logo
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Google Play App Store
Vian rolls past Valliant for district title, perfect regular season
sports
November 13, 2024
Vian rolls past Valliant for district title, perfect regular season
By BUCK RINGGOLD SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Not even torrential rain was going to stop Vian from doing something the Wolverines hadn’t done in more than a decade.

Masyn Wright scored three total touchdowns, and the defense had a hat trick of its own by registering three safeties as Vian built a 32-0 first-quarter lead and rolled past the Valliant Bulldogs 48-7 to win the District 2AII-4 title on a rainy Friday night at St. John Stadium.

It finished off a perfect 10-0 regular season for Vian (10-0 overall, 7-0 in district play), the first unblemished regular season by the Wolverines since 2013.

“(I’m) proud of our guys,” Vian coach Gary Willis said. “They came out fired up from the get-go, and Valliant was fired up. I thought we really played with a lot of intensity and kept our cool pretty well early in a tough, physical game like that. (I’m) just happy to get out of this night with a win in the weather the way it was.”

Friday’s win also meant a lot to Willis because he had never achieved an undefeated regular season in his coaching career, which included a stint at Keys.

“I’ve never been 100,” he said. “I’ve been 9-1 a couple of times, and it’s a good feeling there and just proud of these boys and the community that raised these boys to be competitive. I haven’t been 10-0, and it’s been a while since Vian has. So, we’re excited, and it’s a good step to where we want to go.”

Vian’s defense was strong from the outset, keeping Valliant (5-5, 5-2) bottled up in its own territory on the Bulldogs’ opening two drives. That led to two Valliant punts, with Vian getting excellent field position on each occasion, setting up the Wolverines’ first two scores.

The initial scoring drive began on the Valliant 34-yard line. On the first play, Wright darted 22 yards to the Valliant 12. Moments later, on a first-and-goal from the Valliant 2, Wright went up the middle for his first touchdown.

Mikayah Mendoza tacked on the extra point for a 7-0 Vian lead just 2:44 into the ball game.

Then Vian took over at Valliant’s 26-yard line following a short punt. The Wolverines took full advantage of the tremendous field position, leading to a 17-yard TD as Draighton Fletcher took a sweep around the right side. Mendoza’s second PAT made it 14-0 with 6:24 left in the opening quarter.

Nearly a couple minutes later, Vian got its first safety when a bad snap eventually rolled out of the end zone to make it 16-0.

It didn’t take long for the Wolverines to con-tinue to add to its lead.

On the ensuing free kick, Wright fielded the ball at his own 41-yard line and immediately took off, finding a seam up the middle and outracing the Bulldogs for a 59-yard kick return. Another Mendoza PAT made it 23-0 with 4:24 left in the first quarter.

Vian got another TD drive off a short field when linebacker Trace Sanders recovered a fumble at the Valliant 9-yard line. Although a penalty backed things up, the Wolverines were not to be denied, as Wright got his hat trick, going in from 20 yards out.

With Mendoza making yet another PAT, it was already 30-0 less than 10 minutes into the contest, but Vian wasn’t done scoring before the first quarter ended.

From the Valliant 17-yard line, Valliant’s quarterback fielded another bad snap and was immediately swarmed by Vian senior defensive end Cash Collins — with linebacker Riley Ellis providing assistance — for the Wolverines’ second safety on the night to up the Vian advantage to 32-0.

“We came out ready to go,” said Collins, who also plays right tackle on offense. “We knew we could stop them. We just had to do it.

“We’ve been studying them on film and stuff, and we knew we had a shot on defense. We just had to fill our roles and get stuff done.”

Vian then got its third safety with 10:25 left in the second quarter on yet another bad snap from Valliant, which went out of the end zone, making it 34-0.

On the next possession, Vian struck again, as Fletcher took a reverse and found room down the left sideline, finishing off a 72-yard TD run. Mendoza’s PAT upped the advantage to 41-0 with 8:35 left in the half.

“We put that in this week, and I was kind of skeptical about it at first,” Fletcher said. “I had seen that hole, and I accelerated — and there it was. I had a pretty good night, but I just couldn’t do it without the linemen. They played a heck of a game this week and couldn’t be better.”

Then, Vian cashed in on another turnover with senior Tristan Wiley recovering a fumble in Valliant territory. It led to running back Tyson Murphy shaking off several tacklers and dashing into the end zone from 24 yards out.

Mendoza’s extra point made it 48-0 with 6:07 left in the first half. At that point, the clock ran continuously. The clock also constantly ran in the second half, though the third and fourth quarters were reduced to eight minutes each.

Valliant got its only touchdown with nearly three minutes left in the third, taking advantage of a Vian fumble.

Following the game, Willis also complimented his team on being able to stay level-headed and not getting caught up in the emotions of playing for a district title and a perfect regular season.

“They really came together and kept their heads,” Willis said. “It was chippy early, and we have a tendency to act like teenage boys sometimes. I was real proud of them for overall keeping their composure and keeping the intensity without losing it. You’ve got to push that line with emotion, but you can’t cross it. I was real proud of them for staying composed.”

Now the second season starts for the Wolverines, who are hoping to snap another streak. That’s attempting to win their first state title since 1971.

That proverbial second season starts at 7 p.m. this Friday as Vian is back at home to open the 2A-II playoffs against the Kansas Comets.

“Being 10-0 for the first time since 2013, that’s something,” Fletcher said. “We’ve got a special group, and we’re ready to see how we can continue that into the playoffs.”

Officer returns to work, key safety decisions made
news
Officer returns to work, key safety decisions made
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
May 7, 2025
In a meeting marked by both solemn acknowledgments and forward-looking decisions, the town of Webbers Falls conducted its regular council session on April 8. The meeting began with a heartfelt gesture...
this is a test
news
Police chief announces zero tolerance policy on loose dogs
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
May 7, 2025
In response to a growing public safety concern, Vian Police Chief Mark Harkins announced that the town is launching a zero tolerance initiative aimed at holding negligent animal owners accountable. “W...
this is a test
Fletcher, Peoples reappointed as mayor, vice mayor
news
Fletcher, Peoples reappointed as mayor, vice mayor
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
May 7, 2025
The Town of Vian and Vian Public Works Authority (VPWA) went over a packed agenda during their regular joint meeting on April 21, reappointing town leadership, approving multiple community events, and...
this is a test
Cherokee Nation makes donation to local police departments
news
Cherokee Nation makes donation to local police departments
May 7, 2025
Cherokee Nation Districts 5 and 6 Tribal Councilors E.O. “Jr.” Smith and Daryl Legg, along with Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner recently donated a total of $78,724 to local law enf...
this is a test
news
Blackgum community sale May 9 and 10
May 7, 2025
The Blackgum community sale is back! Come shop this Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Blackgum Community Building, located on Hwy. 100, one mile east of Tenkiller State Park.
this is a test
news
Town of Webbers Falls events
May 7, 2025
May 6: Food Giveaway WF First Baptist Church, the first Tuesday of each month. May 10: Town of Gore’s Cruise Night. May 13: ECOWA and Town of Webbers Falls meeting, 6 p.m. May 16: Webbers Falls High S...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Band of Gold performs
news
Band of Gold performs
May 7, 2025
The Vian Band of Gold performed during the pre-game show at the Arkansas Naturals vs the Tulsa Drillers baseball game on April 25 in Springdale. The band wishes to thank their sponsors who made this d...
this is a test
Brown brings family and flavor together
news
Brown brings family and flavor together
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
May 7, 2025
Nestled on the hills of Blackgum Mountain near Moonshine Road, the scent of sizzling fry bread often wafts from a cozy home where tradition, family, and flavor come together. That’s the home of Ashley...
this is a test
news
Gore announces spring cleanup day
May 7, 2025
Gore Public Works Authority (GPWA) customers will be allowed to dispose of undesirable items with some exceptions during the town’s spring cleanup day on May 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The following it...
this is a test
news
Eyeglass donations being accepted by Lions
May 7, 2025
Anyone wishing to donate old or no longer used eyeglasses can do so by dropping them off at the Vian Lions Club donation box. The box is located in front of the old Vian Town Hall on Thornton Street. ...
this is a test
news
Date set for Vian’s All School Reunion
May 7, 2025
Vian’s All School Reunion will be held during Memorial Day weekend, on Saturday, May 24, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Vian High School Cafetorium. The reunion committee is inviting all alumni from both Vi...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

VIAN TENKILLER NEWS
Address: 603 W. Schley Vian, Oklahoma
Phone:+1 918-773-8000

news@bigbasinllc.com

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Vian Tenkiller News

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy