January 10, 2026 Issue, Page 3 of 10

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SPORTS The Elk City News SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026 • 3 Kipton David Samantha Allen Koen Wilson Randy Simpson Mia Dyson Brennan Womack Mace Mullens going around Coach Logan Davis Kannon Murray Coaches Corbin Dyson & Cristina Cunningham with thgeir girls team College, High School & Local Sports By Alex Alvarez The second game on Thursday Georgia Bulldogs and #4 Texas Tech BASKETBALL (NO CHANGES Texas Tech (1/3) and UCF (1/6) was the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, CA, Red Riders losing already, and only FROM LAST WEEK) Conference Position: Tied 4th MERRITT CLASS 2-A BOYS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAY- between #1 Indiana Hoosiers and #1 Indiana Hoosiers remaining of Oklahoma Sooners. Men. South- Conference Leader: Iowa State Coach Tyler Snowden. Record 3-4 OFFS the #9 Alabama Crimson Tide who the seeded teams, some sports an- eastern Conference Cyclones 12-0 Last Three: 3-0. Wins vs Seiling Of the top four seeds in the Foot- eliminated the Sooners a couple of alysts and expert sportscaster have Coach: Porter Moser 80-26, Fargo-Gage/Fort Supply 70- ball College Playoffs, only #1 Indi- weeks ago. It was a 38-3 beatdown of been debating the format and crit- Record: 9-3 #18 Oklahoma State Cowgirls. 53, Apache 57/51 ana won their game: #2 Ohio State rare proportions against the legend- icizing the “curse of the bye-week.” Last three games: 3-0. Wins versus Women. Big-12 Conference Coming Up: Navajo 1/6; Sayre Buckeyes, #3 Georgia Bulldogs and ary Crimson Tide, and the biggest I’ll let the readers have their own Oklahoma State 85-76, Kansas City Coach: Jacie Hoyt 1/13, Burns Flat/Dill City 1/13 #4 Texas Tech Red Riders, all lost margin of loss by Alabama in post- opinion, and if anything, to me it 89-67, Stetson 107-54 Record: 12-2 to lower seeds. Defenses dominated season history. shows that college football is strong Coming up: Miss Valley St. Last three games: 2-1. Wins Tul- MERRITT CLASS 2-A Girls each of the four games, stopping the The third and last game of the all over and perhaps choosing seeds (12/29), Ole Miss (01/03), Mississip- sa 90-58 and Cincinnati 91-63; Loss Coach Jeff Daugherty. Record 4-0 opponents in the most crucial mo- quarterfinals, the Sugar Bowl, played beyond the top six, might need a lit- pi St (01/07) versus OU 70-92 Last Three: 3-0. Wins vs Canute ments. at the Caesars Superdome in New tle overhaul. All playoff games any- Conference Position: Tied 5th. Coming up: Baylor (12/31), Hous- 51-49, Cheyenne /Reydon 59-46, The Cotton Bowl, the first quar- Orleans, LA was between the #3 where, in any sport, have surprises, Vanderbilt Commodores 12-0. ton (1/3), TCU Apache 78-32 terfinal game of the College Football Georgia Bulldogs and the #6 Ole and that is the reason to have a play- Conference Position: 6th Coming Up: Mid-American Playoffs, played at the AT&T Stadi- Miss Rebels who defeated the Tulane off: to see who is actually best at one #9 Oklahoma Sooners. Women. Conference Leader: Tied 1st Ari- Tournament 12/29 – 12/31 um in Dallas, TX on Wednesday De- Green Wave 41-10 to get to the quar- point during the season, the most Southeastern Conference (AKA – zona St Sun Devils, Texas Tech Lady cember 31st, the #10 ranked Miami terfinals, was the closest game in the important part of the season. That is SEC) Riders at 14-0 ELK CITY CLASS 4-A BOYS Hurricanes beat defending champi- quarterfinals, won by #6 Ole Miss, the reason they play, TO SEE WHO Coach: Jennie Baranczyk Coach Tyler Foale. Record 0-7 ons Ohio State Buckeyes, seeded #2 who upset Georgia by a score of 39- WINS, who earns it. You just don’t Record: 12-1 ELK CITY BASKETBALL – IDLE Last Three: 0-3. Losses vs Decatur in the playoffs by decisive score of 34 which included a last minute field give the trophy to the one who the Last three games: 3-0. Wins ver- NEW YEAR’S WEEK 45-55, Childress 48-52, Weatherford 24-14. The remaining quarterfinal goal and safety. NCAA thinks is the best team, as in sus Oklahoma St 92-70, NC Central CANUTE CLASS A BOYS: 31-65 games were played on January 1st. The Rebels will play the Hurri- past years. Think of all the upsets in 126-54, Little Rock 103-48 Coach Brock Steffes. Record 8-2 Coming Up: Anadarko 1/6, TBA Miami’s defense looks to be one of canes in the first semifinal in the sports before, in NFL you have Patri- Coming up: Texas A&M, Missis- Last three games: 1-2. Win ver- at Weatherford 1/8, 1/13 Weather- the best in the country, similar to the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale AZ on Jan- ots vs Rams in 2002, and NY Giants sippi St., Ole Miss sus Duke 60-57; losses versus Fort ford Indiana Hoosiers. uary 8; and the Peach Bowl at the versus undefeated Patriots in 2008 Conference Position: Tie 6th Cobb/Broxton 44-71, Arapaho/But- First game on Thursday, January Mercedez Benz Stadium, in Atlanta and others; in college football TCU Conference Leader: Texas Long- ler 30/43 ELK CITY CLASS 4-A GIRLS 1st, was the Orange Bowl played at GA, will host the second semifinal vs Michigan in 2022, Oregon vs Flor- horns and Alabama 14-0 Coming up: Texoma 1/3), Arnett Coach Mason Jones. Record 6-2 the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami between the Hoosiers and the Ducks ida State in 2015. This is the method- 1/6, Tournament in Merritt Last 3: 2-1. Wins vs Clinton 54-22, Gardens Florida between #5 Ore- on January 9th. ology that started in 2014, we should Oklahoma State Cowboys. Big-12 Childress 44-40. Loss versus Weath- gon and #4 Texas Tech, where the The semifinal winners will play let it continue, as it is far better that Conference CANUTE CLASS A GIRLS: erford 25-39 Oregon Ducks came up on top by for the College Football Champion- the coaches and the press determine Coach: Steve Lutz Coach Tatum Ridling. Record 9-1 Coming up: Anadarko 1/6, TBA dominating the Red Raiders by a ship on January 19 at the Hardrock who is the winner of the trophy is, I Record: 11-1 Last Three 3-0: Wins vs Amber/ 1/8-1/10 Tournament at Anadarko score of 23-0 as the Ducks defense Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida bet all these “experts” have lost tons Last three games: 2-1. Wins versus Pocasset 49-36, Arapaho/Butler 58- was dominant, not only not allowing concluding a really great 2025-2026 of money in Vegas bets! Kansas City 91-79, and Fullerton 94- 23, Duke 97-19 Sources: Local Sources, ESPN, any points, but only 78 yards rushing college football playoff season. 89. Loss versus OU 76-85. Coming up: Texoma 1/3, Arnett MSN, GOOGLE, OSSAA, Wikipedia, and 137 in passing. With #2 Ohio State Buckeyes, #3 OKLAHOMA COLLEGES Coming up: Bethune (12/29), 1/6, Cheyenne/Reydon 1/13 Other Internet Media Professional Individual Sports By Alex Alvarez is leaving LIV Golf after the 2025 compete, just like the Masters. first win in the USA when he won January 29-Feb 1. TENNIS season to “spend more time with Max Homa seems to be returning the Tour Championship in August PGA Tour Champions: Mitsub- The Tennis season begins with a GOLF his family”, with reports indicating a to the form that earned him a high of 2025. ishi Electric January 22-25; Chubb major, the Australian Open played Golf Tours resume their sched- desire to return to the PGA Tour. He ranking of #5 in the world. After a #4 Ranked player, Xander Schauf- Classic February 13-15 and James in Melbourne, Australia from Janu- ule all around the world with #1 is expected to face a potential one- tough year in his personal life; in- fele, like Scottie Scheffler concen- Hardie Invitational March 6-8. ary 12 to February 1. All of the stars ranked Scottie Scheffler not giving year suspension upon returning to cluding a very tough birth of his first trates in USA play most of the time. Korn Ferry Tour; Bahamas Golf are supposed to be there, unless any hints of playing anywhere but the PGA Tour, meaning he might son and his grandmother’s bout with The two-time major champion will Classic Jan 11-14; Bahamas Great there are any injuries or unforeseen the United States so far, except for not play in PGA events until August Alzheimer’s and a split with his long- make his 2026 debut at the Sony Ha- Abaco Classic January 18-21 and factors: #1 Carlos Alcaraz, #2 Jannik the Open Championship and the or late 2026, but remains eligible for time caddie and life-time friend waiian Open in Oahu at the Waialae Panama Championship January Sinner, #3 Alexander Zverev and # Scottish Open preceding it. Schef- majors, because of his last major win John Greiner, a decision Homa has Country Club, in Honolulu, Hawaii. 29-February 1. Novak Djokovic, who will be look- fler, who won seven times in 2024, in the 2023’s PGA Championship described as difficult but ultimately His next event will be the AT&T DP World Tour: Dubai Invita- ing for an 11th Australian Open Ti- generally plays a schedule focused which gives him exemptions in the necessary to preserve their friend- Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a Signature tional January 15-18; Hero Dubai tle and 25th major overall. on Signature Events and Majors. next five years in the Masters and ship. Most of us can’t comment on event on February 9-15. His last Desert Classic January 22-25 and On the women’s side: #1 Aryna Further commitments are expected the Open Championships. He is that because we have not been in his time on the course, the great player Bapco Energies Bahrain Champion- Sabalenka, #2 Iga Swiatek, #3 Aman- to be announced closer to the dates, exempt in the U.S. Open until 2028 shoes. got “blanked” in the Skins Game at ship January 29-February 1. da Amisinova and #4 Coco Gauff, as he often hesitates to reveal his full since the USGA gives you a ten-year #2 ranked Rory McIlroy will con- his home course and won a check for LPGA: Hilton Grand Vacations these last two, American players. calendar in advance. exemption in the championship for tinue to play both, the PGA Tour $0.00! (ZERO DOLLARS! Really!) January 29-February 1; Honda It is still unclear if Brooks Koepka, winning. His last U.S. Open win was and the DP World Tour. He is by First Three events by Tour: LPGA Thailand February 19-22 and Sources: ESPN, PGA Tour.com, former #1 ranked player and winner 2018. As far as the PGA Champion- far, the most “international” driven PGA Tour: Sony Open, January HSBC Women’s World Champion- LPGA.com, AP Tennis, Personal Li- of five majors, will try to play the ship, past champions are exempt for player of all, with #3 ranked Tommy 15-18; American Express January ship Singapore February 26-March 1 brary, MSN Sports, On-Line media. PGA Tour now that he left LIV. He life, until the player does not want to Fleetwood following closely after his 22-25 and Farmers Insurance Open Professional Team Sports By Alex Alvarez limbo), that is one record that he Seattle Seahawks beat the San weekend of January 10-11 plus a land 124-105 on New Year’s Eve Alexander, Tyrese Maxey (Phil- will take with him, of an undefeat- Francisco 49ers in another “win- Monday game on the 12th between and Golden State on January 2 by a adelphia 76ers) with 31.1/0.78, NFL: ed quarterback against one of the ner-take-all” game and won their Steelers and Texans. score of 131-94, before losing to the Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics) with The last game of the season de- most historied teams in the NFL in division and the #1 seed in the Some interesting games will be, Phoenix Suns, in Arizona on Janu- 30.1/0.89 and Donovan Mitchell termined the last playoff spot in the the last 15 years. The Steelers (10- NFL’s National Football Confer- Houston Texans (12-5) visiting the ary 4th by a score of 108-105. (Cleveland Cavaliers) 29-8/0.88. National Football League, it was a 7) will be seeded #4 and will host ence. The Seahawks will have a bye- Steelers (10-8) and you would say Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Alexander leads everyone in points “winner-take-all” game between Houston for their wildcard playoff week, before they host the winner that the Texans will be the favor- the scoring on the team with an per minute played with 0.97. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Bal- game on Monday the 12th. of San Francisco and the Carolina ites, but you can’t count the Steelers average of 32.1 points per game, Coming up for the OKC Thun- timore Ravens. The Steelers (9-7) Meanwhile, the #1 seed in the Panthers, who won their division out in their own stadium; the same followed by Chad Holmgren with der: Charlotte (Jan-5), Utha (Jan- came into Three River Stadium as American Conference is Denver, with a losing record of 8-9, after with the San Francisco 49ers (12- 18.2 points per game. Next are Jalen 7), @Memphis (Jan-9), Miami an underdog to the Ravens (8-8) and will have a bye week before the New Orleans Saints lost to the 5) visiting the Carolina Panthers Williams with 16.9 and Ajay Mitch- (Jan-11), San Antonio (Jan-13). who played their ace quarterback playing the winner of Houston Atlanta Falcons. Had the Falcons (8-9). el with 14.0. A stat that is important Standings as of Sunday Night: Lamar Jackson for this important and Pittsburgh. Othe matchups in won, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to see is the “Points-Per-Minute- Eastern Conference: Detroit game, as Jackson had been absent this conference will be: Los Ange- also with an 8-9 record, would have NBA: Played”: Alexander has 0.97 points Pistons (26-9), New York Knicks from the field due to injury. But les Chargers versus Jacksonville won the south NFC division. After a 25-1 start, the Thunder per minute, Holmgren 0.63 PPM, (23-12), Boston Celtics (22-12), Aaron Rodgers, extended his per- Jaguars who won the south divi- Other playoff games in the NFC is 5-5 in their last 10 games for a Williams .58 and Mitchell .54. Toronto Raptors (21-15), Philadel- fect record against the Ravens to sion, and the Buffalo Bills versus will be Los Angeles Rams versus 30-6 record, and still on top of the phia 76ers (19-14), Orlando Magic 5-0. The “senior” quarterback had the New England Patriots, who are Philadelphia, and Green Bay Pack- Western Conference and overall in In the league, Luka Doncic (Los (20-116). never lost to the Ravens before and back in the playoffs after 8 years. ers versus the Chicago Bears. the NBA. They are 2-1 in the last Angeles Lakers) leads Points per now, if he retires (decision still in In the National Conference, All NFL games will be on the three games, with wins over Port- game with 33.6/0.92 (followed by See TEAM page 7