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Pioneer Beef Jerky Texas-Oklahoma Shootout
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(Oct. 24, 2007 - Choke Canyon Res, TX)... The Oklahoma team retained the top spot over Texas after two days of competition in the Pioneer Beef Jerky Texas-Oklahoma Shootout on Choke Canyon Reservoir by winning three of the available five points today, anchored by a 34.97 pound, five-fish limit. The tally puts the visitors ahead going into tomorrow’s last day, leading by a score of 5-2.
Patterned after golf’s Ryder Cup format, today’s match up was a head-to-head contest between the four two-persons teams from each squad, determined by "blind" pairings of like-numbered teams on each side.
One point could be earned in each of the four "wins," and the heaviest bag received one bonus point. With their nearly 7 pounds per bass average today, and getting the two maximum points possible for a duo, was the Oklahoma team of Derek Remitz and John Sappington, whose 34.97 pounds beat Texas’ Mike Hawkes and Mark Pack with their 13.61 pounds. In the big bag was a 10.68 pounder caught be Remitz.
The second highest weight of the day, 20.18 pounds, was caught by Oklahoma team members Edwin Evers and Terry Butcher, to top Cody Bird and Clark Wendlandt’s 14.74 pounds.
Kelly Jordon and Wade Middleton of Texas earned one of their group’s two points for the day when their 16.30 pounds edged out Jeff Kriet and Mike McClelland’s 15.14 pounds. The other point came with Todd Faircloth and Jason Reyes’ 18.52 pounds beating Tommy Biffle and Harmon Davis’ 16.48 pounds. Faircloth had an 8.62 beauty among their catch.
While day one ended with lots of bantering back and forth between the two groups, today’s conclusion came with lots of congratulations to the Remitz and Sappington team for their catch of the day, and with both teams wondering, "can Texas overcome a deficit to win, again?"
The final’s day competition is a head-to-head individual match up, with one point going to each of the eight "wins" possible, and one bonus point being earned for the heaviest limit. That means nine total points will be awarded on day three.’
Teams from both squads spoke confidently on stage today about being able to secure the win and take home the trophy and all bragging rights, but there was also lots of huddling and head scratching going on afterwards.
Oklahoma seemed to be thinking, "okay, we’ve been here before, so is this our year?" While Texas appeared to be discussing what and where Remek and Sappington had figured out today to bag the giant limit, and "is it something special that more of the Oklahoma team will be sharing tonight and doing tomorrow?"
By the end of the day on Thursday, all questions will have been answered and the winning team crowned.
The Pioneer Beef Jerky Texas-Oklahoma Shootout is a made-for-television competition. The three one-half hour segments will air beginning in January 2007.
Joining Pioneer Beef Jerky as sponsors of the event are BoatU.S. Angler, Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Garmin, Yamaha, Aviva Fishin’ Buddy, Power Pole and Sebile.’ |
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