Commerce scores 123 points in first two football victories

By Richard Polen

rpolen@joplinglobe.com

COMMERCE, Okla. — The Commerce Tigers have made quick work of their first two high school football opponents this season.

The Tigers have moved up to No. 7 in The Daily Oklahoman’s Class A rankings after a 61-7 victory Friday at Fairland, which followed a 62-6 decision over Wyandotte in their season-opener.

But it is Foyil, Commerce’s opponent on Friday, that has captured head coach Willie Ng’s attention after its 60-14 victory last week over Hulbert.

“They’re much improved from last year,” Ng said of Foyil, which fell to Sallisaw Central 21-14 in its season-opener. “They’re very athletic with big running backs. Their offensive line is bigger. They have a new coach and a new offensive system.”

Foyil’s ground-oriented offense utilizes a tight end, wingback, receiver and running back in a variety of formations, he said. “They’re doing a lot of motion, a little misdirection, sweeps,” he said. “It’s a good thing we’re playing them here.”

Ng, in his fourth season at Commerce, is in his second season as the Tigers’ head coach.

Commerce’s first-team offense hasn’t seen much playing time so far this season. Most of the starters were out of the game in the second half against Wyandotte, and the Tigers ran just 11 plays in the first half against Fairland. Commerce scored on its first three possessions and four of the first five.

“We got up 21-0 and I felt like we put it on cruise control,” Ng said. “We got to the point where we played lackadaisical. (Fairland) ran a kickoff back to about the 6-yard line and scored a touchdown on a little fade pass.”

Bryson Sullivan, Commerce’s leading rusher, had three touchdowns and about 200 yards rushing against Fairland, Ng said. Sullivan, 6-foot-1, 180 junior, lines up in a backfield that includes senior quarterback Joey Bowling and fullback Austin McMain.

“Bryson offensively has been our workhorse,” Ng said. “Our offensive line is starting to gel. I think we’ve found the right combination there.”

Commerce, which has 17 juniors on the roster, has benefited from the play of sophomore Braden Smith, who joins senior Mikey Morgan and McMain, a junior, at linebacker. Sullivan is the strong safety.

“Our junior class is probably one of the better classes we’ve had around here in a while,” Ng said.