Central begins new district play tonight in battle of Tigers at Wewoka
It will be a battle of Tigers as Central’s Tigers will begin play in its new district, District AI-3, at 7 tonight on the road against Wewoka’s Tigers.
It will be a battle of Tigers as Central’s Tigers will begin play in its new district, District AI-3, at 7 tonight on the road against Wewoka’s Tigers.
Central (1-2) got its first win on Sept. 19 with a home win over the Roland Rangers, which was huge for the Tigers to springboard them into district play.
“Getting this win (over Roland) going into district play, is huge for us,” Central coach Jeremy Thompson said. “We fixed a ton of mistakes we had been making. Coming into (Thursday) night, getting that win, now we’re traveling to Wewoka. (The Roland win) was big for us, and I’m super excited about getting out on the road this week. Everybody is 0-0 going into this week. We’re 0-0. Being able to take this (Roland win) is a big momentum swinger for us. We needed it.”
One of the things Thompson and his coaching staff did was simplify things on both sides of the ball, which paid dividends in last week’s home victory over Roland.
“I think offensively we executed,” Thompson said. “Early on (this season), we tried to do a little too much. We simplified and got better at what we do last week. Going into this week, we have to continue that and continue to get better at what we do, execute and play with discipline — and good things will happen.”
Wewoka (0-3) has yet to win a game in 2024 — losing 44-12 to Konawa in Zero Week, 52-0 to Holdenville on Sept. 6 and 48-6 to Velma-Alma on Sept. 13. However, Wewoka’s Tigers had a bye week last week to give them twice as long to get ready for Central’s Tigers. Thompson said they are athletic.
“They have a lot of athleticism,” he said. “They are able to run really well. They’re good at their skill positions. Their quarterbacks run well. They’re using two of them, and both of them are good athletes. They have some pretty good size up front.”
One big thing Thompson said needs to show improvement is tackling on defense. He saw improvement in last week’s Roland game.
“We need to tackle better this week,” he said. “That’s one thing has continue to improve and get better. We did a much better job last week (in the home win over Roland), but I want to continue to see that improve.”
Just as it was crucial for Central’s Tigers to win last week’s final non-district game to springboard them into tonight’s district opener, Thompson said it’s just as vital his team wins tonight’s district opener to get off on the right set of paws.
“It’s very important,” he said. “Looking at our district, the teams that came into (the new district), Wewoka, (Tulsa) Regent Prep, Mounds and Allen, we’re only really familiar with Gore and Talihina. It’s a new district. We’ll be traveling to new places we’ve never been. We’ve got to go play well on the road. Every district game now is important. Everybody is 0-0 at this point. You want to set yourself up to make a good playoff run, and it’s still our goal (this season).”
• • • TO GET THERE — Take U.S. 64 west to Interstate 40. Take I-40 west to Oklahoma State Highway 56 (Exit 212). Take Oklahoma State Highway 56 south to Wewoka.
