Sand Springs Practice Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Class 6A-2 this week, the majority of the top five teams have this week off and are preparing for district play starting next week. That's not the case for #5 Sand Springs as they will look to bounce back following last week's loss to 6A-1's #1 Bixby. The Sandites are 1-1 on the season and will hit the road to face another team that's hungry for a win in #10 Ponca City, who is 0-2 on the season. The Wildcats had last week off after playing in week zero and one and they certainly want to get some momentum going before they enter district play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sandites have had a roller coaster start to their 2023 football season. First, they opened up the year against Highway 97 rival Sapulpa and won a 64-54 shootout. For the second straight year, they leaned on a very strong running game to beat the Chieftains and maintain control of Highway 97. Last week, they ran into the Bixby buzzsaw and things didn't go well as they lost 61-7. But let's face it, Bixby is a team and program that is at a completely different level than most in Oklahoma. They make 40-50 point blowouts look routine even against 6A-1 competition. But now, the Sandites look to bounce back on the road against Ponca City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, the Sandites struggled on third down and also gave up points on special teams and with turnovers that helped Bixby run away with the 61-7 victory. If Sand Springs bounces back this week, a big reason will be because the Sandites are able to convert on third down and avoid those costly turnovers that end in points for the opponent. We expect to see more of the Sand Springs that we saw in week zero. In the win over Sapulpa, the Sandites ran for more than 300 yards as a team and dominated the ground game. Another key this week will be the Sandite defense. Sapulpa was able to light up the scoreboard as well and did so with a strong passing attack. If they can minimize the chunk plays, they'll be in a good position on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we put a spotlight on five players to keep an eye on for the Sandites this week and moving forward throughout the season. This group is headlined by their strong rushing attack but there are a few other names that you should know about when it comes to the Sandites. Like we mentioned, this is the last tune up before district play begins next week. And Sand Springs finds themselves in one of the more competitive districts in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["992746"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Coming into this season, we knew that Sand Springs was going to have a strong running game but the emergence of junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='992746' first='Ali' last='McCoy'] has made that part of the offense even stronger this season. McCoy looked really good when we saw the Sandites in person last month at the Jenks scrimmage. He carried that momentum into the season opener against Sapulpa when he ran for nearly 150 yards and three touchdowns. McCoy would also find the end zone in last week's loss to Bixby. McCoy gives the Sandites another weapon at the running back position and we're looking forward to seeing how this two-headed monster at running back produces this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["449993"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Sand Springs has a few young prospects who have already emerged as guys to keep an eye on and [player_tooltip player_id='449993' first='Easton' last='Webb'] at the quarterback position is certainly one of them. Webb has already given a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State but it's for baseball. He is definitely one of the top baseball prospects in the class but he's climbing the ranks in terms of 2026 quarterbacks as well. Last week, Webb earned his first D1 offer for football and we don't think that is going to slow down anytime soon. UNLV offered and that could start the ball rolling on more schools trying to pull him away from baseball, or at least start the conversation of him playing football as well. There's no doubt that Webb has a high ceiling as a prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["382992"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Teaming up with McCoy at the running back position is senior [player_tooltip player_id='382992' first='Kenneth' last='Page'] and he's the running back we knew about coming into this year. Page had a really strong junior season last year in his first year as the full time running back in this Sandite offense. He ran for nearly 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns on the year. And despite having McCoy splitting carries with him, Page is still the leading rusher on the team and we don't anticipate that changing anytime soon. Page is a physical runner that certainly looks the part when you see him in person. In their win over Sapulpa, Page ran for over 160 yards and a pair of touchdowns. We still believe he's one of the more underrated 2024 prospects in the state.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["806175"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Flipping over to the defensive side of the ball, one player that is enjoying a solid start to his senior year is [player_tooltip player_id='806175' first='Owen' last='Floyd'] at linebacker. We've gotten a chance to see Floyd quite a bit in person from his time with Sooner 7 and then he camped with us this spring. Floyd also looked really good when we saw him in person at the Jenks scrimmage last month. Floyd is your prototypical middle linebacker and he even has the neck roll to complete the look. Floyd is leading the team in tackles so far this season and we we think he should end in that position at the end of this season. Floyd and the Sandite defense has to be hungry to get back on the field Friday and show improvement.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["467408"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Finally, Sand Springs has an outstanding running game because of sophomore offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='467408' first='Ryley' last='Kester'] leading the way up front. Kester is one of the top offensive lineman prospects in the state and one of the top overall guys in the state's 2026 class. Kester already had a handful of offers heading into this season and he's added offers from Houston and UNLV in the last week. Kester has really impressed us from the first time that we saw him and he continues to raise his stock every time we catch him in person. And when you look at some of the numbers Sand Springs is putting up in the running game, you can't help but look at the offensive line and when you do, you see Kester.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6500e3e8b5a71"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->