Del City receives rude awakening in season opener

By Michael Kinney
Midwest City Beacon

Del City was looking to kick off the 2024 season with a bang. Coming off a trip to the 5A state championship, they were hoping to pick up where they left off and start their journey back.

However, the journey got off to a rocky start Friday in the season opener. With 6A-1 Edmond Memorial in town, the Eagles were shut out 35-0 in front of their home crowd.

According to Del City coach Robert Jones, his entire squad received sort of a rude awakening that it is a different year.

“I saw a young team. We lost our offensive coordinator 10 days before the season and lost our offensive line coach eight days before the season. When those kinds of things happen, you’re going to go through some growing pains,” Jones said. “So, we got to go back to the drawing board. We got to see what we’re made of. This is the first time since I’ve been a head coach that we actually have faced some adversity through the season. I’m excited to see how our guys are going to act. I want to see how they’re going to adjust.”

When the night started, it didn’t look like the Eagles would need to do any adjusting. In their first possession, they marched the ball down the field deep into the Bulldogs’ territory. But when the offense started, they turned the ball over on downs inside the 10-yard line.

Edmond made them pay on the ensuing series when quarterback David McComb hit tight end Leland Smith for a 33-yard touchdown pass to start the second quarter.
Del City responded with another long, time-consuming drive and found themselves knocking on the door of the end zone. But once again they were turned away inside the 10-yard line and left with zero points.

The Eagles continued to hurt themselves with back-to-back turnovers that led to a 21-0 deficit. That includes Cash Koertner’s tipped pass being intercepted by defensive back AJ Roberts and returned 33 yards for a touchdown right before halftime.

On the night, Del City was turned away four times in the red zone after strong offensive drives.

“I think the only way to get those types of experiences is to go through it,” Jones said. “So this is going to be a learning experience for us. It’s going to be a learning experience for the senior class and the leadership.”

Edmond scored twice more in the second half to put the contest away.

Del City returns to 5A action this week when they make the trek to Tulsa to take on Booker T Washington Sept. 6. The Eagles shut out the Hornets last year at home.