Picher transfers will aid Commerce

When Picher-Cardin schools shut down its athletic programs after a federal buyout of the town, it forced dozens of kids to transfer to other schools. Eight came to Commerce to play football this fall.

"I just hate to see it," Trimble said. "I just feel sorry for those kids just to have to leave your junior and senior year. It's a bad thing to have happen to you."

But those who have moved on to Commerce, putting an old rivalry aside, will find themselves on a winning football team, and among friends.

"We're all so close around here that a lot of our kids already knew the ones coming over," Trimble said. "Everyone understands the situation and our kids have welcomed them with open arms."

Trimble said as many as five or six starters could come out of the eight players coming to Commerce from Picher. And that's good news for a team already returning 15 starters off a 12-1 team.

Commerce hasn't lost a district game in four years. Junior running back James Sullivan, who ran for 1,300 yards last season, returns. Move-in Daniel Walker (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) gives the team a sound option at quarterback.

"The kids have worked hard, they've gone to a passing league and done all of the off-season workouts," Trimble said. "We've got a lot of talent and experienced players. In my 17 years as head coach, this is probably one of the best teams we've had."

District A-7 at a glance
Coaches' Predictions

1. Commerce
2. Afton
3. Oklahoma Union
4. Fairland
5. Quapaw
6. Copan
7. Ketchum

COMMERCE BENGAL TIGERS
Last year's record: 12-1

Returning starters: 7 offensive 8 defensive

Top players:LB/RB Jared Dopp, 6-1, 205, Sr.; QB Daniel Walker, 6-1, 195, Sr.; RB James Sullivan, 5-10, 205, Jr.; WR Josh Kelley, 5-7, 160, Sr.

The facts: Commerce had made strong playoff runs seven of the past eight years. This time around, they hope to get over the top and with 15 starters returning, including running back James Sullivan who ran for 1,300 yards a sophomore, it's possible.

Head coach: Rick Trimble

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Colcord

AFTON EAGLES
Last year's record: 7-4

Returning starters: 7 offensive 7 defensive

Top players:RB/DB Shea Henry, 5-11, 185, Sr.; TE/LB Matt Handy, 6-3, 220, Sr.; FB/LB Jesse Gibson, 5-9, 170, Sr.

The facts: Afton will feature strong skill players but will need to overcome inexperience on the offensive and defensive lines.

Head coach: Jerry Springer

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Mounds

OKLAHOMA UNION COUGARS
Last year's record: 8-3

Returning starters: No information provided/

Top players:No information provided.

The facts: No information provided.

Head coach: Lance Williams

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Oswego, Kan.

FAIRLAND OWLS
Last year's record: 4-6

Returning starters: 7 offensive 7 defensive

Top players:DE/TE Justin Thompson, 6-2, 225, Sr.; OT/DT Corey Beaver, 6-2, 235, Sr.; FB/LB Chuck Cassinelli, 5-7, 200, Jr.

The facts: Fairland must replace its starting running back and quarterback from last year's team. But coach Jerry Johnson said with an all-time high of 25 kids out for football, finding replacements will be a little easier.

Head coach: Jerry Johnson

Season opener: Sept. 1 at Porum

QUAPAW WILDCATS
Last year's record: 3-7

Returning starters: No information provided.

Top players: No information provided.

The facts: No information provided.

Head coach: James Dawson

Season opener: Aug. 31 vs. Wyandotte

COPAN HORNETS
Last year's record: 7-4

Returning starters: 7 offensive 8 defensive

Top players:QB/RB Jarret Burdick, 5-4, 175, Jr.; OG/DT Cody Johnson, 6-2, 250, Sr.; OL/FB/DT Brad Tatum, 5-8, 190, Jr.

The facts: Copan makes the step up from 8-man football, and it will be a big step. Only a handful of Copan's players have played 11-man football in the past.

Head coach: Mike Gray

Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Foyil

KETCHUM WARRIORS
Last year's record: 0-10

Returning starters: 8 offensive 8 defensive

Top players:LB/RB Matt Johnston, 5-11, 215, Sr.; OL/LB Michale Black, 5-8, 160, Sr.; QB Dakota Evans, 5-11, 155, Sr.

The facts: Evans is a four-year starter at quarterback, and Johnston comes back to the lineup after missing his junior season because of a knee injury. He was voted the district's newcomer of the year as a sophomore.

Head coach: Chad Burnham

Season opener: Sept. 1 at Adair