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EDMOND —Mike Dunn stood on the 50-yard line, drenched in water from head to toe.
He next took a moment to collect his thoughts. The third-year Carl Albert head coach couldn’t help but reflect on his own journey from his playing days as a lineman for the Titans.
When Dunn joined Carl Albert as a freshman, the program had claimed just four state championships. By the time he graduated in 2002, that number had doubled to eight. Now, 22 years later, Dunn has led the program to its 19th state title.
Carl Albert’s 30-6 win over Guthrie in the Class 5A state championship game tied the school with Ada for the most state football championships in Oklahoma history.
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Carl Albert’s Zach Nelson (74) and Ethan Spiwak (14) dunks coach Mike Dunn with water following the Class 5A state championship football game between Guthrie and Carl Albert at the Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond, Okla., Saturday, Dec., 14, 2024.
“At that time, I remember thinking there’s no way anybody could ever get to 19 state championships,” Dunn said.
“To be a player and get to do it, be a coach and get to do it with this group of kids and these coaches and everybody involved — it’s a dream come true.”
Carl Albert has won the state title for three consecutive seasons, and it marks the eighth time in the last nine years that they’ve hoisted the championship trophy.
The historic win also was emotional for Carl Albert.
The team mourned the loss of former OU defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson, who passed away on Friday at the age of 43. Wilkerson was an assistant coach for the Titans and the father of senior tight end Maddux Wilkerson.
Dunn and his players embraced Wilkerson with hugs and prayers in the post-game huddle, rallying behind him in the victory.
“I’m just…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/carl-albert-beats-guthrie-class-061039780.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-12-15 06:10:00
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