September 4, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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Sports September 4, 2021 ‘We definitely expect to be better’ Elkettes sweep OU’s receivers hope to thrive by committee two in District Justin Martinez, The a wide receiver who averaged injury but is now fully healthy, unit, we definitely wanna take By Kerry Hookstra The pitcher plunked Butler Oklahoman at least 60 receiving yards per "I'm just really excited for strides," Wease said. "We say and Sotille while Abby Brown game. the season because I feel like last year was a down year or Anadarko visited Elk City stole a base. NORMAN — The bigger And with a shadow comes some people forgot," Hasel- whatever you wanna call it. We the name, the bigger the shad- some shade. wood said. "So I've got to show ‘Aug. 30 and went home suf- Elkettes-Cache definitely expect to be better fering a 10-0 shutout. The Elk City scored one in the owit casts. "Although we had some them what I can still do, you this year." That certainly has been great moments, that was a know what I mean?" top of the first and another Elkettes took their Fast-pitch Mike Woods also hopes to softball power to Cache Aug. in the second. The Lady Bull- the case for Oklahoma's wide position that we weren't real Pro Football Focus named receiver corps. The Sooners thrilled about the way we Mims and Haselwood as the add to the cause. 31 and ended the month with dogs pushed home their only The then-junior wide re- run in the bottom of the sec- have seen stars such as Mar-played last year," Riley said fifth-best wide receiver duo an 8-1 victory. Both wins came ceiver hauled in career-] highs of in District competition. quise Brown and CeeDee Lamb during a media session in in college football, but Theo ond. Three more scored for the 619 yards and five touchdowns Elkettes-Anadarko Elkettes in the third and after go through Norman since the March. "(We) know that we can Wease can't be forgotten ei- start of the Lincoln Riley Era in play better there." ther. last season at Arkansas before ‘The contest was scoreless a scoreless fourth they plated 2017, and that has set the bar Riley isn't wrong about that SI Sooners’ Josh Callaway entering the transfer portal in through three innings before one each in the fifth, sixth, pretty high for ensuing classes. last part. and John Hoover reported April. And while the expecta- Elk City pushed home six in and seventh innings. Perhaps too high. OU returns several wide re- on Wednesday that the junior tions for OU's wide receivers the bottom of the fourth. They Danni Sotille tossed seven OU's top receiver last sea- ceivers who can put together a wide receiver sustained a low- are still as high as ever, it's that plated four game ending runs innings for the win. She al- son proved to be Marvin Mims, breakout campaign in 2021. er-body injury that'll sideline standard of excellence that in the bottom of the fifth. lowed two hits with two walks who recorded team-highs of Mims is a candidate now him for at least a few weeks, drew Woods to Norman. Danni Sotille went the dis- and seven strikeouts. The de- 610 receiving yards and nine but he's capable of moving the that he has a year of experience "You look at OU every year tance for the decision. She al- fense committed a pair of er- touchdowns in 11 contests chains when healthy. Wease under his belt, and redshirt putting out these big numbers lowed three hits with no walks rors. Elk City batters ran up (55.5 ypg). sophomore Jadon Haselwood finished second among the and every receiver wants to be and six strikeouts. The defense nine hits, drew eight walks, Mims put up those num- also has star potential. The group in both receiving yards in an offense like this," Woods made one miscue and Sotille and had six strikeouts. They bers as a true freshman, but former five-star recruit only (530) and touchdowns (four) said. "So it was pretty easy turned a double play. The were assisted by three mis- it still marked the first time appeared in three games last last season. when they reached out to me." Elkette bats collected eight cues. since 2013 that OU didn't have season due to a lingering knee "Definitely, as a group, as a There's no telling who will hits and drew eight walks with Ella Sotille tagged a pair emerge as the top target for five strikeouts. They had help of triples with a double and quarterback Spencer Rattler from five errors. single a piece from Jill Meador Patience paying off: this season, but that isn't the Hailey Buie tagged a triple and D. Sotille. Emily Lowrance anda single. Rylee Wyatt swat- swatted a pair of base hits biggest concern. Whether it's by the birth teda pair of base hits with one with one each by Brianna But- New starting linebacker Harper is of a star or by a group effort, the Sooners’ receiving corps apiece from Emily Lowrance, ler and Abby Jo Robbins. Alys- Abby Jo Robbins, Brianna sa Brott, Butler, Lowrance, Butler and Dustee Warnke. Meador, E. Sotille, and Warn- no stranger to Cowboy defense is ready to emerge from the shadow. Buie had three RBI's with two ke registered an RBI apiece. by Wyatt and one from Sotille. ‘The pitcher plunked E. Sotille. "I feel like it's no ceiling," Hallie Hart, Stillwater Gundy noted how veterans “He just needs to step up Haselwood said. "Like the sky NewsPress such as Harper help the Cow- and have a great year, but I'm is really the limit. And I feel boys keep up. totally confident," Knowles we're gonna do numbers this 1.8 acres more or less located at Devin Harper has spent “He's getting a lot of reps said. "He's been with me three year. I'm really excited." NW/4 of Sec 23 TIIN R 20 WIM: much of his career backing up right now, and so his experi- years, and he's gonna cut it first-string linebackers, await- ence brings a lot," Gundy said. loose this year.” Justin Martinez can be also known as 103 S. 1st St reached at jmartinez@oklaho- is open for sealed bids. ing his chance to appear at the "These guys that have been This season, Harper has an top of the depth chart. around a long time, they're increased comfort level with man.com or @JTheSportsDude Reserve bid of $15,500.00 This hasn't stopped him naturally better just from be- the defense. Previously, he bal- on Twitter, Make sure to sub- Bid packet may be picked up at Canute City Hall, from creating his share of ing out here." anced two backup jobs — he scribe to The Oklahoman to 604 Hwy 66 Canute, OK 73626. Bids deadline to highlight plays for the Okla- Although this will be had to be ready to step in as stay up to date with all local be September 13, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. Bids may be homa State football team. Harper's first year as a fixture either the inside backer or the sports. mailed to Canute City Hall, PO Box 220, Canute, OK 73626. Bids will be opened at Special Meeting As a redshirt freshman, in the starting lineup, he did outside backer. OU vs. Tulane September 15, 2021 at 11:00 A.M., at the Harper blocked a punt dur- start one game in each of the With Rodriguez at the out- KICKOFF: 11 a.m. Saturday Canute Heritage Center. ing the third quarter of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Those side spot and Harper in the at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma The Town of Canute reserves the right to Cowboys’ 41-34 victory at opportunities helped him pre- starting lineup, Harper won't Memorial Stadium in Norman reject or accept any or all bids. Texas Tech, finding himself pare for his first-string role, have to multitask as much. (ABC) at the center of celebration as giving him a glimpse of the "I know the system way his teammates rushed to sur- limelight. more," Harper said. "I know round him on the sideline. The Harper also understands both positions, and I'm basi- next season, he grabbed his how to endure the difficult cally just focusing on (inside) Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life cholces first career interception, carry- parts of football. now, so I don't have to focus ing the ball 24 yards into the on two no more. It's a good Injuries struck during his end zone against South Ala- thing." redshirt junior year, putting Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- bama, and he had another pick him in a walking boot during As Harper embraces his sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer last year when OSU stomped the early portion of fall camp. first-string status, he supports or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical Kansas 47-7 on the road. After rehabilitating from his the guys who could eventually details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. With all of Harper's contri- foot injury, Harper dealt with follow him as regular starters. One of those potential impact butions, it might be easy for a broken left hand, but wear- some fans to forget that he has ing a cast during the middle of players is his younger brother, For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: never been a regular starter the season couldn't hold him Thomas, a junior safety who for the Cowboys. Now, pa- back. appeared in every game last Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrat tience is rewarded for Harper, He and Ogbongbemiga, season. Knowles said the Harper a redshirt senior from Knox- whose right hand was in acast, brothers set an example of the ville, Tennessee. called themselves the "Cast Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Care camaraderie he strives for the “It's always gonna be a Bros" and proved they could Cowboys to have. process," Harper said. "Every- make — momentum-shifting "You're always preaching Some of the most common conditions are: body's time is not gonna be plays without full mobility of brotherhood; you want guys * Cancer * Failure to Thriv * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) at the same time, and I've just their hands. to be able to play together as been waiting it out." Despite playing through one,” Knowles said. "And you * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) * End Stage Amyotrophic Harper had to hold out injuries and waiting behind got two brothers actually on Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) hope until his sixth and final teammates such as Ogbongbe- the team out there a lot at * End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV year at OSU, but his time has miga, Justin Phillips and Cal- the same time. ... I mean, all * End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer’s arrived. vin Bundage, Harper has stood the guys on defense back each As the Cowboys prepare to out in the eyes of defensive co- other up, but then Thomas and open their season with a home ordinator Jim Knowles. Devin, they take it to another game against Missouri State at "Devin is one of the most level." Professional, Passionate 6 p.m. Saturday, Harper is ex- complete athletes that I've Harper has also noticed the pected to consistently start at been around," Knowles said. progress of OSU's backup line- Advance, Attentive... the inside linebacker position. “He's had some people in front backers: Mason Cobb, Lamont He is stepping in for Amen Og- of him, he's had some injuries, Bishop and Kamryn Farrar. He Our Difference Is Our Care bongbemiga, who racked up but Devin has NFL numbers. complimented them, noting 80 tackles last season before He has all the markings of an how they create competition he signed with the Los Angeles NEL player in terms of the and provide reassurance for Chargers. height, weight, size, all the the first-string players. Have you ever considered becoming Harper can recognize Using the extra year of metrics, the speed — his speed these qualities because those a hospice volunteer? eligibility granted to every- is fantastic." teammates are filling the role one because of the pandemic, Knowles has never known he once had, embodying the A fulfilling experience in the spirit Harper provides steadiness Cowboy football without traits he showed as he antici- and knowledge to the line- Harper. When Knowles arrived pated his turn to start. of giving and receiving. backer corps alongside fellow at OSU as the new defensive After five seasons as a Cow- starting supersenior Malcolm coordinator in 2018, Harper boy, including one redshirt Rodriguez. was there, ready for his red- year, Harper is ready to lead. Across the FBS, superse- shirt sophomore season. Since "They waited on me, and niors are adding a new layer to then, they've worked through basically, they just gave me the game this season, increas- the defensive system together, my chance now," Harper said. ing depth and skill for numer- implementing new techniques “And I just gotta make the best ous teams, and coach Mike and building morale. of it."