Sports

The last time El Reno High School’s football team reached the quarterfinal round of the Class 5A playoffs, the Indians did so with a district championship in hand along with a multi-game winning streak.

As fate would have it, Chuck Atchison’s district championship team finds itself on a similar path as that of the 2009 Indians as El Reno rides a seven-game win streak into Friday night’s quarterfinal game at Memorial Stadium.

Ironically, the Indians face the same team it did back in 2009 – the McAlester Buffaloes.

In the regular-season meeting with Piedmont, El Reno High School’s football team struggled to put points on the scoreboard off opportunities provided from its defense.

The two teams met again in the bi-district round of the Class 5A playoffs, and this time, both units for the Indians were on the same page.

After all extracurricular activities were suspended for two days due to a possible COVID-19 situation at El Reno High School, athletics were allowed to resume practices last week.

The boys hosted Bishop McGuinness for a scrimmage under precautions.

No fans were allowed to attend and everyone in Jenks Simmons Field House had to wear a mask when not on the court.

El Reno's youth football recently won the 6-and-under, 9-and-under and 11-and under Central Oklahoma Football League titles with strong running.

MUSTANG – Three of the six age group championships awarded during the Central Oklahoma Football League's Super Bowl Saturday made their way back to El Reno.

El Reno’s 6-and-under, 9-and-under and 11-and-under football teams all defeated squads from Mustang. The city’s Little League program had the most titles by one over Mustang.

“I think that’s the first time we have won three titles,” said El Reno’s Mark Vincent.

While getting off to a slow start, the progression of El Reno High School’s defense over the course of District 5A-1 play proved that the switch to the 3-3 stacked formation was the right choice.

“I’m not sure it was a gamble but it was different. I thought at the start of the year it fit our personnel better,” said El Reno head coach Chuck Atchison.

Atchison admits the first three games were tough for the defense as Cache, Piedmont and Weatherford had offensive attacks that did not bode well for the 3-3 stacked alignment.

El Reno High School’s boys basketball team kicked off preseason work recently with a home scrimmage against Minco and Cashion.

The UC girls dropped to 1-1 on the season with a 50-21 loss to Calumet in a game which was called late in the fourth period due to a power outage. The Tigers also dropped to 1-1 on the season with an 81-38 setback to the Chieftains. Union City was slated to return to action Friday at Lookeba-Sickles in Washita Valley Conference play.