Wolves Prepare To Face Former Quarterback

LINCOLN — The 2011 Lincoln Wolves experienced a breakthrough season in the football program, posting their first winning record in 17 years, at 7-4, and establishing a high-powered offense.

On their way to qualifying for the state 3A playoffs, Lincoln scored 42 points against both of the Wolves’ Oklahoma opponents last season, beating Westville, 42-12, and Haileyville, 420. At the heart of the vastly improved offense was Cheyenne Vaughn, a two- time All-State selection at quarterback, throwing for more than 1,700 yards as a sophomore and more than 2,000 last year.

Vaughn’s contributions were appreciated in a community starved for football success and his Cherokee heritage was honored as he was affectionately introduced at every home football game as “That ol’ Indian outlaw.”

As fate would have it, Vaughn transferred to Stilwell, Okla., for his senior year and Lincoln will meet the Indians on the gridiron in a nonconference game on Friday.

Vaughn is from the Westville, Okla., area, which is just across the state line from Lincoln, but chose to attend high school at Lincoln beginning with his freshman after getting close to boys from the community and playing on teams with them in summer softball leagues.

“I don’t know Lincoln has ever played Stilwell,” said Tennille Cummings, mother of junior running back/linebacker Tyler Cummings. “Chey knows what he’s looking for. When we played Westville his first year with us, Westville was making threats to hurt him and take his legs out and our boys took care of him.”

“He was our junior high quarterback,” said Tyler Cummings, who is a year behind Vaughn in school and played with him on all three teams. Cummings said the greatest thing he enjoyed about playing with Vaughn was Vaughn’s desire to win.

“He wanted to win. No matter what it took to win, he would do it,” Cummings said.

“He did a lot for us,” said Dalton Simmons, a junior defensive back, whose responsibility will be to defend against Vaughn’s arm in the Stilwell game.

Cummings thinks Lincoln’s defense will be up to the task when it comes to facing Vaughn on the gridiron. Cummings said the Wolves will mix up the defensive looks and move personnel around in various packages.

“I don’t have any doubt in our defense with Dalton playing safety,” Cummins said. “I have faith in Dalton and our two corners, Patrick Haynes and Danny Calvillo.”

“We know a lot of his tendencies,” said defensive lineman, Brandon Crews. “We want to lay a good hit on him and make him regret leaving Lincoln.”

As the Wolves step up to compete in the 4A ranks for the first time, they aren’t dwelling on what might have been. While Vaughn’s presence as a teammate is missed, the Wolves know they have got to line up and play football.

“I think we’ll be all right,” Cummings said. “With the guys around us, we’ll step up to the challenge.”

“I still have respect for Cheyenne,” Cummings said. “He’s like family to me, but he’s wearing the wrongcolored jersey.”