EMPIRE —
The Maysville Warriors will march into Ric Johnson Memorial Field Friday evening with hopes to upend the Empire Bulldogs. The Warriors are coming off a thumping courtesy of the Crusaders of Christian Heritage Academy. The Warriors were drummed to the beat of 33-0. The Bulldogs are fresh off a thumping too, but from the other side of the spectrum.
The Bulldogs, led by head coach Tony Roberts, stand undefeated after one week of play after knocking off the Walters Blue Devils 34-16. The Bulldogs traveled to Walters last Friday and easily upended the 2A school. “We scored more against Walters than we did all of last year,” Roberts said. Special teams and solid efforts on both sides of the ball propelled the Bulldogs to their first victory.
“Our kids played as good as they could,” Roberts said. “We started the game by running a couple kickoffs back. We had some good things happen early in that game. That really helped us set the tempo of the game.”
A lot is riding on the first home game for the Bulldogs.
One of the team’s goals is to be undefeated in non-district play. Although district play won’t begin for another three weeks, Roberts knows the importance of momentum. He knows that winning breeds confidence and confidence is important for a team that hasn’t had much success in the previous decade.
Defending the wing-t is the objective for Roberts, and the Bulldogs, defensively. He was only expecting to see it once, maybe twice, during the season. This will be, Roberts said, the third time his squad has lined up against the formation this season already, including preseason srimmages. Familiarity could be key to stopping the wing-t attack of the Warriors.
Offensively, everything starts with the line. With an offensive line that has only one returning starter, Roberts said he was impressed with the play of his young group. “I think the line played exceptionally well,” he said.
The skill players showed plenty of promise Friday evening against Walters. Geoff Jones, senior tailback, rumbled for two touchdowns and nearly 100 yards and Tanner Shorter, sophomore quarterback, completing all but one of his passes for more than 40 yards. Michael McKinley, junior tailback, scampered across the century mark on 19 carries.
“We still have to improve,” Roberts said. “We played good, there weren’t very many negatives. We made mistakes, by no means are we perfect, but we played pretty good.”
The Bulldogs will host the Warriors for their home opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ric Johnson Memorial Field.
— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Tony Roberts, center, shows the scout team offense some of Maysville’s plays to run against the first-team defense. Empire won its first game against Walters 34-16. David Laughlin
EHS looks for 2-0 start
Maysville visits Dawgs Friday night
- Sports
-
-
Playoff hoops start tonight
Tonight the real season begins for area Class A basketball teams.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
