding 72-26 win over the Oklahoma Patriots in the Oklahoma Christian Schools Athletic Association title game. At one point, a championship looked out of reach.
“We lost three tough games early in the season and had to find ourselves,” said Joe Biddle, Destiny Christian’s head football coach.
The losses Biddle referred to were: Oklahoma Patriots 44-24 in Week 3, Community Christian 54-8 in Week 4 and Maud 36-30 in Week 6.
However, the squad responded by taking on their head coach’s fiery personality.
The goal for the Christian Heritage Academy football team this year is a simple one: be great, not just good. A conversation with John Merrell, the Crusaders head coach, makes this very clear.
“Essentially, good is the enemy of great,” he said. “We want to be the best.”
When asked about his expectations for the 2013 season, Merrell does not offer a goal in terms of wins and losses.
“I go into every game wanting to win,” he said. “Why should we want to lose any games?”
Although the high school football season hasn’t kicked off yet, there is something for football fanatics in the meantime. Multiple EOC schools have lined up scrimmages for the next two weeks.
We’ve provided a list of upcoming scrimmages to help fans keep up with the action.
Harrah basketball player Collin Jennings verbally committed to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, his father confirmed to The Oklahoman on Monday.
Jennings is a 6-foot-4 guard. He averaged 17.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a junior in the 2012-2013 season.
Jennings helped lead the Panthers to the Class 4A state tournament. Thursday, August 22, 2013
Tyler Burchett has a job description unlike most people his age. The 20-year old has been tasked with leading the football team of his alma mater, Life Christian Academy.
In spite of his age, Burchett brings his own experience to the table.
First, he played four varsity seasons for the LCA Eagles before graduating in 2011. Then, Burchett played quarterback at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany during the 2011 season. Thursday, August 15, 2013
Last season’s Christian Heritage Academy girls’ volleyball squad appears to be a tough act to follow.
That team went 29-9 in 2012 on its way to an appearance in the Class 5A state semifinals. Their opponents, Heritage Hall, would go on to defeat CHA in three games by scores of 25-15, 25-21, and 25-14.
This fall, CHA looks to reload after a strong 2012 campaign. Thursday, August 15, 2013
Shawn Meek and the Luther Lions are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2012 season, as Meek enters his second season as the team’s head football coach.
In 2012, the Lions went 2-8 overall with a 1-5 record in class 2A, District 2.
Meek said various factors contributed to the Lions’ losing record.
James Harding’s business card says all you need to know, “Star Spencer High School where character comes first!”
While X’s and O’s play a strong role, Harding’s coaching philosophy starts elsewhere.
Harding is inspired by his family, chiefly his parents Gilbert and Mildred Harding. He said they worked together to raise their children and this included holding them accountable for their actions.
The ongoing legal dispute between the owners and operators of OKC FC and the United Soccer Leagues (USL) may be decided outside of the court room.
According to a document filed July 26 in US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, “the parties are currently considering whether alternative dispute resolution may provide a solution to their dispute.”
Additionally, sources with knowledge of the situation, who are not authorized to publicly comment, advised Eastword News the dispute is being mediated by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
Basheerah Ahmad (left), celebrity trainer, completed a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa on Monday, July 8. Ahmad is a Carl Albert High School alum. Thursday, August 08, 2013
Preparation and due diligence appear to be buzzwords for the people behind Oklahoma City’s USL PRO soccer team.
The people, also known as Prodigal LLC, have been making preparations for the upcoming 2014 USL PRO season since the franchise was formally announced on July 2 in a press conference at the Devon Tower.
Much can change over the course of 36 years. Such has been the case with the Oklahoma Outlaws American Legion baseball program and its founder and manager Doug Weese.
The organization, which started in 1977, recently held its inaugural baseball camp from July 15 to July 19 at the Rose State College Baseball Field.
On July 19, the Oklahoma City Redha-wks’ home field, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, was named one of the country’s best minor league ballparks by USA TODAY’s Travel Media Group.
To celebrate the contest, Eastword News visited the Redhawks home game on July 26 to find out what fans love most about the team and its home stadium.
Plans are underway to build a riverfront soccer-specific stadium in Downtown Oklahoma City, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation have confirmed to Eastword News. Sources have advised Eastword News that the stadium will be built by the owners and operators of local soccer team, Oklahoma City FC (OKC FC), and other partners as part of a bid to bring the North American Soccer League (NASL) to Oklahoma City. Thursday, July 25, 2013
Despite outscoring opponents 455 to 176 over 14 games in 2012, it’s not all offense for the Jones Longhorns. Rather, the squad and its coaches are focused on defense and its role in the program’s tradition.
The Longhorns’ defense gave up an average of 12.6 points per game last fall. This figure includes the team’s final game; a 35-7 defeat to Blanchard in the Class 3A playoffs. Thursday, July 25, 2013
Plans are underway to build a riverfront soccer-specific stadium in Downtown Oklahoma City, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation have confirmed to Eastword News. Sources have advised Eastword News that the stadium will be built by the owners and operators of local soccer team, Oklahoma City FC (OKC FC), and other partners as part of a bid to bring the North American Soccer League (NASL) to Oklahoma City.
Please note that the unnamed sources who spoke to Eastword News for this article did so on the on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to publicly comment on the situation.
Sources said the downtown stadium will have a capacity in the range of 9,000-14,000 seats and be part of a larger complex. The complex will include 10 youth soccer fields and team practice facilities, our sources added. Further, sources indicate that the site the group has in mind will be close to Oklahoma City’s future Downtown Public Park that is part of the 2009 MAPS 3 initiative.
It was goals, goals, goals as Oklahoma City FC (OKC FC) claimed a 5-0 victory over the Houston Dutch Lions tonight at Oklahoma City University’s Stars Field. The game, before a crowd of 1,191 supporters, marked the season finale for both clubs.
Although the team fell just shy of a playoff berth in its debut season (due to a victory by the Laredo Heat on July 18), the squad played an up tempo style of attacking soccer.
A long distance strike by Anita Pedford in the 65th minute was the difference as the Fort Worth Panthers claimed victory over Oklahoma City FC on July 13 at Stars Field on the campus of Oklahoma City University.
It all comes down to this for the Oklahoma City Football Club (OKC FC) men’s team in their regular season finale against Houston Dutch Lions at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Stars Field on the campus of Oklahoma City University.
The team must win their final home game to make the playoffs in their debut season.
This week marks the halfway point of the professional baseball season as the Oklahoma City Redhawks take three days of rest during the sport’s All-Star break.
Heading into the break, the Redhawks dropped four of five games from July 11 to July 14 to the visiting New Orleans Zephyrs at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Oklahoma City had won six of nine games to start the month of July.
Early morning workouts, closing games, and a renewed focus on the little things are priorities for the Harrah Panthers as they look to bounce back under new Head Coach Phil Webb.
Webb, who served as the team’s defensive coordinator last season, described the squad’s 1-9 season in 2012 as a “snake bite year”. Seven of the team’s nine losses were decided by seven points or less.
Prodigal LLC, the ownership group of the Oklahoma City Barons announced June 2 that they will operate a USL (United Soccer League) PRO soccer franchise that will begin play in 2014.
“We are thrilled about the addition of Oklahoma City for the 2014 season and as our 15th franchise member,” USL President Tim Holt said.
Last season was not a typical season for the Bombers. After posting a winning record every year in recent memory, including undefeated regular seasons in 2010 and 2011, Darrell Hall’s squad went just 3-7 in 2012.
That mark didn’t sit, and isn’t sitting, well with anyone.
Last year was one of the best seasons in the history of Del City football.
Except for the end.
After completing the regular season 9-1 and winning a district championship, the Eagles bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, falling 28-21 to eventual champions Carl Albert.
That loss, combined with the good memories of their successful regular season will fuel Coach Nick Warehime’s squad this year as they chase another district title and hope for a deeper postseason run.
On June 29-30, several local athletes from the OKC Sprinters track club based in Midwest City competed in the AAU Track & Field Area 17 National Qualifier in order to earn an opportunity to run in the AAU Junior Olympics that will be held in Detroit, Michigan on July 27-August 3. The meet hosted clubs from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Tuesday, July 02, 2013
With the memory of perhaps the most remarkable state championship run in Oklahoma high school football history fresh on their minds, the Carl Albert Titans have their sights set squarely on a return to the top.
"The words we’re going to use a lot this year are ‘no complacency,’" said head coach Gary Rose. "Don’t be satisfied.
Tim Flanders, a 2009 graduate of Midwest City High School and current running back for Sam Houston State University, was named to Beyond Sports Network’s Preseason All-American first team for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Thursday, June 27, 2013
In a video posted to the social app Vine Saturday, Russell Westbrook showed he’s making major strides in his return from a meniscus injury that prematurely ended his 2012-13 season. Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Todd Dilbeck has been the head football coach at Choctaw for less than two months, but is already seeing signs that the Yellowjackets are headed in the right direction.
"Things are going extremely well," he said. "Our kids have really done a super job of buying into what we’re doing."
It’s been quite a year for Dewayne Bradley. In fact, it’s been quite a career so far for Bradley, who completed his 11th season as a head boys basketball coach this year, his fifth at the helm of the Bombers program.
Bradley, a self-described ‘very intense’ coach, demands focus and precision out of his teams, an approach that has landed his squads in the state tournament six out of 11 tries.
Midwest City’s Cornell Neal and Daryck Jones, and Carl Albert’s Javeion Gray took part in high school All Star basketball games Saturday at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.
Jones and Gray were opponents in the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association All Star contest and Neal was a last-minute addition to the Faith 7 game featuring some of the top players from Oklahoma against a team of Texas stars.
Trailing the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 in the series after two consecutive shutout losses, and with their season slipping away, the Oklahoma City Barons responded, scoring three third-period goals to knock off the Griffins 4-3 and force a Game 7.
That game was Wednesday night in Grand Rapids, but had not started at press time. Check our Twitter, @EastWordSports or eastwordnews.com’s scrolling ticker for the result.
Some of the Oklahoma City metro’s top basketball players converged on Del City High School Monday night for the 2013 Big All-City basketball games. Fourteen Mid-Del/Choctaw hoopsters took part in the action.
The girls game remained close through the half, with the West ahead of the East by just seven, 43-36. That would change in the third quarter. Led by Southmoore’s Kayla Tucker, who led all scorers with 22 points, the West opened the period on a 14-0 run and never looked back, eventually winning by a score of 88-58.
Del City’s Dionna Collins led the East with nine points. Collins’ fellow Lady Eagles Tashianna Wisby, Shaletha Clark and Malerie Denson scored seven, five and two points, respectively, with six of Wisby’s tallies coming on two shots from behind the arc.
