Forfeit lands Coyle second district title

COYLE — There likely won’t be a celebration this week, but it’s safe to crown Coyle as a district champion.

District rival Thackerville was forced to forfeit Friday’s upcoming game with Coyle because of heavy suspensions dealt from an on-field altercation during last week’s win against Bowlegs. As a result, Coyle has its second district title in program history.

The news surfaced Monday afternoon near the end of practice. Coyle coach Shane Weathers informed his players during position workouts, but none celebrated.

They wanted a chance to beat Thackerville, the team that beat Coyle last season and won the district title.

“It’s always been a star by our schedule to try to get them back,” Weathers said.

A total of 15 Thackerville players were suspended after an altercation broke out on the field, Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association associate director Mike Whaley told The Oklahoman. Three players from Bowlegs were also suspended.

Attempts to reach Thackerville coach David Garza were unsuccessful.

For Thackerville, the suspensions left just a handful of eligible players this week. Four players were suspended two games for fighting. Eleven players left the sideline despite warnings from the coaching staff and were automatically suspended one game under OSSAA rules.

But Thackerville remains eligible for the postseason spot it’s locked into. OSSAA rules state that a team that forfeits a district game for being unable to play cannot play in the postseason, but Whaley said that rule does not apply to this situation.

That total ultimately hurts Coyle in Weathers’ view.

He’s fearful of getting complacent and losing the edge that led to a five-game winning streak entering the week.

Coyle, now 7-2, had found its rhythm.

Weathers moved his son, Brendon, to quarterback this season. He recently had 232 rushing yards in a win. Running backs Austin Adams and Robert Taylor were also rolling.

That’s why the players were solemn Monday when they heard of the forfeit.

“Getting a championship, and that’s’ a second one, that’s very special,” Weathers said. “But they were down.”