Defending champ Tipton leads area teams in lower classes

Tipton might be the smallest area school in the playoffs, however, every other football program would love to have the tradition, desire among the players to win titles, and those gold balls lined up in the trophy case.

All total the Tigers have claimed eight state football crowns with the bulk of them coming in the past decade. During that stretch Tipton won titles in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. With the 2022 gold ball now among those others, this group is eager to try and extend another streak this season in Class C.

The Tigers will host Buffalo Friday while Mt. View-Gotebo heads to Waynoka for another Class C contest. All first-round games will start at 7 p.m. according to the OSSAA.

Today we are taking a glance at the area playoff teams in Class 2A (Frederick); Class A (Apache and Walters); Class B (Cyril) and Class C (Tipton and Mt. View-Gotebo). Friday we will look at the area teams in the playoffs in Class 6AII (Lawton High); Class 5A (Elgin and MacArthur); Class 4A (Cache); and Class 3A (Marlow).

Tipton (Class C)

We talked about the history that the Tigers have built over the years and we asked Coach Travis White what drives his program because this season he basically had to rebuild after losing an-other great senior class.

“I really think pride drives us; I think our kids understand the tradition we have,” Coach White said. “Me and Coach (Assistant Robert) Babcock have both won state titles so we understand that feeling.

“But since I’ve been here, we’ve basically had three groups come through and we want them all to experience that same feeling of winning a gold ball.”

White said those qualities showed up in this season’s tough District C-2 battle with Ryan that the Tigers won in a tough 40-32 battle.

“You asked about what our tradition means, and I feel it was on display against Ryan,” White added. “We had several things not go our way; Ryan made some big plays, but we found a way to pull it out. One of our kids, Johnny Fernandez, had 200 yards rushing in that game and our bunch found a way to win.”

So, with so many new starters, what makes this bunch the No. 1 team in the poll and the favorite to win the title.

“We don’t have that one guy who makes big plays, but we have several guys with speed,” he said. “We were runner-up at the state track meet and these guys can run. Johnny Fernandez, Ryken Shallenberger and Cameron Ramirez are all very fast.

“Cameron blocks well, runs well and tackles really well. Arlen Taplin is a tight end/RB who has really improved. He broke a jet sweep for 80 yards and a touchdown in that Ryan game. He is an awesome teammate and leader even though he’s a buck-60 (160) or so. He is so quick hye’s racked up several sacks this season.”

What about Friday’s matchup against Buffalo.

“They are mostly going to run, and they have a good club,” White said. “This is not going to be an easy first-round game. They have a couple of defensive ends who are 6-1, 6-2 and go about 205 or 210. Those two will present some challenges because some of our guys are not big.”

Apache (Class A)

For the second straight season Apache is in position to host a pair of playoff games if the Warriors can beat Thomas in Friday’s first round.

Last year Apache suffered two critical injuries and was beaten by Hooker in resounding fashion, 48-14.

“Thomas is a good football school with a great deal of tradition,” Apache coach Tanner Koons said. “They are pretty balanced with a good quarterback. He runs it really well and they run a lot of inside zone and jet sweeps.”

Apache has lost just once this season, that against highly regarded Minco, 33-23, but the Warriors ran the table in District A-2, going 6-0 and they are 8-1 overall. Their closest call in district was a 28-24 win over runner-up Walters. In that game Apache jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead then weathered a big Walters comeback.

“I don’t think we let up, but Walters has a good team and we just made too many mistakes in the second half, Koons said. “They had a great goal-line stand and three interceptions and that kept us from getting our offense going. We allowed them to get back in the game with our lack of attention of detail.”

Walters (Class A)

Playoff success is tough to obtain but in the case of the Blue Devils they have enjoyed making the playoffs the past two seasons and this experience can only help them in the future.

“We are extremely young with a great junior class,” Coach Chuck Terry said. “These kids took their lumps as freshmen and then had some success last year and now we’re getting at least one week extra practice and all of that helps us keep growing this program. These games are just a higher intensity level and that works in their favor as they grow.”

One thing Terry wants out of his team is to come out firing on all cylinders at the first whistle.

“We got off to a slow start against Apache and couldn’t come all the way back and we did the same against Hobart and didn’t beat them,” he said. “We have to get a good start this week. On the positive side, our defense has been good all season. We aren’t really big up front but we come after people. I don’t think Mangum has been held to seven points since Powers got there and we helped them to that. We just have to come out and attack from the onset. We can’t sit back on our heels.”

John Fremin has been a solid player at quarterback, making some big second-half throws to get his team back in the Apache game. And BJ Palmer is a tough runner and brings some power as well.

Frederick (Class 2A)

The Bombers came up with a big upset last season, surprising Davis, 12-6, and earning the right to host Chandler which rolled to a 56-21 victory.

This is a much different Frederick team after graduation took a heavy toll on the Bombers along the lines. That could be a problem since Kingston comes in with some bigger linemen.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us,” Frederick coach Bret Tyler said. “They have a big line and they love to try and get outside on the edges. Their quarterback (Ethan Mowles) had a good game throwing the ball last week but before that they had been primarily running the ball.”

Frederick has a core group of good athletes including Willie Cramer and Zach Tyler.

“Willie is a good back but he’s been dinged up for a while and that’s affected our offense,” the coach said. “Zach has been running the ball well and his passing has been pretty good but the injuries up front have really set us back but they are learning with each game.

“Devin Zheng and Cameron Munoz have both moved to the line and our starting tight end has moved to tackle. Those guys are all about 170 so we aren’t very big but they are determined and are getting better. We’ve just been slowed by those things; it’s been where we’ve had our ups and downs. We played Lindsay and Purcell well for a half and then we would wear down. Right now our defense has been carrying us and we need another good game from them this week.”

Cyril (Class B)

Just the thought of driving to Okeene doesn’t sound like a bad trip compared to Lawton High School that faces a 3-hour drive to Sand Springs west of Tulsa.

“Okeene is a long drive and they have a good team that we have to play well to beat,” Cyril coach Trevor Knight said. “They are fast and have some good skill guys to contend with. They probably have a 70-30 rate of run to pass.”

As far as the Pirates go, they have been hampered by injuries and health issues.

“We’ve been without our quarterback (Nash Harmon) some and our running back (Raiden McLemore) has been out with a health issue that is week-to-week. We are waiting to hear from his doctor about his status.”

One thing that is pleasing Coach Knight has been the attitude of his team.

“The attitude of this group has been great considering we are young with six sophomores starting,” he said. “We are teaching them that this is a great thing and we are spinning it to stress how much this extra week will helps us next season.”

The Pirates came close to hosting a playoff game but Waurika returned a kickoff in the second half to swing the points race against the Pirates.