Future college teammates shine at All-State football game

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer on Aug 3, 2013, at 2:23 AM??Updated on 8/03/13 at 3:13 AM

Cleveland quarterback Chas Stallard and Fort Gibson running back Jake Gandara got an additional head start on their college football careers during All-State week.

Stallard and Gandara, who will be teammates at the University of Central Oklahoma, were the East's two offensive standouts in a 32-7 loss to the West in the Oklahoma Coaches Association's All-State Game before an estimated 6,000 fans on Friday night at Union-Tuttle Stadium.

Stallard completed 8 of 14 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. He also had 10 carries for 23 yards. Gandara had 181 all-purpose yards. He had five rushes for 47 yards, one reception for 12 and five kickoff returns for 122.

"We've been working out at UCO for a month, so we definitely had a lot more reps together than anyone else," Gandara said.

Stallard and Gandara became friends when they met during track regionals in their junior year.

"During a couple of rain delays, we were just by each other and started chatting it up," Gandara said. "Chas is a great guy and a great player."

It was obvious on the field Friday that they had good chemistry. On a fourth-down play late in the game deep in their own territory, Stallard found Gandara for a 12-yard completion that picked up a first down.

"We've kept in touch during the last couple seasons and it will be something that will go on in the future at UCO," Stallard said. "Jake's a great player."

Stallard and Gandara finished their high school careers leading their teams to their best seasons in a while as each reached the Class 4A quarterfinals in 2012.

Stallard produced 9,176 total yards and 112 touchdowns during his four years at Cleveland.

"We turned things around from what it had been in the past so it was a good year," Stallard said.

Gandara rushed for 5,296 yards over the last three seasons, including 2,253 last year, and had 57 TDs over the past two years.

"Fort Gibson has great coaching and is on the prowl right now," said Gandara, who averaged 30 yards on his first four kickoff returns Friday. Stallard also had good chemistry with Poteau tight end Jay Werner as they connected for a 9-yard TD to cap a first-quarter drive that also included a 34-yard connection. Werner will play for Northeastern State.

With the West ahead 12-7, it appeared as if Stallard had passed for the go-ahead TD in the first half's final minute as he completed a 72-yard strike to Coweta's Hunter Rasberry, but he had the ball stripped away by Oklahoma City Douglass' Terry Harris near the goal line and the fumble turned into a touchback.

"We did a decent job moving the ball but killed ourselves with turnovers," said Stallard, who was intercepted twice - once on a deflection off a receiver. "Football is such a momentum game, we just beat ourselves.

"I hate to lose. I don't care whether I'm playing checkers or badminton or whatever. But the week was fun and I met a lot of great guys that I will probably play against later on in college. Other than the final score it was a great week. Camp starts on the 10th and now I am excited to get down to UCO and compete."

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Barry Lewis 918-581-8393
Barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com

Original Print Headline: Future teammates shine

Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Future_college_teammates_shine_at_All_State_football/20130803_227_B1_CUTLIN888757?rss_lnk=227

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