2025 Week 17 (Oklahoma)

Week 17 was the first half of a two weekend trip to close out the season. I had considered covering the PIAA Championships in Mechanicsburg. However, with pass limitations I let some more local photographers take up sideline positions.

At first, I was going to go to North Carolina. And that way I could see at least six games. UNC was hosting two doubleheaders on Thursday and Friday. While two different locations had doubleheaders on Saturday.

The second weekend would be at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Or, mid-week games in Atlanta, Georgia as a fallback option. However, with credentials for Texas, Texas was it.

But then I found that Oklahoma’s OSSAA had their title games split between two weekends. The Sooner State had twelve total championship games. With six games on one weekend, and six more on the next. And that would put us much closer to AT&T Stadium. A much easier weekend of travel.

I made hotel arrangements in Oklahoma and plotted out my trip. There would be a lot of time between the Oklahoma and Texas games. On Tuesday, I headed west from home onto I-76 to I-71 to Columbus. Picking up my friend, and then heading west on I-70 into Indiana.

Heading through Indianapolis, and follow I-70 into Illinois. At a quick pace, heading into Vandalia and stopping for dinner at one of the few Ponderosa’s still open. Dinner was good. And then over to the America’s Best Inn across town.

In the morning, it was a quick start with a photo of the arch out front of the hotel. Then taking I-70 into St. Louis and onto I-44.

It was a quick drive through Missouri to Oklahoma. Stopping at Buc-EEs just outside Springfield. Spending $21 on some jerky and beaver nuggets as well as gas. Back on I-44, but got off at the stateline on US400 to avoid the tolls in Oklahoma. They moved to cashless, and the toll-by-plates are much higher. And I’d need to get to OKC to get a transponder as I hadn’t planned this in advance. And EZ-Pass doesn’t work.

Off US400, it was a quick drive along US166 through Baxter Springs and south on US69 through the abandoned town of Picher, Oklahoma. Continuing on US69 through Miami and Afton into Vinita.

Stopping at Clanton’s Cafe for dinner. Opting for the the Bacon Cheeseburger. Situated on Historic US66, Clanton’s Cafe is a perfect diner example of the past. The food was great. It was reasonably priced. And the place was busy.

From there, it was still a few hours of shunpiking to get to Edmond. Calling it a night at the Executive Inn. It was a late night, and the first game would start at noon on Thursday.

This was just my third game in the state of Oklahoma. It was a quick drive from the hotel. And the parking was free and fairly available across the street. Tickets were individually priced, as the games were scheduled at 12 and 7pm each day. For $13 plus a 50 cent ticketing fee.

#65 – Talihina v. Hominy

All six games this weekend were eleven-man games. Though starting with the smallest eleven-man schools. The 1AD2 championship featured Talihina Golden Tigers and Hominy Bucks. For the weekend, it was the first time seeing all twelve teams.

As just a fan in the stands, I didn’t take much notes on the games. And photography was limited from the stands. This weekend was more to just enjoy the game. And all six games were great.

In this first game, Talihina had an 18-0 halftime lead, and held on for a 26-20 victory.

After the game, there was nearly four hours to kill before the night game. So, a quick at Walmart and then back to the hotel. Processed the few photos I took of the first game. Ate some food. And back to the stadium for the night game.

#66 – Rejoice Christian v. Tonkawa

This was the most one-sided game of the weekend. Though it wasn’t without intrigue. Rejoice Christian led 20-0 at the half, and had a slim 20-13 lead, with the defense on the field before a stop and two more scores iced it. Winning, 34-13 over the Tonkawa Buccaneers.

After the game it was a quick ride back to the hotel. Got situated and had dinner. The next morning it was back over to the stadium after getting tickets online for the day.

The second day of games was the two 2A class finals. Starting with Division II between the Adair Warriors and Vian Wolverines.

#67 – Adair v. Vian

Vian trailed, 26-6 in the first half, then came back to take the lead. Adair scored in the fourth quarter to go up 34-29. Vian had one last crack at it, throwing incomplete into the endzone on the final play of the game. Giving Adair the win, 34-29.

Once again, after the game it was back to the hotel to kill time before the 7pm kickoff of the 2AD1 game between the Jones Longhorns and Washington Warriors.

#68 – Jones v. Washington

The game was a close one. 6-6 through the first half, before Jones rattled off two straight touchdowns in the third. At the end, Washington made a comeback attempt, scoring a touchdown and two point conversion to be down 20-14. An interception at the end gave Jones the victory. Holding off another comeback attempt. Winning, 20-14.

After the game, it was back to the truck, and over to the hotel. Another quick night and to get ready for Saturday.

At this point the schedule became routine. It was such a quick drive between the hotel and stadium. And the crowds weren’t bad enough to fill up all the available parking on the east side of the field.

In the morning, it was back over to the stadium for the 3A and eventually 4A championships. The stadium at University of Central Oklahoma is a great venue. Chad Richison Stadium is the perfect sized venue for state championship games. Both sides of roughly equal seating. Top quality facilities and pressbox. And massive video board on the south endzone side.

Saturday was cold. Very cold. And the night game was going to be brutal.

#69 – Tulsa Lincoln Christian v. Sulphur

This was a matchup between Bulldogs. I had seen the Lincoln Christian campus one-time when I was passing through Tulsa. A small private school on the east end of the city.

Lincoln Christian led 14-13 at the half on a hail Mary just before halftime. In the third, Sulphur took the lead, 21-14. And later in the quarter, Lincoln Christian scored again with a safety and then a touchdown to go up 24-21. Holding that lead throughout the scoreless 4th quarter.

On the last day of games, it was back to the hotel. With less time to prep for the night game. As we wanted to avoid potential parking issues. As this was the largest classification for the weekend.

It was bitterly cold. With the wind, I opted to sit on the west side and use the pressbox as a wind buffer. It didn’t work too well. But was better than staring into it.

#70 – Elgin v. Tuttle

This was the 5th of 6 close games on the weekend. Tuttle trailed 20-16 on their final drive. and connected on a 20 yard touchdown pass to take the lead, 23-20. Holding off to win the game.

After the game, I headed down to the field. The association lets fans down onto the field to celebrate with both teams. Keeping them separated though letting me cross the field as I wasn’t affiliated with either team. Just getting some photos from field level before calling it a weekend.

Sunday was just a day in. It was quite cold. Monday, was a tourist drive around Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. First stopping for a PikePass from the OTA facility in Oklahoma City. And then down to Norman to see University of Oklahoma’s stadium up close. Including an unexpected statue of Baker Mayfield across the street from the east sideline by the parking lot.

After that, it was some exploring and stopping for gas. Seeing the high school stadium in Norman as well.

After the exploring, it was back to the hotel. And making some bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos.

I extended the hotel stay in Edmond until Tuesday. Leaving just one-day travel between Oklahoma City and Dallas. to begin prepping for the state championships starting the next day at AT&T Stadium.

ECONOMICS

This was the first week of a two week total trip. Mileage ended before the drive south to Arlington. Total mileage for the week was 1,256 miles. Costs will be tallied with Week 18 combined.

For the weekend, I saw 12 new teams and one new stadium