Seniors ready for Black Diamonds to bounce back from homecoming loss
Last Friday night was not a happy homecoming for the Sallisaw Black Diamonds, losing 59-14 to the Broken Bow Savages for their first loss of the season and first District 4A-4 setback of 2024.
However, Sallisaw senior wide receiver/defensive back Cole Mayfield said the loss made the Black Diamonds realize something more important.
“I feel it (the loss) was good for us in multiple ways,” Mayfield said. “One, it took off a lot of pressure trying to go undefeated all season. There was a lot of pressure bearing down on all of our starters, saying we’re going to go undefeated and we have to do this — looking at more result outcomes than what we had to do to win. I feel it took a lot of pressure off of us, and it’s just going to allow us to play a little bit better and more relaxed all around.”
It wasn’t too long after last week’s homecoming game’s final horn sounded that the Black Diamonds were thinking about tonight’s district opponent, Tulsa McLain.
“As soon as that clock hit zero (last Friday night), we came in and we talked a little about that (Broken Bow) game,” Sallisaw senior receiver Cooper Jackson said. “We decided it was past us. Let’s focus on the next one and get that (district loss) back.”
The Black Diamonds have been chomping at the bit to return to the gridiron so they can get the bad taste of last week’s homecoming loss to Broken Bow out of their mouths.
“We’re very anxious,” Jackson said. “You could tell at Tuesday’s practice we were full throttle and really getting after it. You could kind of tell that we’re wanting to get a bounce-back game.”
Despite last week’s district loss to the Savages, the Black Diamonds still have their main goals attainable — a district title, a home playoff game and, of course, a state championship.
“Poteau is Poteau, and they can go out and beat anybody they want,” Mayfield said. “We don’t know a lot about Ada. They lost some tough games, but they won a close game against Poteau. Anything can happen in this district. It’s always crazy every season. If we just keep our heads up and go 9-1 and finish out the season and get all the remaining district wins, we’ll have a shot (at a district title and a home playoff game).”
Jackson said a win tonight over the Titans will be big.
“It would be a good win,” Jackson said. “Any district win for us is a big win, but it would really be a big one this week after that loss.”
Both seniors are trying to enjoy their final seasons as Black Diamonds on the football field as much as possible.
“I’m just taking every moment in,” Jackson said. “I’m enjoying it while I can and giving it all I got. That way, I won’t come back and think I wish I had given it everything my final year. I’m definitely trying to give it all I have.”
“I just want to give it all I got,” Mayfield said. “I’m trying to give it my all and leave the best legacy I can for these younger kids who are looking up to us. Obviously, they have a lot of eyes on us after last year’s season. The younger kids are always looking up at we high school players. I’m going to try to be the best role model for them and something to look up to and be excited for.”
Mayfield, who came to Sallisaw High School after his sophomore season at Warner, said the Black Diamond experience has been everything he thought it would be, and more.
“I’ve loved it,” Mayfield said. “Ever since I got here, Ive felt like I’ve been here my whole life. It’s felt like family the entire time. They took me in so well. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
