Plenty of season ahead for Demons

Sports

September 4, 2010

Unscripted Friday night means harder work ahead

Ben Whitehead The Duncan Banner The Duncan Banner Sat Sep 04, 2010, 05:05 PM CDT

DUNCAN — Although the game didn’t go as expected, I thought Friday was a perfect evening for football.

I would first like to say that Guthrie fans showed up in full force, as did a strong Duncan contingent. Jelsma Stadium was packed and hosted a good atmosphere for the opening night of high school football in 2010. Listening to a sports radio station on the way home, I gathered that that was the case at most stadiums across the state.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was clear all day and as the sun set over the west side of the stadium, the temperature dropped to a cool 72-75 degrees. When it’s been 105 or so within the past two weeks, 75 feels like 50.

Having seen the Demons in practice and in their two scrimmages, I must say I was shocked by what I saw on the field at Guthrie.

The Bluejays came out firing on all cylinders on their opening drive and four plays into it, Kentrell Brothers found paydirt. It was like a heavyweight fight where the reigning champion socked his opponent in the mouth in the first 30 seconds and it was clear that Guthrie was going to control the game.

Duncan is much better than a 25-0 loss. Granted, Guthrie is probably much better than people anticipated heading into this season. The Bluejays may be headed for a state championship.

But there is plenty of season to go. And that’s the important thing for DHS football players to remember. All is not lost in Week 1. Certainly, Duncan wanted to get off to a big start and defeating Guthrie on the road would go a long way for the Demons.

Since that’s not the case, here’s a few things to take into consideration.

One, it’s widely-known that the biggest improvement comes between Week 1 and Week 2. Take from this loss the fact that Guthrie is a great football team and there’s no shame in losing to a team like that. You get better by playing good people, as Coach Jim Holloway said earlier in the week. Now that you’ve seen the speed of the game, pick up the pace a little bit and everything from here will slow down.

Two, take a good attitude to practice. You don’t get better by showing up Monday after a loss with the attitude of, “We’re not as good as I thought we were.” Monday is the most important day. Noble is the most important opponent. You can’t change the past, so don’t dwell on it. There are nine games in front of you and those are the ones you can control.

Finally, know that you’ve got a good group of players and supporters around. No one can take away the brotherhood on the team. Everything you’ve put in beginning with spring drills and continuing through summer workouts is still there. You’ve got great parents that support you and a community that no doubt about it wants to see you succeed on and off the field.

I know the coaches will get this team prepared for Noble and I know that what we will see Friday night will be an inspired team. Keep up the hard work, Demons. You hit a bump in the road, but don’t let it slow you down.

— Ben Whitehead is the sports editor for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 255-5354, Ext. 165, or via e-mail at ben.whitehead@duncanbanner.com.

Text Only

Sports

Bray-Doyle names four new head coaches
Four new coaches were named Thursday, filling vacancies left after a flood of resignations at the end of the school year.

May 26, 2012
Whipples back to where it started
Kevin Whipple, one of the best golfers to come out of Duncan, was back on the course where he learned to play the game about three decades ago as he and his father, Dale, paired up in the 35th Annual Blowout Tournament on Saturday.

May 26, 2012
Low scores on Day 1 of Blowout
Duncan Golf & Tennis Club members are leading seven of the eight flights after the first round of action, and are second in the Blowout Flight.

May 26, 2012 2 Photos
WELL STATED
Britton Scott and Kelsey LeValley didn’t earn titles at the state tennis tournament like they hoped to, but they can rest assured they will still get a chance to end their high school careers on a high note.
Scott and LeValley were among the eight players selected to the Girls’ West All-State Tennis Team, which was announced Wednesday. They will take on the East team on July 24 at the University of Tulsa.

May 24, 2012 2 Photos
Under new management
Sometimes, change can be a good thing. For the Marlow Outlaws football team, this season is gearing up to be full of it.
After a disappointing 1-9 finish to the season, which included six losses by 10 points or less, there was a change of command for MHS.
On April 20, Rob Renshaw, who had spent the past six seasons at Putnam City High School as the offensive coordinator, was named the official head coach of the Outlaws.

May 23, 2012 2 Photos
Laying the foundation
Last season, the Velma-Alma Comets had a nightmare start to their year.
After losing its first five games, along with star running back Checotah Lynn to a knee injury, V-A was looking at an unthinkable losing season.
However, the Comets rebounded to win six straight games and earn second place in district, eventually reaching the second round of the playoffs before falling to Minco 51-18.
Monday evening saw the Comets hard at work on Edgar Martin Field as they try and build upon the success of 2011.

May 22, 2012 2 Photos
Blowout is as big as ever in 35th year
The driving range has seen an increase in popularity, the putting green is getting more use and the course professionals are devoting more of their days to giving lessons.
With the 35th Annual Blowout Tournament this weekend at the Duncan Golf and Tennis Club, it isn’t a time to be rusty.

May 22, 2012
First Impressions
Even before the rooster could finish his morning crows Monday, the Central High football team was hard at work at Broncho Stadium.
Enthusiasm was high and the pads were clapping as 18 CHHS players hit the field for the first time in 2012.
This marked the first official practice under head coach Andy Claborn, who takes over a Bronchos squad that narrowly missed the playoffs in 2011 with a 5-5 record.

May 21, 2012 2 Photos
Scramble helps send Stevens to Pinehurst
Thanks to his performances in U.S. Kids Golf tournaments in Oklahoma City, Caden Stevens earned a spot in the World Championships.
Thanks to his fellow Stephens County residents, he will get to go.
Fifty-six players took part in the Team Caden Classic scramble on Saturday at Twin Oaks Golf Club. Between them and sponsorships from 11 local businesses, around $2,800 was raised to help send Stevens to Pinehurst, N.C., where he will compete at the storied golf resort against some of the best 7-year-olds in the world.

May 21, 2012 1 Photo
Cards win Jess Welch title
Even though Duncan experienced a slight shower Sunday morning, it wasn’t enough to halt the final day of the Jess Welch Memorial Tournament at Abe Raizen Park.
In the championship of the 10-&-under division, it was an all-Duncan final between the Cardinals and Yankees, both of which survived semifinal matchups against teams from outside of Stephens County to advance earlier in the day.
Four runs in each of the first three innings proved to be too much for the Yankees to handle as the red birds took home the championship with a 15-0 victory in four innings.

May 20, 2012 2 Photos
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

Plenty of season ahead for Demons

Unscripted Friday night means harder work ahead

How far will the Oklahoma City Thunder go in the NBA playoffs?

Site Map

Contact Us