POTAC / FUMAC 2010

If you don't understand the meaning of POTAC or FUMAC, go ask any McAlester or Ada resident. They can tell you not only the exact meaning of those phrases, but the connotations and feelings behind the anagrams. To say that the two schools do not care for one another would be an understatement of epic proportions.

For quite some time now, McAlester and Ada have been heated rivals, matching up head-to-head for 91 meetings, the first in 1915. Ada holds a 60-29-1 advantage, but McAlester has begin to turn the tide against the storied Ada football program, winning the last five meetings including their 21-20 thriller last Friday evening.

One common theme for the game was the amount of "yellow" thrown by the men in black...and white stripes. McAlester seemed inundated with personal fouls, late hits, pass interference, holding and illegal formation/shift penalties. To be expected? Possibly. The game did take place in Ada, and if there's one thing you can usually count on in any rivalry game, it's the fact that both teams will be hyped up, on edge, ready to hit somebody. And, as McAlester players, coaches and fans probably knew, the home team will most likely receive the benefit of the doubt when it comes to close calls.

On this night, however, the Buffaloes of McAlester would prove that overcoming those odds, even though tough at times, are possible.

The Buffaloes took the field riding high after their 48-21 drubbing of the Durant Lions, the Cougars maybe not quite as high after a 28-7 loss to other storied rival Ardmore; however, the electricty in the air of Norris Field has a way of curing any doubts in either team and both squads came out ready for a dogfight. That is exactly what the fans of these rivals received.

 The storied rivalry grudge match started off fast, seeing McAlester stike first within the first three and a half minutes, then allowing the Cougars to drive for a score of their own, entering halftime, the scored knotted 7-7, the historic rivalry in the middle of what seemed a defensive struggle in the making.

The second half saw the Cougars take the ball right at the No. 5 ranked Buffaoles, scoring twice, but missing what would prove to be a crucial PAT. With four minutes left in the game, the Buffs would make one last surge against their arch rivals.

McAlester QB Tony Keifer led his team down the field on a 70 yard rive, aided in part by unnecessary penalties by the Ada defense giving McAlester 30 yards on their way to a second score. McAlester missed the PAT after the score and the Cougar lead was down to 20-13.

With only 2:55 left to play, the Cougars looked to have the game in hand, despite the late score from McAlester. But, as high school football often goes, one should expect the unexpected. The obvious on-side kick from the Buffs was covered by McAlester's Tanner Scott, giving the Buffs a real chance to drive the field for the tying or winning score.

It took McAlester a little over one minute for QB Tony Keifer to push the Buffs offense down to the Ada 10, then a hook up with Junior WR Alverey Braxton over the middle of the field as Braxton bullied his way into the endzone. McAlester Coach Bryan Pratt wanted the win and no ties in this match and trotted Keifer and company out for the 2 pt. conversion attempt. Keifer rolled out and found Cody Lefors in the back of the endzone for the conversion and a 21-20 lead.

Ada was not done and had a legitimate shot at taking back the lead. The Cougs got great field position after a botched kickoff that landed out of bounds. From their own 35 yard line and with 1:58 remaining, Ada began their drive.

Ada completed a pass from QB Wyatt Robson to WR Skylar Alexander who was hit late out of bounds, giving the Cougars the ball in Buffalo territory. After a four yard run, spike to stop the clock and a sack by McAlester's Devin Rolan and Adam Boyd, Ada tried one last heave into the endzone that fell incomplete ending the game.

Often times, rivalry games can be lopsided, especially when both squads are coming off of emotional games like McAlester and Ada did last Friday night, both playing in rivalry games of their own seperate from this classic. One might have thought that McAlester - ranked No. 5, coming off a big win, and armed with a D-1 collegiate level WR prospect in Braxton - would have had an easy advantage coming into this battle. But, as we often times also see with rivalries, previous wins, rankings and accolades usually mean nothing when the players step on the field. Both schools certainly proved that addage on September 10, 2010.

I have attended several high school football games over my lifetime and I can honestly say that this rivalry game could compete with any in the state of Oklahoma. It may not have the draw in sheer numbers that Jenks v. Union has, it may not have the same hatred due to close proximity as Davis v. Sulphur or Purcell v. Lexington, but make no mistake, this rivalry is one-of-a-kind and a game that, if you have never attended, should be in your bucket list. Afterall, how many rivalry games have come up with anagrams like POTAC and FUMAC to represent their fan's disdain and overall hatred as much as these two schools?

NOTE: For more information and reading on this game, go to http://mcalesternews.com/sports/x305042190/Cougars-zebras-not-enough-to-stop-the-stampede for Jayson Knight's write up on the night's events.