High school notebook: Edmond North's Qua'Don Henderson battling ankle injury

If Edmond North ever hears the term "high ankle sprain” again, it’ll be too soon.

Junior quarterback Travis Townsend is already dealing with the injury, and now so is senior running back Qua’Don Henderson.

Henderson suffered a high ankle sprain in the second quarter of last week’s win against Putnam West. He said he hopes to play Friday.

Townsend has been throwing the ball at practice and also hopes to play. Coach Jeremy Dombek said he will have to see how much Townsend can do during the week to determine if Townsend plays and how much he plays.

North (7-1) plays rival Edmond Memorial (5-3) on Friday night at UCO’s Wantland Stadium.

The Bulldogs have won four games in a row after a 1-3 start. Edmond Santa Fe had won the last four Edmond city championships, but Friday’s night winner is guaranteed the city title since both teams have defeated the Wolves.

"It’s a big game, but we just have to execute,” Memorial senior offensive lineman Matt Hall said. "The team that makes the least amount of mistakes is going to be the team that wins.”

Yukon doesn’t have much room for error, with the potential to finish anywhere from No. 2 to No. 5 in District 6A-4.

After another good showing last week against Stillwater, the Miller defense continues to flex some muscle, having allowed 14 points or fewer in four of five district games. This week, the Millers will try to contain Owasso quarterback Joe Lindsey, who returned from injury two weeks ago.

It’s truly been a team effort for the Yukon defense this year. The team’s top seven tacklers are separated by 10 tackles. Andy Vowell is among the leaders in Class 6A with five interceptions.

"Two kids that have played very steady all year are our junior defensive ends, Jake Doyle and Andrew Edwards,” Yukon defensive coordinator Steve Chard said. "Defensive end in our scheme is very difficult and they have played it well.”

Just more than two weeks after a single-car accident left him in critical condition and needing more than six hours of surgery, Mustang assistant coach Rod Henning is expected to make an appearance at Bronco Stadium on Friday night when Mustang hosts Del City.

Henning is currently at Valir Rehabilitation Hospital, which will transport him to the game for Mustang’s Senior Night, then return him to the facility. At Valir, he is working to recover from multiple injuries sustained in the accident, including two broken legs (one compound fracture), a broken wrist and broken ribs.

Purcell jumped into The Oklahoman’s rankings after its 35-14 win over Bethany this week. Purcell (6-2) faces Pauls Valley this week in a game that could determine the last playoff spot in 3A-2. Pauls Valley is 3-2 in district play, though the rivalry has been one-sided lately.

"I think we deserve to be ranked in the top 10,” linebacker Garrett Goldsby said. "We’ve gotten better all around. We’re executing like we’re supposed to be, but we’re also playing a little more aggressively.”

He expects Pauls Valley to play hard at home, desperately needing a win.

"They definitely need some wins to get in the playoffs and they’re always athletic and have a bunch of guys that can run,” Goldsby said.

Garber didn’t show any signs of looking ahead to this week’s showdown with No. 2-ranked Canton in a 48-14 win against Laverne.

Quarterback Dylan Postier was efficient, completing 12-of-16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Zac Powell added 110 yards and two scores rushing.

Garber took control early, leading 28-0 at halftime and ended up with 424 total yards of offense.

The winner of Friday’s game is guaranteed to be the district champion, while the loser will also clinch second place in District B-1.

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