LOCAL

Nearly News
Two High School Seniors Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
Oil Compact Back at Birthplace
Barbecue, Chili Cookoff Prizes Will Include Cooker

Nearly News

September Fool! Superstars Alanis Morrissette and Sheryl Crow are not appearing at the Cherokee Strip Cook-off. What a difference punctuation makes. The cook-off story should have said Jennifer Shae Ellis will be performing in the style of Jewel, Alanis Morrissette and Sheryl Crow. The News apologizes for the error, while the cook-off folks have enjoyed the excitement the story created.

Shanley Kelly, daughter of Chad and Jamie Kelly of Ponca City, is in St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa recovering from open-heart surgery. She will remain in the Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit through the weekend. Friends may inquire as to Kelly’s condition by calling the PICU waiting room at (918) 494-2200. Kelly is a four-year-old kindergarten student at McCord School.

Oops! The flyers distributed throughout Ponca City yesterday by the First Assembly of God folks, failed to give the day the film, “Princess Egypt” will be showing on the big screen at the church. NN was advised the day will be Saturday at 11 a.m. and Ponca City boys and girls are invited to attend. NN thinks it sounds like a great time for Ponca City’s youngsters. “Princess Egypt” is the latest Disney film.

Two High School Seniors Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

Two Ponca City Senior High students, Scot Mitchell and Claire Sonnichsen, were announced today as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Their names were listed with approximately 16,000 other high school seniors selected as semifinalists in the 45th annual contest.

Scot and Claire now have an opportunity to continue with the other semifinalists in the competition for some 7,600 Merit Scholarship awards, worth over $28 million, that will be offered next spring.

Po-Hi Principal Jerry Winkle stated, “I think it’s outstanding that we have two semifinalists this year. I believe it’s expected for Ponca City. In the future we look to have that many and more.” He continued, “I want to congratulate Claire and Scot for their outstanding work and dedication. This will open up a lot of possibilities for them.”

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the academic competition, is a privately financed, not-for-profit corporation. Scholarships awarded through the Merit Program are underwritten by about 600 independent sponsor organizations and institutions as well as with NMSC’s own funds. These sponsors want to bring public recognition to academically talented students and give them wider educational opportunities.

Close to 1.2 million students in over 20,000 U.S. high schools entered the year 2000 Merit Program as juniors by taking the 1998 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Fewer than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors were designated semifinalists on a state representational basis. The number of semifinalists named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

The next step for the two local semifinalists is to fulfill requirements to advance to finalist standing, a prerequisite to consideration for a Merit Scholarship award. To become finalists, Mitchell and Sonnichsen must have an outstanding high school academic record, be endorsed and recommended by their school principal, and submit SAT scores that confirm their earlier qualifying test performance. Also, the semifinalist and a school official must complete a detailed scholarship application which includes the student’s self-descriptive essay as well as information about the semifinalist’s participation and leadership in school and community activities.

Three types of Merit Scholarship awards will be offered in 2000. Every finalist will be considered for one of 2,400 National Merit $2,000 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis.

NMSC will release the names of Merit Scholarship winners in 2000 in three separate announcements in April and May; names of additional college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients will be announced in July.

Oil Compact Back at Birthplace

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

An organization that began in Ponca City during E.W. Marland’s gubernatorial term is returning to meet here on Monday.

The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), an organization representing the governors of 37 states, will return to its birthplace Monday as representatives hold their quarterly meeting at the Marland Mansion.

The IOGCC promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment.

Those attending will include the official representatives of the various governors. The representatives will discuss business items in the room where Governor Marland and governors from Kansas and Texas met with representatives of the governors of Arkansas, Louisiana, California, New Mexico and Wyoming in 1935.

The governors were concerned about rampant over-production of oil and founded the IOGCC to conserve this natural resource.

In 1984 on the 50th anniversary the organization met here with Gov. George Nigh, Gov. Mark White of Texas, and Gov. Toney Anaya of New Mexico.

During the meeting here the group erected a monument telling of the formation of the compact. At that time the group also buried a time capsule. The monument is on the grounds of the Pioneer Woman Museum, but there have been some talk of relocating it to the Marland Mansion Estate.

Two meetings were hosted here in 1934 and 1935, when the group formed.

Barbecue, Chili Cookoff Prizes Will Include Cooker

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Winner of the Oklahoma State Championship Barbecue crown set for Saturday at Wentz Camp will take home a total $1,200 prize money plus a cooker given by Kingfisher Kountry Kooker.

Prizes have been donated by businesses to promote the event, which benefits Hospice of Ponca City. Professionals Today hosts the cook-off annually. This year’s chairman is Loretta Leathers and Karen Furman is co-chairman.

Reserve grand champion will receive $600 cash and his and hers Bulova watches from Capital West Securities and a screened arbor. People’s Choice will receive $100 and prizes.

Each winner in the brisket, pork, chicken and rib categories will received $300; second place, $200; third, 100; fourth, $75; fifth, $50 and sixth through 10th, $25 each. Places first through fourth will also receive donated merchandise.

Children’s barbecue winners will get $50, $40 and $30 respectively.

Chili Division

In the Children’s Chili Division, $50, $40 and $30 will be awarded. The People’s Choice winner will receive $100 and enamel dinner ware and cooking pot.

Showmanship Chili award winner will receive $175 and a gold chain bracelet and cleaner and a four person tent. Prizes will be awarded through third place.

In the Chili division cash prizes are not allowed due to the CASI rules. But prizes will be awarded through fourth place. First place will take home a gas cooker from ONG and a hammock-stand. Fifth through six places will receive ribbons. Ribbons will also be awarded in each category. Ruth Capshaw is the prize chairman.

More Entertainment

Two groups from Ponca City High School will be providing entertainment during Saturday’s event. The Po-Hi Brass Quintet will play from noon to 12:30 p.m. Members are Katie Mulligan, trumpet; Kevin Reiss, trumpet; James Barraclough, French horn; Jarod Merle, euphonium and Tom Connelly, tuba.

The Renaissance Quintet string ensemble is slated to entertain from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Members are Robert Hwang, violin; Emily Jack, violin; Jacque Salmons, viola; Brandi Combs, cello; Nic Burton, double bass. Ruslyn Hermanson is entertainment chairman.

More Sponsors

Two major sponsors added to the list of contributors are Betty Throop and Southwest Business Products.

DEATHS

Mark K. Looper
John M. Ullery Jr.
Richard G. Simmons

Mark K. Looper

HARRISON, Ark. — Mark K. Looper, former Ponca City businessman, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999 in Harrison, Ark. He was 86.

The funeral was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Christeson Funeral Home chapel in Harrison, Arkansas with the Rev. Charles Decker officiating. Burial was in the Milam Cemetery in Lead Hill, Ark.

Mark K. Looper was born Jan. 13, 1913, in Blackwell to James Garfield and Avis Gertrude (Smith) Looper. He graduated from Ponca City High School.

He was married to his wife Vera, in March 1945. Looper was a painting contractor in Ponca City in the early 1950s then joined the sales force at the E.G. Looper Real Estate Agency. He later owned the Mark Looper Real Estate Agency where he worked until his retirement. While living in Ponca City he was a member and trustee of the Revival Center Church and active in the Ponca City Democrat Party. After moving to Harrison he attended the Lead Hill Christian Church.

Survivors include one son, David Looper of Harrison, Ark.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera, in 1990, and his parents.

Obituaries

John M. Ullery Jr.

John M. Ullery Jr., longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday Sept. 13, 1999, at his home. He was 81.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, in the Woodlands Christian Church with the Rev. Paul Krueger, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Born Aug. 3, 1918, in Ponca City he was the son of John Maynard and Helen Jewell (Barr) Ullery. He grew up in the Ponca City area and graduated from the Kendrick (Okla.) High School. He entered the U.S. Army in February 1941 and served in North Africa and Italy during World War II. He was discharged from active duty with the rank of Captain in December 1945. Mr. Ullery retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1978 with the rank of Colonel.

On Oct. 31, 1942, he was married to Leora Huff in Edmond. Following World War II the couple returned to Ponca City where Mr. Ullery was employed in the Conoco refinery for 35 years until his retirement as a unit operator in 1981. He was a member of the Woodlands Christian Church, American Legion Huff-Minor Post 14, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1201, Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge. He enjoyed woodworking, stained glass, gardening, and fishing.

Surviving are his wife Leora of the home; a son Maynard Ullery and his wife, Jenny of Ponca City: two sisters, Katherine Melton of Stroud, and Martha Fredrick of Edmond; two brothers, Kenneth Ullery of Tacoma, Wash., and David Ullery of Quinton; four grandchildren, Bruce Ullery and his wife Lori of Ponca City, Max Ullery of Ponca City, Melinda Yahne and her husband Jesse of Springfield, Mo., and Aaron Ullery of Ponca City; four great-grandchildren, Constance Ullery, James Ullery, Alyssia Ullery, and Mallory Yahne. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, Inc., 1904 North Union, No. 103 Ponca City, OK 74601.

Casket bearers will be Don Lawson, Gene Sullivan, Mike Walsh, Sam Mullenax, Paul Hosman and Wayne Kiser. Honorary casket bearers will be grandchildren of Mr. Ullery.

The casket will not be opened following the service, however friends may call at the funeral home until 9 p.m. Friday.

The family will be at the home, 204 North Thirteenth Street.

paid obituary

Richard G. Simmons

Richard G. Simmons, a former resident of Ponca City and former Conoco employee, died Sept. 13, 1999 in Houston, Texas. He was 50.

The funeral service will be conducted Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 in the Chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Whit Herrington officiating.

Mr. Simmons died Sept. 13, 1999 in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 1972 with a B.S. in Geology. Furthering his education, he graduated from Arizona State University in 1976 with a M.S. in Geology Geophysics.

His struggle with multiple myeloma caused him to retire in 1992. After his retirement, he enjoyed playing bridge, where he achieved the status of Life Master. He was also the only weekly instructor of the Computer Investment Club of HAL-PC.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Simmons of Houston; two daughters, Verlyne Simmons Jolley and her husband, Clark, of Oklahoma City, and Amanda Simmons Rosewitz and her husband, Brad, of Dallas, Texas, and their mother, Jane Simmons of Ponca City; a son, Matthew Jared Simmons of Houston; one sister, Verlyne Key of San Ramon, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial has been established for Simmons for the educational fund of his son, Jared, through the funeral home in Houston, or to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 297163, Houston, Texas 77297 to be used for myeloma research.

Forest Park Westheimer, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston, is in charge of arrangements.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Women’s Meeting — A citywide meeting for all women is scheduled 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday. Theme for the non-denominational event is “Women Thou Art Loosed.” Those attending are asked to bring a favorite salad and a friend to Mike’s Gospel Jubilee building on U.S. 60 East across from the fire station.

Cleanest one bedroom garage apartment in town. Lease, deposit and local references. No pets. 313 East Highland. 767-1102 day. 765-1161 evenings. adv.

Bridgeway — State certified DUI School, Bridgeway, Inc., is Kay County’s only local non-profit organization that offers both midweek and weekend DUI Schools and Assessments. Next school scheduled is Friday and Saturday, starting at 5 p.m. They now offer 24 hour DUI School. For more information call 762-1462.

Pauline's Shrimp peel. All you can eat, $11.95, Friday the 17th. For reservations, call 765-5460. adv.

Pleasant Valley — The Pleasant Valley reunion is planned Sunday, Sept. 19, noon-4 p.m., at Sun ‘N Fun. A quilt top with names of residents of the Maple Grove and Enterprise area will be on display. A covered dish dinner is planned. For more information call Vonda Hollingsworth, 765-4939.

Unique and New Halloween gifts and decorations. Mrs. Brown’s Attic, downtown Ponca City. adv.

Traffic Commission — The regular meeting of the Ponca City Traffic Commission will be held Friday, Sept. 24 at 1:15 p.m. at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and

coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Meeting Rescheduled — The Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention taskforce for the Ponca City Alliance for Youth has been rescheduled for Friday, Oct. 29, at Western Sizzlin’, 1209 East Prospect Avenue. For more information, call Michele at 765-2476.

Farming & Grazing lease sale!!!! On Ponca restricted trust land to be held at 10 a.m. on September 17,1999. For bid packets call land management office at 763-0137 or 763-0120. adv.

Possible Embezzlement — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday that a possible embezzlement had occurred at Conoco, 1613 West South Avenue. An officer was assigned and a 22-year-old man was held for embezzlement.

30% OFF selected Brighton handbags, wallets, belts, watches, & jewelry. Lowry’s of Pawhuska. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the Kay County Sheriff’s Office at 11:52 a.m. Wednesday that a 21-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay and failure to appear.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 700 block of North Union Street at 12:47 p.m. Wednesday that a 40-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Thursday special from 4-? 1/2 BBQ chicken with 2 vegetables. $4.25. 215 South 14th. 765-7979. adv.

Vehicle Burglarized — A woman from Air System Components, 900 Darr Park, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:54 p.m. Wednesday that her vehicle had been burglarized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad,

and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Rings Missing — A woman from the 400 block of North Ninth Street was at the Ponca City Police Department at 3:13 p.m. Wednesday to report that some rings had been stolen. A report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 3500 block of North Union Street at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday that a 25-year-old woman was being held on a Kay County warrant for second degree rape.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Ash Street and West Prospect Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:36 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — A request was made for an officer at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday to a location where a disturbance was occurring. An officer was assigned and a 16-year-old boy was held for domestic assault and battery.

Fight on the Porch — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 6:11 p.m. Wednesday from the 400 block of South Elm Street that two subjects were fighting on a porch. Two officers were assigned and a 21-year-old woman was held for domestic assault and battery.

Harassment — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 8:12 p.m. Wednesday from a woman that her 18-year-old daughter was being harassed at both home and at work. The information was logged.

Shoplifter — An employee at Wal-Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:48 p.m. Wednesday that a subject was in custody for shoplifting. An officer was assigned and a 30-year-old man was held for petit larceny.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street at 11:31 p.m. Wednesday that a 28-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 700 block of South Waverly Street at 11:42 p.m. Wednesday that an 18-year-old man was being held on a Kay County warrant for grand larceny.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:25 a.m. Thursday from the 700 block of North Palm Street that a man was being held for DUI and driving under suspension.

GARDENING

Caffeine-Free Coffee Plants Tested
Pioneer Water Garden Society Plans Picnic
Fall Work Ensures Spring Lawn and Garden Success

Caffeine-Free Coffee Plants Tested

HONOLULU (AP) — The future of caffeine-free coffee is taking shape in petri dishes at the University of Hawaii, where scientists are growing plants that will produce beans without the buzz.

Don’t expect to drink a genetically engineered double-mocha decaf anytime soon.

The first plants won’t be available to commercial growers before 2003, with the first caffeine-free cups of java to be sold in 2006, according to John Stiles, assistant professor of plant physiology.

“The decaffeinated coffee you have now is treated chemically to remove the caffeine, and that changes the structure of the bean,” Stiles said. “In our process the bean just wouldn’t have it to begin with. The quality will be higher.”

The university, in conjunction with Integrated Coffee Technologies, now is field-testing caffeine-free plants.

The first commercial crop will produce about 250,000 pounds, enough coffee for several million cups, said Stiles, who also is director of scientific research for Integrated.

Top Crop

Coffee is one of Hawaii’s top five crops. First introduced to King Kamehameha I in 1813, coffee was grown on 7,000 acres and generated $28.2 million in 1997, according to the state agriculture department.

The state’s best known coffee is grown on the Kona side of the island of Hawaii.

Decaffeinated coffee accounts for up to 25 percent of U.S. coffee sales, which reached $4 billion in 1997, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Hawaii-based company so far has invested $750,000 in the project and expects to spend another $500,000 to grow the first plants, Stiles said. Seed money came from the state of Hawaii, with additional funding from venture capitalists.

The state university owns the patent for the bean and the process that created it and is leasing that to Integrated.

Monsanto Corp., in turn, is leasing to Integrated some of the procedures it uses in extracting the caffeine gene. Monsanto will share revenues from the sales of plants and beans and the future licensing of the technology.

Worldwide Interest

Each plant will sell for up to $1.50, about three times the current price. Integrated will market the plants to specialty growers more willing to absorb the higher cost and eager to offer better tasting coffee to customers.

Growers eventually will save money after the cost of decaffeination — which can reach 25 percent of the cost of the coffee — is factored in, Stiles said.

“Farmers will make back that additional cost in one or two years of harvest,” he said.

The project also has received interest from coffee growers worldwide. “We’re talking with some of the major U.S. coffee roasters, but we have nothing definite yet,” he said.

Maxwell House Coffee spokeswoman Mary Jane Kinkade said the company is monitoring the project. A spokeswoman for the Starbucks coffee chain said the company won’t decide on the beans until they are grown and tasted.

1991 Beginning

The idea for a caffeine-free bean began brewing in 1991, when Stiles was having a beer with colleagues and was asked if there was a way to use biotechnology to remove caffeine from coffee.

“I didn’t work with coffee at the time, so I thought about it and said, ‘Yeah, this is the sort of thing you should be able to do,”’ he said. Five years later, he and his team succeeded in isolating the protein that creates the caffeine gene.

Stiles’ team is the first to successfully breed a plant without the caffeine gene, following failed attempts by several groups around the world.

Michael Grace of Qusac Decaf Inc., a Canada-based decaffeinator, said the company isn’t worried by the threat posed by a caffeine-free bean, saying such a bean likely will find a niche as a specialty product.

“It may be caffeine-free, but it may also not have other characteristics of coffee,” he said. “In the end it’s got to taste reasonable.”

Pioneer Water Garden Society Plans Picnic

The Pioneer Water Garden Society will not meet Sept. 21. The group will meet at noon Sept. 25 at the home of Glen and Verona Mair, 302 South Seventh. A “mini-tour” for club members will start at noon and continue until 6 p.m. when the group will meet again at the Mair home for a picnic. The meal will be provided, and those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs. For more information, call Ray Moreland, 762-7806. Members need to make reservations as soon as possible.

Fall Work Ensures Spring Lawn and Garden Success

By Charlyn Fargo

Copley News Service

Fall lawn care may be harder to get excited about than spring work, but it’s no less important.

Work done this fall nearly ensures a beautiful lawn and flower garden next spring.

Aerate the soil to loosen roots and promote growth and fertilize, says Dave Robson, horticulturist with the Cooperative Extension Service in Springfield, Ill.

“If a person wants to minimize and fertilize only two times a year, choose September and mid-November,” says Robson.

“If you’ll do those two times, you can minimize the amount of fertilizer you have to use next spring. “

That’s because grass is a cool season crop that actually begins growing in September and continues through the next nine months.

“Think of September as the start of lawn care, not the end,” says Robson. “And you’ll always have a better lawn,”

Fertilizer helps the turf recover from summer stresses and improves the health of the grass before winter. This year, fertilization is especially important in areas that received heavy rain early in the season.

If the weather is dry, autumn can be a good time to irrigate lawns. “It’s important that turf goes into winter in a non-stressed and well-hydrated condition,” says Tom Voight, turf specialist with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.

Voight suggests applying broadleaf weed control to dandelions, buckhorn and broadleaf plantains and ground ivy as they begin active growth.

“In addition to being beautiful next spring, healthy lawns provide feeding ground for birds, who find it a rich source of insects, worms and other food,” according to Healthy Lawn, Healthy Enutronment, a publication of the Environmental Protection Agency,

“Thick grass prevents soil erosion, filters contaminants from rainwater and absorbs many types of airborne pollutants, like dust and soot, Grass is highly efficient at converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, a process that helps clean the air “

Fall brings the proverbial question about whether to rake leaves or simply let them stay. “A small amount of leaves won’t hurt the grass,” Voight says. “They’ll actually provide some nutrients and organic material.”

For those who plan to let nature take its course, it’s best to mow the yard two or three times a week as leaves accumulate. “You don’t want thatch buildup, so it’s important to shred the leaves by mowing.”

Shredding is easier if lawn mower blades are sharp, because leaves tend to be woodier than grass, resulting in dull blades. If leaves are “cracked” or pulverized into tiny pieces, they deteriorate quickly without adding to a thatch buildup.

How thick the pile of leaves depends on the type. Locust leaves tend to blow away, while sycamore leaves are likely to pac~ down, making removal more of a consideration.

It’s also the time to plant bulbs and transplant flowers such as peonies.

Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs (with the exception of hemlocks and spring — flowering dog-wood or redbud trees).

“The major roots a tree or shrub puts out is when the soil temperature is cool, usually from October to December,” says Robson.

While it may be difficult to get into the spirit of gardening at this time of year, the results next spring likely will be well worth the effort.

SPORTS

Basketball Talent Helps
OSU Twins Not Foolin’
OU Tight End Likes Offense
Battles Before District Play Wrapping Up for Area Football Teams

Basketball Talent Helps

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Who says a player’s ability in one sport can’t be helpful in another?

Wildcat junior cornerback Billy Broughton has broken up seven passes in two games this season and credits his ability to swat the football away to his basketball training.

“The jumping ability you get from basketball helps out,” Broughton said of his success at guarding speedy, usually tall wide receivers.

Being 6-2 certainly doesn’t hurt. He matches up well with those tall receivers from opposing teams.

But he has had to work at it. Broughton, who has also been alternating with Micah Johnson at tailback, hasn’t played cornerback since he was a freshmen. He sat out most of last year with a knee injury.

“I kind of like it,” he says of playing defense. “But defense is harder than offense. It’s had for defensive backs to cover receivers. They know where they’re going. They know what routes their running. The DBs don’t”

The wildcat defensive secondary is young — all four starters are juniors — and mostly inexperienced. It’s a new position for Broughton and corner J. Michael Sharon. But they’re getting some help.

“Kyle (Henderson, free safety) and Matt (Littleton, strong safety) have helped us out, shown us what to do,” Broughton said.

But Henderson and Littleton saw only limited action as sophomores.

The secondary knew it was going to be tested early and often. It has been and so far the Cats have passed with flying colors.

Led by Broughton and Henderson, who has four BUPs, the defensive backs — with help from a pressuring front seven, have broken up 15 passes. Facing two of the state’s better passers in just the first two games, the Cats have allowed only 22 completions in 50 attempts.

Broughton says the main reason for the secondary’s success has been the coaching of secondary coach Scotty Harmon.

“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” Broughton says. “He knows everything you have to do back there and he’s out there doing it with us in practice.

“Coach Harmon is pretty intense and expects a lot out of us. I have never worked this hard. But I like it.”

Broughton expects Tulsa Memorial to test the Wildcat defensive backs again this Friday, but he doesn’t feel that the Chargers’ quarterback, Joe Hull, is as good as the two previous QBs, the Wildcats have seen, despite the fact he passed for 1,500 yards last year.

So far the Wildcat defense has been tough, holding opposing runners to 75 yards per game and two talented quarterbacks to an average of 150 yards passing.

Linebacker Mark Goddard leads the team in tackles with 22, seven unassisted. Linebacker Josh Young has 17 tackles, as does Henderson. Littleton has 16, six unassisted, while tackle Derek Jump has 13.

The Wildcats have recovered six fumble , two by Young, two by Henderson and one each by Wes Crosson and Sharon.

OSU Twins Not Foolin’

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

STILLWATER (AP) — Oklahoma State receiver Ethan Howell is off to a good start this year. At least, everyone assumes it’s him.

For all anyone knows, it could be identical twin Evan Howell who has caught seven passes in the first two games including a 68-yard touchdown. The two look and sound alike. They also share the second-fastest football clocking in the 40-yard dash, 4.34 seconds.

A quick change of jerseys is all it would take to pull off the switch.

‘‘I wouldn’t know,’’ coach Bob Simmons admitted. ‘‘They say one has a tattoo on his arm. But what if he’s wearing a longsleeve shirt?’’

Evan, a cornerback, says he has suggested to his brother that the two try the stunt in the final game of the year, their last college game. But he’s joking. He remembers the time in first grade when the brothers traded classrooms, but their friends clued in the teachers.

‘‘I got a spanking by his teacher, he got a spanking by my teacher, and when we got home, both of us got a spanking from our parents,’’ he said. ‘‘That pretty much cut everything off from there as far as fooling people.’’

The Howell twins now go about impressing Simmons with their work ethic and talent. Both are good students who are on track to graduate. And both have made themselves into starters on the football field.

Their father, Delles, played seven years in the National Football League. But the boys didn’t take up the sport until their senior year in high school in Monroe, La. Before that, they concentrated on track and basketball.

‘‘With his influence and his input, we just decided ‘OK, we’ll give it a try,’ ’’ Ethan said. ‘‘It turned out to be a good decision.’’

After high school, the brothers went to Grambling, their father’s alma mater. After sitting out their first season, they decided to transfer. Delles Howell was a former college teammate of Tom Lavigne, who was then an assistant coach at Oklahoma State, and so through that connection the Howells wound up in Stillwater.

The two impressed the coaches right away with their speed, but they lacked football know-how, Simmons said.

‘‘Those first couple years, I really thought they had to learn the way you play football and I think they’ve done that,’’ he said.

The twins both played on special teams in 1997, and Evan saw time in the secondary. Last year, Evan was fifth on the team with 54 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. He solidified his spot as a starter with a good spring.

Ethan, playing behind two seniors, only caught 11 passes but they went for 351 yards, a 31.9 average. His best game came against Texas, when he caught three balls for 106 yards.

He came into this season listed No. 1 at one of the receiver spots and hasn’t disappointed. Last week against Tulsa, he had five catches for a career-best 107 yards.

Evan has been in on five tackles and has broken up one pass. He’s part of a unit that has yet to give up a touchdown and ranks second nationally in total defense, allowing 92 yards per game.

Each credits the other for his success, since they often go against each other in practice. Away from the field they’re roommates, and the bond they have is clearly evident.

Evan, without cracking a smile, said he thinks Ethan is the better looking of the two. And Ethan, in all seriousness, said his brother could be as good a receiver as he is.

‘‘I think so,’’ he said. ‘‘With a little hard work, there’s no telling what you can do.’’

OU Tight End Likes Offense

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

NORMAN (AP) — Matt Anderson came to Oklahoma expecting to be a pass-catching tight end and hoping to contribute to a winner. Four seasons later, he may get his wish.

Whether the Sooners will finish with a winning season for the first time since 1993 is anyone’s guess. But it’s clear to Anderson that the program is headed in the right direction.

And it was apparent in last week’s opener against Indiana State that he will see the ball a lot. He caught five passes, one more than he totaled in his first three seasons combined.

‘‘It was nice to see they were going to come in and throw the ball,’’ he said. ‘‘I think this offense has a bigtime chance of being successful.’’

On Oklahoma’s second series last week, Anderson dropped a pass from Josh Heupel. But he redeemed himself on the next play, catching a 24-yarder. He had two other receptions on the drive, which ended with a touchdown.

Of Heupel’s 31 completions, 10 went to the tight ends. It’s a spread-the-wealth controlled passing game that coach Bob Stoops says will continue to involve Anderson’s position.

‘‘Our tight ends do have an opportunity to catch a lot of footballs,’’ he said. ‘‘We want guys that are athletes that can run and catch the football as well as block.’’

That’s music to Anderson’s ears. And so was Stoops’ promise, after taking over as head coach in December, that Oklahoma would be consistent on both sides of the ball.

Anderson and the other veteran players endured three years of changing offenses under the previous coaching regime. In Anderson’s freshman year, 1996, Oklahoma used a multiple offense and two quarterbacks, and tight end Stephen Alexander caught 22 passes despite missing four games due to injury.

The same offense and quarterback shuffle was in place for about half of the 1997 season, when coach John Blake decided the Sooners should be more option oriented. Alexander had 29 catches and Jason Freeman eight.

Last year, the option offense was ditched after the first game and Oklahoma never really had any identity on offense, in part because five quarterbacks played. Freeman, OU’s primary tight end, caught 11 passes. Anderson had five.

This season, the coaches have made it clear that Heupel is the quarterback and, barring injury, that won’t change.

‘‘I like knowing what quarterback is going to be in the majority of the game,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘I just think it lets him get comfortable in there and gives him experience.’’

He said he also likes knowing that the offense will be consistent from week to week. In the past, Anderson said, it wasn’t unusual to have to learn significant changes in blocking schemes.

‘‘It was different, going into the meetings in preparation for practice before the game and having them tell you ‘This week we’re going to do it this way,’ ’’ he said. ‘‘You’re kind of like, ‘OK, well, we’ll have to adapt to that.’

‘‘This year, they go in and tell us ‘We’re going to do this’ and it’s the same as last week, so we don’t have to concentrate so much on what to do but how we can do that thing better.’’

That consistency has translated into confidence that if they prepare well, good things will happen.

‘‘I think everyone’s really confident in that we’re being put in the right position to make big plays,’’ Anderson said.

Battles Before District Play Wrapping Up for Area Football Teams

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

The lightning storms may have passed, but for area football teams, nature’s fury last Friday was just a omen of the gridiron fury to come.

Except for 9-team District A-5, this is the last week of non-district play for most of Oklahoma, which means one more chance to get things right — or wrong, as it may be — before the all-important district records begin to take shape.

In that crowded A-5 bracket, it’s Tonkawa (2-0, 1-0) traveling to Drumright (0-2, 0-1), while Woodland (0-2, 0-0) will get its first taste of district action, traveling to Luther (0-1, 0-2). Those are the only two district match ups.

In 2A-5, Newkirk (1-1) will host Chisholm (1-1), while 2A Pawnee (1-1) will host 3A Cleveland (0-2). In a battle of Maroons vs. Maroons, 4A Blackwell (1-1) will travel to 3A Perry (1-1); Morrison (2-0) is at Garber (1-1); Deer Creek-Lamont (1-1) is at Ringwood (0-2); while Shidler (1-1) will host South Coffeyville (0-1).

Tonkawa (2-0, 1-0) at Drumright (0-2, 0-1)

The season has barely started, and it’s already getting hard to find new things to say about the almighty Buccaneers.

After dominating what were expected to be their toughest opponents of the season — Newkirk and Luther — the Bucs enter the mushy, and some would say give away, part of their schedule.

It starts with Drumright, a team that has yet to score a point this season.

“We’ve gotta go through three or four weeks of this,” says coach Steve Love. “I just hope we can stay healthy, cut down on the mistakes and let everyone get in and play.”

The Tornadoes, who finished 1-9 last year and were shut out six times, are in virtually the same shape this year. Aside from an experienced quarterback in senior Jeremy Snow (6-3, 180), they don’t bring much to bear against the No. 4 team in the state, a team with no visible chinks.

A team, it might be added, looking for its 31st straight regular season win.

“We’re looking at film, and they’re looking pretty weak. They don’t have a big kid,” Love continues. “Hopefully we can get after them early and put it away in the first half.”

Until the Bucs’ next big challenge, Davenport, on October 8, Love also knows his biggest job isn’t really coaching, but cheerleading.

“We’re going to be doing a lot of conditioning, and weight lifting, and just bide our time. We’re still thinking we could have a big year, and the trick is to not get bored with games like this.”

Chisholm (1-1) at Newkirk (1-1)

After a devastating loss to Tonkawa in week one, the resilient Newkirk Tigers wasted no time bouncing back in week two, blowing past Woodland, 20-6.

Like last year’s run to the state semifinals, the Tigers may have seen the season’s low point in their opening game. Friday, they’ll put that prescription to the test, taking on 2A-1 rival Chisholm.

Though the Longhorns finished 1-9 last year, they’ve since improved, and proved it with a 26-6 thrashing of Perry in week one. Playing in the mud last week, they faltered to Hooker, however, 30-7.

The Longhorns do have one of the quickest young tailbacks in the state, however, in sophomore Blake Hurlbett (5-11, 166), who has rushed for a whopping 245 yards through two games. That includes 95 yards last week, in less-than desirable conditions.

Chisholm also puts a lot of faith in its deep offensive line. Three of their down linemen are seniors, and all are 3-year starters. Though the Longhorns have a lot of experience all around, only three guys go both ways. That could make the difference in a tight game, when fourth quarter energy is of the essence.

The Longhorns are still working a pair of quarterbacks into their Slot-I formation offense, too: juniors Heath Kehnemund (5-10, 193) and Daniel Stalker (6-1, 167).

Who will stop the run? Sophomore lineman James Mowdy (5-9, 165) has been an early season force for Newkirk, logging 31 tackles.

Morrison (2-0) at Garber (1-1)

The state-title hungry Wildcats will conclude what has been a 3-week gauntlet on Friday, playing yet another Top-5 ranked team. Garber, the defending state champion, is ranked fifth in Class B, but is picked to finish second in District B-1, behind Pioneer.

Blame it on graduation. The Wolverines have just four starters returning, but those include senior quarterback Cliff Brunken, who threw for 15 touchdowns last year.

Brandon Kerstein (5-8, 160), and Dae Werther (5-10, 190) also return, and received a combined 12 of Brunkens’ TD tosses.

Despite the Wolverines’ losses, however, Morrison coach Joe Sindelar knows they won’t be a push over.

“They’re the defending state champs,” he says. “Their record is a little deceiving, too, because they’re just getting over some injury problems.

“They’ve dominated us in the past, but I think we can challenge this year; we’ll see if we can play in that upper echelon.”

Cleveland (0-2) at Pawnee (1-1)

In the spirit of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, the Black Bears play up a class again this week, taking on 3A Cleveland.

The Tigers lost to undefeated 4A Mannford last week, 24-14, while the Bears fell to 3A Perry, 26-7.

Though the Tigers finished a ho-hum 6-4 last year, and are picked to finish sixth in District 3A-3 this year, they do have a potent quarterback in senior Jake Hammond (6-4, 195), who rushed for 670 yards and threw for another 1,120 last season.

Hammond works behind senior center Brian Wilson (6-1, 245), who Cleveland coach Don Padgett has called “the best center in the state.” Senior wide receiver Brett Blythe (6-1, 180) is Hammond’s favorite target.

“They’re not a bad 3A football team,” says Pawnee coach Bobby Miller. “They’ve got one of the top option quarterbacks in the state, and a number of kids who can make the plays.”

Miller says a lack of consistency killed his team in Saturday’s rain-delayed loss to Perry. Maroons’ quarterback Brandon Engle launched three TD strikes to receiver Tris Atkinson, of 53, 25, and 57 yards.

Running back Dion Vester also had 122 yards on just eight carries, and scored once.

“One play we’d hit on all cylinders, and the next play would be a bust,” says Miller. “We’ve got to make the play, every play, for four quarters. We’ve gotta play with more consistency.”