Resilient family helps CHA reach title game
As Christian Heritage Academy prepares for Thursday’s Class A title game, a giant family remains intact five years after tragedy.
DEL CITY — Merci Hale sees the painted red heart with centered white letters “JLK” near the 15-yard line with a different reaction each time.
Joy often shows. Shortness of breath other times.
Heartache can be a never-ending feeling, even as time passes.
Moving back to Oklahoma City four years ago was painful but necessary. It was a year after Hale’s little sister Jenni Kufahl lost a battle with cancer, leaving behind her husband and seven children. Hale has never fully gotten over it, but she’s at least helped Kufahl’s family move forward.
“Doing the right thing is more important than being comfortable,” Hale said. “It was hard and we went through some things we didn’t want to, but it was worth it.”
That same field adorned with Kufahl’s initials is where Christian Heritage Academy has put together an improbable run to Thursday’s Class A state championship game at Stillwater High School. One giant family is the pillar of the small Christian school in Del City nobody expected to be at this point.
Hale’s son, Zach, had a breakout season at quarterback. Little brother Caden is one of Zach’s receiving targets. Kufahl’s oldest son, Conner, is also on the team.
And Merci Hale’s youngest brother, Tony Merrell, is the head coach while their father, John, watches over the program he built.
“I wish (Jenni) was here to see it all and experience it all,” Merci said.
••• Aaron Hale approached Merci, his wife, four years ago with a nagging feeling they weren’t doing enough.
He prayed over and over. Their family was in need, so moving from Lawrence, Kansas was necessary to help following Jenni’s death. Easier said than done. Aaron had a good job. Their six children were thriving, with their three oldest at tiny Veritas Christian School playing eightman football.
Aaron spent the first year living in both cities while the family’s Lawrence home was on the market. In 2015, they finally all moved to a small house in Moore, less than 2 miles from the Kufahls.
The Kufahls and Hales became inseparable.
Merci cooked meal after meal, saving stress from her mom who had been helping. Sleepovers between the 13 children were the welcomed norm. Heath Kufahl continued as CHA’s volleyball and basketball coach.
“You really see if your faith is just what you say or if it’s what you truly live,” Merci said.
Kufahl has since remarried. The Hales have since purchased a bigger house on some land near Choctaw and the families remain close.
“As I’ve looked back, one of the things in a difficult situation is my kids have maintained their joy,” Kufahl said. “I think a big part of that is family.”
•••
Zach Hale never wanted to leave Kansas.
In middle school, he was the quarterback in a class of 11 kids. His father was the coach, though Zach had seen CHA games and wondered what it would be like to play for his grandfather.
But the move was never about Zach or his family. They just benefited from it.
“God has a plan,” Zach said. “This turned out to really be for the better. I didn’t know it at the time.”
Zach has thrived personally after being forced to make new friends and offer support for family. Zach has grown academically. Athletically, he has shined in football and basketball.
That’s more apparent on the football field this season.
After playing receiver the past three years, he moved to quarterback. Things didn’t start smoothly, but he’s since been the hottest player in the postseason throughout four upsets.
“It’s been unbelievable,” Tony Merrell said. “I don’t know what’s happened. It’s ridiculous.”
Zach couldn’t have done any of that without his family. None of the Merrells, Hales or Kufahls could have.
That’s why Thursday’s game against No. 7 Tonkawa is even more special.
“You see how God has a plan for everything,” Zach said. “It’s all worked out perfectly for us.”
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield believes Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley is ready to make the jump to the NFL.
Mayfield was asked Wednesday whether he would like Riley, who will lead the No. 4-ranked Sooners against No. 1 Alabama in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29, to coach him in Cleveland. Mayfield acknowledged he has a strong relationship with his former coach, but he isn't going to campaign for Riley to get the Browns' job.
Mayfield believes the 35-year-old Riley has been prepared to move into the pros, but said he wouldn't be surprised if he stays at the Big 12 school "for the next 20 years."
The Browns fired coach Hue Jackson in October. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is serving as the team's interim coach for the remainder of the season. General manager John Dorsey is leading Cleveland's coaching search and has said Williams will get an interview.
Dorsey has attended Oklahoma's past two games.
Broncos WR Sanders out for season
The Denver Broncos lost leading wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to a torn left Achilles tendon on Wednesday. He was hurt in a non-contact drill at the beginning of practice.
The Broncos quickly claimed wide receiver
Andre Holmes off waivers from Buffalo, giving them a seventh-year veteran to go with their four remaining receivers, all of whom made their NFL debuts this season.
Sanders led the team with 71 catches for 868 yards and four touchdowns in a bounce-back year.
Extra points
•BENGALS: Star receiver
A.J. Green will be sidelined for the rest of the season with an injured toe on his right foot.
The Bengals placed him on injured reserve Wednesday. Green got hurt on Oct. 28, missed three games with the injury, and returned last Sunday against Denver. He aggravated it while running a route, and he's getting medical opinions on whether he should have surgery.
•PANTHERS: Quarterback
Cam Newton insists he'll be ready to play against the Browns despite lingering pain in his throwing shoulder.
•BEARS: Quarterback
Mitchell Trubisky expects to return against the Los Angeles Rams after missing the past two games because of a right shoulder injury.