Black Diamonds return home tonight for final non-district game against Tahlequah

Needless to say, the Sallisaw Black Diamonds are on an emotional high after not only ending a 17-game overall losing streak but a two-game skid to the Muldrow Bulldogs with last Friday night’s 45-0 road win over the ’Dogs at Marty Rogers Field.

“It’s been great,” first-year Sallisaw coach Brandon Tyler said. “The kids have been really excited after winning the ball game (last) Friday night. We’ve had a great week of practice. There’s been a lot of energy. The kids believe in themselves right now. We’ve got things going in the right direction.”

However, there’s still plenty of work to be done by the Black Diamonds (11), who will entertain the Tahlequah Tigers at 7 tonight at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium.

“We told them (last) Friday night, ‘Enjoy it (the win) until Sunday, then come back to work Monday and get ready for Tahlequah.’” Tyler said.

The Tigers (0-2) have lost each of the first two games this season — 4138 to Sapulpa on Sept. 1 and 34-13 to Wagoner last week. However, Tyler said the Tigers are better than their record indicates.

“Tahlequah is a very talented football team,” he said. “Their record is kind of deceiving. They’re going to be one of the best teams we’ve seen to this point. The receiving corps is very good and solid. Their quarterback throws the ball very well. Our defense is going to have its work cut out for them. We have to be ready for them Friday night.”

A big key to getting the Black Diamonds’ second straight win, which would be the first time that’s happened in a few years, is getting a stellar performance by the offense.

“Offensively, we’ve got to try to sustain some drives on them and get some points on the board,” Tyler said. “This week, I think our offense can be our best defense.”

Getting a second straight win would be a nice way to enter District 4A-4 play next Friday night, which will be a 7 p.m. road game against the Ada Cougars at East Central University’s Norris Field.

“We’re still trying to work hard every day in practice,” Tyler said. “We’re just trying to take it one game at a time. Tahlequah is another one (game). Whether it’s a non-district or district game, we want to go out, compete and win. The Muldrow win was huge for these kids.”