Dogs Land 10 On 3A-2 All-District Team

SHS Coaching Staff, Four Team Members Receive Top Honors

Ten members of Sulphur’s state runner-up football team were named to the 3A-2 All-District squad, including four who received top honors.

The Sulphur coaching staff also won high praise, named collectively as the Coach of the Year in the district.

The awards were released on Monday, just days after the Sulphur Bulldogs won the silver ball in a heart-breaking, 28-27 loss to Lincoln Christian in the 3Atitle game, coming just an inch or two short of possibly winning a state title.

Receiving the highest honors were Justus Gilliam, Caden Cole, Austin Garrett, Maddux Boyd, and the Sulphur coaching staff.

Gilliam, a 6-1, 261-pound lineman, was named Most Valuable Player; Cole, a 282-pound lineman, was named Offensive Lineman of the Year; Garrett, a 188-pound linebacker, was named Linebacker of the year; and Boyd, a 186-pound defensive back, was named Defensive Back of the Year.

Other team members receiving All-District honors were quarterback Luke Linville, running back Cash Matlack, wide receiver Jett Runyan, offensive lineman Gideon Petersen, defensive end Baer Webb and defensive back Eli Vinson.

Making the honorable mention list were offensive lineman Nash Williamson, and special teams/ receiver Kaden Seitz.

The 10 All-District honorees and the two honorable mention recipients were part of a very exceptionally talented senior class who provided leadership on a team that played three eventual state champions this season, losing by a total of four points to two and winning by 35 against a third.

In comments last week, Sulphur head coach, Corey Cole, praised this group with their work ethic and exceptional play.

As Player of the Year, Gilliam led the Dogs on the line with his stellar play. He had 78 tackles for the season, and six quarterback sacks.

Caden Cole showed why he was Lineman of the Year with 56 tackles on the season and one sack.

As Linebacker of the Year, Garrett swarmed in on 114 tackles and three sacks this season, leading the way for the Bulldog secondary players. Garrett also played offense where he rushed the ball 90 times for 740 yards and 11 TDs.

Maddux Boyd as the Defensive Back of the Year recipient posted up 90 tackles and one interception during this season.

The six All-District honorees also made significant contributions to Dogs in their drive to the championship game.

Linnville passed for 2,503 yards on the season, completing 135 passes in 226 attempts. He threw 33 touchdown passes, and had only five interceptions.

Matlack gave Sulphur a strong rushing component all season. He gained 792 yards on 106 carriers and scored 21 touchdowns. He also showcased his defensive skills with 44 tackles and two sacks on the season.

Jett Runyan gave the Dogs a strong pass catching ability throughout the season. He had 11 catches for 210 yards and four TDs.

Giddeon Petersen joined with his teammates on the line to give Sulphur a strong presence up front with 47 tackles and four quarterback sacks.

Baer Webb gave the Dogs consistent play all season on defense from his end position with 54 tackles and seven quarterback sacks.

Eli Vinson was another Bulldog who made significant contributions defensively with his 75 tackles on the season.

The Dog’s honorable mention honorees, Nash Williamson,offensive line, and Kaden Seitz, special teams and receiver, provided Sulphur with even more firepower. Seitz had one pass reception for 15 yards and was in on 28 tackles, while Williamson joined with his offensive line teammates in giving Sulphur an excellent up front presence.

Team Statistics

As a team, the Dogs put up some staggering stats including:

•Scoring 730 points to opponents’ 139

•Rushing for 3,941 yards to opponents’ 963

•Passing for 2,594 yards to opponents’ 1,395

•Running and passing for 6,535 yards to opponents’ 2,206

•Giving up only 9 turnovers to opponents’ 37

•Giving up only 7 sacks to opponents’ 33

•Punting only 16 times to opponents’ 84

•Scoring 9 defensive touchdowns •Scoring 4 special teams touchdowns.

Although the Bulldogs lost the first and last game of the season to eventual state champions Washington, in a two-overtime thriller by three points, and to Lincoln Christian by only one in the state championship game, the team breezed with huge victory margins throughout the remainder of the season, including their first three playoff games where they averaged over 60 points vs. Kingfisher, Idabel and Checotah.

3A-2 ALL-DISTRICT HONOREES