Commerce Football
When the Tiger started the 2024 season, head coach Logan Cawyer said the team had positions to fill after losing 12 seniors to graduation, but he was confident they had younger players who were ready to step up and play at a high level.
“We have some skill kids coming back that will contribute on both sides of the ball. We need to fill in some spots on the offensive and defensive line,” said Cawyer.
Offensive and defensive line coaches Matt Poteet (OL) and Billie Ellick (DL) are putting in the work to get their guys prepared for a long season. Staying injury free is key but finding depth could be an issue.
Kamden Poteet (6-3, 300, Sr.) has been key for the Tigers as they look to build the offensive line around him. The Tigers operate out of a 10 personnel package, but occasionally bounce into a single-back and two-back formation depending on what the defense is giving them.
Seth Bonham (6-2, 215, So.) did see time as a freshman, but is making a name for himself at end on defense. Coach Cawyer said the team is looking forward to seeing how much Bonham will grow this season as a player.
Quarterback Gracen Shelton continues to lead the Tigers with his play on the field. Shelton is willing to do whatever the team needs to be successful. The same can be said for Jonas Shelton (6-0, 180, Jr.) who is playing end opposite Bonham.
The second game of the season matched Commerce with a familiar foe in Oklahoma Union.
Coming into the game, Oklahoma Union was 1-1 with a win on the road at Barnsdall. Commerce was able to post two scores prior to the half, but Oklahoma Union tried to keep is close with a score and two-point conversion to make it, 14-8 at the half.
Commerce kicked off to the Cougars to start the 3rd quarter. After a failed drive, Commerce grabbed a quick score to make it, 21-8 with seven minutes left in the 3rd. But Oklahoma Union would answer with a quick score of their own on a pass play to make it, 14-21. The Cougars would convert their two-point conversion to make it 16-21. Just before the end of the 3rd, the Cougars would strike again on a TD pass and two-point conversion to take the lead for the first time in the game, 21-24. But it wasn’t the last time someone would find the endzone in the 3rd as Commerce rushed for a score and converted the PAT to take back the lead, 28-24.
The Commerce defense would step up in the 4th quarter to shut out Oklahoma Union and bring home their second victory of the season. The win comes after a dominating performance over Fairland, 37-9
