LOCAL

FAA Tussle Human vs Machine
Nearly News
Po Hi Homecoming Queen To Be Named at Halftime
Newkirk To Hold Third All School Reunion

FAA Tussle Human vs Machine

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Aviation officials are debating whether or not an automated weather observation system should be used to replace human observers at smaller airports scattered across the nation.

Proponents of the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) say the computerized device, which samples a three-foot by three-foot area of sky above the unit up to 10,000 feet, is safe and accurate and will reduce the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) annual budget.

They also categorize the debate, which will decide whether or not human observers who augment the majority of 375 FAA-sponsored sites will retain their jobs, as another case of human vs. machine.

Opponents of the ASOS say it is “inaccurate” and “potentially dangerous,” particularly for smaller, more inexperienced pi-lots, and costly when it is damaged or fails — especially in inclement weather.

“It’s a very safe weather system despite what the claims [to the contrary] are,” said John Clabes, a spokesman for the FAA.

Forrest Mitchell, with the National Weather Service in Norman, indicated it was unfair to compare the readings of the ASOS with those of human observers at these sites.

“The ASOS is doing what it is designed to do,” Mitchell said. “But it measures the weather conditions differently.”

This is due to the fact a human observer, he explained, views the weather in a 360 degree radius every hour during mild weather, and as necessary during inclement weather.

The ASOS records an average weather sampling every twenty minutes, increasing in frequency during inclement conditions. “It uses most of the same special criteria” as the human observer, he said.

The information from both human and electronic observers are then download to a National Weather Service computer. The ASOS’s readings are next forwarded to NOAA weather radio stations.

“This is just another example of how automation has stepped in and replaced the human observer,” he suggested.

“It’s a good instrument for non-aviation related weather detection,” agreed Craig Denney, executive vice-president of Big Sky Airlines, stressing the words “non-aviation related” detection as he spoke. “Until the ASOS system can be improved upon, then a human weather observer should be used [as accompaniment].”

“We all rely rather heavily on accurate weather information.”

He said the airlines currently utilizes 13 airports that employ the ASOS. He lists 10 of these as manned stations and three as unmanned. “I would say over a year’s time we’ve lost several thousand dollars due to problems relating to the ASOS system in unmanned areas,” he said.

One of the problems with the ASOS listed by Denney is associated with its repairs. “When the machine is broke, it takes a long time to get replacement parts.

“We can’t operate any flights without a weather observer [of some type at these sites].”

A second factor he listed as reliability of it’s reports. “It’s a computer that just sees straight up. If you have a weather problem coming in from any direction, the machine can’t see it until its right on top of it.”

Kay Simerly, weather observer and owner of Simmerly Enterprises at Ponca City Regional Airport, also lists accuracy as a problem. “Since the ASOS system was installed here seven years ago, I’ve sat here and watched it put out many unsafe reports.”

Simerly and co-worker Joy Hicks evaluated, according to their day-to-day observations, the accuracy of the recently updated system. On temperature and dew point, they gave the device a 90 percent rating; on winds 40-50 percent; 10 percent on the cloud cover and zero percent accuracy on precipitation.

“It has actually reported snow in July,” Hicks stressed.

“It doesn’t report adverse weather correctly, or it reports it when its not there. It doesn’t measure rain accurately, and it doesn’t report tornadoes at all,” cited Simerly, making the ASOS, in her opinion, a poor replacement for a human observer, especially when a pilot’s life could be at stake.

“I’m really concerned about the aviation public,” Simerly continued. “Especially if you’re a private pilot.”

Nearly News

Gary Edwards’ position with Conoco was misidentified in the Wednesday edition of The Ponca City News Mid-Week section. Edwards is senior executive vice president, corporate strategy and development.

Po Hi Homecoming Queen To Be Named at Halftime

The Ponca City High School 2000 Homecoming Queen will be crowned during halftime of Friday night’s football game against Edmond Memorial. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Sullin’s Stadium.

The Homecoming Court consists of a freshman, sophomore and junior class attendants, and three senior class queen candidates.

Members of the court include Kim Young, freshman attendant; Jaime Prado, sophomore attendant; and Lacy Cobble, junior attendant. Escorts include Antoine English, freshman escort; Keith Hines, sophomore escort; and Lane Fisher, junior escort.

Kim Young, freshman attendant, is the daughter of Patrick and Carla Young. She is president of Pepperettes, a freshman cheerleader and is a member of the Wildcat tennis team. Kim’s escort will be Antoine English, son of Calvin English and Edith Webster. He is a member of the Wildcat football, basketball and track teams and is a student council representative for the freshman class.

Presenting flowers to Kim Friday night will be Brittney Gilliam, daughter of Dan and Nancy Gilliam. Brittney is the freshman class president.

Jamie Prado, sophomore attendant, is the daughter of Mark and Lori Prado. She was selected as the Best Varsity Forward in soccer and was a freshman attendant for basketball and soccer homecomings. Jaime’s escort will be Keith Hines, son of Dwayne and Laura Hines. He is a member of the Po-Hi Chorale, a statewide winner for solo musical performance and is on the honor roll.

Halli Martin, sophomore class president, will present flowers to Jamie. She is the daughter of Paul and Lynda Martin.

Lacy Cobble, junior attendant and daughter of Fred and Raye Lynne Brown, is a varsity cheerleader, a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students and is on the honor roll. Lacy’s escort will be Lane Fisher, son of Steve and Dorena Fisher. He is a member of the Wildcat baseball team.

Lisa Lechtenberg, student council historian, will present flowers to Lacy. She is the daughter of Mike and Nancy Lechtenberg and the late Ann Lechtenberg.

Homecoming queen candidates are Kate Connelly, Karly Merrifield and Abby Roth. Their escorts are James Anno, Kyle Filson and Kyle Henderson.

Kate Connelly is the daughter of Steve and Janice Connelly. She is the president of the Wildcat Marching Band, vice president of the National Honor Society and was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Kate’s escort will be James Anno, son of Dr. Phil and Cindy Anno. He is the student council secretary and is a member of the Wildcat varsity basketball team and the First Baptist Church Youth Group.

Melody Wynn, daughter of Mark and Annie Wynn, will present flowers to Kate. Melody is a student council representative for the senior class.

Queen candidate Karly Merrifield is the daughter of Jim and Sandy Merrifield. She is the student council vice president, named Outstanding Sophomore and Junior Girl and was selected for Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Karly’s escort will be Kyle Filson, son of Mike and Cindy Filson. Kyle is a student council representative for the senior class, was a Boy’s State Delegate and was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

Clair Didlake, daughter of Paul and Lisa Didlake, will present flowers to Karly. She is the senior class president.

Abby Roth is the daughter of Jim and Marlene Roth. She is the president of the National Honor Society, vice president of the senior class and was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Escorting Abby will be Kyle Henderson, son of Terry and Queta Henderson. Kyle is the student council treasurer, a Boy’s State Delegate and is a member of St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene.

Presenting flowers to Abby will be senior Tracina Jones, daughter of Richard and Cindy Jones and Pete and Bonnie Lucas. Tracina is a student council representative for the senior class.

Michael Martin, son of Paul and Lynda Martin, will crown the Homecoming queen Friday night. Michael is the student council president, a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, National Honor Society and a member of First Baptist Church.

Flowers presented to the Homecoming Court are provided by Sonja Van Hoesen of Carriage House Flowers. The Po-Hi Steppers and Marching Wildcats will assist in the ceremony.

Newkirk To Hold Third All School Reunion

By KATHY ZEHR

News Staff Writer

NEWKIRK — Newkirk will host its Third Annual All School Reunion Friday and Saturday. Activities begin at 1 p.m. Friday with an assembly at the Mark Branch Field House at Ninth and Maple streets. A homecoming parade through downtown Newkirk will begin at 2:30 p.m. followed by a tailgate party at 5 p.m. at the Newkirk football field.

Friday evening activities include the coronation of the Newkirk High School Football Queen at 7 p.m. followed by the homecoming football game with Wellston at 7:30 p.m.

Both women and men’s Saturday morning alumni softball games, listed on the activities schedule, have been canceled according to Earlene Lane spokesperson for the Newkirk Chamber of Commerce.

At 10 a.m., the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor opening homecoming ceremonies on the Kay County Courthouse lawn. A brunch sponsored by the Newkirk Educational Association will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Newkirk High School Library.

For a guided tour of historical downtown Newkirk, participants may meet at 11 a.m. in front of Smith Country Restaurant for a guided walking tour by the Newkirk Historical Society and other groups. The tour will include “live” historic characters in period costumes.

An auction of Blue and Gold Memorabilia and other items will be held at 1 p.m. in front of the courthouse and alumni and guests may meet in front of the High School for a tour of that building at 2 p.m.

Evening activities include an alumni dance at the Hideout at 7 p.m. (admission $5). Music, by Bill Edwards, will begin at 7 p.m. with favorites of the 1940s, then advance to the 1950s and on through the years as the evening progresses. Facilities are courtesy of Earl Ross.

For more information about the Newkirk All School Reunion call the Newkirk Chamber Office at 580-362-2155 or Maryln Springer at 362-3400.

DEATHS

Michael Anthony Zverina Jr.
Mary C. Kirks
Billie Smyer
Lucille Katherine Boyer
Bud Musson

Michael Anthony Zverina Jr.

TONKAWA — Michael Anthony “Mike” Zverina Jr., resident of Tonkawa, died Sunday, Oct. 1, 2000, at his home. He was 51.

A private family memorial service was held following cremation. Arrangements were under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home of Tonkawa.

Michael Anthony Zverina was born Sept. 13, 1949, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Michael Anthony Francis Zverina Sr. and Frieda Marie Wasser Zverina. He received his education at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn. He married Linda Boehme in Long Island, N.Y., on July 13, 1996. He was a member of St. Athanasius Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife; seven sons, Michael Edward and Anthony, both of Howard Beach N.Y., Michael Anthony and Brian, both of Tonkawa, James of Nebraska, and John and Andrew, both of Arizona; two daughters, Dawn Khawaja of Manchester, N.H., and Fatima Zverina of Tonkawa; one brother, George Heckel of Blackwell; three sisters, Margaret Zverina of Arizona, Rose Denakis of Portland, Ore., and Mary McNaughty of Arizona; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mary C. Kirks

TONKAWA — Mary C. Kirks, resident of Tonkawa, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at the Willow Haven Nursing Home. She was 101.

There are no services scheduled. She was cremated under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home in Tonkawa.

Mary C. Kirks was born on June 6, 1899, in Onondaga County, N.Y., the daughter of George A. and Mary Victoria Cleverly Kilpatrick. She was a member of the Episcopalian Church.

She is survived by four nieces and a nephew. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and three brothers.

Billie Smyer

TONKAWA — Billie Smyer, longtime resident of Ponca City, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 90.

There are no services scheduled. She was cremated under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home in Tonkawa.

Billie Smyer was born on Sept. 12, 1910, in Creston, Tenn., the daughter of Arthur and Ethel Davis Simpson. She graduated from Sapulpa. She married Tom E. Smyer on Feb. 8, 1935, in Kingman, Kan. In 1939, they moved to Ponca City from Arkansas City. Kan.

Survivors include two granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Thomas L. Bryant.

Services Pending

Lucille Katherine Boyer

NEWKIRK — Lucille Katherine Boyer, longtime Newkirk resident, died Wednesday evening, Oct. 4, 2000, at her home in Newkirk. She was 84. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

Funerals

Friday

Bud Musson

Bud Musson — Funeral at 2 p.m. at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City, Kan. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery.

Beth Harpel Schiltz — Mass at 10 a.m. in the St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Caldwell, Kan. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. in the Oddfellows Cemetery in Ponca City under the direction of Elliot-Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Walnut Valley —The Walnut Valley Chapter of KOFP&S will meet Saturday at the Senior Citizen’s Center in downtown Arkansas City. Individual performers will start at 4 p.m. Snacks will be served at 6 p.m. and dance bands will perform at 7 p.m. This is a clean environment and is for entertainment and fellowship. Come early and enjoy the music and dancing.

Pauline’s Shrimp peel. All you can eat $11.95. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Chicken Noodle Dinner — There will be a chicken noodle dinner at Asbury United Methodist Church, 700 West Liberty Avenue, Friday, Oct. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults $4, children $2 and homemade pie available at 50 cents per slice.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Rummage Sale — The United Methodist Women of Asbury United Methodist Church will be holding a rummage sale Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the church, 700 West Liberty Avenue. Proceeds will be going to missions.

I Would like two OU, Texas tickets please. 762-1677. adv.

Garage Sale — The Frontier School junior class is sponsoring a garage sale Saturday, 7 a.m.-noon at 1600 Cedar Lane in Ponca City. Proceeds will go to the class of 2002. Items for sale include children’s clothing, coats, sweaters, kitchen, decorative and holiday items.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Army Basic Graduate — Army Pvt. Christan C. Hinman has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Hinman, a 1998 graduate of Ponca City high School, is the son of Karen Howe of Ponca City. During training, Hinman received instruction and practice and drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history and traditions.

Class of 1965 — The PCHS Class of 1965 will meet for a reunion Saturday at 7 p.m. at the home of Diane Zemp Beekman, 126 Whitworth. For more information call 765-7165.

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.

Burglary — A man in the 1400 block of South Seventh Street reported his vehicle had been broken into overnight to Ponca City police at 8 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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.

Fire Run — Someone in the 500 block of Shannon Road reported a home was filling with smoke to the Communications Center at 11:26 a.m. Wednesday. All Ponca City fire stations responded. Nothing was found at the residence. The smoke was from something that was burning while cooking.

Theft — An associate at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported a shoplifter was taken into custody to Ponca City police at 1:37 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned. A 20-year-old woman was taken into custody for petit larceny.

Theft — A clerk at a business in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 11:13 p.m. Wednesday two men had stolen a 12-pack of beer before fleeing the business and disappearing down an alley. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 400 block of West Otoe Avenue reported two women were being held after a traffic stop at 11:26 p.m. Wednesday. A 31-year-old woman was taken into custody for driving under intoxication, transporting an open container, no insurance, no drivers license, failure to dim headlights, failure to appear on a driving under intoxication charge out of Noble County and bond jumping out of Noble County and a 41-year-old woman was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Subject Held — A Ponca City police officer reported a 22-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant from Tonkawa Police Department at 2:01 p.m. Wednesday.

Burglary — A woman in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street reported her stereo had been stolen out of her vehicle to Ponca City police at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday.

Theft — A man in the 200 block of North First Street reported a stolen trailer to Ponca City police at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a grand larceny report was taken.

Burglary — Someone in the 900 block of Darr Park Drive reported a vehicle had been broken into and a stereo stolen to Ponca City police at 3:38 p.m. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fire Run — The manager of a business in the 3500 block of North Union Street reported a gas leak to the Communications Center at 3:51 p.m. Wednesday. The manager was unable to contact Oklahoma Natural Gas. Stations No. 2 and No. 4 with the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene and ONG was contacted.

Accident — A minor backing accident in the 800 block of North Second Street was reported to Ponca City police at 3:56 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — Someone reported to Ponca City police at 4:07 p.m. Wednesday a window that was delivered to the 200 block of East South Avenue was stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 500 block of North Birch Street reported a 35-year-old man was taken into custody at 4:13 p.m. Wednesday.

Subject Held — An officer in the 300 block of South Washington Street reported a 37-year-old man was taken into custody for attempted arson with personal damage, domestic assault and battery and destruction of private property at 10:54 p.m. Wednesday.

GARDENING

NOIS Slates Slide Program
Diggin In the Dirt
Red Rose Club To Meet

NOIS Slates Slide Program

The Northern Oklahoma Iris Society will meet at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 at the Cann Garden Center, 1500 East Grand Avenue. Paul Gossett, an American Iris Society director from Tulsa, will present a slide program on the 2000 American Iris Society convention that was held in Dallas. Anyone interested in irises is invited to attend the meeting.

The Northern Oklahoma Iris Society was established to promote the culture and improvement of iris and to encourage propagation. Annual dues are $5 per household, and include adult and youth members. If you have any questions about the iris society, please contact Lillian Williams at 762-3796 for additional information.

Diggin In the Dirt

By Kathy Zehr

Fall Busy Time for Gardeners

So much to do! … so little moisture! I don’t know about other gardeners in Ponca City but at our house, we are in a holding pattern. If we plant more, we will just have more to water. Meanwhile, we’re getting more anxious to plant with each gust of cool fall wind.

Experiment Results Mixed

Recently, several growers have asked about our summer trials with “upside” down tomato plants and the experimental cutting back of our okra plants for more production.

The results were mixed! Although the upside down tomato produced three delicious medium sized tomatoes it wasn’t worth all the “babying” and daily watering it required. I hope others had better results. For new reader’s information: we planted a patio tomato in a hanging pot with the plant hanging upside down from the drain hole at the bottom. We filled the pot with potting soil and kept it watered daily. Pretty, but not very productive for all the work.

However, the okra plants produced about three times as many blooms and pods after we cut them back, and it probably isn’t too late for okra growers to try it. Cut about 1/3 from the tops of tall okra plants and watch the pods multiply from top to bottom along the stem.

Plenty to Do

While holding off on fall plantings, we continue to drag water hoses and monitor drip lines. Another productive activity for us while waiting for rain is updating our annual vegetable and flower garden record. Simple garden logs and maps are very valuable and can save a lot extra work and repeated mistakes next year. Last year, we drew simple maps of our vegetable and flower gardens, plotting and naming each variety planted and logged their performance.

With the log, we have record of which plants we will not want to use again because of poor yield or other problems and which ones performed well so we can use them again. Some were planted in too much shade or too tall and we want to try them again in a different location next year. It’s great for planning color schemes.

Now is also a good time to add soil amendments to poor soils or to build raised beds. We moved and prepared a large strawberry bed and are digging a plot for asparagus and elephant garlic to plant when the drought is over. If that rain doesn’t hurry we may have the whole yard tilled!

Veggie Care

To help you enjoy early spring veggies (lettuce, radishes, green onions, spinach, etc) without a lot of work, take the time now to prepare a small garden section or a flowerbed. Till the soil, adding compost, fertilizers, or other soil amendments and cover the bed with about two inches of straw. Early next spring pull the straw back just enough to plant the seeds. No tilling necessary!

Fall vegetable gardeners may want to prepare protective coverings for tomatoes, eggplants and peppers now, to be ready when night temperatures start to dip below 35 degrees. Carrots, parsnips and other root crops (but not potatoes) are sweetened by light frosts, and when covered with 12 inches of straw many can be enjoyed until the ground freezes.

Asparagus beds should not be watered now to encourage plant dormancy. After the first heavy frost, cut the plants off at ground level and mulch the bed.

Popcorn should be left on the stalk through the first two or three light frosts or as long as possible to be sure it is dry. After picking, peel back the husks but leave them on the stem and hang the ears indoors in a warm, dark, airy place for about 30 days. Make a test run to see if kernels are dry enough to pop. If not, let them hang longer and keep testing. When satisfactory, remove the kernels from the cobs and store in airtight containers.

Geraniums, Tubers and Cuttings

To save geranium plants for next year, cut back to 6-10 inches and remove from pots. Shake off soil and place plants in plastic bags filled with slightly moistened peat moss. Keep in a cool (40 degrees) dark room and repot in new soil when new growth appears in early spring.

It’s time to cut tops off and dig caladiums, elephant-ears, cannas, tuberose and glads. Let tubers dry outside for a day or two, remove loose soil and store in mesh or paper bags in a dry location no cooler than 50 degrees.

To take current cuttings of coleus, geraniums and impatiens cut 6-inches of stem from a flowerless branch, just below a set of leaves. Remove lower leaves, and place cutting in a pot filled with moistened vermiculite. They should root in a few weeks.

Red Rose Club To Meet

Red Rose Garden Club will meet Oct. 9 at the home of Jannie Ross, 402 North Sixth. The program about “Kitchen Gardens” will be presented by Stan Kistler.

SPORTS

Bulldogs Prove They Can Bite
District Play Gets Serious
OU-Texas: The Tale of Two Quarterbacks
Ponca City Fall Classic Results
Soccer Standings
Cross Country

Bulldogs Prove They Can Bite

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

EDMOND — Edmond Memorial’s Bulldogs showed the tenacity of their namesake last week, coming from behind to bite Choctaw for their first win of the season.

First-year coach Toby Daugherty is hoping that ice breaker will be the confidence builder is team needs to keep winning, starting with Ponca City Friday night.

“We lost to Stillwater in our first district game and still have to face Union,” Dougherty points out. “We can’t afford anymore losses.”

Memorial showed the never-say-die attitude the coach hopes will carry the Bulldogs into the playoffs last Friday as they overcame some severe adversity to nip Choctaw, 24-22.

Their comeback was right out of a movie script. With just over two and half minutes left in the game, Choctaw had scored to go ahead 22-18 in the see-saw battle.

But Edmond came back, converting a pair of fourth-down situations along the way, to score the winning touchdown with just seconds left.

The Bulldogs face a fourth-and-13 at the Choctaw 30 when Edmond quarterback Matt Raymer scrambled long enough to find wide out Steven Briggs on a pass that carried to the Choctaw one.

But it wasn’t going to be that easy.

Raymer’s quarterback sneak for an apparent TD was called back on an illegal procedure call.

A running play and two incomplete passes left Edmond with a fourth-and-goal at the six.

But Raymer came through again, buying enough time for Kevin Bailey to get loose in the end zone. Raymer, who had stared the game 1-for-10 passing threw a strike to his receiver to pull out the win.

“It was a great win for our kids,” Daugherty said. “Choctaw is a good team and they played well. But our kids never gave up.”

The Bulldogs will run out of a variety of formations, including the one-back and “I.” They usually have three or four receivers running patterns.

Defensively, Edmond has a 4-3 “look,” according to Daugherty.

Because of the crucial nature of the game, the Bulldogs are not taking the Wildcats lightly.

“They have a pretty good quarterback,” Daugherty says of the Wildcats. “Ponca City is not very big on defense, but they go to the ball well.”

District Play Gets Serious

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Writer

Tonkawa is the only undefeated team in district play halfway through the regular football season. Blackwell, Newkirk and Woodland all have 1-1 district records. However, the Tonkawa Buccaneers are expected to meet their first real challenge in District A-7 Friday night in Hominy.

Newkirk and Woodland lost to ranked teams last week. Newkirk lost to No. 9 (tied) Perkins-Tryon in District 2A-5. Woodland lost to No. 10 Luther in District A-7.

Blackwell won last week against Cleveland. This is homecoming for the Maroons. They are looking forward to maintaining at least a third place position in District 4A-2 at the expense of Cushing. Both teams are 1-1 in district and 2-3 overall.

Both teams have lost to Tecumseh. Blackwell lost to running Patrick Cobbs and the Tecumseh Savages 28-2 in the first week of district play. Cushing lost 32-7. In comparison, Blackwell had the better defense against Tecumseh. Blackwell’s problems have been their inability to establish a consistent running game and to maintain their intensity level in the second half.

Blackwell has shown improvement in both areas and put together a well balanced offensive attack against Cleveland.

Coach Steve Langdon again wants to establish the running game early in the ball game.

“We feel like we can throw the ball on anyone,” Langdon said. “We want to establish the running game early and present a more balanced offense.”

He said Cushing has a new coach and the team is learning new schemes on offense and defense. They operate a lot from the shotgun that benefits their running back.

“They have a good running back named Lyle Washington,” Langdon said. “I’ve only seen one tape on them and it looks like they have good athletes.”

Newkirk (3-2, 1-1) celebrates homecoming this week against Wellston (2-3,0-2). In spite of the loss to Perkins-Tryon last week, coach Sonny Schovanec said his Tigers played their best game of the season.

“We’re improving every week,” Schovanec said. “We made some mistakes in the second half and gave up couple big plays”

He said the key to winning Friday night is building on the things they did well and learning from their mistakes. The Tigers had fewer turnovers last week, but special teams muffed a punt and the Tigers made some costly defensive mistakes in the second half.

In the first four weeks of the season, the Tiger offense seemed content to allow the defense to keep them in games, then come out roaring in the second half. Last week, the offense scored 14 points and allowed Perkins only 17-yards rushing in the first half.

Newkirk shares the fourth spot in the district with Pawhuska, which are both 1-1. However, Pawhuska would win the tie breakers. The first three teams are Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon and Perry. Pawnee and Perkins-Tryon play Friday, which ensures Newkirk some room at the top if it wins.

Opportunity is knocking on Woodland’s door this weekend, too. Tonkawa and Hominy, two of the three teams above the Cougars in the district play each other. If the Cougars beat Drumright, they will be 2-1, in fourth place, with a full game lead over the fifth place team. However, if Drumright wins, the Cougars would have to depend on help to get back into the playoff picture.

Before the season began, the Tonkawa-Hominy game was picked as the real game for the district championship. However, Luther (4-1, 2-0) is making its presence felt. In the latest high school ranking, Tonkawa (4-1, 2-0) is No. 7 and Luther is ranked No. 10.

Tonkawa coach Steve Love said Hominy (3-2, 2-0) has a heritage of playoff teams and feels the Bucks may have been overlooked in preseason polls the same as the Bucs. Both teams lost a lot of players to graduation, but both teams brought a wealth of experienced underclassmen into this season.

Both teams have losses to larger schools. The Class A defending state champion Buccaneers lost in overtime to Class 2A defending state champion Fairview earlier in the season. Hominy stepped down from Class 2A to Class A. They were defeated earlier in the season by Class 2A teams Pawnee and No. 5 ranked Pawhuska.

So far, all the area teams are in the playoff picture with four weeks remaining in the regular season. A loss would not be impossible to overcome, but it would make the rest of the season difficult.

OU-Texas: The Tale of Two Quarterbacks

NORMAN (AP) — One is a college-football vagabond, rising from the junior college ranks to become the shining hope of a team desperate to regain national prominence.

The other made a name for himself early in Division I football and shared Big 12 offensive player of the year honors last season — only to find himself mired in a battle for his team’s starting job.

Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel and Major Applewhite of Texas took separate paths to college quarterback stardom and find themselves in decidedly different positions this season.

But on Saturday their destiny is shared: a game between No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 11 Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas that for the first time in years has national implications.

Last year it was Applewhite who was the OU-Texas hero, throwing three touchdowns to rally the 23rd-ranked Longhorns from a 17-0 first-quarter deficit en route to a 38-28 win over the unranked Sooners.

Both Heupel and Applewhite have been impressive this year. Heupel, a senior, has thrown eight TDs and is averaging 311 yards per game in leading Oklahoma to its first 4-0 start since 1993. Applewhite, a junior, has thrown for nine scores — three of them in a 42-7 breakout win against Oklahoma State last week.

But after off-season knee surgery Applewhite has been sharing time at quarterback with sophomore Chris Simms, who was the starter in the Oklahoma State game before being pulled early on. Despite Simms’ ineffectiveness in that game, Texas coach Mack Brown still won’t name a starter for Saturday, though signs point to Applewhite.

‘‘We think Major is back on track and all Chris needs is experience and at some point we think Chris Simms will be as good as anybody in the country also,’’ Brown said this week, hinting perhaps at Applewhite regaining the job permanently.

Heupel’s job couldn’t be safer. Just a few weeks after coming to Oklahoma before the 1999 season from Snow Junior College in Utah, he was named a team captain. Last year, he set more than a dozen school and conference passing records in leading the Sooners to their first winning record in six seasons.

Soft-spoken and dedicated, Heupel inspires confidence in a team that hasn’t had much reason for it in the past decade.

‘‘I think the reason people trust him so much is because it shows in his hard work and dedication how much the game means to him,’’ running back Seth Littrell said. ‘‘Not only does it show he’s a leader but it gives the players confidence in what he does.’’

Not one to makes speeches or bang lockers before a game, Heupel is described by other Sooners not just as a leader but as a genuine example.

‘‘A lot of times, he doesn’t really have to say much,’’ receiver Damian Mackey said. ‘‘You can just look at him and see how he’s leading himself and it’s a great way for you to follow in his path.’’

To opposing coaches, Heupel’s image isn’t so cozy.

‘‘He scares you to death when you’re playing against him,’’ Brown said.

‘‘Unless you can get some pressure on Josh Heupel, he’ll break a national passing record against you. He’s that good.’’

Then there’s Applewhite. While being able to lead a football team might be expected from a guy whose first name is a military rank, the Louisiana-bred quarterback admits he is still working on his leadership style.

‘‘It’s a tough position,’’ Applewhite said. ‘‘You want to be a leader but you don’t want to be on a soapbox talking down to them (teammates).’’

Applewhite, who himself rose to the starting job after injuries to the quarterbacks in front of him, now finds himself challenged by Simms after suffering his own injury in a loss to Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl.

Brown said both Applewhite and Simms, son of former NFL quarterback Phill Simms, are naturals for the position.

‘‘They’re both great leaders, they both have great ability and I think at this stage — and I said it in preseason — I think they’re two of the best quarterbacks in the country.’’

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he sees similarities in Heupel and Applewhite.

‘‘Both are accurate. Both take a hit, both keep playing. There’s a lot of comparisons and I see the same things in Simms,’’ Stoops said.

But after Saturday, there will be big differences between Heupel and Applewhite. One will have his team off to a 2-0 conference start after winning the biggest OU-Texas game since No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Oklahoma played to a 15-15 tie in 1984.

The other may very well go on to have success this season, but not without a Cotton Bowl-sized hole in those accomplishments.

Heupel, the losing quarterback in last year’s OU-Texas game, realizes the importance of Saturday’s contest.

‘‘The whole atmosphere is something special. The noise level inside the stadium — that on one side of the stadium you can hear on the other side you can’t,’’ Heupel said, alluding to how seating for Sooner and Longhorn fans is divided in the stadium.

Then Heupel’s rational side took over.

‘‘But I don’t think anybody’s going to get lost in the emotion of the game. Once you step between the white lines it’s all the same,’’ he said.

Ponca City Fall Classic Results

10K Results

Women

Name City Age Time

1. Mona Keffer Ponca City 63 53:59

2. Pat Lodes Tulsa 51 55:29

Men

1. Kevin Starks Tulsa 33 38:16

2. Delton Gantt Tulsa 46 38:52

3. Don Lodes Tulsa 52 41:07

4. Martin Dean Ringwood 44 41:48

5. Alan Borkenhagen Ponca City 45 41:59

6. Wayne Webster Tulsa 42 46:35

7. Eric Whitebay Ponca City 18 51:12

8. Ron McGee Ponca City 49 51:13

9. Ron Stevens Ponca City 30 52:01

10. Leroy Thiele Ponca City 56 54:07

11. Bob Baumel Ponca City 53 1:00:03

12. Phil Cobb Ponca City 50 1:08:51

5K Ponca City Fall Classic

Male, Age 10-12

Name City Age Time

16. Jonathan Hester Ponca City 10 27:51

17. Grayson Warrior Ponca City 12 29:07

Female, Age 10-12

6. Kristina Kirsch Ponca City 12 27:36

11. Brittany Smith Ponca City 12 29:43

14. Randyl Holmes Ponca City 12 30:15

15. Brooke Hunter Ponca City 12 30:15

23.Laura Weingart Ponca City 12 32:39

29. Kayla Harris Ponca City 11 36:12

34. Heather Harris Ponca City 12 37:41

Male, Age 13-15

4. Patrick Powers Ponca City 14 23:27

8. Bryce Dotson Ponca City 14 25:01

11. Bryan Bartell Ponca City 14 25:51

13. Kelsey Geheb Ponca City 13 27:24

20. Robb Lankston Ponca City 13 31:58

Female, Age 13-15

1. Caroline A. Brown Ponca City 13 24:36

2. Maria Hester Ponca City 14 25:00

7. Jeniffer Jenkins Ponca City 14 27:46

9. Meghan Williams Ponca City 14 29:42

10. Chelsey Cobb Ponca City 14 29:42

12. Janna Green Ponca City 14 29:48

13. Andrea Penny Ponca City 14 30:04

16. Crystalyn Choate Ponca City 14 30:16

17. Amanda Bohen Ponca City 14 31:13

18. Briann Holley Ponca City 15 31:54

19. Ashley Boring Ponca City 13 32:01

20. Annette Latimer Ponca City 13 32:10

21. Amanda Neal Ponca City 14 32:12

22. Morgan Bishop Ponca City 13 32:15

26. Liz Otto Ponca City 14 35:45

27. Allison Huckabee Ponca City 13 35:46

28. Catherine Sonnicksen Ponca City 14 36:08

30. Lindsey Mersman Ponca City 15 36:30

31. Whitney Quiram Ponca City 14 36:53

32. Casey Thomas Ponca City 14 36:53

36. Elizabeth Tucker Ponca City 14 38:22

40. Kelsey Whitebay Ponca City 13 40:23

41. Carlie Godbehere Ponca City 13 40:57

42. Callie Hill Ponca City 13 40:57

43. Nicole Overman Ponca City 14 40:58

46. Amber Meyers Ponca City 14 45:59

52. Judy Merz Ponca City 13 48:39

58. Linda Mena Ponca City 15 49:48

Male, Age 16-19

1. Ben Dickey Ponca City 17 21:24

6. Mike Gamble Ponca City 16 24:10

12. Ryan Bishop Ponca City 18 27:14

19. Katarzyna Grzesik Ponca City 17 31:54

21. Matt Miller Ponca City 16 38:12

Female, Age 16 - 19

Name City Age Time

35. Anita Bilyeu Ponca City` 17 38:12

47. Jamie Winslow Ponca City 16 45:59

48. Rosalie Rodgers Newkirk 16 47:07

67. Kami Schieber Ponca City 18 52:56

77. Bethany Honick Braman 16 54:11

79. Andra Nuzum Ponca City 17 55:28

80. Natashia Copple Ponca City 17 55:29

Male, Age 20 - 29

18. Mario Castillo Ponca City 27 29:49

22. Alan Phillips Ponca City 27 49:11

Female, Age 20-29

8. Jackie McChristian Stillwater 25 28:50

24. Jill Klein Ponca City 24 35:21

25. Felicia Bertken Ponca City 25 35:22

50. Stacey Jackson Ponca City 28 48:10

53. Somnuk Cox Ponca City 29 48:48

55. Jamie Phillips Ponca City 26 49:11

Male, Age 30-39

3. Darron Vanman Ponca City 34 22:28

7. Steve Bartell Ponca City 39 24:21

Female, Age 30-39

4. Terry Preli Ponca City 30 25:20

5. Durita Daniel Ponca City 30 27:31

38. Amy Arrot Ponca City 33 39:27

45. Lori Boring Ponca City 39 44:59

56. Shanley Wells Ponca City 35 49:21

57. Toni Osborn Ponca City 32 49:25

61. Kellie Bryant Ponca City 30 51:35

63. Pamela Sherrill Enid 38 52:53

66. Michelle Brown Tonkawa 38 52:56

68. Kim Daniels Ponca City 30 52:58

70. Tammy Blubaugh Ponca City 31 52:59

76. Brenda Kirchenbauer Ponca City 31 54:07

Male, Age 40-49

2. Henry Bickerstaff Alva 46 21:33

5. Ed Schmauch Ponca City 46 24:02

3. Joe Cox Ponca City 41 25:18

14. Jeffrey Kirsch Ponca City 43 27:44

15. Sim Warrior Ponca City 40 27:48

23. Stephen Kinser Oklahoma City 49 53:43

Female, Age 40-49

3. Lori Badley Ponca City 41 25:17

37. Ramona Carr Ponca City 40 39:27

39. Marilyn Epley Ponca City 49 39:44

49. Lynn Quiram Ponca City 44 48:01

51. Susan Wilson Ponca City 46 48:10

59. Kay Knox Ponca City 40 49:56

60. Joni McCord Arkansas City 40 49:56

62. Mary Callison Perry 45 52:26

64. Sandy Linton Tonkawa 43 52:55

73. Mary Kinser Oklahoma City 43 53:40

74. Sarah J. Rodgers Newkirk 43 53:51

75. Marcy White Ponca City 45 53:51

78. Sharon Honick Braman 44 54:11

Male, Age 50-59

10. Ken Tucker Ponca City 59 25:33

Female, Age 50-59

44. Connie Van Ausdall Ponca City 52 44:29

54. Fumiko Phillips Ponca City 53 49:10

65. Cecelia Schieber Ponca City 53 52:55

69. Pat Blubaugh Ponca City 55 52:59

71. Donna McGinty Ponca City 50 52:59

Female, Age 60-69

33. Adella Powders Arkansas City 67 37:06

72. Carol Harris Ponca City 60 53:00

Soccer Standings

PC Soccer Association

Under 10 Girls

Team W L T Pts

PC Sharks 4 0 0 12

Pink Panthers 4 1 0 12

Cardinals 3 1 0 9

PC Stars 2 1 0 6

Red Eagles 2 2 0 6

ITC 2 2 0 6

Firecrackers 1 2 0 3

Tonkawa 0 3 0 0

Angels 0 5 0 0

Under 10 Boys

Green Hornets 4 0 0 12

Puma 3 0 0 9

Stars 3 1 0 9

Terminators 2 1 0 6

Blaze 1 2 0 3

Thunderbolts 1 2 0 3

Blazers 0 2 0 0

Inferiors 0 3 0 0

Panthers 0 3 0 0

Under 14 Girls

PC Thunder 1 0 0 3

PC Stars 1 1 0 3

PC Flash 1 1 0 3

PC Hurricane 0 1 0 0

Under 14 Boys

Gladiators 3 0 0 9

Cyclones 1 1 0 3

Cougars 1 1 0 3

Jaguars 1 2 0 3

Cross Country

VARSITY BOYS

1. Edmond Memorial 48

2. Jenks 69

3. Rogers, Ark. 84

4. T. Union 164

5. Stillwater 203

6. Edmond Norh 210

7. Bartlesville 226

8. Springfield, Mo. 236

9. Mustang 242

10. PONCA CITY 267

11. Westmoore 272

12. Enid 278

13. Moore 282

14. Edmond Santa Fe 294

15. Broken Arrow 408

VARSITY GIRLS

1. Jenks 50

2. Westmoore 116

3. Moore 150

4. Edmond Memorial 167

5. Mustang 172

6. Enid 180

7. Bartlesville 190

8. Edmond Santa Fe 200

9. Rogers, Ark. 208

10. T. Uunion 232

11. Stillwater 262

12. Springfield, Mo. 277

13. PONCA CITY 279

14. Edmond North 363

15. Yukon 380

16. Broken Arrow 439

17. Del City 459

Ponca City Results

Varsity Girls

(3200 meters)

Runner Time Place

Chelsea Baldwin 12 2

Jessica Jorgensen 12:42 14

Melissa Stangland 14:30 79

Jessica Gwin 14:47 89

Mandy Bacher 15:02 98

Maria Mena 15:15 100

Andra Harris 15:47 105

Junior Varsity Girls

Sunna Hingst 15:02 46

Jenny Mena 16:37 55

Jamie Leach 16:37 81

Katie Emmons 17:17 91

Sarah Hart 17:31 96

Varsity Boys

(5000 meters)

Kris Upchurch 18:14 37

Noah England 18:34 43

Kyle Karnish 18:52 51

Briyon Olson 19:04 57

Derrick Vilojen 29:04 81

Jon Kempenich 20:13 88

Trevor Vilogen 20:24 92

Junior Varsity Boys

Sean Lunsford 19:59 50

Aaron Worley 20:09 56

David Corn 20:12 61

Graden Hardy 20:13 63

K.C. Corn 10:18 69

Josh Gilliland 20:20 73

Chad Patterson 20:45 92

Garret Hardy 21:03 107

Tim Kana 20:10 112

Brent Purkaple 20:17 120

Donail Grorgiev 20:33 139

B. Wigglesworth 22:17 170