Watonga: Believing was half the battle...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Tonkawa (12-0) vs. Watonga (10-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Watonga HS

G.I. Joe always told me ‘knowing was half the battle,’ well, it was something different for Watonga: believing. Sometimes you need that shot in the arm to get you going. For the Watonga football program, it was actually last year’s playoff loss to Okeene that has led to the big year for Watonga.

Okeene ended up going to the Class A state championship game, losing to Morrison in the final. But Watonga coach Shannon Grimes remembers something different.

Quote:

I don’t want to say we gave the game away because Okeene was a good team, but we made a lot of mistakes. And seeing how far Okeene got after that made us realize we belonged.” – Grimes

Then in this season it was the battles with OCS and Cashion that had Watonga believing. A one-point win against the Saints and a thrilling 40-33 loss to the Wildcats showed the rest of the class how loaded A-2 is/was.

In the first round, Watonga got its revenge on Okeene. And while most didn’t think Watonga had a chance at Ringling, Grimes’ boys knew it could be done.

Especially with talent like quarterback Trevon Hartfield. He’s been so crucial to the team’s success all season.

Tonkawa is ranked No. 1 in A, but Watonga does get ‘em at home. There are a number of good games this weekend but don’t forget about this one.