Sapulpa Football Playing With A 'Chip' This Year After Moving To 6A-II

Sapulpa football has moved to 6A-II for the 2024 season, but the Chieftans are not shying away from the competition.

“We're up for it,” says Coach Tim Holt. “We found out at the end of April that we were getting bumped up. We were honest with our kids and what those challenges would bring to us as a team.”

Having a ton of experience back on the defense will help with 8 returning starters. One of those players is Isaac Shelton at defensive end where last season he finished with 9 sacks. Sapulpa also has a talented secondary with Dakota Chaney and Michael Bennett. “We have a ton of guys defensively that played a lot of snaps. 3 offensive linemen and a couple of receivers coming back,” according to Holt.

The schedule will look differently as the Chieftans move into a new class in District 2. Several games feature teams from the western side of the state where they are a little bit of an unknown. “A lot of people don't know who we are and aren't going to expect a lot from us cause we are the smallest school in the class. We are playing with an edge this year and a little bit of a chip on our shoulder.”

Sapulpa will open up the season at Tahlequah on September 9th.