Champions welcomed home
KHS hosting meet-and-greet with ‘03, ‘13 state title teams prior to homecoming game
BLASTS FROM THE PAST - Pictured above (2003) and below (2013) are photos that appeared on the front page of the Times & Free Press after the respective KHS football teams won state championship games.
Kingfisher High School wants its football state champions to come home...for homecoming.
The 2023 KHS football homecoming is Friday night when the Yellowjackets host Mount St. Mary.
While homecoming typically brings in groups celebrating a 10-year, 20-year or 30-year (or even more) reunion, this year’s football season marks two special landmarks for the program itself.
KHS won its only two football state championships in 2003 and 2013.
The 2003 team earned a 21-18 come-from-behind win over defending state champion Sulphur.
The Jackets had been knocking on the door of a state championship appearance.
They first reached the semifinals in 1998, then got back there in 2002 (losing a tight game to Sulphur).
Rick VanCleave and his team got the job done in 2003.
That proved to be VanCleave’s final season, but it was also just the beginning of a monumental run for the football program.
Under Jeff Myers, the Jackets found themselves back in the title game again in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
However, they had to settle for the silver ball in each of those trips.
Finally, in 2013, the Jackets found gold again when they avenged their 2012 championship game loss to Blanchard, 30-23.
Now, 10 and 20 years later for those teams, KHS has invited them back.
All the players, coaches and trainers from those teams are invited to a “meet and greet” at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Kingfisher Junior High cafeteria.
Then at 6:30 p.m., just before pregame homecoming ceremonies, the teams will be introduced on the field.
“This is a chance for us to acknowledge them and their accomplishments,” said Stan Blundell, who was the defensive coordinator for both of those squads and still holds that title as well as assistant athletic director.
“But it’s also a chance for them to reconnect and reminisce a little, especially for the guys who aren’t still living around here.
“We’ve tried to get the word out and want as many to come back as is possible.”
[ Ed. note: See Wednesday’s edition for the 2023 KHS football homecoming court.]