No trophy is necessary for the Ardmore/Durant rivalry.
No axe, jug or cup is up for grabs, either. Instead, there’s a prize more valuable than those on the line — a state Class 5A playoff berth.
“Week 10 vs. Durant is 10 times more than what it is (week 1) against Ada,” Ardmore wide receiver Reuben Tiller said. “It’s a playoff spot (on the line), it’s at home, we want to go to the playoffs, they want to go to the playoffs …”
What other prize is needed?
“If I have to get them fired up for this game, I’m not a very good coach, and we’re going to get beat,” Durant coach Byron Cordell said. “If you can’t get fired up for that, we don’t have any hope.”
Ardmore coach Larry McBroom does not want to miss the postseason a fourth straight year — counting his 2006-07 stint at Carrollton (Texas) R.L. Turner.
More importantly, he wants the Tigers to take back their usual place in November.
“Our seniors lead the focus,” McBroom said Thursday. “They don’t want their high school careers to be over. We’re pretty capable of playing in the third season, as in non-district, district and playoffs. You want them to experience that.
“If we win, everybody starts zero-and-zero.”
A record both Ardmore (3-6, 3-3 District 5A-2) and Durant (4-5, 3-3) would love to have.
An Ardmore victory and No. 10 Duncan win at No. 2 El Reno will create a rematch of week 2’s 26-7 Duncan victory at Noble Stadium. The Duncan/El Reno game is for the District 5A-1 championship with both teams unbeaten in the league.
McBroom makes it no secret that the Tigers will key on Durant quarterback Daryn Alves. Not only is he a good game away from 1,000 yards passing (837 yards on 56-of-124 passing, to be exact), but the senior has a 5A-leading 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing, averaging 8.33 per carry.
“He’s a big a difference maker I’ve seen for their team,” McBroom said. “He’s a good runner, he throws it well and you have to defend the pass.”
He also is a safety who has 26 tackles to his credit, but no interceptions.
“He is their offense,” Tiller said. “Just as simple as that. Here at the (Super) Scrimmage, he made a couple of runs. I’m pretty sure he’s gotten better since the scrimmage. We can stop him.
