Sports

See Saturday’s edition for a state roundup on Calumet.

MIDWEST CITY – Clutch efforts from El Reno High School’s three leading rushers lifted the Indians to an upset win that sent a lightning bolt into the playoff picture for District 5A-1.

Running backs Malachi Nicholson and Kaleb Blackwolf combined with quarterback Elijah Fisher to rush for 367 yards as El Reno defeated Midwest City 27-14.

El Reno, which was blanked by the Bombers 34-0 a year ago in their first-ever meeting, picks up its second straight district win to move into a tie for third place with Midwest City and Noble.

MIDWEST CITY – When Michael Pruitt wore his alma mater colors on the field, he was part of a unit that carried and embodied the moniker “Blue Crush.”

Now as El Reno’s defensive coordinator, he’s working to bring back that smothering mindset.

“We know, we hear it every day,” said Daylin and Lathen Pruitt, his nephews.

The younger Pruitts and teammates may have rekindled that dominating moniker after snuffing out Midwest City’s high-powered offense on its final three possessions last week to help seal the Indians 27-14 win over the Bombers.

El Reno High School’s softball team wrapped up the postseason last week, while its volleyball team was playing in the regional round on Monday at Sapulpa.

Redlands Community College women’s soccer team snapped a seven-match losing streak last week with a 1-0 road win over Connors State College.

The Cougars improved to 2-12 for the season and 2-11 in the NJCAA Region 2 standings after outshooting the Cowboys by a 33-11 margin.

The lone goal of the game came from Gaby Figueroa off an assist by Amya Lindsay.

Lindsay led Redlands shooters with nine shots, followed by Figueroa with five and four shots from Avery Thomas.

Miya Ingram, Jaidyn Gonzalez and Kyla Thompson closed with three shots each.

ELGIN - It was a feast and famine effort at the plate for El Reno High School’s fast-pitch softball team during the opening day of the Class 5A West Region 2 Championships.

With artillery shells booming in the distance from nearby Fort Sill, El Reno cranked out 22 hits, including 10 extra base swings, en route to a 24-1 win over Lawton MacArthur in the first round.

However, the hits dried up in the second round as El Reno dropped a 10-0 contest to the Elgin Owls. The split left the Indians with a 16-16 season record.

Calumet High School will take a 13-game win streak into the first round of the 2023 Class B Fall State High School Baseball Championships after breezing through the regional round.

The second-ranked Chieftains clinched the Region 2 Championships with wins over No.15 Big Pasture (25-3) and No.10 Asher (11-3) to improve to 27-1 on the season.

Calumet was slated to take on ninth-ranked Mulhall-Orlando in the state quarterfinals. The first two rounds of state are being played at Edmond Santa Fe High School before the finals move to the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

El Reno surpassed 2,000 total yards in the win over Noble.
 

El Reno High School’s volleyball team snapped a two-match losing streak and closed out the regular season with a 3-1 road win over Hennessey.

The 28-26/22-25/25-18/25-5 win over the Class 3A Eagles left El Reno with a 5-15 overall record heading into Monday’s Class 5A regional playoffs.

The Indians will be headed to Sapulpa for the one-day postseason event with the winner punching a ticket to state.

Pictured are members of El Reno’s eighth-grade volleyball team crowned the 2023 Suburban Conference Champions after going through the league tourney undefeated and without dropping a game, said coach Bill Reeves.