Senior linebacker says Black Diamonds ready to return to football action
After a week off last week, the Sallisaw Black Diamonds are ready to return to action tonight when they entertain the Eufaula Ironheads at 7 tonight at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium.
“We’re pretty anxious,” Sallisaw senior linebacker Caden Blount said about getting back to football after a two-week hiatus. “That bye week was pretty fun to recover and get prepared for Eufaula. I think it’s going to be a pretty good game. We’re definitely ready to get back out there. I’m looking forward to getting back out there on defense and making some plays. Our offense has been looking pretty good.”
Blount said the bye week was beneficial in a lot of ways for the Black Diamonds.
Caden Blount
“It gave us all time to recover from the last two games,” he said. “We’re getting Austin File back. That will be a big help to our defensive line. He was injured the first two weeks. He will be getting back, so that should be pretty good. I think we’ve fixed our issues. We’ll be definitely better.”
The Black Diamonds would like to begin a winning streak, which saw win No. 1 of the 2025 season on Sept. 5 when they won their home opener 27-0 over Stigler.
“Winning that home opener was nice,” Blount said. “I would like to keep the winning streak at home — you know, protect the house. I think it will be a good game.”
In each of the last two seasons, the Black Diamonds have been a Class 4A playoffs participant, but each of the last two seasons the postseason parade has ended in the state quarterfinals after winning their opening-round games — at Cushing in 2023 and over Grove last November at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium. Blount is hopeful the Black Diamonds can make it farther this year.
“We’re very eager to keep the tradition and make the playoffs,” he said. “We are looking forward to getting to those (Class 4A state) quarterfinals — and winning, and going on to the semifinals and looking for that state championship.”
Nothing would satisfy the senior linebacker more than seeing him and the Black Diamonds win the gold ball in December to end his Sallisaw football career.
“Going out as a state champion my senior year would be like a dream come true,” Blount said. “You think about that all throughout youth league and middle school. You grew up with your buddies playing (football) and you’re out there playing (with them) for the last time (this year). (Winning state championship) would be a surreal experience.”
Blount is planning on making the most of his final season on the gridiron with the Black Diamonds.
“I mean it is saddening that this will be the last time to touch the field, but I think there will be great memories,” he said.
