Memorial Hosts Sand Springs in 6A District 3 Opener

Originally Published: Sep 24, 2009 5:53 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

TULSA, Oklahoma – The opportunity to repay an eye for an eye doesn’t come around very often but that’s exactly what Memorial can accomplish tonight when they host the Sand Springs Sandites in the district opener at La Fortune Stadium.

Last year, Sand Springs and super-star quarterback Johnny Deaton lit up the Chargers defense for 61 points in a 19-point win at home. This year, the Sandites are without Deaton after the OSU commit broke his collar bone in Week 1 against Enid.

Memorial looks to avenge that 2008 loss with a heavy dose of payback tonight.

Memorial and Sand Springs both lost their openers. Sand Springs unraveled after Deaton went down and fell to Enid, 28-14. Memorial took a beating from Bishop Kelley at home, 51-14. Since those two tough losses the Sandites and Chargers hit their stride.

Sand Springs, minus their stud quarterback, stunned Stillwater 45-41 in an exciting offensive battle on the road in Week 2 and followed up that performance with a 31-10 home blowout of Ponca City.

The Chargers put their Bishop Kelley loss behind them by beating Edison 24-6, and Hale, 17-13. Against Hale, senior quarterback Tyler Simms went out with a right leg injury and sophomore Will Smith stepped in and played well. Simms led his team to a big home win by playing the entire second half. Memorial’s defense also forced five turnovers in the win.

The two teams meet tonight in game one of the district play, but this matchup could end up meaning a lot more than just one game on a soggy night in September when playoff seeding rolls around. It’s a near given that Jenks and Broken Arrow will finish the season 1-2 in 6A District 3, leaving just two spots up for grabs in the postseason.

Tonight’s winner could jump into the driver’s seat in the District 3 race to the playoffs.