LSG Preview — Stratford Elks

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: July 29, 2009

Team: Stratford Elks

District: 1-1A

Coach: Eddie Metcalf (5 years) 62-12 at Stratford (#3 all time wins in Stratford history); 62-12 overall

Last Years Record: 14-1 overall 5-0 Distirct

2008 Games:
vs Childress (8-4) (at Amarillo) (W 29-25)
vs Sundown (10-3) (at Kimbrough) (W 44-10)
vs Spearman (2-8) (W 42-14)
at Bushland (10-1) (L 21-39)
vs Friona (6-6) (W 17-7)
vs *Sunray (7-5) (W 46-21)
at *Canadian (13-1) (W 17-7)
vs *Gruver (3-7) (W 40-0)
at *Booker (2-8) (W 54-6)
vs *Stinnett West Texas (4-6) (W 56-13)

Playoffs: Division II Champions
BYE -- Bi-District
Won 41-7 vs Nazareth (9-3) -- Area
Won 48-30 vs Sundown (10-3) -- Regionals
Won 55-15 vs Iraan (13-1) -- QuarterFinals
Won 28-0 vs Albany (14-1) -- SemiFinals
Won 24-13 vs Cayuga (13-3) -- Championship

Returning Lettermen: 11

Returning Starters: Offense: 6 Defense: 5

Key Players:
RB/LB Klinton Keener 824 yards rushing 7 TDs
QB/LB Kyle Horsford 94 tackles
C JR Tyler Wright
G JR Byron Saloga

Notes:
Stratford in on an incredible streak and it will not end this year. The Elks are a top 5 team in Class 1A. A pre-season prediction could be a rematch of last years Division II Championship game with the Elks taking on Cayuga again. They have lots of offensive firepower coming back and will be a very tough out in the playoffs. They should go 9-1 or 10-0 in the regular season. Their 1 loss would happen during their game with Canadian (last years Division I Champion who happens to be in their district).

History:
18 CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS
10 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS of 8+ wins
11+ wis 8 of last 10 seasons
10 CONSECUTIVE Playoff Appearances
Won 2005 title in 1A...spent 2006 and 2007 in 2A...won 1A title in 2008
Stratford has beaten Nazareth 4 times in the Area round since 2003. (2003, 2004, 2005 & 2005)
They also have Regular Season victories over them in 2000 & 2001
All Time Record 419-225-19 64.63% 663 games
Playoff Appearances (22) 1963,64,76,78,79,82,83,91,92,93,94,95,99,
2000,01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08
Bi-District -- 1976, 82, 91, 92, 95
Area -- 1983, 93, 94, 2002, 07
Regionals -- 1963, 79
Quarterfinals -- 1964, 78, 2003
Semifinals -- 1999, 2001, 06
State Runner Up -- 2004
State Champions -- 2000, 2005, 2008

Championship History: Stratford (4) 3-1
2000 1A - Stratford 49, Burkeville 14
2004 1A - Shiner 33, Stratford 19
2005 1A - Stratford 21, Big Sandy 20
2008 1A Division II Stratford 24, Cayuga 13

Last 5 year record: 62-12

Last 10 year record: 123-21

By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com