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  • The Verdigris Cardinals

    Verdigris Team Photo 2010.jpg
August 31, 2010

Verdigris plans to attack opponents with smash-mouth running game

Rick Harrington Sports Correspondent

VERDIGRIS — After an exciting playoff run that ended in the 2009 Class 2A quarterfinals, the Verdigris Cardinals will have a new look.

That reloaded look is a result of the graduation of 14-seniors which included quarterback Kevin Stout and lineman Cohle Fowler, now at Dartmouth. Stout rushed for over 1200 yards and 16-touchdowns for an explosive offense that averaged nearly 28-points per game.

Only 12-players remain in the junior and senior classes for a Cardinal squad that makes the jump to Class 3A this season.

Looking to replace Stout will be Tyler Dorsey (6-0, 185, Jr.) and Kyle Parnell (5-10, 172, Sr.) who both saw limited action at quarterback a year ago.

Should the nod at quarterback go to Dorsey, look for Parnell to move to wide receiver where he averaged 18.9 yards per reception one year ago.

Cass Fowler (6-0, 195, Sr.) will give either quarterback a dependable presence at tight end.

From the Multiple-I formation, a strong running game will be the focal point for Verdigris. Handling the bulk of the carries will be Bryce Lindsey (5-10, 169, Jr.) and Tanner Smith (5-10, 195, So.). J.D. Hanslovan (5-9, 180, So.) possesses excellent speed and adds depth in the backfield.

Finding someone to replace Brandon Melton at defensive end will be a defensive key in 2010.

Melton lead the team in tackles and sacks one year ago on a defense that surrendered just over 12-points per contest.

Look for Ryan Moss (6-3, 300, Sr.) to be a real playmaker in the middle of the defensive line where he will be joined by Dalton Inman (6-2, 235, So.) who posted 32-tackles and two sacks as a freshman.

“I think Moss is the best nose guard in the state and is talented enough to play at the major-college level,” said Cardinal coach Dan Nickles.

Providing a dependable, talented duo at linebacker will be Leonard Brockup (6-0, 210, So.) and Matt Cegielski (6-1,180, So.).

The youthful Cardinals open the season at home on Sept. 3 before back-to-back road trips to Dewey on Sept. 10 and Keys on Sept. 17. 

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  • TB-23Hatweb.jpg COLUMN: 'Cardiac Cats' chasing history

    Seven years in the making...

    On a grass sandlot behind Atwoods, the dream of reaching the NAIA World Series was just getting started for the Rogers State University Hillcat baseball team.

    Head coach Ron Bradley, who had won state championships at West Fork (Ark.), Claremore and Jenks, was the perfect fit for breathing life into a soon-to-be baseball powerhouse on the Hill.

    What may have been a dream back then when the Hillcats were practicing in T-shirts, worn-out baseball pants and cleats, is not so anymore as RSU is among the nation's elite competing this week for their first-ever NAIA National Championship.

    May 28, 2012 3 Photos

  • NCAA Baseball tournament field announced

    Three college baseball teams from the area will continue their chase toward a berth in the 2012 College World Series as the NCAA Tournament brackets were announced today.

    Oklahoma, Oral Roberts University and Arkansas advanced to the NCAA Baseball Championships after competing in their respective conference tournaments.

     

    May 28, 2012

  • Johnson holds on to win Colonial

    Zach Johnson was so caught up in the emotion of another Colonial title and a victory in honor of his caddie’s late father that he forgot to properly remark his ball before his final putt.

    Even with a two-stroke penalty, Johnson won by one over Jason Dufner and got to slip on the plaid jacket Sunday for his first victory since also winning at Hogan’s Alley two years ago.

    May 28, 2012

  • Team101web.jpg It's a recipe for success

    Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso was answering questions Saturday after her Sooners clinched another return to the Women’s College World Series when, without really meaning to, she began to make it clear her job has, sort of, become gloriously boring.

    May 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • ReineCody301web.jpg BIG 12 BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: Mizzou clips OU for title

    Oklahoma wanted to win its first Big 12 tournament in 16 years on Sunday. Missouri needed to win it to get in the NCAA Tournament. Need topped desire at Bricktown Ballpark.

    The Tigers held on to win 8-7, claim the tournament title and the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

    May 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • NCAA BASEBALL: OU heading to Virginia regional

    Oklahoma knew it had a spot in the NCAA baseball tournament. Where it would go was the lingering question. Monday, the question was answered.

    The Sooners (38-21) were given the No. 2 seed in the Charlottesville, Va. regional. It will face third-seeded Appalachian State on Friday. Top-seeded Virginia and fourth-seeded Army round out the four-team field.

    May 28, 2012

  • WEST FINALS: Spurs edge Thunder in thrilling Game 1

    Trailing in the fourth quarter, Gregg Popovich snarled an order in the huddle that the NBA Coach of the Year punctuated with a sharp and angry sweep of his hand.
    "I want some nasty!"
    But truthfully, Popovich was already getting what he really wanted: the San Antonio Spurs finally in a game they might actually lose.
    Popovich's caught-on-camera "nasty" command in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals is likely coming soon to T-shirts, Internet memes and the lexicon of the NBA playoffs for the foreseeable future. But after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-98 on Sunday night for their 19th win in a row - tying the NBA record for longest winning streak kept alive in the playoffs - Popovich wasn't flustered by the near-loss.

    May 28, 2012

  • NL ROUNDUP: Reds 7, Rockies 5

    Here's how easy it looked to hit home runs at Great American Ball Park on Sunday: Todd Frazier lost his grip on the bat during a swing.
    The ball wound up in the seats anyway.
    Frazier's homer helped the Cincinnati Reds out-bash the Colorado Rockies 7-5 in a game that set a record for the 10-year-old stadium with nine home runs.

    May 28, 2012

  • NL ROUNDUP: Pirates 10, Cubs 4

    Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
    Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak - 12 in a row, in the Cubs' case.
    The Pirates used that to their advantage Sunday.
    McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones homered, Erik Bedard pitched six shutout innings and the Pirates won 10-4, extending the Cubs' longest skid in 15 years.

    May 28, 2012

  • NL ROUNDUP: Cardinals 8, Phillies 3

    Another Philadelphia Phillies star is ailing.
    Two-time Cy Young winner Roy Halladay gave up a grand slam to Yadier Molina in an abbreviated two-inning start before leaving with shoulder soreness in an 8-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Halladay pitched with the injury the last few innings of his last start, and cutting back on throwing between outings didn't help.

    May 28, 2012