In Focus: Class 2A semifinals...
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
CLASS 2A
HENNESSEY EAGLES
Record: 10-3
Ranking: No. 10
Coach: Shannon Watford, fourth season at Hennessey
Previous state titles: None
Road to 2010 semifinals: Beat Christian Heritage 22-6, beat Lindsay 36-13, beat Commerce 49-17
2009 record (playoffs): 13-1 (Beat Luther 41-13, beat Carnegie 41-7, beat Talihina 26-14, lost to Tonkawa 24-22)
Last week: Commerce kept things tight for most of the first half but the Eagles took control in the second, outscoring Commerce 28-7 after the break to advance to the semifinals for the third consecutive season.
Player to watch: Levi Hill, RB. Hall has more than 1,500 rushing yards to go with 21 touchdowns.
Notable: Ivan Moreno is the Eagles’ second-leading rusher with nearly 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. … Quarterback Trey Leu has thrown for more than 1,000 yards. … Orlando Pina is Hennessey’s leading receiver with more than 300 yards. He also leads the team in interceptions with nine. … Raul Orozco leads the Eagles in tackles. … Derrick Luetjen has 10 sacks. … Losses came to Watonga, 21-6, on Oct. 29, Kingfisher, 35-32, on Sept. 17 and Jones, 21-0, on Sept. 10. … Scored 40 or more points seven times.
MILLWOOD FALCONS
Record: 13-0
Ranking: No. 1
Coach: Tony Henry, fifth season at Millwood
Previous state titles: 1990 (3A), 2000 (2A), 2001 (2A), 2002 (2A), 2006 (2A)
Road to 2010 semifinals: Beat Oklahoma Christian 59-28, beat Coalgate 32-6, beat Stroud 31-7
2009 record (playoffs): 12-2 (Beat Newkirk 28-7, beat Washington 33-23, beat Verdigris 28-0, lost to Kingfisher 27-12)
Last week: The Falcons took control just before half, taking advantage of solid field position to score on Larry Lambeth’s 11-yard touchdown run, then held Stroud out of the end zone after the Tigers had first and goal at the Millwood 7 just before half. The Falcons controlled the second half to get back to the semifinals for the second consecutive season.
Player to watch: Brandon Swindall, WR. Swindall is one of the most electrifying players in the state at any position, averaging around 25 yards per reception and the Falcons trust him by regularly throwing up jump balls in the end zone. The brother of Texas Tech wide receiver and former Millwood standout Tramain Swindall, Brandon has more than 1,200 yards receiving.
Notable: Falcons receiver/defensive back Josh Turner, a Texas commit, suffered a knee injury in last week’s win but is expected back for the semifinals. Turner has more than 500 yards receiving and leads the Falcons in sacks. … Kevonte Richardson has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards. … Richardson also has more than 700 yards rushing. Turner has more than 600 yards on the ground. …Beat three Class 4A teams in non-district play, Star Spencer, Class 4A finalist Douglass and Bishop McGuinness. … Scored 31 or more points in every game this season. … Allowed seven or fewer points in six games.
DAVIS WOLVES
Record: 11-1
Ranking: No. 2
Coach: Jody Weber, 10th season at Davis
Previous state titles: 1979 (B), 1986 (2A), 1990 (2A), 1995 (2A)
Road to 2010 semifinals: Beat Hobart 53-14, beat Jones 26-20 (OT), beat Lincoln Christian 21-7
2009 record (playoffs): 12-1 (Beat Hobart 55-14, beat John Marshall 20-13, lost to Lincoln Christian 24-21)
Last week: Matt Burba had 171 all-purpose yards as the Wolves battled back from an early deficit to avenge last season’s quarterfinal loss to the Bulldogs.
Player to watch: Cole Weber, QB. Weber has been a solid dual-threat quarterback for the Wolves this season. In last week’s win, he hit Matt Burba for a 53-yard completion that set up Logan Webb for a touchdown run. Weber also ran for a score of his own.
Notable: Deaundre Carr and Matt Burba are Davis’ leading rushers. … Burba finished last week’s win with 118 yards on 15 carries. … Alec Heatherington is Davis’ leading receiver. … Only loss of the season came against Class 3A semifinalist Heritage Hall, 21-12, on Sept. 17. … Jones was the only team since Heritage Hall to score more than 14 points against the Wolves.
