Senior duo glad to win on Senior Night, but wants to win even more at Ada
EDITOR’S NOTE— This story was written Wednesday before the notice had been received by Your TIMES that the Ada game was moved to Thursday night due to possible inclement weather Friday night.
The Sallisaw Black Diamonds ended their regularseason home slate of games with a rout of the Stilwell Indians on Senior Night last Friday night at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium, which pleased two of the 18 Sallisaw seniors no end.
“The feeling was amazing,” Sallisaw senior placekicker Brian Castor said. “That was the only time I was going to get that moment as a senior, of course, winning on Senior Night. The aesthetic of just being there and everyone cheering on your team, it just felt amazing.”
“It felt amazing. It definitely made me happy,” senior linebacker/running back Aiden Ruiz said. “I was just filled with all sorts of emotions knowing it was my last Senior Night and last game going against Stilwell — I hadn’t beaten them the years I played (football). Being able to end it like that (with a win over Stilwell), there wasn’t a better way.”
The Black Diamonds were trying to do something that hadn’t been done in 11 years, win a district championship. They could have done that Thursday night with a road victory over Ada.
“Everyone is pumped and ready to go,” Castor said. “Everybody’s blood is just pumping and ready to go. Going to Ada and beating them at their place is just getting everyone’s adrenaline pumped.”
For the second straight season, the Black Diamonds have clinched a playoff berth, regardless of the outcome of Thursday night’s game. However, winning the district championship would make things even better — especially the bus ride back home.
“It’s crazy actually,” Ruiz said. “I’m filled with all the emotions, but we have to stay composed and keep doing what we’re doing every day — and learn and grow every day. We’re getting closer to being district champs — and, hopefully, state champs.”
As the regular season ended Thursday night and the Class 4A playoffs will begin next week, both seniors are emotional when thinking their Sallisaw Black Diamond football careers are nearing an end.
“Honestly, I’m not ready for it to end,” Castor said. “No matter what or when it ends, I’m very grateful to do it with this group of seniors for sure. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group. This group has accomplished many things and went through ups and downs. I’m amazed at what we have accomplished with (second-year) Coach (Brandon) Tyler.”
“I want to make it to where there are no regrets, and I want to end the season with no ‘whatifs,’” Ruiz said. “What if I had pushed more? What if I had done this? What if I had done better? I want to leave it all on the line. I want to leave it all out on the field. It’s going to be the last year I’m going to play with this group of boys. I love every single one of them. They’re my brothers. We all started our first years playing football in little league together. There’s really not a better feeling. It’s definitely a family bond for sure.”
