By Jeff Johncox
Little Axe's run to the playoffs has been one of the better stories in the state this year.
For the first time in school history, the Indians are off to the postseason. And thanks to the ineligibility decision against Jones by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Thursday, they'll even host a playoff game.
Tonight's game against hapless SeeWorth is just a formality, and it looks like Little Axe will finish the regular season 8-2, 6-1 in District 2A-2. Both would also be school bests.
So, what does that mean for coach Tony Smith and the program he's building?
"It just continues to build our kids' confidence toward what we're trying to accomplish," Smith said.
The biggest victory of the season was last week's at Lexington, and it's the first time, maybe ever, that Little Axe beat a team it wasn't supposed to.
Smith called it a "program-changing" win.
When he first got to Little Axe four seasons ago, Smith couldn't field a freshman team and barely had enough players for a reserve roster.
Victories like last week's, an eight-win season and a trip to the playoffs will help there, too.
The biggest thing Smith and his coaching staff had to overcome was a lack of confidence. That's not a problem anymore.
"It's different now," Smith said. "More kids come out. More kids have confidence that they can win, that they can beat anybody we play."
Defensive Royals
When you talk about eight-man football, the discussion usually turns to how many points are scored per game.
But the reason Community Christian is 9-0 for the first time heading into tonight's Oklahoma Christian Schools Athletics Association semifinal with Southwest Christian is likely its defense, helmed by former offensive coordinator Paul Potter.
"Last year, I was the offensive coordinator and thought we ought to score every play," Potter said with a laugh. "I've had to change my thinking quite a bit."
Sure, the Royals still score a ton of points, 38 per game, in fact.
But most impressive, they've managed to hold opponents to 12.4 points a game.
CCS enters the postseason having shut out the last two teams it's faced, Soutwest Covenant and Windsor Hills.
Potter, a former college defensive coordinator at Southern Nazarene, said the Royals' new-found defensive prowess comes down to fundamentals.
"Coach (Josh) Norman came in and really wanted us to stress fundamentals," Potter said. "We've really stressed blocking, tackling, getting off a block, running to the football."
More catching up
In Thursday's Transcript, several former area stars playing top-division college football were tracked down.
Here's two more to add to the list.
Press Taylor, Norman High -- QB, Marshall -- Like older brother Zach, who played his D-I ball at Nebraska, Press Taylor is now on the big stage. This year he's completed 1-of-3 passes for 10 yards and rushed twice for negative-1 yard.
James Winchester, Washington -- DS, Oklahoma -- Winchester has seen action as the long snapper for the Sooners, and he's currently No. 2 on the depth chart.
Jeff Johncox 366-3535 jjohncox@normantranscript.com
