COMANCHE — The 2009 version of the Comanche Indians had one of the biggest improvements in the area, yet failed to reach their goal of making the playoffs.
The Indians turned in an improvement of three games this season, posting a 4-6 record, easily their best season in the past four. In looking back at the season, Comanche head coach Brent Clark felt that the lack of success in the recent past played a part in the Indians’ struggles in district play, where it posted a 2-5 record.
“I think that there was high expectations with this bunch,” Clark said. “We had a team that could’ve got into the playoffs, we were in every game. We had opportunities to make games go our way, we just didn’t have the experience from the past in those situations.
“Now, we have kids next year that have been in those situations. The success that they will have, this group of seniors had something to do with that. There are so many situations throughout a game and you have to be able to handle that.”
In looking back at the season, Clark highlights two games that could have meant a playoff berth for Comanche. The first was in the opening game of district against Frederick, a game that the Indians came out flat and came up short in a second half rally.
The second was in a loss to Washington
“I may have built that one up too much,” Clark said. “We finished the year with Washington, Lindsay and Bridge Creek and we had a great opportunity to beat each team.”
One of the keys for Comanche this season was its defense, which was able to hold down some of the top offenses in the district and turned out some playmakers.
“We had dramatic improvement in our defense,” Clark said. “Our offense stepped back, not stat-wise but scoring-wise. Defensively, we held some good football teams down. I don’t know that we were bad defensively in the past, this group was just able to do more. We were also better in the kicking game.
Next season, the core of the football team will be built around underclassmen. There were only three juniors on the roster this season which will leave a vacuum of leadership with a small senior class next season. The good thing for Clark is that his junior class has several athletes that will be three-year starters.
“To put only three seniors on the field next season will be tough,” Clark said. “I expect our juniors will be able to carry the load. We just need to find role players that make it work.”
The Indians will also benefit from a strong junior high program that has talent down to the sixth grade, putting the team in position to enjoy success on a consistent basis.
Comanche will compete out of District 2A-3 next season against some familiar opponents. Returning from the district this season will be playoff qualifiers Lindsay, Washington and Hobart as well as Frederick. Taking the place of district champion will be Cordell, which is still alive in the Class A playoffs as well as Walters and Mount St. Mary’s.
“We need to be competitive,” Clark said. “It doesn’t have as much to do with the district as where we are at. We just have the opportunity to be a better football team.”
Sports
Building blocks
Indians made strides in 2009
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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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