— Prep football practice begins

Fall football drills officially begin today but by the time you’re reading this,  at least two area schools have already hit the field once

Hilldale and Fort Gibson had midnight practices. To dodge the heat, Fort Gibson will go at it again at 6:30 tonight, Hilldale at 7. Both will continue that through the remainder of the week while Fort Gibson will go at 7 a.m. Wednesday only.

Muskogee opted instead to face the furnace, starting at 4 p.m. today with an 1 1/2 hour practice, followed by a two-hour break and then a two-hour practice starting at 7:30. Muskogee teachers are in conferences during the day which is why coach Josh Blankenship is facing peak heat. The Roughers will continue that schedule through Aug. 16.

Hilldale begins school Thursday while Fort Gibson students return Aug. 17 and Muskogee schools begin Aug. 22.



Eufaula, OU ex goes into H of F

Former Eufaula Ironhead and Oklahoma two-time All-American defensive lineman Dewey Selmon was one of six new members inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Monday.

Selmon, who teamed with brothers Lucious and Lee Roy, to form one of the best defensive lines in college football history in 1973, was also part of OU teams that claimed national championships in 1974 and 1975. After earning All-America honors in 1974, Dewey was a consensus choice in 1975 before graduating and playing six seasons in the NFL after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers.

Joining Selmon in this year’s class are ex-Oklahoma State head football coach Pat Jones,  Former Chicago Cubs ace Ferguson Jenkins, Jim Thorpe Association founder Lynne Draper, golf course architect Perry Maxwell and former Oklahoma State basketball player and U.S. Olympian Jesse “Cab” Renick.



Sooners lose another lineman

NORMAN – Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops confirmed on Monday evening that senior offensive lineman Tyler Evans has suffered a torn ACL in his right knee.

“We feel badly for Tyler and will certainly encourage him through the surgery and rehab,” Stoops said. “Bronson Irwin has been playing well and we’re fortunate to have good depth. He’ll get a lot of reps in the preseason and we’ll be ready to go when the season gets here.”

Evans earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press and the coaches last season after starting 13 games at right guard. The Strafford, Mo., native has registered 29 career starts at that position for the Sooners.



Ex-Cowboy WR agrees to terms

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon agreed to terms Monday with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Blackmon was the last first-round pick to reach a deal. He was chosen fifth overall in April’s NFL Draft by the Jaguars.

Blackmon’s deal will be worth $18.5 million over for four years, which is the maximum for a fifth pick under the NFL’s rookie wage system.