Murray County may be small in population and size, but its citizens show big support when it comes to their athletic teams and this past week was no exception.
Sulphur fans packed into Agee Field last Friday night to root for the Bulldogs and the Davis Wolves’ fans packed into their vehicles for a long road trip Adair as both teams competed in the quarterfinals of the state football playoffs, Sulphur in Class 3A and Davis in Class 2A.
Both teams have enjoyed the limelight of playing in the post season and both have won numerous state titles and playoff games.
This Friday, both teams will be gunning for the coveted gold ball after advancing to the semifinals in their respective classes with wins last Friday night in the quarterfinals. Sulphur beat Idabel, 53-21, and Davis rallied for a win over Adair, 27-24.
Sulphur (11-1) will face off against Checotah (8-4) at Moore High School stadium this Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Davis (8-4) will make the trek to Noble High School to meet undefeated, 12-0 Stroud in a 1:00 p.m. kick-off, also on Friday.
The winners of each game will then advance to the state championship round the following week.
Should Sulphur win, they would meet the winner of the Heritage Hall-Lincoln Christian game at the University of Central Oklahoma in a Thursday, Dec. 5 game beginning at 7:00 p.m.
A Davis win would put them into the championship game against the winner of the Colcord-Vian contest. That title game would be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the UCO stadium.
For Sulphur, their game at Moore High School this Friday night will bring back special memories. It is the site where they won their second gold ball precisely 20 years ago (in 2004), as they rolled over Purcell for the title. Moore was also the site of their semifinal game that year when they drubbed Heritage Hall.
The 2004 Bulldogs enjoyed a magical season, going 15-0 to win the championship.
Current head Sulphur coach, Corey Cole, alluded to the magical nature of this year’s Bulldog team after they beat Idabel last week. “What a magical night at Agee Field last Friday night for our football team and community,” he said. “Our kids played really well against a very talented Idabel team.”
Will the magic continue? That will be all be determined this Friday.
