By Kenton Brooks
Don’t expect any inspiring speeches or even pep talks around the locker rooms at Hilldale and Wagoner this week. They won’t be necessary.
The coaches and players know what Friday’s District 4A-4 regular season finale between the two teams at Hornet Stadium means and that’s enough for everyone. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
It comes down to this: The winner between the Hornets and Bulldogs advances to the playoffs, while the loser packs up the equipment for another season.
“We’ve made that perfectly clear,” Wagoner coach Dale Condict said. “We’ve let it be known that the state playoffs start a week early. Both teams will be extremely ready and there’s a lot on the line.”
Nobody has to hit a player — on either team — over the head about the implications either.
“It makes for a bigger game than any we’ve had so far,” Hilldale senior offensive lineman Austin Bradshaw said.
Wagoner comes into the game with a 4-2 district record, while Hilldale is 3-3.
Hilldale coach Don Hendrix isn’t complaining about the situation.
“One of our goals was to get to week 10 and to be playing for something. We’re doing that,” he said. “We were 1-8 and won only won one district game last year and getting ready to check in our gear the next week.”
Jeremy Applegate, the Bulldogs’ sophomore linebacker who had a team-high 20 tackles last week, sounded like he’s not ready to pack away the pads when he talked Tuesday afternoon about the upcoming showdown.
“It gives us something to look forward to and it makes us work harder,” he said. “The challenge of the game makes us want it even more.”
Dakota West, the Hornets’ senior middle linebacker and leading tackler, didn’t mince his words either.
“I’m ready to play,” he said. “We’re going to go out there and give it our all.”
Both teams give their all in different ways.
Hilldale likes a ball-control offense with players including running backs Josh Cullom and Dalton Pantle carrying the ball.
“They create problems for all they do,” Condict said. “They do a good job at keeping you guessing. They’re a a good team and the type that makes us nervous on how they can shorten the game.”
Wagoner, meanwhile, has quickness with quarterback Prince McJunkins and wide receiver Paul Golden leading its attack.
“Their skill people are extremely good,” Hendrix said. “Webster and Poteau had good skill people, but Wagoner has more of them. It’s amazing how talented and fast they are. Playing in the shotgun with the people they’ve got is the right formation. Their coaches will have them ready to play.”
Both teams also are riding moment from last week’s victories on the road. Hilldale jumped out to a 21-0 lead in a must-win 51-29 decision against Tulsa Webster, while Wagoner knocked off then-No. 2 Sallisaw 36-15. Wagoner moved up to No. 8 from No. 10 in the Associated Press rankings this week. Hilldale is unranked.
