If Southmoore is going to accomplish its goal of winning a state championship, it won't be taking the easy route. After facing three top-10 teams in their first four games, the SaberCats get Putnam City North at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Moore Stadium.
Though the Panthers are not ranked, but their 3-1 record can't be overlooked by the No. 4 SaberCats (4-0). Their only loss came last week to No. 5 Norman North.
Southmoore coach Chris Jensen still knows how dangerous PCN can be, especially with the ball. The Panthers will run the rock out of any formation and anywhere on the field.
That means the Cats' Ryland Widener, George Mallett and Andrew Long will need to have an impact on the defensive side of the ball to slow down the Panthers.
"They do what they have done forever," Jensen said. "They believe in what they do. Defensively we need to be sound and trust our keys."
Southmoore must do what it's been doing all season long.
"We have made a lot of progress from week one," Jensen said. "We put together our best effort the other night. The good thing is that it's not as good as we can be."
Kendal Thompson had another huge game. The SaberCat quarterback completed 15-of-20 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns. He carried eight times for 49 yards and another score. The junior has 976 yards and 11 touchdowns against two interceptions on 60-of-88 passing.
Thompson is spreading the wealth. The Cats have three players with 12 receptions and more than 200 yards receiving in Derek Serowski, Nyko Symonds and tailback Andrew Long. Tight end Austin Haywood has nine catches for 114 yards.
But Southmoore will have to go the rest of the season without one of its biggest weapons in the backfield. Senior Kyaunn Thompson tore an ACL last week in practice. It was an ACL tear that ended last season for him, too.
"Kyaunn is really disappointed," Jensen said. "It's a tough thing for him."
After playing on the road in three of their first four games, Southmoore returns to Moore Stadium this week. The District 6A-1 contest with PCN is also homecoming for the second-year program.
Of their six remaining games five of them will take place in the friendly confines of Moore Stadium. Not a bad place to play in a tough district.
"You have to be ready to play every game," Jensen said. "We put ourselves in position to get everybody's best game."
Michael Kinney 366-3537 mkinney@normantranscript.com
Local Sports
October 2, 2009
NHS has reason to believe another win in store
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Shambaugh proves he is one to watch
It was hot, humid and the bugs were flocking to the lighted field at Tiger Stadium on Wednesday night. No one seemed to notice any of it by the sixth inning, though. Everyone was watching Jay pitcher Cale Shambaugh pitch a gem....
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This one's for Papa
Wednesday was big for Nathan Thornhill for a couple of reasons. He led Team Texas to a convincing 9-1 victory over Team Arizona in the Heartland Baseball Classic. His 11 strikeouts in seven innings have been one of the highlights of the ...
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Heart on the Diamond
The first Heartland Classic began Monday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park....
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Soccer teams brave weather
Under gale-force wind conditions, the Norman High girls continued their soccer resurgence Thursday night at the NHS Soccer Complex, taking care of Yukon 1-0.
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T-Wolves take third at invitational
Norman North coach Dennis Etter likes his team this season. Tuesday, he got his first real look at just how good it can be.
- SaberCats come out in force Julian Wilson was the first Southmoore player to commit last summer. And he was pleased at everything that has happened since then.
- Clash seating arrangements
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Cats tame Tigers
MOORE — Coach Wes Clark didn’t want the game to turn into a track meet. He believed Norman High had a shot to knock off Southmoore if he could slow the game down to a crawl.
The strategy worked … for a quarter. But after Southmoore’s athletes were unleashed, they cruised past the Tigers 59-36 Tuesday. -
Bombers too much for North girls
MIDWEST CITY — Do the Norman North girls belong near the top of the Class 6A rankings?
Tuesday night, at least until the last six minutes, the Timberwolves certainly made their case.
Then it all fell apart. -
NHS battles, but North rules mat
Norman North, as expected, claimed Tuesday night’s mat edition of the Crosstown Clash.
Yet, getting past the Tigers by the slim margin of 42-31, it might have been Norman High coach Bo Maynes who exited the NHS Gym with the bigger bounce in his step. - More Local Sports Headlines
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