WAURIKA — For most, a 4-6 season in high school fooball is nothing to be proud of. Waurika head coach Larry VanBeber says it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
After starting the year 0-6, VanBeber’s squad could have turned it in and quit. With all the injuries and eligibility problems surrounding the 2009 season, it is a testament to the kind of character the Eagle players have to have finished the year with four straight wins.
“Everyone was disappointed after starting the season the way we did,” said VanBeber. “But after we got that first win, we were excited to watch the film and go out and practice for the next game. Give credit to those guys for not quitting.”
The Eagles were hit with the injury bug early on in the year. An offensive lineman had to sit out the season after having his gall bladder removed. Then, the starting center and starting linebacker was injured in a 4-wheeler accident following the homecoming parade.
“They were just freak incidents,” VanBeber said. “I guess things like that happen to every team once in a while.”
The Eagles were led offensively by two bruising senior running backs in Levi Henderson and Gil Griffin. Each was over six-feet tall and weighed over 200 pounds.
“Those guys were real good for us,” said the coach. “I probably had two of my linemen playing in the backfield.
“They surely will be missed.”
Midway through the year, senior quarterback Jace Dunn stepped in and aided in the team’s turnaround. Dunn had been a wingback, but was needed to fill in for sophomore Tyler Fuller.
A young offensive line grew up despite the losses early on and played much better in the last four games.
Seeing his team pull it together at the end excited Coach VanBeber. Building momentum to finish the year was important, especially for a team that returns most of its players next season. The Eagles will have nine players that started on offense and seven who started on defense on their 2010 roster.
“We won’t be as big, but we probably will be quicker all around,” VanBeber said. “We’re going to get our entire offensive line back. We’ll be lean like a lot of Class A teams are and could use a few more players, but that’s just the way it goes.
“Alot of these guys will go play another sport now. I think that’s the best kind of off-season because it keeps them working hard and in shape. When they come back next year, they’ll be ready to get after it.”
There is no doubt that the Waurika Eagles will be eager to step back onto the football field next year. The 2009 season was two seasons in itself. The disappointing 0-6 start culminated with a 4-0 finish in which the Eagles soared to heights not seen back in September. It will be up to the 2010 version the Eagles to start the year just as they finished 2009.
Sports
Eagles finish 2009 strong
Waurika shines in final four games
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Playoff hoops start tonight
Tonight the real season begins for area Class A basketball teams.
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Demons going after dual state title
For many years, Duncan High School has been known for its proud wrestling tradition. On Saturday the Demons will have a chance to add to that growing tradition as they take part in the Class 5A Dual State Championships, which will be held at Yukon High School starting on Saturday at noon.
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Area teams set for big week
A few thoughts on area sports while trying to make sense of Oklahoma’s high school basketball playoffs, the most confusing postseason in all of sports.
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Senior night for Duncan
There will be a sense of pride plus plenty of emotion Friday night at Duncan Gymnasium.
At 6:30 p.m. the No. 13 Duncan Lady Demons (15-7) will take to the floor against Ardmore (1-18) on Senior Night. Seniors Ashley Gonzalez, Hannah Allen, Dani Jo St. Clair, Britton and Brooklyn Scott along with D’Shala Culberson and Jamesia Milton will be honored during the contest. -
Indians prepare for dual state
With the second weekend in February comes the first part of the busiest three weeks on the high school wrestling schedule, Dual State.
The Comanche Indians will be making the three hour drive to Cushing, looking to advance past the semi-finals, something which has eluded them the past two years thanks to Perry. -
Carletti-Silva inks with Army
Though his feelings were strong, Jim Holloway tried not to have too much influence on the decision.
Duncan’s head football coach didn’t want to push his senior quarterback into leaning one way or another. -
Demons rout Altus
After a tough loss on the road last Friday night against Lawton MacArthur, it seemed the Duncan Demons needed a boost to get themselves going for the last week of the season. DHS had its sights set on using the Altus Bulldogs as the tool for their motivation Tuesday night at Duncan Gymnasium.
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Lady Outlaws smother Rush Springs, 38-28
It wasn’t one of Marlow’s best offensive performances of the season. Luckily it was one of the Lady Outlaws best defensive showings.
For only the third time this season, Marlow held an opponent to fewer than 30 points and the Lady Outlaws topped the visiting Rush Springs Lady Redskins, 38-28. -
Culberson, DHS hold off Lady Bulldogs
There is a saying, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” For the Duncan Lady Demons, a rematch against Altus at Duncan Gymnasium on a chilly evening seemed like the perfect motivation to help DHS avoid a two-game losing streak Tuesday night.
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Duncan hosts Altus tonight
ometimes it’s not how hard you fall, it’s how fast you get back up.
After a tough overtime loss Friday night at Lawton MacArthur, the No. 14 Duncan Lady Demons (14-7) will look to rebound this evening against the No. 11 Altus Lady Bulldogs (12-6) with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. from Duncan Gymnasium. - More Sports Headlines
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