CPHS Football Preview: No. 6 Muskogee hopes to sabotage No. 7 Sandites' Homecoming

Former Sandite quarterback Hunter Greathouse hands the ball off to Payton Scott in last year's 26-25 victory over No. 1 Muskogee. Scott carried 25 times for 116 yards and a touchdown in that game. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School varsity football team (4-2 overall, 2-0 district) will host No. 6 Muskogee (2-4, 1-2) for Homecoming Friday night at Memorial Stadium as they look to secure their fifth-straight victory and first home-victory of the season.

The Sandites dropped their season opener unsurprisingly, 59-21 to nationally ranked No. 21 Pulaski Academy (6-0), then gave up a come-from behind 21-20 loss to No. 9 Choctaw (4-3, 1-3). Since then they've rattled off wins of 28-14 at No. 12 Putnam City West (1-5), 31-16 at No. 15 Sapulpa (0-6, 0-3), 26-21 at 6A-I No. 9 Yukon (3-3) and 41-7 at No. 14 Ponca City (1-5, 1-2).

Muskogee (2-4, 1-2) lost a close 26-20 battle to No. 2 Midwest City (5-1) in the season opener, then scored a 54-0 shutout over 5A McAlester (1-5). They fell 43-35 to Arkansas 7A No. 5 Bentonville West (6-0), but rebounded with a 71-6 drubbing of No. 13 Bartlesville (0-5, 0-2). They lost their last two bouts 38-23 to No. 3 Bixby (3-3, 2-0) and 42-21 to No. 1 Booker T. Washington (6-1, 3-0). 

Historically Muskogee leads the series 20-6, but all six of the Sandites' wins have been in an ongoing streak dating back to 2011. Their most recent win involved a radical two-point conversion that earned them the No. 1 ranking and the ESPN No. 1 Play of the Night. Hunter Greathouse's pass was batted back at him and he tried to take it to the house himself. He pitched a lateral to Josh Taber while being tackled, and Taber broke several tackles to score the winning points with under a minute remaining to upend the undefeated Roughers. 

Dustin Kinard is the only Sand Springs coach to ever win against Muskogee, and has a career record of 59-56 in his eleven years heading the program. He gave the Sandites their first winning season and first playoff appearance in over a decade in 2008, and the Sandites have had winning records and playoff appearances for the past five years, with a 6A-II State Finals appearance in 2015. 

Rafe Watkins is 17-20 in his fourth season at Muskogee, and last year took them to a 9-2 record after three-straight 3-7 seasons. He previously spent thirteen years in Guthrie where he led the Bluejays to four 5A State Championships. His career record stands at 150-44.

Both teams have taken heavy losses since last year. Muskogee graduated their entire O-line, while the Sandites lost their quarterback and entire receiving squad. 

This year's game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. and will be preceded by a tailgate party with the Church That Matters Holy Smokers. The church will be selling hot dogs, burgers, drinks, and other foods prior to the game as a fundraiser for the defending State Champion Sandite Wrestling team. 

Muskogee Avg. Box Score

Points: 37
Rushing: 30-119
Passing: 21-35-332-1
Plays-Yards: 51-451
Penalties 9-84

Allowed: 26
Rushing: 39-159
Passing: 11-22-202-1
Plays-Yards: 61-361
Penalties: 9-66

Sand Springs Avg. Box Score

Points: 28
Rushing: 43-278
Passing: 5-10-66-1
Plays-Yards: 53-344
Penalties: 4-33

Allowed: 23
Rushing: 38-211
Passing: 13-21-142-1
Plays-Yards: 59-353
Penalties: 6-47

Sand Springs vs. Muskogee History

2016: Sand Springs 26-25 (A)
2015: Sand Springs 34-10 (H)
2014: Sand Springs 13-0 (A)
2013: Sand Springs 39-14 (H)
2012: Sand Springs 40-28 (A)
2011: Sand Springs 7-3 (H)
2010: Muskogee 44-14 (A)
2009: Muskogee 37-29 (A)
2008: Muskogee 39-37 (H)
2007: Muskogee 49-21 (A)
2006: Muskogee 57-21 (H)
2005: Muskogee 47-25 (A)
2004: Muskogee 27-6 (H)
2003: Muskogee 37-14 (H)
2002: Muskogee 38-12 (A)

1995: Muskogee 28-6
1994: Muskogee 20-14 (OT)

1961: Muskogee 38-6
1960: Muskogee 14-5
1959: Muskogee 40-14
1958: Muskogee 12-0
1957: Muskogee 34-6
1956: Muskogee 7-0
1955: Muskogee 24-6
1954: Muskogee 40-12
1953: Muskogee 20-0