BOTR: Player of the Week and other thoughts

Traditionally we do this on Mondays, but I’ve been so torn on who gets the award this week I needed another day to think about it, or I was just really busy on Monday and forgot. But seriously, there’s one BOTR team left in the playoffs so it’s all Kingfisher this week. The only trouble is, who was the MVP for the ‘Jackets in their epic upset of Millwood on a very cold Saturday night in Yukon?

After much deliberation I’m going with….the entire defense. Don’t get me wrong, QB Derek Patterson was awesome and impressed the two Lincoln Christian coaches I sat (and froze) next to in the press box. But KF’s defense, which Patterson is also a part of, was simply amazing Saturday night. Linebacker Rhett Blundell seemed to be in on every tackle and Jeremy Smith and Lane Wiersig both forced big turnovers that helped keep Millwood in check. It was a team effort, but KF’s defense was downright flawless and against a highly explosive offense with loads of talent.

Moving on to the state title game, things don’t get any easier this week. LC rolled Pawhuska 47-0 in the semis and seem to be loaded. But I can’t help but believe KF with its underdog mentality and scrappiness (comeback wins against Bridge Creek and others this year) will show up in the end. They may not win, but LC will know they’ve been in a game when it’s over.

Check out the Oklahoman this week for more on Kingfisher including a Q and A with defensive lineman (and linebacker) Joe Gaither and the story of Patterson’s season that began under the worst of circumstances.