Threat of early morning rain required that the infield tarp be left on overnight so that the first round of the Mid-South Regional Tournament could begin on time. And it did. Thursday’s first game between Omaha and New Orleans began precisely at the scheduled 9:30 a.m. starting time. The Enid Majors, as the host team, were left with the job of tending to the tarp, arriving early Thursday morning to roll it back up. For their efforts, manager Bill Mayberry treated the ballclub to breakfast at Wee Too Restaurant. Well, most of the team. Three players were scheduled to work at the ballpark during the first game — Dylan Nave, Tobin Mateychick and Seth Sturgeon. But the three Enid standouts weren’t going to be left out of a free breakfast. “They are supposed bring us back some omelets,’’ said Nave.
After five straight one-sided losses to Jenks, Enid had perhaps one of its best chances against the Trojans in the 2006 state championship game. The Plainsmen featured all-everything Austin Box and a fleet of talented pass catchers who ignited a record-setting offense. But a blast of wintery weather forced the postponement of the title game for 13 nights until it finally was played on Dec. 8, 2006, at Skelley Stadium at Tulsa University. The game site still rankles many Enid fans who believe the game should have been played on a more neutral site than on a field minutes away from the Jenks campus. Giving Jenks virtual homefield advantage was an edge the talented Trojans didn’t need. The red-hot Plainsmen swept through the playoffs with convincing wins over Tulsa Washington, Mustang and Owasso before weather problems sidetracked Enid’s momentum. As it turned out, the twice-delayed game was played on a numbingly cold night in Tulsa against a great ballclub playing in its hometown. Like every team Enid played against that season, Jenks focused on containing Box, who could — and did — burn opponents with his arm, legs and athletic sense. Everywhere Box went that night, several Trojans were sure to follow. Enid offensive coordinator Dudley Darrow said there hasn’t been much talk in the Enid clubhouse about the 2006 state title game. “History doesn’t mean much on Friday nights,’’ he said. “We’ve just been telling our kids all week to have fun and make plays.’’
Record update: Enid quarterback Clint Chelf continues his assault on the Plainsmen record book. Chelf already owns almost all of the school passing records. One significant record remains. He needs just one more touchdown pass to become the single-season leader. Chelf and Jerrod Mendenhall are tied at 19.
Extra points: Two years ago, when Enid was streaking toward the state championship game, the Plainsmen grabbed a school-record 36 interceptions. To put that into perspective, this season the Plainsmen have 11 interceptions. ... Hunter-Dwelley Stadium has a special meaning, and an unfortunate one, for Enid senior safety Brent Kenaga. It was on that field in the preseason Kenaga suffered a season-ending knee injury. ... Enid has seven different players who each are averaging more than 10 yards per reception. ... Seth Sturgeon’s consecutive-game reception streak now is at 20. Former EHS player Dean Kirton holds the school record with 21. ... Enid and its opponents each have recorded 163 first downs this season. ... Enid has been penalized 12 more times for 92 more yards than its opponents. ... Friday night’s game is the 1,030th in Enid history. Enid has a record of 574-409-46 since 1908. ...
Former Enid coach Tom Cobble had an interesting comment about how an underdog should approach a game against a heavily-favored opponent. “Don’t determine the outcome of the game before it’s played,’’ Cobble used to say. That will be the task of the Plainsmen on Friday when they travel to play Tulsa Union in the final game of the regular season. Cobble’s comment seems self-evident — teams should not assume they are going to lose before they even step on the field. But many Union opponents take the field with a predetermined notion of defeat. It will be Enid’s job to avoid that tendency. “You prepare all week to get yourself ready to play and you play the game,’’ said Enid assistant head coach Jason Murray. “Anything can happen on a given night. We’re going to do the best we can and see how it comes out.’’ Murray said the key to beating Union is to not get discouraged if everything doesn’t go as planned. “There’s always going to be ups and downs in a football game,’’ said Murray. “You can’t get your head down. “You have to run the right routes, get off collisions, catch the ball. You have to block well and tackle well. The quarterback has to make the right reads and you have to stay in manageable downs.’’ Win or lose, Enid will be in the playoffs next week, so there is no pressure to win the game. “You want to play well going into the playoffs,’’ said Murray. “You want to get that momentum going. There’s no pressure other than the pressure you put on yourself to play well. And for the seniors, their careers are windy down. They want to make the most of each night.’’
Getting there: Take Cimarron Turnpike east to Tulsa. Take I-244 south. Take I-44 east. Travel on Broken Arrow Expressway (I-44) to Mingo Road. Exit south onto S. Mingo Road. Union-Tuttle Stadium is located on S. Mingo Road. Visitors sit on the east side. Parking is free.
Extra points: Enid has scored 338 points this season, so placekicker Nick Ciliberti is getting a lot of chances on conversion kicks. And he’s making the most of it. Ciliberti is 39 of 44 on point-after kicks, and he’s 5 of 6 on field goals for 54 points. ... Enid has scored 122 points in the first quarter and 122 points in the second quarter this season. ... Linebacker Tyler Barnes continues to lead the team with 80 tackles. ... Seth Sturgeon’s consecutive-game reception streak now is at 19. Former EHS player Dean Kirton holds the school record with 21. ... Friday night’s game is the 1,029th in Enid history. Enid has a record of 574-408-46 since 1908. ...
In a series that began in 1920 and now has stretched to 82 games, Enid leads Ponca City 46-30-6. But Enid coach Tommy Parker said just because Enid has enjoyed success, it’s not a guarantee it will continue. Parker’s history against Ponca City hasn’t been so special. Parker came to Enid in 2003 as an assistant for Tom Cobble. In his first game against the Wildcats, Enid lost 19-0. In his second game against PC, Enid lost 17-10. In his third game against PC, Enid lost 31-10. The Plainsmen finally ended the streak with a 35-6 win in 2006 and a 45-14 win last year. “Ponca City is not like they were 20 years ago,’’ he said. “My memories of Ponca City is that 19-0 loss right here (in Enid), then the next year and the next year.’’ Parker will be coaching against Ponca City for just the sixth time but this will be his first game against the Wildcats as a head coach. “This is a great, storied rivalry,’’ he said. “You have two communities that are a lot alike. It’s what high school rivalries are supposed to be about.’’
Enid’s individual statistical leaders on defense didn’t play much last week in a blowout win over U.S. Grant, so their numbers didn’t jump much. Tyler Barnes continues to lead the team with 76 tackles. Trent Dupy is right behind with 62. Jesse Ream and John Burton each have 58 tackles. Enid’s offensive numbers aren’t what they could be either. Parker estimates the starters have played only three full games all season. “I expect this (Ponca City) game will be a four-quarter game,’’ he said. “If it’s not, I’d be surprised.’’
Enid has outscored opponents 115-35 in the first quarter and 109-65 in the second period. ... Enid has struggled with penalties all season. The Plainsmen have been ticketed 58 times for 505 yards. Opponents have 47 penalties for 399 yards. ... Enid is plus-4 in turnover ratio. ... Enid WR Seth Sturgeon has caught a pass in 18 straight games. ... Friday night’s game is the 1,028th in Enid history. Enid has a record of 573-408-46 since 1908. ...
If Enid’s football game against U.S. Grant goes as expected Friday night, Enid’s reserve players and underclassmen could see significant playing time as the ballclub prepares for the stretch drive. “This is a different kind of game,’’ said Enid offensive coordinator Dudley Darrow. “It’s a very winnable game. It’s a game where you look at getting way into your depth. “It’s a good week to get healthy and get a lot of reps and playing time for the younger kids.’’ Many Enid starters are expected to get limited playing time, including quarterback Clint Chelf, receivers Matthew Cotton and Seth Sturgeon and linemen Trent Dupy, Matt Loehr and Mason Faulkner. Daniel Barwick may not play because of a shin injury. “The (starters), you know they can play by now,’’ said Darrow. “They are proven. This game, hopefully, we can see how the (reserves) play.’’ Several reserve players on both sides of the ball could be on the field extensively. Sophomore quarterbacks Alex Patterson and Tanner Miller are competing for the 2009 starting position. McLain Clemens will start at running back, while the wide receiver spots will feature Donnie Fuston, Keandre Glasgow, Joe Black and Cody Lee. Darrow hopes to play Frank Gonzalez, Brock Enmeier, Colby Scott, Blake Ferguson and Justin Shelite on the offensive line. On defense, there will be many reserve players in action, including Scott, Ferguson, Paige Palmer, Lee, Black, Glasgow, Kaleb Hulva, Fuston, Clemens, Kyle Abbott and Alejandro Maciel. Darrow said Enid will not scale down the offense against Grant no matter who plays. “We will still attack them,’’ he said. “We’ll try to score as many points as we can as quick as we can and get the (reserves) in the game. That’s the goal every week.’’
In addition to Chelf, Enid has several players moving up the record book. Kicker Nick Ciliberti is fourth in career conversion kicks with 57. He’s sixth in single-season PATs with 29. Ciliberti also is fourth in all-time points by a kicker with 72 and seventh in single-season kicker points with 38. Barwick is seventh in single-season all-purpose yards with 1,336. Sturgeon, who now has caught a pass in 17 straight games, is eighth all-time in catches with 57.
Enid coach Tommy Parker said Senior Night is special for the players, something they will remember for the rest of their lives. “You build relationships with those guys over the years,’’ he said. “You hope they go out and perform well on that stage.’’ For the senior players, Friday’s game will be the last they play at Plainsmen Field. “Those guys put in a lot of hours, sweat, joy and pain,’’ said Parker.
Friday night’s game is the 1,027th in Enid history. Enid has a record of 572-408-46 since 1908. ...
Enid equipment manager/chief statistician Marvin Hannah continually updates the Plainsmen football record book. And with Enid’s offense flying high, he’s had a lot of figuring to do this year. But Enid coach Tommy Parker does not consult with Hannah about records, and he won’t on Thursday when the Plainsmen travel to play Yukon. “I couldn’t tell you about any records,’’ said Parker. “We try to win games. I couldn’t care less about records. The only record I care about is 4-2, our record right now, and we need to be 5-2 after this week.’’ For the record, several Enid players are moving up the charts. Quarterback Clint Chelf now is in second place in career passing yards with 3,337 yards. Austin Box has the record with 3,848 yards. Chelf needs two more touchdown passing to tie Box’s all-time record of 29 TD tosses. Chelf is in the top 10 in four other categories. Defensive tackle Trent Dupy is in ninth place all-time with 124 tackles by a defensive lineman. Nick Ciliberti is in eighth place for points in a season by a kicker. And Seth Sturgeon is tied for third place with 16 straight games with a reception. The record is 21 straight by Dean Kirton.
Yukon plays its home games on turf, so to prepare for Thursday’s game, Enid practiced on the field turf at David Allen Memorial Ballpark on Tuesday and at the indoor practice facility at NOC Enid on Wednesday.
Enid and Yukon have not played since 1993, when the Plainsmen won 16-12.
Enid’s offense is clicking along, and as Parker rightly points out, a key reason why is the play of the offensive line. Last week, Dupy, Enid’s center, turned in what Parker calls his best game of the season. Dupy successfully completed his blocking assignment on 44 of 45 plays, a 98 percent rating. Right tackle Tanner Newby was almost as good at 94 percent.
Getting there: Take U.S. 81 south. Take Northwest Expressway east. Turn right (south) on Piedmont Road and travel into Yukon. Turn right (west) on W. Main St. Turn left (south) on S. 11th St. Turn left (east) on Yukon Ave. Turn right (south) onto school campus. Visitors sit on the east side of Millers Stadium.
Thursday night’s game is the 1,026th in Enid history. Enid has a record of 571-408-46 since 1908. ... Enid has outscored opponents 51-17 in the third quarter. ... Enid is minus-2 in turnover ratio. ... LB Tyler Barnes leads the team with 63 tackles.
Enid and Choctaw, two District 6A-4 foes who play on Friday, don’t have much of a history. The teams have only played four times, and Enid leads 3-1. The teams have not met since 2005, when the Yellowackets eked out a 17-14 win.
Enid quarterback Clint Chelf continues to climb in the school record books. The senior bound for Tulsa sits in third place with 2,974 career passing yards. With a good game against Choctaw, Chelf could overtake Brad Nichols, who is in second place with 3,124 yards passing. The all-time leader is Austin Box with 3,848 passing yards. Chelf has a good chance to overtake Box in career touchdown passes. Box is the leader with 29 TD passes. Chelf currently is in fourth place with 23.
Enid standout Daniel Barwick will be looking to get back on the 100-yard rushing track against Choctaw. Barwick opened the season with three straight 100-yard rushing games before being held to 48 yards and 89 yards the last two weeks.
Friday night’s game is the 1,025th in Enid history. Enid has a record of 570-408-46 since 1908. ... Enid has outscored opponents 70-28 in the first period. On the other hand, opponents have outscored Enid 49-7 in the fourth period, but many of those fourth quarters were played by the Enid reserves during a three-game winning streak to open the season. ... Enid receiver Donnie Fuston has just one catch this season, and it went for a 90-yard touchdown. ... Enid kicker Nick Ciliberti now is 22 of 23 on conversion kicks. ...
The injury bug has bitten the Enid Plainsmen. Senior standout Daniel Barwick (shin) and offensive lineman Matt Loehr (knee) are listed as questionable for Friday’s game at Stillwater. That adds to the list that also includes season-ending injuries to free safety Brett Kenaga (knee) and defensive end Zach Gonzalez (leg). “Timing is everything,’’ said Enid coach Tommy Parker. “This is not a good time for it to happen. There never is a good time. You just deal with it and move on.’’ Parker said if Barwick is unable to play, Jonathan Burton would start at running back and McLain Clemens would play flanker. Parker said if Loehr sits out, Luke Stambaugh would start in his place.
Stillwater features running back Chris Perry, who also is an accomplished wrestler with good bloodlines. Perry is a three-time defending state champion wrestler. His brother, Mark Jr., was a national champion at Iowa. His father, Mark, was a national champion at Oklahoma State. Chris Perry’s uncle is John Smith, the OSU wrestling coach. “(Chris Perry) is a great high school athlete,’’ said Parker. “He’s what a high school athlete is supposed to be about. He’s very talented, he’s very driven and he hates to lose.’’
Former Enid American Legion baseball coach Butch Lingenfelter is in his first year as athletic director at Stillwater High School. Lingenfelter is one of the school’s administrators overseeing the construction of a $21 million football stadium and multi-purpose facility. Construction began in June for the stadium, which is being built on the high school campus. The project is being funded as part of a $31 million bond issue passed by city voters last October. The new stadium will replace venerable Hamilton Field, which has been in use since 1948.
Friday night’s game is the 1,024th in Enid history. Enid has a record of 570-407-46 since 1908. ... Enid LB Tyler Barnes continues to hold his team lead in tackles with 46. ... Enid has outscored opponents 37-3 in the third period this season. ...
The Enid Plainsmen have a home run threat in Daniel Barwick, but the Owasso Rams have one of their own in Jacques Washington. Enid coach Tommy Parker said the Owasso coaching staff uses Washington in much the same way Enid uses Barwick. “They move him around a lot and make you find him,’’ said Parker. “But they have other playmakers in other positions as well. You have to get to the football and tackle well.’’ Of course, that’s the same philosophy Enid’s opponents try to employ against Barwick and the Plainsmen. Parker said surgery to repair the broken leg of standout Zach Gonzalez went well. Gonzalez was injured in the second period against Bartlesville last week and will miss the rest of the season. Mason Faulkner will play for Gonzalez at defensive end in addition to his starting assignment at left guard on offense. On the record watch, Enid quarterback Clint Chelf is second in career total offense with 3,392 yards. He’s third in career passing yards (2,525) and third in career completions (192). With his next completion, Chelf will tie Brad Nichols (1995-97) for second place all-time. Chelf is fourth in career touchdown passes (22) and fifth in career all-purpose touchdowns (34). Although he has played only three games for Enid, Barwick is tied for 19th in single-season punt returns with 112 yards. Donald Shoals (1996) holds the record with 229 yards. Enid kicker Nick Ciliberti is moving up the charts. He’s fifth in career point-after kicks with 45 and sixth in career points by a kicker with 54. Enid Greybeards will have a tailgate party Friday before the game. The public is invited to the party, which will be held from 5:45 to 7 p.m. on the north side of D. Bruce Selby Stadium on Iowa. The cost is $5 and includes a hamburger, chips, drink and dessert. Friday night’s game is the 1,023rd in Enid history. Enid has a record of 570-406-46 since 1908. ... Enid LB Tyler Barnes continues to lead the team with 37 tackles. ... Enid is playing its third straight home game. Parker said he cannot remember a season in which his team has played three in a row at home. ... Former OU kicker Uwe Von Schamann worked with Enid’s kicking teams at practice Wednesday. ... Due to the lopsided nature of each of the first three games, Enid’s starters have played in just nine of the 12 quarters.
Enid hosts Bartlesville in the annual homecoming game Friday at D. Bruce Selby Stadium. And if you believe in trends, the Plainsmen should come out on top. Enid has dominated Bartlesville in the career series. The Plainsmen own a 7-1-1 record against the Bruins, including last year’s 42-27 win. There aren’t that many games in the series but Enid hasn’t lost to the Bruins since a 12-0 setback in 1931. Enid coach Tommy Parker said homecoming can be a distraction if the players aren’t focused on the game. Parker also said he would not have scheduled Bartlesville (2-0) as a homecoming opponent. “They’re good. They have some weapons,’’ said Parker. “This is not going to be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination.’’ Parker has a theme printed in the team’s weekly scouting report. The theme in Week 1 dealt with attitude. The theme in Week 2 involved discipline. This week’s theme deals with the importance of being a team player. One of the inspirational quotes in the scouting report is a Native American verse from the Seneca tribe: There is no delight owning anything unshared. Several Enid players are moving up in the Plainsmen record book. Quarterback Clint Chelf now is third in career completions with 179. He’s fourth in career total offense with 3,074 yards, sixth in career passing yards with 2,274, seventh in career touchdown passes with 19 and seventh in career all-purpose touchdowns with 31. Receiver Seth Sturgeon is tied for sixth with 12 straight games with a completion. Kicker Nick Ciliberti is seventh in career point-after kicks with 39. Bartlesville head coach Ron Smith is the father of Paul Smith, the former record-breaking Tulsa quarterback. Paul Smith recently rejoined the practice squad for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Enid Greybeards will have a tailgate party Friday before the game. The public is invited to the party, which will be held from 5:45 to 7 p.m. on the north side of D. Bruce Selby Stadium on Iowa. The cost is $5 and includes a hamburger, chips, drink and dessert. Enid has outscored opponents 42-7 in the second period and 63-14 in the first half. ... Bartlesville is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2000. ... Enid linebacker Tyler Barnes leads the team with 27 tackles. ... Enid safety Mikey Bretado (shoulder) is expected to play tonight. ... Parker said senior Luke Stambaugh is expected to see more action at right tackle. ... Perhaps because they do not want to provide scouting information to opponents, Bartlesville’s coaching staff does not release official weights of their players. ... Enid is plus-5 in turnover ratio. ... Ciliberti is 11 for 11 on point-after kicks. ... Friday night’s game is the 1,022nd in Enid history. Enid has a record of 569-406-46 since 1908.
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