Having eased past Morrison, 38-6, last Thursday in the season opener, Tonkawa’s Buccaneers get another test of their rebuilding efforts when they host Newkirk (a 34-7 winner over Pioneer) this Friday in the home opener.

This is one of the oldest rivalries in the state and usually the teams throw out record and past accomplishments when the two clash.

Last week, tailback Jake Love powered Tonkawa to an easy win, rushing for 166 yards and five touchdowns, including an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Quarterback Trent Ellis contributed 63 yards rushing and one touchdown. Even better news for the Bucs was the return of Tyran Brown, who saw limited action but rushed for 40 yards on just four carries.

With a strong ground game (292 yards rushing) Ellis didn’t pass much, throwing only eight times with two receptions.

Love got the Bucs on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when he broke through for a 45-yard touchdown run.

Morrison answered quickly driving 70 yards in five plays with quarterback Spencer Venus scoring from three yards out. That touchdown was set up by a 41-yard pass play from Venus to Jake Walls to tie the score at 6-6.

       The Lady Bucs blanked the Lady Panthers 13-0 last Tuesday. Making runs included Kenzie Cranford 4, Amber Jeans 1, Markie Burgess 1, Konlie Britton 3, Bess 1, Heilmann 2 and Sigala 1. Markie Burgess pitched for the Lady Bucs and Kylie Bess hit a homerun. Coach Huster feels the "Lady Bucs played a very nice game on both defense and offense".

        On Friday, Sept 3, the team fell to Perry 1-4. The lone run was scored by Markie Burgess, RBI by Haylee Wittmer. "We played very well, just could not get our runners in. Perry is a very solid team and got their hits all in a row to score thier runs. All-in-all, one of our best games, said Huster".

        The Lady Bucs were scheduled to play Chisholm at home on Tuesday night and will be competing in the Sand Springs Tournament on Friday and Saturday. "We are excited to go play in the tournament. Very strong teams with the most of them ranked in the top 15 in either 6A or 5A. We will get to compete against and watch some very good teams with very good players, said Coach Huster".
 

MORRISON — If Tonkawa head coach Mike Kirtley had any doubts about the readiness of his team for the season opener, they were quickly put to rest as the Buccaneers popped Morrison's Wildcats, 38-6, Thursday.

"They looked sharp," Kirtley said. "The offense did a good job (gaining 317 yards in total offense). But it all starts with the line and the lines did a good job on both offense and defense."

Running back Jake Love took up where he left off last season scoring five touchdowns and rushing for 166 yards on 14 carries. Quarterback Trent Ellis had 63 yards on 20 carries and scored once.

Love got the Bucs on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when he broke through for a 45-yard touchdown run.

Morrison answered quickly driving 70 yards in five plays with quarterback Spencer Venus scoring from three yards out. That touchdown was set up by a 41-yard pass play from Venus to Jake Walls to tie the score at 6-6,

But Love put Tonkawa back in front by taking the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to give the Bucs the lead for good.

Tonkawa has a University of Kansas recruit in running back Jake Love, who led the state in rushing last year with 2,846 yards.

Tonkawa is ranked No. 9 in the Associated Press Class 2A high school poll while Morrison is No. 10 in Class A.

Tonkawa popped Morrison 48-7  last year en route to the Class A state championship. That evened the brief series between the former District A-7 foes as the Wildcats topped the Buccaneers, 20-12, in 2008.

In a rebuilding mode, Morrison suffered through a 3-7 season last year and the Wildcats would like to put that memory behind them quickly.

Meanwhile, Tonkawa is aiming toward adding the Class 2A gold ball to its collection.

That is the mantra for Tonkawa’s Buccaneers as they make the leap from Class A state champion to the rugged Class 2A District 1.

The Bucs have reasonably good numbers (37) but are short on experience.

That means Tonkawa will have to gain experience quickly to compete in a district that has four teams ranked in the top 15 of Class 2A.

The distict is so tough that Tonkawa has been picked to finish no higher that fourth in the district.

The Bucs have already been stung by the injury bug as they have lost returning nose guard Tyran Brown. Brown also showed well in the Bucs scrimmage against Pawhuska.

So the Bucs will have to fill several holes from last year’s championship team.

However, one of those starters is running back-linebacker Jake Love.

Love rushed for 2,856 yards and 45 touchdowns last season, leading Tonkawa to an unbeaten season. Once again Love will have a target on his back and for that reason, Kirtley is looking to take some of the pressure off his star back.

Thursday began first round pool play, the ladies defended the plate against Woodland, 7-0.

Scoring included Kenzie Cranford, 2 runs; Amber Jeans, Konlie Britton, Kylie Bess, Logan Burgess and Haylee Wittmer, all with one run.

Second game on Thursday, the Lady Bucs defeated Shidler 12-0, closing day one of the tournament undefeated.

Runs were made by Karen Sigala, Karla Garcia, Darian Duger, Logan Burgess, Kenzie Cranford, Markie Burgess, Haylee Wittmer and Brittney Heilman, one run each and Amber Jeans and Konlie Britton, crossing home plate twice.

The team continued on Friday, in the second round of pool play drawing Morrison for first game. The Lady Bucs easily defeated the Lady Wildcats, 13-4.

Scoring for the team were Kenzie Cranford, 3; Markie Burgess, 2; Konlie Britton, 2, including one homerun; Kylie Bess, 1; Brittney Heilmann, 1; Logan Burgess, 2 and Karen Sigala 2.

The second game on Friday, the Bucs didn't fair too well, falling to Pond Creek 1-8 with Kenzie Cranford scoring the only run.

On Saturday, the Lady Bucs competed against the Blackwell Maroons for 3rd place. They finished the regulation game tied 2-2 and entered into extra innings, falling 2-6 in the final.

On Monday, the Lady Bucs continued regular season play against Newkirk at home. The team trailed early in the game due to errors and fell to the Lady Tigers 2-8. Brittney Heilman and Karen Sigala each scored one run for the team.

Coach Mark Huster feels the team plays very well, once they settle down and that they should be fine, especially if they continue to hit the ball hard. "A couple of bad innings makes everything look worse" says Huster.

The Lady Bucs competed on Tuesday evening at Pond Creek and continue play in Stillwater on Thursday and Perry on Friday.]]> webmaster@tonkawabucsweb.com (The Tonkawa News) frontpage Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.tonkawabucsweb.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=641:class-2a-notes-all-eyes-on-millwood-2a-has-double-the-champions-with-tonkawa-moving-up&catid=58:football-articles&Itemid=241 http://www.tonkawabucsweb.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=641:class-2a-notes-all-eyes-on-millwood-2a-has-double-the-champions-with-tonkawa-moving-up&catid=58:football-articles&Itemid=241 All eyes on Millwood

The expansion of Class 3A pulled some of 2A's regular powers up, so the landscape of the class is completely different from a year ago.

And while multiple Class A playoff teams came up to 2A to fill the gaps, it is yet to be seen if those teams will be as successful at a higher level.

So the role of favorite falls back to some 2A regulars, like Davis, Lincoln Christian and — most obviously — Millwood.

The Falcons are loaded with college prospects, starting with the top recruit in the state, Texas commit Josh Turner.

But after falling short the last two years, the Falcons are hungry to finish the job this fall.

"We've been waiting for this since last season ended," Turner said. "We do feel a little pressure, but we've just got to keep our composure and show them that we're capable of winning state this year.

"We should've won it last year, and we could've won it the year before. This year we have to win it. That's the way we feel."

No doubt the Falcons are the most talented team, but can they finish?

2. Lincoln Christian (14-1)

Outscored opponents 82-0 in the 2A semifinals and finals to win the gold ball last season.

3. Davis (12-1)

Several weapons, but the biggest question will be O-line development.

4. Hennessey (13-1)

Making the jump to 2A on the heels of a deep playoff run in Class A last fall.

5. Talihina (12-1)

QB/DB Jordan Eagleroad is back to run the show for the Golden Tigers.

6. Morris (7-5)

The Eagles' expectations are soaring after reaching the second round of the playoffs last year.

7. Jones (2-8)*

With last year's controversy behind them, the Longhorns are looking to make some positive headlines this season.

8. Vian (9-2)

RB Rowdy Simon is ready to make a big splash in his sophomore season running behind a solid O-line.

9. Pawhuska (11-3)

Despite some new starters in key roles, no drop-off is expected for the Huskies.

10. Tonkawa (15-0)

Last year's Class A champs are another squad moving up to 2A, but most of those teams don't have a star like RB/LB Jake Love.

Pos., Player, School, Ht., Wt., Cl.

QB, Kevonte Richardson, Millwood, 6-1, 185, Sr.

RB, Cameron Heisler, Pawnee, 6-0, 190, Sr.

RB, Matt Burba, Davis, 5-10, 165, Sr.

WR, Tylor Seabolt, Jones, 6-2, 190, Jr.

WR, Brandon Swindall, Millwood, 6-3, 170, Sr.

OL, Derrick Luetjen, Hennessey, 6-3, 275, Sr.

OL, Grant Towry, Lincoln Christian, 6-2, 243, Sr.

OL, Ty Thompson, Salina, 6-1, 255, Sr.

OL, Chris Boyd, Okemah, 6-5, 270, Sr.

OL, Andrew Park, Watonga, 6-1, 265, Sr.

Defense

Pos., Player, School, Ht., Wt., Cl.

DL, Davion Pierson, Millwood, 6-1, 298, Sr.

DL, Micah Thompson, Jones, 6-4, 297, Sr.

DL, Trevor Stewart, Cordell, 5-10, 200, Sr.

LB, Christian Luper, Adair, 6-1, 210, Sr.

LB, Josh Blair, Christian Heritage, 6-1, 220, Sr.

LB, Nick Cody, Pawnee, 6-4, 220, Sr.

DB, Mike Cole, Millwood, 5-11, 179, Sr.

DB, Justin Douglas, Davis, 5-9, 140, Sr.

DB, Jordan Eagleroad, Talihina, 6-2, 190, Sr.

DB, Dakota Treat, Washington, 6-0, 180, Sr.

DB, Josh Turner, Millwood, 6-0, 185, Sr.

Special teams

Pos., Player, School, Ht., Wt., Cl.

K, Keegan Carter, Oklahoma Christian School, 6-1, 160, Sr.

P, Connor Pulley, Newkirk, 6-3, 185, Jr.

KR, Shevin Patton, Millwood, 5-11, 183, Sr.