Shattuck planning special night

Though it is one of the most discussed topics within Oklahoma high school football circles, Coach Troy Bullard and the Shattuck High School football players do their best to keep the focus off their 90-game winning streak.

If the Shattuck Indians win their game against Goodwell this Friday night, they will break the national record for the longest winning streak in 8-man football with 91 wins.

They are currently tied with Morrison High School for a record 90 wins. It is a record that has not been broken since Morrison set it with their winning streak from 1989 to 1995.

“It will always be remembered as part of Oklahoma history if we win. The guys will be remembered not only on this team but players who were on previous teams beginning in 03’. They have all been a big part of this, and if it wasn’t for their wins we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Bullard said.

The team has won 6 state championships in a row and they don’t plan on stopping that streak any time soon. Although, the history that may be made on Friday will be the highlight of the Shattuck football program.

“To me this is probably more important than the state championship because it’s a national record and a state record, it’s a real big deal. One of these days the guys will look back when they are old and really appreciate it,” Bullard said.

The team is about the 1212th smallest school that plays football, Bullard said.

“Not having a whole lot of guys out, it says a lot for them,” he said, noting this year the team consists of 22 players.

During an interview with the Woodward news on Wednesday Team Captains Mitch Henson, Lincoln Gaisford and Brent Starbuck were humble about their achievements.

“People have brought it up this past year, but we really haven’t thought about it. We just take it one game at a time,” Gaisford said.

Most of the players have been together since the fifth grade. Senior players have only lost three games since they began playing football when they were around the age of 11.

“A lot of them are best friends and we try to treat each other like family. They care about each other and know they aren’t going to let each other down. And they know they’re going to give everything they have on every play. So you know when you do that, you are going to be successful,” Bullard said.

The team is close off the field as well. They’ve spent time together camping and have team breakfasts as well. Camaraderie has grown strong between the players, and it has attributed to their success.

“You know everyone out there pretty good. You know who is going to be on the line with you each time and how they block. You pretty much know that they aren’t going to leave you behind,” Starbuck said.

As they have pretty much throughout the streak, the Indians will be solid favorites to break the record. Still, Goodwell isn’t necessarily a pushover.

“I believe Goodwell’s record is 2-6, they have some pretty good athletes and they will be quite a bit bigger than us. They play hard and they aren’t going to be intimidated by us. Everyone wants to break the streak. We are just going to have to play our best game to win,” Bullard said.

Shattuck may not have the largest players in the Class C division, but Bullard said the team's experience and speed are two strengths that benefit them most on the field.

As the big day nears, the team has been showered with goodies from their mothers, girlfriends and classmates. The team captains raved about Henson’s mothers home-made hot sauce and cookies.

The community of Shattuck is behind the team 100 percent. Supporters will gather for a pep rally on Friday at 11:45.

“The kids will be at the pep rally, I know they look up to us. That’s pretty neat,” Henson said.

The captains hope the younger generation of players will keep the winning streak alive. However, Lincoln said, “as long as they go out there and do their best that is all anyone can ever ask of them.”

The potentially historic game begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

“The night will also be extra special because it is Senior Night. They’ve got a chance to go out and set a national record and a state record you couldn’t ask for a better opportunity as a senior to go out than that. You couldn’t dream a better dream than that,” Bullard said.

Of course, winning is the main priority of most football programs but for Bullard, it is more important that the players give it their all.

“Nobody wants a let down, but I always tell the guys as long as they give us everything they can and do what we ask them I’ll be proud of them no matter what the outcome is,” he said.

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