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Wed July 2, 2008

OU recruit Lewis defies odds

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- Stoops@10: A look at Stoops Career at OU
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- Jenni Carlson's blog
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Stoops@10 -
A look back at Bob
Stoops at OU

8-man stars
Other notable Oklahoma 8-man football stars:

•Reggie Skinner,
White Oak
Set national 8-man record with 156 career TDs in 1994 and rushed for 8,000 yards; went on to play at OU as a reserve running back.

•Brady Bond,
Garber
Starting at right tackle at Oklahoma State was a nose guard and tight end in high school.

•Aaron Cummings,
Bray-Doyle
Earned eight-man all-state honors in 2004 before signing with the Sooners.

•James Kileen,
Medford
Tulsa standout QB later invited to camp by Kansas City Chiefs over Heisman winner Jason White.

•Chris Penn,
Lenapah
Big-time receiver went on to successful career at Tulsa before becoming first 8-man player from state to play in the NFL with the Chiefs.

•Stacey Satterwhite,
Welch
Was an all-state lineman at Welch in 1987 before going on to fine career on the defensive line at OSU.

By Jake Trotter

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By Jake Trotter
Staff Writer
DEWAR — After 30 years, Mark Ryal's reign appears to have ended.

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Ryal, who had 223 career at-bats in the major leagues during the 1980s, is no longer the most famous person from Dewar.

That title now belongs to Ronnell Lewis, the latest hero of 8-man football who in February became the first from the Class of 2009 to accept a football scholarship to the University of Oklahoma.

Like Ryal did in 1978 when he was a third-round draft choice of the Kansas City Royals, Lewis has the town of 900 strong buzzing once again.

"It's been crazy,” said Lewis, who can't walk anywhere in town without being recognized. "Everybody here is happy for me.

"They want me to go there and work and do my best and succeed.”

Last season, Lewis galvanized Dewar after leading the Dragons to the Class B state championship game.

On the season, he finished with more than 2,300 yards rushing and scored 40 touchdowns while recording more than 100 tackles and 11 interceptions.

That performance helped get him noticed by defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables.

The Sooners overlooked Lewis' competition level, and instead focused on his production as well as his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame and 4.6 speed before offering him a scholarship.

"Coach (Bob) Stoops and coach Venables both said it didn't matter what level of football he played at in high school, it was clear he had the tools and the work ethic to be successful at the Division I level,” said Dewar coach Josh Been. "There have been a few 8-man guys over the past few years who have gone on to be successful, but we realized that this was a rarity.”

Even though Lewis was recruited by Kansas, Kansas State and