By Bruce Campbell, Commentary
Waukomis coach Mike Felder had one comforting thought after a 46-6 loss to Pond Creek-Hunter Friday.
His Chiefs wouldn’t have to face Panthers quarterback Cody Coats next season when Waukomis drops down to Class C.
The Chiefs, who will take a 2-6 record into a game with Laverne tonight, should be more competitive in District C-3 with Covington-Douglas, Braman, Carney, Coyle, Deer Creek-Lamont, Medford, Southwest Covenant and Timberlake.
“There are some great teams in Class C,’’ Felder said, “but you don’t get the constant pounding that you get in B-1. It’s taken its toll on us the last two years. District C-3 isn’t quite as physical week in and week out.’’
Waukomis has been 3-15 over the last two years. Two of the victories were over winless district rival Merritt. WHS’ other win this year was over 1-7 Ringwood.
District B-1 produced all four Class B semifinalists a year ago. Garber and Canton are 1-2 in this week’s Associated Press Class B poll.
The strength of the district could be seen in Geary upsetting Laverne 28-6 Oct. 15 and taking Canton to the wire before falling 22-20 last week. The Bison aren’t even going to the playoffs.
“They would be a top playoff team in another district,’’ Felder said.
The Chiefs fell to Deer Creek-Lamont, 42-6 in the season opener but only lost to the Eagles 28-20 last year before being hard hit by injuries.
Hedges’ extra effort
Pioneer coach Ron Sunderland says he doesn’t keep stats on how many yards fullback Haden Hedges makes after the first contact. He wished he did.
“I would venture 65 percent of his yards come after contact,’’ said Sunderland about Hedges who scored four touchdowns in a 28-26 win over Chisholm. “There’s not too many players who can bring him down one-on-one.’’
Hedges had 126 yards on 12 carries in the game and caught six passes for 99 yards.
“Our offensive line did a great job opening up holes for Haden and all of our backs,’’ Sunderland said.
OBA to pass more
OBA quarterback Chris Kuykendall threw for a season-high 133 yards in a 48-12 win over Hooker. That might be a sign of what the Trojans will do the rest of the season.
“You have to have some success passing to be able to move on in the playoffs,’’ said OBA coach Todd Kuykendall. “We’re still going to put the ball in Harrison’s (Jackson) hands as much as possible, but you have to be balanced.’’
The most yards OBA had passing before the Hooker game was 74 in a 40-7 rout of Fairview Sept. 4.
Reinart encouraged
Chisholm quarterback Jason Gillpatrick threw for 124 yards and two TDs in leading an almost successful Longhorns (28-26 loss) comeback against Pioneer. That was encouraging to CHS head coach Joey Reinart.
“At times, we have struggled to compete at all times this season,’’ Reinart said. “I don’t know if we competed the whole game, but we sure did down the stretch. I hope it taught us some lessons in competing.’’
Junior John Ward had a solid game inside.
“He’s one of those guys that goes out and plays hard every week,’’ Reinart said.
The Longhorns (2-6) are assured of their seventh straight non-winning season.
Campbell is a News & Eagle sports writer.
