Glenpool tailback posting big numbers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Glenpool coach Steve Edwards doesn't want this young season to end. <br><br>Edwards coaches one of the top running backs in the state, senior Courtney Tennial, who through the

Tuesday, September 24th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Glenpool coach Steve Edwards doesn't want this young season to end.

Edwards coaches one of the top running backs in the state, senior Courtney Tennial, who through the first three games has gained 853 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

But Tennial's athletic ability, Edwards says, is topped by his character, which will make his departure all the more difficult.

``I've been a coach 18 years, and there haven't been many kids like this come around,'' Edwards said. ``This kid's incredible. This is an unbelievably great kid.

``It's the right body with the right head, the right heart. He's just a great guy.''

Tennial started at linebacker for the Warriors as a freshman and was inserted at tailback after the starter got hurt that year. Tennial ran for more than 200 yards and scored twice in that game, and he hasn't stopped.

He gained about 1,200 yards as a freshman and again as a sophomore, then last year he ran for 2,140 yards and scored 26 touchdowns.

Tennial had 323 yards on 33 carries and scored twice in a 27-20 victory over Bixby two weeks ago. Last week, he had 318 yards and three TDs on 22 carries as the Warriors, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A, beat Skiatook 49-16.

``We're not trying to pad Courtney's stats,'' Edwards said. ``We're trying to get better every week and Courtney's all about that.''

The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Tennial, a two-time state champion wrestler, has outstanding balance and strength, and a sharp mind. ``Tell him something one time, he's got it,'' Edwards said.

He's also a good teammate. Edwards said he has never heard Tennial criticize a lineman or another player for making a mistake. In the weight room and elsewhere, Tennial works as hard or harder than anyone, his coach said.

Off the field, Tennial is a solid student who spends some of his time working with handicapped students at the high school.

``You can't imagine how great a kid he is,'' Edwards said. ``It's going to be sad to see him go.''

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BIG NIGHT: Tennial wasn't the only running back to post big numbers Friday night. White Oak's senior tailback Mark Downing ran for 540 yards and six touchdowns in a 56-28 victory over Bowlegs in an eight-man game. The 540 yards is believed to be a state record.

The previous Oklahoma record was 481 yards, by Jason Proctor of Grandfield in 1997. The 11-man record is 479 yards, set in 1924 by Harvey Pogue of Stigler.

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There were several outstanding performances during Week 3:

_ Paul Smith of Owasso threw for 371 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for two TDs in a 30-25 loss to Class 6A's top-ranked Tulsa Union.

_ Oologah's Ryder Hill ran for 167 yards and three TDs and threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-28 victory over Claremore-Sequoyah.

_ Cole Cook of Afton carried 43 times for 225 yards and two TDs in a 19-0 victory over Salina.

_ Guymon's Adam Lowman ran for 236 yards and four TDs on 17 carries as the Tigers beat Woodward 36-20.

_ Tony Merrell of Christian Heritage was 14-of-19 for 234 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for two scores in a 40-6 victory over Dewar.