Black Diamonds host Poteau Pirates for district showdown
First off, the Sallisaw Black Diamonds will be playing just their third home game of the season tonight when they welcome the Poteau Pirates to Perry F. Lattimore Stadium for a 7 p.m. District 4A-4 showdown. Sallisaw coach Brandon Tyler is just glad the Black Diamonds are finally home.
“It’s definitely nice to get back home,” Tyler said. “It feels like we’ve been on the road every week. To get back home in front of our home crowd and to play here is going to be good, especially with the level of the opponent we have coming in. It’s always good to be at home.”
The Pirates (5-2 overall, 3-1 in district play) are in a three-way tie for second place with the Black Diamonds (6-1, 3-1) and the Ada Cougars (4-3, 3-1). The Cougars defeated the Pirates 19-14 on Oct. 4.
The Pirates had a shake up just prior to the season getting started when veteran coach Greg Werner resigned his coaching and athletic director duties. However, Tyler said the Pirates are playing just as they always have been.
“They’re still playing hard,” he said. “They’re typical Poteau. They’re doing the same thing. (Former coach Greg Werner’s son) Payton Werner is taking over calling the offense, and he’s doing a great job running the offense. It’s still the same stuff based out of the wing-T, something you don’t see a whole lot of anymore. (Interim head) Coach (Mike) Odom is still calling the defense. They’re still flying to the football as well as they ever have. Their overall team speed on that side of the ball is very impressive.”
Last year when the two teams met Oct. 19 at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium, the Pirates prevailed 28-13, but the Black Diamonds played one of their best games that night — although coming up short.
“Our kids know last year we competed with them from the end of the first quarter on once we kind of settled in and realized that we could do that (compete with Poteau) mentally,” Tyler said. “I felt like we played very hard last year. We had some opportunities there late. It’s 21-13 (in Poteau’s favor). We’re driving down and throw an interception in the end zone. We had a chance to make it even tighter than what it was. I was proud of our kids and their effort last year. It’s a new year and new teams.”
Tyler said it will take a near-perfect game to get that all-elusive victory over the Pirates tonight.
“We have to get some (defensive) stops,” he said. “Our offense possessions are going to be limited just by their offense. They’re going to run the (play) clock down to 37, 38 seconds every time they get it. Last week, I think they had a couple of seven-, eightminute drives. They’re going to try to eat up a whole quarter. We have to get off the field (on defense) and get our offense out there. When we do get our offense out there, we have to execute at a high level. We can’t turn the ball over. We have to control the line of scrimmage and try to get some points on the board.” The Black Diamonds have won two straight games, both in the Tulsa metroplex, after losing their homecoming game to Broken Bow. Last week’s 38-7 district road win over Glenpool has kept all the district aspirations in play.
“That was a big win, going on the road,” Tyler said. “Glenpool has been playing well even though their record doesn’t indicate it. They had some good-looking kids and athletes on the field. Going on the road is always a worry as a coach, but I thought we prepared well all week. We were prepared when we got off the bus, and it showed. The kids came out from the get go and played really hard in all three phases. I think we dominated the game pretty well. I was very pleased with the effort, and the coaching staff getting prepared last week. It was a good win to go on the road to get it to keep our home playoff chances alive. Things have to happen (right), but possibly winning a district championship.”
Tyler said sophomore receiver Brodi Nickell, who suffered a devastating injury in the district opener Sept. 27 at Hilldale, is recovering nicely — and may be back for the regular-season finale Nov. 8 at Ada.
“He’s coming along good,” Tyler said. “There’s a good chance we may get him back Week 10 (at Ada). We’re looking forward to that. All the healing process is going good.”
Tyler said all other Black Diamonds are healthy, but not without bumps and bruises.
“It was a typical week with bumps and bruises — muscles here and shoulders there, knees and everything — but when you play in a physical district, that’s going to happen,” he said. “You just have to tough it up and go get after it.”
District Standings
Team District Overall Points
BROKEN BOW 4-0 6-1 60
POTEAU 3-1 5-2 40
ADA 3-1 4-3 23
SALLISAW 3-1 6-1 9
HILLDALE 2-2 3-4 11
TULSA McLAIN 1-3 3-4 -26
STILWELL 0-4 1-6 -57
GLENPOOL 0-4 0-7 -60
