Wolverines meet Adair for state title today at UCO
The Vian Wolverines have found their way back to the Class 2A, Division II state title game, thanks to a 21-0 win of Davis last Friday night in Harrah.
“The guys were pretty excited to get the win against Davis,” Vian coach Gary Willis said. “It was (a feeling like) more of unfinished business. Last year in the semifinals, it was pretty crazy. The boys were excited (about the win over Davis), but they were a little more calm.”
On several playoff occasions for the Wolverines since they last won the state title in 1971, it was the Wolves who ended Vian’s hopes at a state titles since then. Willis believes the town is glad that the Wolverines were able to knock off the Wolves.
“It was probably so for the community more than the team,” he said. “We played them last year (in the state title game), and that was the only other experience I had with Davis.”
In last year’s state championship game, the Wolverines committed four turnovers, three of which were turned into points, as they lost 28-18. In last Friday night’s semifinal win over Davis, the Wolveriners committed no turnovers.
“That was huge,” Willis said. “It was the key to field position. It was a big deal.”
Another goose egg was made by the Vian defense, which shut out the Wolves.
“Coach (Lance) Winans and Coach (Garett) Willis did a really good job on defense,” Vian’s head coach said. “I can’t say enough about those guys in prepping the team. The boys went out and executed.”
Willis is grateful and blessed the second-seeded Wolverines (12-1), winners of 11 straight since losing in Week 2 at Kiefer, got back to the state final again, where they will meet the top-seeded Adair Warriors (13-0) at high noon today at Chad Richison Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
“I think sometimes people can take that for granted,” he said. “It’s hard to win that many games and get back (to the state championship). It’s tough to manage it and staying healthy.”
The Warriors won nine games by no less than two scores. In eight of those games, they have won by three scores or greater. However, their last two playoff games have been tightly contested — winning 2014 over Holdenville in the state quarterfinals and outlasting Stroud 42-40 in overtime two weeks ago in the state semifinals.
Two years ago, the Wolverines and the Warriors met in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs in Adair, with the Wolverines coming out on top 45-20 to advance to the state quarterfinals against Washington at East Central University in Ada — where Washington won 47-14.
Willis said the Warriors look very similar now as to when the two teams met two seasons ago.
“They have the same coaches, and some of the same players were on that (2023) team,” he said. “They run the same offense and same defense. We’re concerned about the fast scoring they can do on offense. Their quarterback (Cooper McCord) is a dual threat. He can run and pass. They are a very well-coached team.”
Just as in last Friday night’s state semifinal against Davis, turnovers, or more like lack thereof, will be the top priority for the Wolverines, along with a couple of other keys.
“I think turnovers are the top priority, and special teams and managing the ball,” said Willis, who said, “We’re pretty healthy” injury wise coming into today’s state title game.
If the Wolverines win the state championship and bring home the gold ball for the first time in 54 years, Willis said there would be big-time joy in Vian.
“It’s a football crazy town,” he said. “It would be a huge deal as far as the community is concerned, and finally getting it done.”
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TO GET THERE — Take Interstate 40 west to I-235 in downtown Oklahoma City. Take I-235 north, where it becomes the Broadway Extension (U.S. 77). Continue north on the Broadway Extension to Edmond, where it becomes Broadway Avenue. Proceed north on Broadway Avenue to Second Street. Turn east (right) on Second Street to the University of Central Oklahoma.
