Cherokee ready for changes to Class B this season Box back at QB for district favorite

DISTRICT B-2 PREVIEW GARBER DEFENSE SURPRISES IN VICTORY DISTRICT A-8 PREVIEW

After a run of success in Class C that resulted in a 2013 state title, Cherokee finds itself in new territory with a new classification and new stadium.

And that’s all right with coach

“They’ve restructured Class B all together, and that’s going to be nice,” Schanbacher said. “It allows us to play several non-district games the first half of our season, and we’ve got some pretty tough ones.”

Cherokee opens with Pond Creek-Hunter next week and then will play perennial contenders Laverne and Seiling in back-to-back weeks before opening district play.

But it’ll be a chance for Cherokee to debut a brand-new football stadium that opens this season. Last year, Cherokee’s home games were played at Northwestern Oklahoma State in Alva

Jacob Unruh

while construction was underway.

“We’re very blessed to have the community support us, the school as a whole and to have the facilities that we do here,” Schanbacher said. “We’re very, very fortunate and we’re just loving being out there on that field.”

Cherokee won the Class B title in 2010. It then beat Tipton in the Class C title game in 2013 and lost to the same team in 2015. Last season, Cherokee made the state semifinals.

Schanbacher said he looks for big things from senior quarterback Jarrett

who started the first four games last season due to an injury. That limited experience should be to James’ benefit.

Garber coach Mark Harmon didn’t know what to expect from his inexperienced defense in Friday’s season opener against Kremlin-Hillsdale.

He got more than he expected.

Garber’s starting defense — with no returners from 2015 — allowed just six points in the 34-12 victory.

“There’s a chance to be pretty good on defense, be decent at least,” Harmon said. “We were really concerned about that. We played with some aggressiveness, which is something we were concerned about.” Quarterback Cristian

also threw touchdown passes to four different receivers, including senior tight end

DISTRICT B-2 COACHES’ POLL

1. Cherokee (11-1) 2. Pioneer-Pleasant Vale (8-4) 3. Garber (6-5) 4. Waukomis (6-4) 5. Ringwood (1-9)

Last year’s record in parentheses

FAW FAW BACK FOR PIONEER-PLEASANT VALE

Following an 8-4 season, Pioneer-Pleasant Vale coach is expecting a big year from senior quarterback

Faw Faw is a four-year starter under center and at cornerback. At 6 foot and 185 pounds, he’s viewed as the team’s leader.

Overstreet also expects running back and linebacker — another four-year starter — to lead the way.

has been playing important snaps for Talihina since his freshman season, but he was elevated into the starting quarterback role because of injury last season.

Now a junior, Box took the job and ran with it, and he will guide a talented Talihina offense as the Tigers return to the role of favorite in District A-8.

Box accounted for more than 1,600 yards and 22 total touchdowns last season. The defense will be led by linebacker Domnick Shedd, who has more than 200 tackles in his career.

SAVANNA COUNTING ON DEFENSE

If the season is going to go well, Savanna coach

expects that it will be from strong defense and offensive line play.

DISTRICT A-8 COACHES’ POLL

1. Talihina (10-2) 2. Central Sallisaw (7-4) 3. Savanna (2-7) 4. Pocola (2-8) 5. Quinton (5-6) 6. Warner (3-7) 7. Gore (0-10)

Last year’s records in parentheses.

Bond has several experienced defenders he will rely on, with and and at defensive end.

anchors the offensive front, which was boosted by moving from wide receiver to right tackle.

“That was a very unselfish move,” Bond said. “I’m sure just about every kid would rather be out there catching passes.”

at linebacker,