Primed And Ready

It’s Showdown Time As Dogs Meet Perkins-Tryon Friday In Semifinals

The Bulldogs will need to be laser focused for a chance at winning Friday night’s semifinal game against Perkins-Tryon.

That was the overall summation of head Sulphur coach, Corey Cole, who will lead his team against one of the best in Class 3A in a 7:00 p.m. clash at Norman North High School Stadium.

The two teams butted heads in the first district game of the season on September 26 in Sulphur, the Dogs coming away with a hardearned, 42-20 win.

But that was then, and this now, and a lot has changed for both clubs since that meeting.

The Dogs are 12-0 coming into the game and Perkins-Tryon sits at 9-3 with road losses to Cushing, Sulphur and at Lone Grove.

Sulphur head coach, Corey Cole, said the Demons are a much improved team since their first meeting, and one of their primary reasons is a running back who has taken off for over 2,000 yards this season.

“Perkins-Tryon is a very talented team with explosive athletes,” said Cole. “We are going to have to be very disciplined in every aspect of the game. Perkins is a much improved team from our first meeting in September, but I believe we are a much better team as well. That night both teams made lots of mistakes, and we were able to take advantage of some opportunities in the 4th quarter to pull away in that opening night district game.”

The Demons have several weapons offensively, but their go-to player is running back, Wyatt Atkinson. The senior has amassed 2,176 yards rushing so far this season on only 239 carries and has scored 30 touchdowns in 12 games of play.

“He is going to carry the ball a ton Friday night and we have to do a great job of limiting his yards after contact,” said Cole. “He is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball; he was able to rush for over 200 yards the first time we played and a lot of that was done on yards after contact.”

Another high-impact player for the Demons is quarterback, Beau Gravitt, according to Cole.

“He comes in throwing for nearly 1,400 yards and 14 TD’s, and has rushed for 350 yards, and another 5 TD’s,” said Cole. “These two guys had huge games in both of Perkins’ playoff wins over Plainview and Cascia Hall.”

Cole also said the Dogs will need to contain several speedy wide receivers who are big play threats and they have a really physical offensive line.

The Bulldogs pulled away from the Demons late in their first contest at Agee Field in Sulphur, but of course, past results don’t always guarantee future success.

Another big key for Sulphur will be in the trenches where the Dog’s offensive line will be going up against one of the best defenses they’ve seen throughout district play.

“Defensively, the Demons play a very aggressive, blitzing defense that puts tons of pressure on the opposing offensive lines, and our offensive line will have to have a big night for our offense to be successful this Friday night,” said Cole.

Cole said Perkins has historically established themselves as one of the best teams in Class 3A over the past four years, and have some big-time playoff wins during that stretch.

“They have a great coaching staff who always have their guys ready to play and always have them in spots to be successful,” he said.

The Keys To Victory

Cole said the Bulldogs will definitely need the support of their big fan base in Norman North High School Stadium this Friday night to have a shot at winning. “It’s gonna be a huge challenge for the Bulldogs and we need you guys,” he said.

As for the team, Cole laid out a number of key metrics the team must check off to have a shot at winning on Friday.

They include:

•Must be great tacklers;

•Have to get aligned correctly and quickly;

•Communication is key;

•Be us… be the best version of the Bulldogs;

• Have to be extremely physical defensively and offensively;

•Attack with discipline;

•Take care of the football and create havoc and turnovers on defense;

•Brotherhood is hard to beat when brotherhood is united;

•Faith – family – football!!! Additionally, Cole said his team must be willing to get better this week and do whatever it takes and go that extra mile.

“Hard work has got us here and it will get us through,” he said. “Prepare with purpose in everything we do.”