Vote Derrick Alexander Metro Player of the Year

Our very own state champion and senior lineman Derrick Alexander is up for a big honor. He dominated on offense and defense recording 151 tackles and 14 sacks. He also played tackle on offense opening up big holes for the explosive run game. ''Vote Derrick cause I love y'all,'' Alexander said jokingly. He also added about the nomination, ''It's an honor and a blessing, the work pays off, and it's a great feeling.'' It is important that you go vote and you can vote multiple times as well! Voting ends at 3 p.m. Friday! VOTE!


Here is the link:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/polls/question.aspx?q=2028

GO VOTE!!

STATE CHAMPIONS: #1 BTW vs. East Central

For the 2nd time in 3 years and for the eighth time in the school's history BOOKER T. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TOOK STATE! And they did this is a dominating fashion as the completely outplayed East Central for beginning to end to grab a 32-3 victory and the gold ball! ''We were upset that people thought they could hang. we knew we were the best. They caught us on a bad night back in september. They called us decent. They thought they could beat us. They thought they deserved it, Well we took it,'' said senior Dillon O'Carroll. The defense was able to shut down the Cardinals offense as they were only able to attain 158 yards of offense. Throughout the game EC's inability to get diverse play calling from the sideline. It was this along with the outstanding performance by all the guys on defense that made it possible. Pressure came from everywhere along the front seven and in the secondary as no receivers were able to get free down field. Opposing offenses did not score a touchdown in the playoffs continuing to add to one of the best defensive teams in a long time. Right off the bat the offense found the end zone and they would find it often behind Isaac Bennett's 222 rushing yard performance along with two scores. He ran behind a great offensive line as they opened up holes on all sides of the field as well as giving the quarter backs time to throw on passing plays. The second half on offense was highlighted by the Hornet's using the wildcat formation on the last drive of the game. First time that this has been used all season and worked to perfection as it ended with Bennett throwing for a score. The Hornets finish the season 13-1 under first year Coach Hall who is graduating around 25 seniors and several division one players.
Player of the Game: This game was made possible in great part to this week's players of the week, Isaac Bennett as well as both the offensive and defensive lines. On offense Bennett had his best game of the season as he looked unstoppable at times running behind huge holes provided by the offensive line. Both lines were by far dominating the Cardinal's lines throughout the entire game. EC was shut down as their running game was not able to get anywhere and the quarter back was under pressure all game.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: #1 BTW vs. #2 East Central

This Saturday's championship game will pit the two top teams in 5A against each other in a highly anticipated re-match. These teams met in week 3 in what turned into a defensive battle in which BTW went on to win 27-24. This game however should turn out quite differently. The Hornet offense will look much different and much improved; week 3 was star Jordy Albert's first game back but now he has stepped up his game, and will play much better Saturday. He will be accompanied by running back Isaac Bennett, who has had monster season, the two were responsible for all 5 touchdowns last week. Because this is a two dimensional offense, you stop the run then you have to stop the pass, you stop the pass, then you have your hands full with the running game. In this game Coach Hall should abandon the two qb system and play Albert the entire game as they scored more when he is on the field then off. Another advantage that the Hornets have is a strong offensive line, they are all seniors who can play both the run and pass effectively. ''We are hungry. We want more, whether its giving the qb time or blocking for the running back,'' said Senior lineman Jordan Simmons on their success, ''Our goal is to dominate the line of scrimmage. Games are lost and won in the trenches'' he added. I agree completely and in they will have another great showing as they have all season. The words that best describe the defense is methodical, dominating, or unstoppable. The Hornet defense has had 7 shutouts this season and opponents are only averaging 8 points a game. Whether it is defending the run or the pass you can always count on a big play. ''When we play them we know that we can stop the run so when we do stop the run they got to pass and if our d-line knows they are going to pass we are going to get pressure on the QB which causes INT's so really we are able to stop them is because we already know the other teams game plan,'' Senior defensive lineman Derrick Alexander said about their solid play. What separates them from every other defense is that they are consistent throughout the entire game whether it is the first play of the game or the last play of the game. Derrick Alexander, Dillon O'Carroll, and William Whayne have been solid along the line while Dante Barnett and Tyler Lockett make great plays in the secondary. This game should be good but will end up in BTW's favor. The Achilles heel for Booker T. in the prior meeting was the inability to move the ball and to defend the pass however things have changed, ''we will win as long as we play team football and keep our heads up.'' The Hornets are on a roll, the offense, defense are on the same page, and ''we want to win.bad.'' said Senior Dillon O'Carroll speaking for the team. There is no debate, HORNETS WIN STATE 28-7.

Semi-Finals: #1 BTW vs. #3 Guthrie

HORNETS ARE GOING TO STATE!! After playing a near perfect game against Guthrie, the Hornets will play for a second state championship in four years. The offense was very efficient led by Senior quarterback Jordy Albert who helped orchestrate five scoring drives and a final score of 38-11. It was within the first five minutes BTW was up 14-0 as Albert was able to connect with Dante Barnett and Tre Stearns on well thrown passes. ''They couldn't do anything against our defense and our offense was doing good so at this point I knew it was going to be a blowout,'' and Albert was right. Isaac Bennett would take over as he would score rushing touchdowns of 4 and 90 yards. He ran behind great blocking from the O line anchored by Jordan Simmons and Derrick Alexander. The offense was able to move the ball because of the solid balance between run and pass plays. Passing worked particularly well with the main focus on short passes, since the defense was playing the deeper pass. The defense played methodical, shutting down the Bluejays offense with ease. Star Kentrell Brothers had one or two big plays but was put in check for most of the night. Guthrie's running game was a non-factor thanks to a solid, unstoppable defensive front led by Dillon O'Carroll and William Whayne. This is one of the best defenses in years at Booker T. Washington and they do not disappoint, as they again did not allow a touchdown. Guthrie managed to score on a blocked field goal and a field goal. Besides that and a few penalties, BTW looked in top, championship form, close to perfect.
Player of the Week: This week again two outstanding performances cannot go unnoticed. Jordy Albert had the best showing of his career as he threw for 195 yards, on 11-16 passing and three touchdown passes. He has not looked any better and he is peaking at the right time. Also Isaac Bennett had another stellar performance as he rushed for 201 yards on 18 carries and two scores. This duo is a nightmare for defenses, as they have to stop both the run and pass. Each week they continue to improve and impress which is key for the offense to have a big night.

Semi-Final preview: # BTW vs. #3 Guthrie

This week's game should be a great one as the top ranked Hornets meet the Blue Jays from Guthrie who are currently ranked 3rd in 5A. The last time these two teams met was in the playoffs two years ago, in a thrilling game that went into triple overtime, and which the Hornets won. Both of these teams have a 9-1 record and are vying for a spot in the championship game. Guthrie is led by Kentrell Brothers who has a great season on both sides of the ball. They have looked great at times but the most solid opponent they have played this year was Carl Albert, and they have not looked that impressive. Booker T. has looked dominating in every 5A game this year and they are riding a 10 game winning streak that dates back to week 3. Derrick Alexander and Dillon O'Carroll lead this defense which has 7 shut outs in 9 games. O'Carroll is coming off of a strong performance last week in which he recorded 14 tackles and 3.5 sacks. They as a unit have dominated opposing offenses and have had solid games. The offense last week was led by Isaac Bennett and Jordy Albert who had good showings last Friday, but only put up 23. That is okay because the defense is too good, if the offense is not able to put up points then the opposing teams offense will not put up any. I like Booker T. in this one because of the defense and because the offense has some big play makers. Booker T. goes to the finals 20-7.

Quarterfinal Playoffs: #1 BTW vs. #9 Edmond Deer Creek

Friday night showed that Booker T. Washington has all the right players and chemistry to win a second championship and three years. A great game by the Hornets led to an 23-0 victory. The score does not really convey the dominance that present, but the stats did. Deer Creek never even got close to scoring and they were only able to manage less then 140 yards of total offense. Throughout the entire game the running lanes were shut down by the line led by Derrick Alexander and Dillon O'Carroll and re enforced by the solid secondary. From the beginning until the end, Deer Creek's offense looked unorganized and sloppy, but give a lot of credit to the Hornet Defense. Two key starters returned for the offense quarterback Jordy Albert and running back Isaac Bennett who played well. The offense and Albert looked a little rusty a first throwing an early interception and unable to do much on offense, but the second quarter Isaac Bennett took over. His 48 yard run to put BTW up 7-0 was one to put on the highlight tape, as he broke tackles, cut back and gave one of the meanest stiff arms I have ever seen to last defender. This was the spark that ignited the points as later before half Albert connected with receiver Dante Barnett to go up 14 yards at half. Another Bennett score and a late field goal by Dylan Seibert would end the scoring. This would a good all around game, not as high scoring as in the past couple of weeks but still a solid game by the whole team. This is the Hornets seventh shut out in nine games, the dominance continues and do not look for it to stop.
Player of the game: This week their were two outstanding performances. Returning from injury he had 152 yards on 14 carries and 2 scores. He seemed unstoppable and almost had several long touchdown runs. This is what happened in only 3 quarters of play as he seemed to re injure his ankle on his last touchdown run. Him behind that strong offensive line is scary, I do not think their is a team in the state that could stop him. Senior offense and defensive lineman Dillon O'Carroll also had a great game on both sides of the ball. On offense he opened holes for the run game and was a big factor in why that was successful. On defense he recorded 14 tackles and 3.5 sacks. His play has been solid all season long and has dominated opposing lineman and offenses.

Quarterfinal Playoff Preview: #1 BTW vs. #9 Edmond Deer Creek

Round two of the playoffs will begin Friday night, and the #1 ranked team in 5A Booker T. Washington(9-1) will host #9 Deer Creek(7-3). BTW is coming off of a dominating shutout win against Claremore, and that momentum will continue to carry on into this one led by the defense. Derrick Alexander heads a front that only less then 120 yards of total offense last week. Mistakes have not really been seen this year with D, they play hard, fundamental football, which creates many problems for the offense. Turnovers are forced constantly and communication between the front 7 and the secondary is close to perfect. This is key say if the offense were to have a not so good performance, defense has always been there for backup. With seven shutouts in nine games, their is no game plan that can beat this team. The offense has looked great for the past couple of weeks, as in the last four games they are averaging 50 points a game. Dominique Sells is emerging into a solid pocket passer, and his turnovers have sharply decreased, a big part of why so many points are being scored. Along with a balanced attack by the tandem Isaac Bennett and Dalshawn McFayden, which have been unstoppable lately. This one will not be as good of a game as people think as Deer Creek has not looked great at times this year, losing by over 20 points to Carl Albert in which BTW beat them. Starters Jordy Albert and Isaac Bennett are listed as game time decisions. Hornets win and move on to the semifinals behind solid D and a methodical offense 47-7.

Playoffs Round 1: #1 BTW vs. Claremore

Playoffs began on high note for the number one ranked Hornets as they went on to defeat the Claremore Zebras in dominating fashion 43-0. Booker T. Washington got off to a slow start on the offensive side of the ball but managed to get on track in the second half as they were able to score 26. "The adjustment came from within, the coaches barked at us for not playing hornet football, and we responded well. We usually do respond well to being chewed out. I think coach Hall should rip into us BEFORE the game instead of at halftime'' said Dillon O'Carroll about the changes that took place at half. Junior tailback DalShawn McFayden had another great performance, starting for the injured Isaac Bennett. He had 136 yards on 20 carries along with 3 total scores. Along with that the passing game looked polished as well. Dominque Sells had a pair of throwing touchdowns to receivers Dante Barnett and Tyler Lockett. All aspects of the offense looked great, zero turnovers and just methodically moving the ball. If this kind of play keeps up, the scoreboard will continue to light up, because it is going to take a great defense to shut this momentum down. The defense all year has been the strong point and that will continue in the playoffs as well, as they were able to record another shutout. Derrick Alexander led the charge again, causing havoc on just about every play. Claremore only had 6 first downs and less then 120 yards of total offense. Yes Claremore was 4-6 coming into the game, but to have a dominating performance like BTW did in the playoffs then it makes it just that much better. Confidence is high, and Coach Hall has been great in incorporating his new system this year, as the Hornets are favored to win the 5A title.
Player of the Week: Junior running back Dalshawn McFayden is this weeks player of the week. He rushed the ball 20 times for 136 yards, 2 touchdowns as well as a receiving touchdown. He is showing more and more maturity/confidence every game. It is key that this continues to develop in case injury prone Isaac Bennett goes down again. I think that he is a smart runner, able to see the holes and then explode through them for big gains. He is becoming a key player on offense and should continue the good games throughout the playoffs.

Round 1 Playoff preview: #1 BTW vs. Claremore

As the days get shorter and as the temperatures drop it can only mean one thing, high school football playoffs! The Hornets begin their quest for another championship on Friday Night at S.E. Williams Stadium at 7:30 against the 4-6 Claremore Zebras. The Zebras are in district 5A-4 and went 3-4 against division foes, and able to grab a late spot in the playoffs. They are coming off of a big loss versus East Central, which BTW beat back in week 3. The Hornets who went undefeated in district play, will look to win their first playoff game since 2008, also the same year the won the championship. When asked about this Senior Derrick Alexander said, '' The mentality is to get this gold ball and redeem our state title that we never got to defend. We had a great week of practice and when that happens we usually win.'' Look for that stat to hold up again this year as they will easily win this one in their first round match up. Isaac Bennett is questionable for this game, if he plays that would be great if he does not it is a good chance for the younger backs to get game in a playoff game so they can gain not only experience and confidence behind a great offensive line. Senior quarterback Dominique Sells will be starting in place of starter Jordy Albert who is out due to a hand injury. At times Sell's performance has been shaky but he is slowly adapting and his stats back him up as he threw three touchdown passes last week. This will only benefit him in case Albert is out long term. The defense has had a great year, forcing the ball and swarming to the ball on every play. They have been the key to BTW's success and that will continue in the playoffs. They are anchored by Senior lineman Derrick Alexander who is having a monster season with 107 tackles and 8 sacks. The confidence is their with this team but they are also focused and poised, again Alexander, ''Were not looking past them. We gotta focus cause they could end our season. But were a good all around team.'' Claremore has not faced an opponent like Booker T. this year, while the Hornets have looked very solid throughout and only show improvement, BTW wins this 45-10.

Week 10: #1 BTW vs. #5 McAlester

In what was supposed to be somewhat of a battle for the 5A-3 district title on senior night, turned into a romp pretty easily as the Booker T. Washington Hornets won 49-18. This gives BTW the number one seed in class 5A as well as home field advantage, so there will be two more games at S.E. Williams stadium this season. The Hornet defense who played a major role in this victory as they were able to shut down 5A's leading offense that was led by quarterback Tony Keifer. They did not even get on the board until late in the first quarter when Kiefer scored on a 6 yard run. In the beginning of the second however there was a short period that made Hornet fans nervous as the Buffaloes made it 21-12 but after it was all BTW. A bad coaching call for McAlester was to go for the two point conversion twice which made no sense and that added confidence to the defense. A good call of Coach Hall was to put superstar lineman Derrick Alexander to spy on the qb and it worked out according to plan as they were held to season low numbers. The Hornet offense was led by senior quarterbacks Jordy Albert and Dominique Sells. In what has been a rather quite passing attack they both threw three touchdowns to a combination of receivers, Dante Barnett, Tyler Lockett and Tre Stearns. ''We just took what they were giving us and that night they were giving us the passing game,'' said Albert about the change. Backup running back Delshawn McFayden had a quite but solid game as he had 88 yards on 19 carries and one score. Balance is so important for a team, it also makes them better as it adds a lot more diversity in the play calling which makes it harder for the opponent to stop them. An injury note, late in the game Albert got hit and injured his hand, which will require surgery and it looks like he will be able to return late in the playoffs.
Player of the Game: This week's player of the game is tight end Tre Stearns. He had 3 touchdown receptions of 3, 35, and 13 yards. It was not his catches that made the play but his runs after the play as he was able to cut and break several tackles. He has been quite but is a major impact in the passing game as we saw, blocking on running plays and he also makes plays on defense. He is a valuable all around tight end, and is a big threat to take it in for a score every time he touches the ball.

Week 10 preview: #1 BTW vs. #5 McAlester

The district 5A-3 title is up on the line this Friday night as the Booker T. Washington Hornets face off against the undefeated McAlester Buffaloes. Also up for grabs in this game is the very important home field advantage. That means that the winner will get to play at home for the first two rounds of the playoffs which will began Friday, November 12th. This is why this is such a crucial game for both teams. The Hornets are coming into this game with four straight shut outs along with a lot of points on offense. They have averaged 33 points a game and are led by a very efficient and strong runny game. Star Isaac Bennet however will not play but his replacements have proven to be just as effective. They include Junior Delshawn Mcfayden and Tre Jones. The passing game has been improving, which will be good to have for playaction plays and on long 3rd and long. Despite a solid running game, Jordy Albert will need a good game to create a good balance if necessary. On defense, which has been great all year, they will need to shut down McAlester's star quarterback Tony Keifer He has looked very impressive this year, having over 3 thousand yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns. However, I think Booker T's defense is too good to let him have a big game. They penetrate, cover and swarm to the ball so quickly that it is hard for any offense to be productive. The Hornet's all around talent is better then McAlester's, their offense will get shut down and they will have a difficult time stopping the offense, especially on the road. Furthermore McAlester has not faced such a good opponent yet and has struggled against weak teams such as Hale and Rogers, while BTW dominated them.Booker T. wins the crucial battle 38-17.

Week 9: #1 BTW vs. Rogers

Booker T. Washington's domination in district play continued on Friday night with a dominating 66-0 over Rogers. From the beginning the Hornets were in control and that was proved by Dante Barnett as he returned the opening kickoff 80 yards, weaving and breaking tackles. Next possession BTW drove down the field for an easy score and that would continue throughout the night as they were up 52-0. Yes points were put up on the board but what was great was that it came from a wide variety of players. Backup running backs Dalshawn McFayden, Deontay Fields, Tre Jones and Jermaine Wright all got into the endzone and having a big impact on the field. This proved that there is good depth at the tailback position which is great to wear out a defense and also as a replacement to Isaac Bennett is questionable for this week's game. Blocking upfront was an area needed to be improved and the mistakes and question marks were all fixed, as they drove blockers off the ball and opened up numerous holes for the runner. This was a good sign as the running game has been the strength of the offense. Senior quarterback Jordy Albert who had a good game approved saying, ''we executed well, I was pleased.'' On defense another shutout which seems to be this teams specialty as they have now recorded their 4th shut out in a row. The domination continues with no sign of a let down as they are led by brothers Derrick and Dominique Alexander. Lineman Dillon O'Carrol l said this when asked about why the defense is so strong every week, ''We get to the ball, in football you don't let them score, they can't win. It's imperative that we win.''
Player of the Week: Dalshawn McFayden, the junior backup running back is this weeks player of the week. He looked more like Isaac Bennett as he rushed for 143 yards on 8 carries and scoring 2 touchdowns. He was a major factor on offense and with each game he is improving which is essential as he will be needed Friday and in the playoffs as well.

Week 9 preview: #1 BTW vs. Rogers

Homecoming 2010 is finally here, and it should be a lot of fun as the number ranked Booker T. Washington Hornets prepare to face off against Rogers. This one should be early over as BTW should easily over power the ropers just as they did last year. The offense is coming off of a good but sloppy performance against Hale, so we will get a chance to see the upgrades and adjustments. Star running back Isaac Bennett will sit this one out as he is still recovering from an ankle injury, so look for several backs to show their potential and have a good game. The offensive line will need to block better in this one to open up more gaps, so whoever the rb is can get by and step into that next gear. Defense should be solid, as Derrick Alexander should again add to his monster senior season up front as you can see in the photo above. BTW will win this Homecoming fairly easy thanks to improvements on offense, limiting mistakes and playing hardcore defense. Hornets win big 52-0.

Week 8: #1 BTW vs. Nathan Hale

The Hornets started out a little sloppy but still managed to win big Friday night 41-0 against Hale at the East Side Sports Complex. Isaac Bennett did not play due to an ankle injury, so it was interesting to see adjustments to the offense as well as the game plan. Early on it was a pass heavy offense as the first three touchdowns were through the air. Senior Quarterback Jordy Albert threw 2 scores to Dante Barnett from 31 and 33 yards out, meanwhile other quarterback Dominique Sells threw a 71 yarder to Tyler Lockett and one later in the third quarter to Tre Stearns. Due to Bennett's injury other running backs got several reps and Junior Delshawn Mcfadden looked impressive on his 33 yard score. Though 41 points were put up, the offense looked very shaky at times, having a hard time moving the ball. Running the ball in the first half for BTW was a struggle, and fundamental mistakes such as fumbles, and penalties were again present. Against Hale anyone should be able to move the ball up and down the field, it is hard to understand why they couldn't do that. Coach Hall needs to re look at his game plan and offense to make serious adjustments because a performance like that will not cut it. I asked senior captain Dillon O'Carroll about the struggles and he said, ''the offensive line just needs to block a little longer. We'll be alrightwe're getting to the point where it doesnt matter who's running the ball, we need to just dominate up front.'' At the quarterback position Jordy Albert is playing better but still needs to improve to be more consistent in his throws but he is playing well. Dominique Sells however should just run the ball when he is the game, passing is not his forte, mistakes every week cannot continue to happen, Albert is a much better passer and Hall should look into running him as a solo quarterback. Defense continues to look great as they record another shut out and they also had an impressive goal line stance to top that off. No question marks here as all the pieces are in place and hard work is paying off. If the Hornets could do the same on offense this team would be unbeatable.
Player of the Week: Senior receiver and safety, Dante Barnett is player of the week. On offense he caught two touchdown passes. Meanwhile he was a workhorse on defense recording several tackles as well as recording an INT. He has had a quite senior year but is a major factor on both sides of the ball. It was good to see him have a breakout game, and in the coming weeks his play should continue to be solid. What makes him a great player is that he plays hard as well as fundamental football, who makes very few mistakes. Barnett is also a key part of this team and should end up in D-1 ball next year.

Week 8 preview: #1 BTW vs. Hale

Week eight should be a very high scoring game, for the Hornets that is. Even though Isaac Bennett will be out for the next three weeks with an ankle injury, the offense should still be dominating. A good fact to know is that over the past 4 weeks Booker T. has scored 147 compared to opponents who have only had 16. Junior Delshawn McFadden should have a great game behind this experienced offensive line. On defense I think another shut out will take place and make it 4 out of 5 games with the opposing team scoring zero points. Derrick Alexander should have a great game to go along with his stellar season. The Hornets will force turnovers and mistakes, this game should be over at half, BTW wins 62-0.

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Week 7: #1 BTW vs. Bishop Kelley

Booker T. Washington's streak of dominance is still present and does not look like it will end as again the Hornets won 21-0 against Bishop Kelley. As in the previous games it was much of the same, basic offense and hardcore defense. It took some time but BTW finally got on the board with 2:12 left to play in the second quarter thanks to a great effort by star runnning back Isaac Bennett. Before halk he would have a big run that led to Jordy Albert throwing a great pass down the middle to Tre Stearns, which put the Hornets up 14-0 at half. Bennett would score again in the third and that score would end up being final. The defense recorded their 3rd shut out in 4 games, shutting down the run and the passing attack. What makes them so good is the speed and experience that they are showing. The defensive line is so good at plugging up holes, and getting into the backfield that the safeties and corners do not have to play close to the line of scrimmage. That allows for the secondary to make big plays and force turnovers, including the linebacking core that has a few INT's as well. They held Kelley to under 120 yards of total offense. The Comets struggled with field position in large part to Dylan Seibert's punting, he averaged over 45 yards a punt. However, in this game, like in previous ones fundamentals were a factor. Over 10 penalties committed by the Hornets hurt on certain drives and conitnued drives for the Comets. As of now they have not had to much of an impact but it would be better to reduce them no doubt as they could hurt against a stronger opponent. But overall a very solid and impressive performance proving why they are the favorites for that gold ball. The Hornets are now 6-1 and 4-0 in district play.
Player of the Week: Isaac Bennett had another strong performance as he rushed for 147 yards on 17 carries, leading the Hornets to a 21-0 victory. He also had two rushing touchdowns and several amazing runs as he broke tackles and even leaped over a defender as you can see in the picture. He is continuing a great senior season in which no team, even Broken Arrow has been able to stop him. Bennett should land on a solid college football team next season.

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Week 7 preview: #1 BTW vs. Bishop Kelley

The #1 ranked Hornets will meet this Friday at S.E. Williams stadium in a re-match of last years wild game in which the Comets won in an upset 28-14 However this year should be a different story as the Hornets have been playing very solid ball for the past couple of weeks. On offense good combination of run and pass has doomed opposing defenses as they are averaging 30 points a game. The defense has been very good this year thanks to a lot of leadership and experience at almost every position. Seniors Derrick Alexander and William Whayne have been dominating in shutting down the run, meanwhile Seniors Tyler Lockett and Dante Barnett have been instrumental in shutting down the passing game. Alexander said the game plan Friday night is, ''stop the run'' which is fitting after BK had a great game on the ground last year but looked for it to be keeped in check. It is for this reason that the Hornets have had 2 shut outs in the last three games, and will go for another against the Comets. Bishop Kelley is not the same team as last year as they are not even ranked in the top 10 however they are tied for third in District 5A-3. Booker T. has looked very solid and I cannot see BK coming in on the road and defeating the red hot Hornets, BTW wins 35-10.

Week 6: #1 BTW at Collinsville

The Booker T. Washington Hornets remain undefeated in district play after another brilliant performance Friday night. BTW took care of business on both sides of the ball forcing numerous turnovers and making big plays that led to a very solid 42-0 win. For the second time in 3 games, the defense recorded a shut out in which they deserved. Derrick Alexander led the Hornets as he disrupted several plays, Dante Barnett had an important interception and William Whayne recovered a fumble. The Hornets have a very good turnover margin and that has been key to the current success, and why they win by so many points. ''Were playing unselfish team ball,'' said Whayne on the defensive success. On offense Tyler Lockett stole the show as he had 3 touchdown catches and showed why he is going to play D-1 ball next year. Isaac Bennett had a good but rather quite game, as he also took it in for a score. Tre Stearns scored his second touchdown of the year, the passing game looked a lot better then in previous games thanks to great play by both Dominique Sells and Jordy Albert. The Hornets are looking very consistent and that is important as the playoffs approach. Every week the team continues to improve on both sides of the ball, also the coaches have been doing a good job a preparation. Whayne on the consistancy, ''because we are unselfish and all after that gold ball at the end of the year.'' A great quote which is 100 percent true. This week will be a tougher challenge for the number one ranked Hornets as they will host Bishop Kelly at 7 p.m. Friday night at S.E. Williams stadium.
Player of the Week: This week's player of the week is senior all around man Tyler Lockett. He finally had his break out game, getting on the board three times for BTW asnd twice from qb Jordy Albert.. His good game was instrumental in the win, look for other big games by him in the upcoming weeks. Also had a solid game on defense shutting down the passing game.

Week 6 preview: #1 BTW at Collinsville

This week the number one ranked Hornets will take the road for the third time this season, with a match up against the Collinsville Cardinals. Not too much is known about this team because they are not that good but here are some important notes. Coached by Bob Craig the team is 3-2 on the year coming off of a big win against Rogers 47-0. They are currently ranked 3 in district 5A-3. However they have not played a team like BTW this year, and that is not good. The Hornets are coming off of a great win against Memorial last Friday in which they played a very proficient game dominating all aspects. This week should be much of the same, as the Hornets look to continue to improve and win. Senior Isaac Bennett should have another great game as he has every game this year, look for his presence to be a major factor, as he will rush for over 100 yards and get a few scores. Give credit as well to the mature offensive line and receivers who have blocked very well and opened up major holes for big gains. Last week we saw other pieces of the offense make plays created a good compliment to Bennett, that included receiver Tyler Lockett and quarterback Jordy Albert. On the defensive side of the ball Derrick Alexander has had a very good couple of weeks going double digit in tackles back to back, weeks along with brother Dominique who has had several defensive scores. He is a force on the line who has been making plays all over the field, forcing bad plays and mistakes. Turnover ratio is looking solid ever since the Broken Arrow game, interceptions and fumbles have been scooped up by the swarming defense. Booker T. will remain unbeaten in district play with a dominating win against Collinsville 35-13

Week 5: #1 BTW vs. Memorial

Tulsa Public school rivals Booker T. Washington and Memorial met on the gridiron Friday night at S.E. Williams stadium, with the Hornets coming in as the heavy favorites and they did not disappoint. BTW got on the board early and never trailed in this one as they went on to rout the Chargers 49-16. It did not take long for Booker T. to strike first as Jordy Albert took the ball in from 36 yards out, it was a botched play as Albert was supposed to hand it off, but their was some miscommunication and he did what we he could do and scored. After that it was 7 straight touchdowns and went in to half with a 42-0 lead. Reserves were out on the field for the second half and only allowed 16 points, and Isaac Bennett took a hand off down the sideline for 85 yards, finally getting that 49 on the scoreboard. Isaac played another spectacular game scoring twice on 13 carries and obtained 147 yards. The offense looked very good, rushing for over 210 yards and gaining 96 through the air thanks to solid play from senior quarterbacks Dominique Sells and Jordy Albert who both contributed for a combined 28 points. Another revelation was the defense anchored by senior lineman Derrick Alexander with 12 tackles, they were all over the field making plays and forcing turnovers. Brother Dominique Alexander also played a major role, returning a fumble for a score. Tyler Lockett returned an interception was a big play as that gave the Hornets a 35- lead, and on the next drive he caught a touchdown pass. The only concern coming out of this game was that Booker T. committed 11 penalties for 104 yards costing 2 touchdowns, but overall an all around great performance, which gives this team momentum as district play continues and some re assurance to the fans that the Hornets are the team to beat in 5A. If these fundamental penalties can be avoided that would be great because a better team then Memorial could capitalize on it or again in this case take points away. Next Friday BTW will travel to Collinsville in a district match up so tune in for the preview later this week.
Player of the Week: Isaac Bennett had a wonderful game going for 147 yards on 13 carries and two scores. His numbers would have been even better but penalties eliminated two long rushing touchdowns. On Friday he averaged a very solid 11 yards a carry and he seemed unstoppable at times. Give the line a lot of credit for opening up holes throughout the entire game, they are both on the same page and it shows week in and week out. He is a special player so look for his numbers to only get better as he leads this offense.

Week 5 preview: #1 BTW vs. Memorial

This week's game will be a hard fought match up between rivals Booker T. Washington and Memorial. The Hornets are coming off of a 35-0 win at Skiatook while the Chargers are coming off of a dreadful 63-26 loss too McAlester. Over the years Booker T. has dominated this series and look for that to continue Friday night as this should be a runaway win. No team has been able to stop Isaac Bennett, as last week he averaged 11 yards a carry and scored 3 times. The Charger defense will struggle to contain this offense so look for the offensive stars to have spectacular games. The Chargers are led by quarterback Alex Bollinger, who has thrown for 667 yards and 5 touchdowns. However the Hornets have been solid all year on defense, keeping major weapons in check and Memorial just is not that good. Look for Senior Dante Barnett and Junior Jarvis Hinson to have big plays at the line of scrimmage and on pass defense, because Bollinger will have lots of pressure. Coach Hall needs to pressure throughout forcing mistakes, which could lead to a turnover or a big play for the D. Fundamentals and mistakes will be an important factor as well and I believe the Hornets will easily win this category. This should be an all around solid game for the Hornets with a final score of 31-14. When i asked Senior Dillon O'Carrol about what aspects of the Hornets game will be improved he said, ''all of them''.

Week 4: #1 BTW at Skiatook

District play began Friday night on a good note for Hornets, winning easily in Skiatook 35-0. Booker T. looked great on both sides of the ball as they look to reclaim their district 5A-3 crown. The Hornets got on the board early with an opening drive covering 91 yards in 7 plays, it was capped off by a 54 yard touchdown run by Army All-American candidate Isaac Bennett that took 6:47 minutes. 2 minutes later Dominique Sells made it 14-0 when he threw a nice ball to Tyler Lockett who took it in for BTW. Everything went well in the first half, on both sides of the ball, however the offense still did not looked as polished as it could be. Proof of this took place late in the second quarter, when the Hornets fumbled deep in Bulldog territory erasing a possible 21-0 halftime lead. Coach Hall would have to wait until their first second half to reach the 21 point mark thanks to another score from Bennett this time from 30 yards out. A gutsy fake punt on fourth down was able to set that up. On the play Dominique Alexander got the snap and took it nine yards and a first down keeping the drive alive. The Hornets would go on to score two more times in the third quarter stretching the lead to 35-0, which would end up being the final. Bennett took it in for a one yard touchdown and Jordy Albert hooked up with Tyler Lockett for a nice 48 yard strike giving Albert his first score of the season. It was a big play not only for the team but Albert who said, '' he had no emotional attachment to the pass, it was merely another day at the office.'' Their are still a few little things the Hornets can improve on, playing a complete fundamental game, not committing penalties are fumbling the bal as it happened again Friday. Senior Dillon O'Carroll agrees saying, ''we still haven't played a complete game, we need to do a better job of dominating.'' Unlike last years team the ability to put away oppnents is lacking and that could hurt in the playoffs. The offense is slowly getting better with everyone on the same page, when they do, the stat book should fill up and the points will gradually increase but until we remain a defensive team which makes us vulnerable against high scoring teams Broken Arrow for example. However their is much time to improve and rival Memorial will be good as they are better then Skiatook but not a contender. Tune in later this week as i will preview this weeks game!

Player of the Week: This week's player of week is for the third week in a row Isaac Bennett. He ran for 171 yards on 15 carries, 3 touchdowns and averaging an amazing 11 yards a carry. He was key on every drive consistently picking up big yardage and first downs. Look for another big game this week against Memorial.

Week 4 preview: #1 BTW at Skiatook

After escaping a sloppy played game against East Central last Thursday, this should be a great game to rebound from for the Hornets. They will be playing Friday night in Skiatook at 7:30 p.m in the first district match up this year. The bulldogs are 0-3 on the year and have been outscored by opponents 129-12. That means if the BTW offense gets going this should be a blowout. Look for Isaac Bennett to have another stellar performance in this match up. Also a surprise to keep an eye on will be the defensive line, Skiatook has a very young and inexperienced offense so look for the mature defensive line. Dillon O'Carroll and Derrick Alexander could get or be apart of a few sacks and fumbles. Coach Hall has a good opportunity to get some question marks on the team including at cornerback. With the departure of Terrence Taylor, this leaves a major hole in the secondary which needs to be fixed. Also Jordy Albert will get a lot of game time to adjust and get comfortable in the pocket, as he will get on the same page with his receivers. When i spoke with senior reciever/corner Tyler Lockett he said the things that will be worked on will be, ''our technique and getting more comfortable with the offense and just doing our jobs.'' This will be a tough one for the Bulldogs but there shall be no upset here look for the Hornets to win 72-7.

Week 3: #1 BTW at #3 East Central

In a game that came down to the 4th quarter Booker T. Washington was able to escape East Central with a 27-24 win on Thursday. Unlike the previous two years this was a close game but the Hornets managed to play good enough defense to move to 2-1 on the year. Isaac Bennett was the star of the night carrying the ball 18 times for 165 yards and also catching the game winning touchdown pass. He made up for the struggling offense that was led by the return of quarterback Jordy Albert who went 4-8 for 43 yards an INT and a touchdown pass. Booker T. jumped out to an early 10-0 lead thanks to a 38 yard field goal by Dylan Seibert and then followed by an interception return from Tre Jones. But in the second quarter the Cardinals got the offense rolling continuously pounding the football and scoring 10 points making it 13-10 at half. That was the story the whole game, EC's front seven dominated the Hornets defense leading to big run after big run. EC tailback Donta Burge finished with 185 yards on the night. The major weakness however was the passing game as the Hornets returned all 3 back for a touchdown, but the last one was called back for an illegal block in the back. The Cardinals QB John McDavid when under pressure just threw the ball up for grabs instead of throwing it away, and that would turn out to be the difference. A fourth quarter INT return and TD pass was just enough to win 27-24. The Hornet's have relied on the defense this year as the offense has struggled to get anything going. The passing game has not shown to be dependable however Albert should gain confidence as he is getting back into rhythm. Isaac Bennett is the fire to that offense but giving him the ball every play will eventually get shut down. Around 20 carries a game is a good number for him so it maintains a good offensive balance as well as reduces the injury risk. Another weakness that was exposed again is the run defense. In the past two weeks the Hornet defense has allowed over 500 yards rushing, not only does it move the ball, but it tires out the D opening up more possibilities for the offense. This cannot continue to happen, the pass defense has been just a little bit better, but what concerns me is that what will happen if we play a team with a solid QB and RB such as Broken Arrow. Adjustments are necessary to prevent another loss. If McDavid played smarter who knows what the outcome would have been. The suspension of Terrence Taylor does not help as he has played corner for three years, and was great in coverage. His absence was felt as the Cardinals scored on the same pass play two times during the game. Another thing is not having a good fullback. In high school it is not a big deal but BTW could have used one. I do not like Delshawn McFadden at fullback, he missed a few blocks as well as one in the open field which would have given Bennett a long TD run. He is good in that number two spot as he too has good speed and vision. Maybe putting a linebacker in there for a few plays, but when in the I formation one is key. This year's team is lacking the intensity on both sides of the ball but especially on defense, a player needs to step up and take up that big hitter role. Next week's game will be very beneficial against Skiatook so these issues can be figured out and taken care of.
Player of the Week: For the second week in a row Army All-American candidate Isaac Bennett is the player of the week. He rushed 18 times for 165 yards and catching the game winning touchdown pass in the 4th quarter. At this point it is hard to tell if there will be another player of the week as he has carried much of the load for this team. Runs to the outside went very well and he was name the State Farm Classic player of the game.

Week 3 preview: #1 BTW vs. #3 East Central

Preview: The top ranked Hornets will renew their rivalry with East Central this Thursday night at the East Side Sports Complex at 7pm in the 2010 State Farm Classic. This game will be particularly interesting as Jordy Albert makes his long anticipated return on the field after serving his two game suspension. ''I've never been so excited. I've been ready for this for a really long time'' said Albert and so have Hornet fans he should help the offense as at times they have struggled to put points on the board and convert on third downs. On paper this may seem as a toss up game but for the last several years BTW has dominated the series, beating EC 7-0 in the All-City game. However last season this game was foreshadowed by a series of events taking place in the crowd cutting the game short, but expect the intensity to move from the stands to the field this year. East Central coach Travis Hill and his team are 2-0 on the season and confidence is sky high as they look for the upset and a major win for the program. The mood is little different on the Hornets sideline as they suffered a tough loss on the hands of Broken Arrow, a win here would really instill confidence in this team. Look for both running back Isaac Bennett and quarterback Jordy Albert to have big games. The defense led by Derrick Alexander will be nothing less then hardcore on the cardinal offense as they will force plenty of mistakes. I expect domination in all three areas defense, special teams and defense as the Hornets should take this one 31-13. The past few years have been dominated by Eric Bennett but it is time another Hornet to make his name for himself, and what can we expect from Albert? ''I understand defenses better and defensive concepts much better and you should expect few turnovers and mistakes.'' Also other players to mention and look for on offense and defense include: Tyler Lockett, Dante Barnett, and Dillon O'Carroll.

Week 2: Booker T. vs Broken Arrow

A great first quarter by Broken Arrow was just enough to steal a win from the Hornets. The Tigers ranked #3 in class 6A came into this game looking to beat Booker T. #1 in 5A for the third year in a row and what a game it was at S.E. Williams stadium. The tigers got on the board twice in the first quarter to take a 12-0 lead thanks to runs by Richie Fruechting. It looked to be another easy win for BA but great 2nd quarter adjustments made by Coach Hall lead to big plays for the Hornets. Led by Isaac Bennett who played in his first game this season who had a big night and scored the first BTW touchdown on a 59 yard pass play. BA however answered right back with another twelve yard run. To end the half senior QB Dominique Sells led Booker T. to two scoring drives and went in at the half with all of the momentum. Tiger coach Steve Spavital made several key decisions including to go with power football, running the ball and playing hardcore defense, shutting out the Hornets in the 2nd half. Meanwhile Fruechting would end the night with over 250 yards rushing and 5 td's leading BA to a 32-17 win improving to 2-0 on the season.
This game was very winnable for BTW as this would have been their biggest win of the season. The inability to stop the run, and make tackles at the line of scrimmage allowed big runs and points. On most of Fruechting's runs he broke at least one tackle, but BA did a great job of opening up holes. Their draw play was worked well as not enough inside blitzes were called to stop this play, if the D cannot stop it then why not continue to run it. Going into half BTW had all of the momentum everything was going there way but not capitalizing on it going into the 3rd set the tone for the rest of the game. Cramps kept several payers out for a while including CB Terrence Taylor and RB Isaac Bennett. Backup Daylshawn McFaydden though continued to show his potential having two or three big runs but we seemed to go away from the run and pass more. But the offense never got going or into a solid rhythm as BA's defense played very solid. Long offensive drives led by QB Archie Bradley wore down the defense by pounding it inside and converting on 3rd down plays. Special teams played well not letting any blocks take place or returns, but penalties were still present having an impact, mostly illegal motions penalties.

Player of the Week: Running back Isaac Bennett returning back in the line up was very productive on offense. Scoring on a lateral play, and setting up the only other touchdown with powerful runs up the middle and nifty moves on the outside. He was limited in the 3rd quarter due to cramps but was still a major factor.

This game i think will help Booker T. to serve as a building block and as a motivator. Senior captain Dillon O'Carroll agreed saying "We didn't play bad as individuals, we just played bad as a team. We have to come together and improve in all facets. We're taking this as an opportunity to see what we did wrong and move forward, our final goals are still attainable and we're still gonna show up everyday and work to get them." The hornets our now 1-1 with a game against East Central on Thursday night hoping to regain confidence as the season rolls forward. When asked about the teams mentality was moving forward into the next few weeks O'Caroll said, ''win.''

Week 1: Booker T. vs. Carl Albert

High school football is back in green country which means time for the hornets to win another state title. After missing the playoffs last year, new head Coach Darrell Hall and the #1 hornets looked to continue the tradition in Midwest City against #3 Carl Albert. The team this year the defense is led by linemen Dillon O'Carroll and Derrick Alexander and safety Dante Barnett all division one prospects. The Offense will be led by US Army All-America candidate Isaac Bennett, Jordy Albert and Tyler Lockett. The game Friday night was the first test and what a game it was.

The Hornets got on the board early when QB Dominique Sells(playing in place of Albert) connected with Tre Stearns for a 18 yard touchdown pass. Despite this early score it would turn out to be a defensive struggle as penalties, mistakes and turnovers were present from beginning to end. Washington's special teams was the major disappointment as CA managed to block a punt, a field goal and two extra points. Coach Hall will have to make some changes because BA will no doubt take advantage of this. Score going into half was still 6-0 BTW. The titans managed a field goal in the 3rd quarter to set up a very intense and thrilling 4th quarter. An interception by Dante Barnett lead to Sells scoring on a 2o yd QB keeper to make it 12-6. After blocking a punt, Carl Albert was able to set up a short drive and score a few plays later to make it 12-10 with less then 6 minutes left to play. A stand by the titan defense would give them the ball near mid field and chance for a game winning drive. Completing a series of short passes including converting on a 4th and long, they went for the game winning field goal....WIDE RIGHT! HORNETS WIN!!!!!

This is a great win and a great way to kickoff the 2010 season, for Coach Hall and the team. 1-0 but there are improvents to be made for this weeks tough match up against 6A Broken Arrow. The defense looked great only allowing 10 points and they will need to continue that led by seniors Derrick Alexander and Dillon O'Carroll. The major dilemma is special teams. Blocking up front needs to improve, BA is a much faster and more athletic team then Carl Albert and that is a strong point for their team. Last year BA was dominant blocking several punts and field goals setting themselves up for easy points. Containing the inside rush as well as the speed rushers form the outside will be key.Whether there is a personnel shift or even a new formation this cannot continue to happen.

Player of the Week: Dominique Sells. His first game at QB went well, a few mistakes but normal for the first game in the absence of Jordy Albert. He went 10-20 for 93 yards and a TD pass. He also ran 4 times for 29 yards. When pressured he did very well in finding ways to escape and something out of nothing.

Injuries and Ineligibility kept some key starters out included: Jordan Simmons, Boston Williamson, Jordy Albert, and Isaac Bennett. The Hornet coaching staff did well in filling these gaps and not letting it affect the offense and defense. All of these players except Albert will be on the field this week.

Preview: This week the Hornets will face off against 6A power Broken Arrow at 7:30 pm at S.E. Williams Stadium. Some key match ups will include:
The hornet defense needs to be solid up front and in the secondary. Big plays cannot be allowed and forcing Bradley into bad throws is crucial. Speed Blitzes, zone blitzes will all be affective. Fundamentally sound football is probably the most important, penalties and dumb mistakes need to be avoided, every yard counts and in avoiding this it could lead to big plays.
The return of Isaac Bennett will bring a spark to the offense. Look for him to have a big game whether its running the ball or catching it out in the flats. Sells will need to play smart as well. I think that more QB draws would be affective in catching the defense off guard and opening up the potential for big yard plays.
Special teams again needs to be greatly improved, and this is an area that will be important and that BTW has the potential to win.
Prediction: BTW 20-14 over BA