2010 Preview: Cascia Hall Commandos

Originally Published: Aug 18, 2010 9:29 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports. Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Timmy Curthoys was enjoying an early morning bagel in the Cascia Hall cafeteria when head coach Joe Medina approached the senior with some exciting news.

“He said, ‘I’m ready to make the leap and name you quarterback,'” Curthoys recalled. “It was a phenomenal breakfast.”

Medina and the rest of the Commandos have a lot of confidence in the 6-foot-1 senior. He beat out a trio of passers to claim to starting role. In doing so, he now has a heavy burden to carry. He’s the general in charge of a team that has won three straight gold balls.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself,” he said during a practice this week. “My team doesn’t really put that much pressure on me. We’re a really talented team so I’m sure they could pick me up if I’m struggling during a game.”

Cascia Hall is on track for school history. The team has not lost since the 2006-07 championship game to Henryetta. Since then, the Commandos are a commanding 41-0. In fact, they’ve only lost four times in their past 67 tries.

“It’s always our goal at Cascia Hall to be a state champion,” Medina said. “As long as you play good football, especially at the end of the season, you’ve got a chance.”

A fourth straight championship would be special, but certainly not unique. Carl Albert won five straight 5A gold balls from 1997-2001. Frederick won three consecutive 3A crowns and followed those up with a 2A crown in 1996. Shattuck dominated Class C football for six seasons before finally surrendering their reign a year ago.

“If we don’t hold ourselves to that standard, then we’re not really pushing ourselves,” said junior tight end Conner Sherwood.

Like the Jenks teams that won titles every year from 1996-2001, Cascia Hall has exemplary coaching. Joe Medina leads a group of seniors who have never lost a varsity game.

“We lost a lot of good players (from last year), but we have the last three seasons as well,” said Medina. “Kids just continue to step up in this football program. We just try to look at the next rep at hand and try to do the best that we can at that.”

If Cascia Hall can win its opening game against Holland Hall, which won’t be easy, it will tie a state record for consecutive wins. If they win another title, that will be the fifth in team history, and it will push them into the history books like few teams before.

“We know what we want,” said Curthoys. “I don’t think anything can stop us.

“We’re just dogs. We’re going to fight.”

TEAM SNAPSHOT
Cascia Hall Commandos

2009: 13-0/7-0 record, first in 3A-District 3.

PLAYOFFS: Won 3A state championship over Berryhill in the 2009 postseason.

BEST PLAYER: Conner Sherwood. The junior will play on both sides of the ball in 2010. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, he’ll prove to be a big target at tight end, and an active presence as the outside linebacker for the Commandos’ “Blue Swarm” defense.

BIGGEST GAME: Week 1, September 3rd vs. Holland Hall. The season opener has historic implications. If the Commandos can out duel the Dutch and their new quarterback Brad Kragthorpe, they’ll tie the state record for consecutive wins. If they get past Holland Hall, their cross-town rivals, Cascia will try to break the record against Glenpool, one of 4A’s top teams.