TRAVIS PECK
Progress Sports Writer
Following a so-so season, prospects are looking up around Verdigris.
“We are much closer as a team than last year,” senior tailback Jeremy Tipton says. “Everyone wants big things, and we think we can get it done.”
There is a roster of experience returning for the Cardinals’ ninth season of football.
Tipton typifies the two-way talent that can be found on coach Dan Nickles’ District 2A-7 entry.
Tipton (5-7, 170) is a heavy hitter, delivering blows as a linebacker, punishing defenders as a running back.
Junior Aaron Sunday is a versatile player, and is moving from wide receiver to quarterback this season. He will, however, continue to show up as one of the district’s top defenders.
He’s looking forward to running the offensive show.
“It’s hard changing positions, but I did get to play a little (at quarterback) last year, if we got up by a lot,” he said.
Nickles uses words like “athletic” and “intelligent” to describe the attributes of Sunday (6-2, 200).
While Sunday is a key operative on offense, junior D.J. Sam will be just as vital to the defense.
Sam (6-0, 190) forced six fumbles last year, and recovered seven, while building a strong reputation as a linebacking block of granite.
To say the Cardinals are building a tradition would go along with the building of a new stadium last season.
Everything could be falling into place for the Cardinals.
They have a lot of key pieces. On both sides of the football.
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Verdigris' Jeremy Tipton
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District Champs!
“Champions don’t talk, they just perform.”
The Claremore High School freshmen Zebras brought home the Metro Lakes title last Monday night at Bishop Kelley, thanks to the “Heisman-like” performance of all-purpose standout Dustin Basks.
Basks scored Claremore’s first 20 points on a pass play, a kickoff return and an interception return — all in the first half.
Looking like former Michigan Wolverine sensation Charles Woodson, Basks proved to be ‘unstoppable’ while leading the Zebras to a 33-13 victory over the previously unbeaten Comets. -
Homecoming tonight in Foyil
The stands will be full with Panther pride tonight as Foyil High School hosts Hulbert for Homecoming.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. with homecoming ceremonies starting at 7 p.m. -
Zebras hungry for victory
Every setback is a setup for an even greater comeback.
That’s been the motto all season long for the Claremore Zebra football team.
“We’ve been close in a lot of games,” Zebra head coach Rob Gilbreath said, “... just haven’t been able to finish or catch a break.”
At 7:30 p.m. tonight in Grove, the Zebras are hoping to get a heavy monkey off their back and end a two-game losing in District 5A-4 play. -
Chelsea battles Lincoln Christian in District 2A-7 action tonight
Can the Chelsea Green Dragons take down Lincoln Christian for the second year in a row?
Inside the Chelsea locker room, tonight’s showdown in Tulsa has been circled on the calendar ever since last season’s 26-21 victory over the Bulldogs. -
Verdigris, Metro Christian tangle for shot at District 3A-6 title
The best two Class 3A teams in the Tulsa-Metro area clash tonight for a shot at a district championship.
Metro Christian (7-0 overall, 3-0 District 3A-6) hosts Verdigris (7-0 overall, 4-0 district) at 7:30 p.m. in what is expected to be an offensive shootout. -
Big East stability tied to Missouri
The Big East wants to expand to 12 football teams and “the sooner the better.”
The problem is the Big East can’t be sure if its current members are staying put until Missouri, the Big 12 and the Southeastern Conference figure out what their next steps will be in the ongoing drama of conference realignment. -
OU offense stalling in red zone
Oklahoma’s fast-paced offense is difficult to stop from just about anywhere on the field.
But for some reason, the third-ranked Sooners keep finding ways to slow themselves down once they get into the red zone. -
No. 2 Catoosa rides winning streak into Jay
Second-ranked Catoosa has a not so secret weapon it uses to annihilate opponents on the football field. An offensive line averaging 260 pounds per man blasts holes through enemy defenses that allow standout running backs Cole Scheulen and Levi Browning to roam free.
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