Senior believes Black Diamonds’ offensive, defensive units clicking on all cylinders

The Sallisaw Black Diamonds extended their winning streak to four games with last Friday night’s District 4A-4 road victory over the host Broken Bow Savages by a score of 40-30, which made for an amazing feeling for the players — including senior fullback/tight end/ linebacker Drew Simpson.

“It was amazing,” Simpson said. “We didn’t give up (after falling behind 2820). We stayed together as a team, and we all had each other’s backs. We were there for each other when we needed to. That’s what it takes.”

Simpson has been blessed by the opportunity to play on both the offensive and defensive units for the Black Diamonds.

Offensively, the Black Diamonds have scored 165 points during the four-game winning streak in wins over Stigler (270 final score), Eufaula (57-19), Hilldale (41-29) and Broken Bow (40-30). He said most of the credit goes to the coaching staff.

“First, it starts with all the coaches,” Simpson said. “They call the plays amazingly well. They know exactly what we need to do and when we need to do it. We then just go out there and execute. We’ve been doing the right things in practice. If we execute that right, then we’re going to be good in the games.”

During the four-game winning streak, the Black Diamonds have recorded 19 takeaways — four against Stigler, five against Eufaula, seven against Hilldale and three against Broken Bow — by either intercepting passes or recovering fumbles. You can even throw in a blocked punt by Logan Bethel, which was cashed in by teammate Matthew McGrew for a “scoop and score” against Eufaula and a “catch Broken Bow off guard” onside kick recovery by teammate Brodi Nickell in the fourth quarter of last Friday’s crucial district road victory.

“We all fly to the football,” Simpson said. “We all want it really bad, and I think that’s what it comes together as.”

Simpson came to the Black Diamonds after being a Roland Ranger. The senior said the transition has been an easy one to make, thanks to his new teammates.

“It’s been amazing,” Simpson said. “These guys have welcomed me into their homes. It’s just felt like home here.”

The one thing that has eluded the Black Diamonds in the previous two seasons of being a playoff team has been being the District 4A-4 champions. Simpson believes this just might be the Black Diamonds’ year to bring home the district championship.

“It motivates us every day,” he said. “That’s one of our goals to work for.”

As for the playoff runs in each of the last two seasons, they have ended with state quarterfinal losses to the team which has eventually won the Class 4A state title — Blanchard in 2023 and Elgin last season. Simpson believes the Black Diamonds have what it takes to get at least to the state semifinals — if not the state championship game.

“We all want it (playoff trip to state semifinals) really bad,” Simpson said. “We’re just going to work together to get that goal.”

If the Black Diamonds are able to bring the Class 4A state championship and the gold ball trophy home in December, nothing would make Simpson and his teammates happier.

“It would mean everything to me,” he said. “I know these guys would live for that to happen. I think it would just be awesome for our community and everything Sallisaw football means.”

If Simpson’s dreams come true, he will be playing at the next level.

“I would love to go play college (football),” Simpson said. “I’ve worked really hard. I started out as a lineman, and I’ve worked really hard to become a fullback-type guy and work on my speed a lot. I would love to go play college (football).”