Ninth grade football undefeated, Outlaws get to semifinals in football highlight 2023 sports

This concludes the 2023 highlights for area sports (year-in-review).

August

A group of Marlow, Comanche and Duncan 6th grade girls grabbed the 3rd place spot in the Oklahoma Dream Team - D2 Mid America Youth Basketball (MAYB) National tournament. They went 5-1 in the national tournament, said Coach Tyler Boyles of Marlow. The team included 5 Marlow girls, Paxtyn Boyles, Cameron Lovett, Bentleigh Bishop, Kylee Johnson, Tenley Gore, along with 2 girls from Comanche and 2 from Empire, and one from Duncan. "We bounced back and beat Columbia Missouri by 11. Our only loss came to the Texas team who are the National champions," Boyles said.

Outlaw football kicked off its 2023-24 season with the annual Blue & White Scrimmage. Girls softball also stayed busy throughout the summer. Bray-Doyle Donkeys began its season with a new coach, Wade Whatley, assisted by his brother, Cody Whatley. Scrimmages were delayed on Aug. 18, to a later start time because of excessive heat.

The annual fall football preview hit the stands at the end of the month, signaling it was time for school sports to kick into high gear. Marlow would be hosting Chickasha in its season opener. The Outlaw team photo ruled the front page of the Aug. 31 edition, and every individual photo for the varsity squad was published on the back page of The Review. (We still have editions available at the office).

Marlow Outlaws Cross Country members opened with their home Invitational at Red Bud Park.

September

Outlaw Players Spotlight of the Week in September were Cade Gilbert, Gage Hixon, Hudson Morgan, Cody Weber, Kaden Harris, Barron Gage. This weekly spotlight is provided by longtime advertiser and local business owner Becky Graham, Graham Insurance Agency.

Central High dominated the scoreboard in its home game against Bray-Doyle, 76-28 win on Sept. 1.

Marlow won 37-14 against Chickasha. At halftime they were up 21-0. Next they would host a final traditional game when the Comanche Redskins would visit Outlaw Stadium. That rivalry game became one of spirit and solidarity as fans and athletes from both sides honored the death of a late Comanche player, Noah Presgrove, 19. Marlow won the game 42-6.

The Outlaws traveled to Perkins and won in an overtime battle, 27-21. They closed week 4 with a 4-0 record and a 22-7 win over Pauls Valley.

October

Outlaw Players Spotlight of the Week in October were Jase Hunt, Brock Smith, Cooper Hornbuckle, Taegan Archer, Keller Kizarr, King Harrison, Kaden Harris, Clint Ladon, Cade Gilbert, Blayd Harris.

Marlow won over Lone Grove 20-7 as September came to a close. Marlow hosted Dickson for the Outlaw homecoming game.

MHS Cross Country teams put in the hard work as they continued their season. Senior runner Michael Weston finished 1st in two meets, (Velma being one of those) and he also earned a 4th and 7th place in two other meets. The team overall placed 3rd at the Velma meet, said Assistant Coach Matt Ivory. Marlow was currently ranked 11th of 34 teams in Class 3. The girls team, led by Head Coach Mikey Eaves were also doing well, ranking 16 on the state level out of 35 teams. They finished runner up at Velma, behind top 4 team 4A Pauls Valley, he said.

Outlaws continued their winning streak with a 40-0 homecoming game against Dickson. "It is great to be undefeated at this point in the season," said Coach Matt Weber. "Our defense is playing outstanding so far and have kept any slow starts from hurting us." Homecoming queen Kirsten Travis was crowned by king Cade Gilbert.

Also celebrating homecomings in October were Central High Bronchos with Rashel Johnson crowned as queen, and Faith Ford and Caleb Carsen as queen and king for Bray-Doyle.

Marlow continued its football season with a win against Douglass, 64-7.

Ninth grade football Outlaws also claimed an undefeated run, as they moved through three seasons. "In 27 years, I don't remember ever having a class do so. This is a great class that will lead us in many things," Coach Matt Webber said. The 2023 roster: Clint Ladon, Jaxson Murray, Avery Foster, Brennen Harris, Elijah Willis, Casen Copeland, Austin Coberly, Caleb Curran, Kagan Mayes, Jackson Miller, Brendan Weber, Ryder Hill-Abrego, Austin Harris, Blake Ridley, Justin Choate, Garrett Cox, Damon Ruth, Jake Pettit, Hayden Sparks, Cole Thompson, Clete Gilbert, Kasyn Haile, Daegun Dettlaff and Rex Freeman.

Marlow's varsity football team took a tough loss, 14-13 against Sulphur. It was the first loss for Marlow in an October winning streak, since Oct. 11, 2019, giving them an 18 winning game record.

November

Outlaw Players Spotlight of the Week in November were Kaden Lucas, Brantz Bateman, Lawson Knox, Jacob Crowson, Jonathan Brite, Noah Mora.

Senior night for the Outlaws at the end of October was a time for the parents, athletes, Bootleggers, cheerleaders, and band students to smile for the fans. It was also a colder evening for everyone with temperatures and wind in the lower 50s. Photographs were published in the Nov. 2, edition.

Marlow Lady Outlaws finished in sixth place at the 3A Regional Cross Country meet in Waurika on Saturday, Oct. 21 (reported in November). Overall, as a team, they qualified to run in competition in the 3A State meet. Also going to state were Outlaws Mikey Weston and Kade Sullivan. Weston placed 5th overall at Waurika, and Sullivan 14th. Lady Outlaw Skylar Ramsey finished 15th overall in individual at the Waurika meet. Ramsey, Weston and Sullivan all were named to All-Region at the event.

Six Softball Lady Outlaws received All District Honors. They were Grace Lovelady/Catcher, Lakyn Foss/2nd base, Alisha Lemons/Utility; Kenlee Wilson, Abi Olivier and Miley Miller/Honorable Mentions.

Marlow went on the road to Heritage Hall for week 10, but lost 35-28. Playoffs would see them on the road to Tulsa.

Lady Donkeys fastpitch softball team earned a Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for the 2023 season. Team members were Hailey Whitfield, Baylee Menie, Lani Talley, Sadie Melton, McKenna Renfro, Kaydance Y'Barbo, Ashlynn Abney, Kylie Chappell, Heidi Justus, Hannah Kilbourn, Reagan Davidson, Morgan Pass. They were coached by Kylee Sparks and assistant Amy Pass.

In the first round of football playoffs, Marlow won 28-14 against Metro Christian. This was the first playoff win since the 2021 State Championship. They practiced through the holiday week for the semifinals. They would play at Newcastle, after winning 45-7 against Cascia Hall in round two. Unfortunately, they were defeated by Heritage Hall, semifinals 31-29. It was the closest any team had been to Heritage Hall in the last 25 games according to stat records. This was Marlow's 10th semifinal appearance 6-4 of all time.

December

Outlaw Players Spotlight of the week for December: Kaden Harris, Kently Davis, Mason Holding, Demi Hunt

The month kicked off with basketball homecoming, and Demi Hunt crowned queen by crowning captain Zach Pettit. It was also a win for both the Outlaws and Lady Outlaws court action, providing a 2-0 record to the start of the 2023-24 season. Boys wond 50-27 against Sulphur, and 58-52 against Lindsay, both home games. The girls won 51-33 against Sulphur, and 45-43 in the Lindsay game. Marlow 9th grade boys basketball defeated Pauls Valley 44-34 in the 2023 Jack Grimmett Classic and were named Classic Champions.

MHS Swim team introductions for the new season were Logan Woods, Grant Woods, Cruz Sanchez, Miguel Lara and Brodie Duncan, along with their new coach, Cindy Dyes, and lay coach Kristen Terrell.

Marlow grapplers also enjoyed homecoming, with Ryli Murray and Lawson Knox as queen and king, and a 50-24 win in the dual against Cache.

Outlaw football players were named in the 2023 Class 3A District 2 selections. Jase Hunt was named Linebacker of the Year and Cade Gilbert as Offensive Back Player of the Year. First team selections were Barron Gage, Owen Long, Payton Edie and Lawson Knox; honorable mentions were Cody Weber, Kaden Lucas, Joseus Flores, Zach Dawson, Logan Woods, Ely Gray and Cooper Hornbuckle.

Marlow JH wrestlers earned District Championship title at the Marlow hosted tournament Dec. 5. At the Marlow Open, Nov. 22, several female wrestlers of the JH team also added hardware to their personal trophy collection.