Slowly creeping up in 2A

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com

Not much press has been written about Valliant. Frankly, coach Brett Jones doesn’t mind either way.

The Bulldogs are off to a 4-0 start and are coming off a 45-18 victory over Coalgate. Competing in the same district as
Davis, Valliant is not billed as the favorite but is slowly playing its way to that status.

“We just worry about ourselves,” Jones said. “Everything else – we can’t control that.”

Trevyn Gardner and Jordan Mings have been the potent one-two punch with Gardner rushing for more than 100 yards in each of the first four games.

He may only be 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds, but Shawn Gribnitz grabbed everyone’s attention with 20 tackles at linebacker last week.

“Coalgate did a good job blocking our line, leaving Shawn a chance to really rack up some numbers.”

Valliant was 7-4 last year and admittedly “just happy to be in the playoffs.” That’s not the case this year — they’re looking for more.

The Bulldogs are at Atoka Friday night.

Oddball stat: Through four games, Guthrie is leading the state with 230 points. Four other teams have more than 200 (SW Covenant, Corn Bible, Morrison and Timberlake) with several more knocking on the door.

Conversely, Ryan is the only team to not have allowed a single point this year. Timberlake has given up six while Rush Springs has permitted seven but Ryan stands alone at zero.