Muldrow in must-win situation tonight at Stigler
While the high school football playoffs are two weeks away, they have actually arrived for the Muldrow Bulldogs.
The ’Dogs (4-4 overall, 1-4 in District 3A-3 play) are in mustwin situations in each of the final two weeks of the regular season if they want to make the playoffs.
That first must-win situation is at 7 tonight in a road district game against the Stigler Panthers.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position, unfortunately, to where it’s that playoff-type atmosphere two weeks early,” Muldrow coach Logan Coatney said. “The kids have been playing hard and have been focused in. They understand the game plan. It’s an unfortunate deal, but we’ve put ourselves in a position because of lack of execution and turnovers to be starting this (playoff) mindset and montra of playoffs here in the last week of October. We have an opportunity to go extend our season. It (the playoffs) starts this week. We have to have the right mindset and a sense of urgency in what we’re doing. The opportunity is there for us. We just really have to hone in and have a sense of urgency. I think we’ve lacked a little bit of that.”
The Panthers (2-6, 1-4) also are in the same situation, needing to win out to give themselves a shot at making the Class 3A football playoffs.
“Stigler is a very well-coached team,” Coatney said about the Panthers. “(New) Coach (Johnny) Easttom has come down and has done a great job. He’s changed their defense up a little bit. (Former Stigler coach) Kevin Wilkett is still running their offense. Their record does not indicate how good of a football team they are. They have a very good offensive and defensive line. They’re big and physical kids. They have the skill kids that will spread you out, so you have to worry about them as well. So, that’s an obvious concern there.”
Another concern will be how will the Bulldogs’ mindset be after about a 45-minute bus trip to Stigler.
“We’re on the road here the last two weeks of the season,” Coatney said. “That’s a concern. How well are we going to travel? What will the mindset of the kids be?”
Coatney is hoping the law of averages will begin going in Muldrow’s favor over the next two weeks.
“You take the way we have practiced and battled,” he said.
“Our kids have battled the last three to four weeks. They’ve come to work. They’re ready to go. They’re understanding and giving great effort. You have to think at some point, it’s going to turn (in our favor). Some of the things that have gone against us will turn in our favor. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead these young men into these games and the opportunity that is presenting itself to us.”
The Bulldogs will need to play as sound a game as possible to give them the best chance to not only keep their playoff hopes alive but to end a four-game losing streak.
“We just have to go out there and execute,” Coatney said. “We have to take care of the football for four quarters. Hopefully, the tide will turn a little bit in our favor.”
The good news is the ’Dogs will be healthy for tonight’s crucial district road game.
“We’re healthy as all get out,” Coatney said. “It’s exciting to be in the position we’re in this late in the season.”
• • • TO GET THERE — Take Interstate 40 west to Sallisaw. Take U.S. 59 south to Oklahoma State Highway 9. Take Highway 9 west to Stigler.
