CPHS Football: Payton Scott rushes for 214 yards in 21-20 loss to Choctaw

Junior line backer Hayden Cramer starred on defense with seven tackles and an interception. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

The No. 4 ranked Charles Page High School varsity football team (0-2) had No. 7 Choctaw (2-0) right where they wanted them for most of the game, but despite impressive performances from most of the Sandites, the visiting Yellowjackets came from behind midway through the fourth quarter for a 21-20 victory Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

Choctaw 21 CPHS 20
1Q CPHS 7-0
2Q Choctaw 7-6
3Q All 7-7
4Q Choctaw 7-0

Passing: Choctaw 17-27-222-1, CPHS 6-18-39-1.
Rushing: CPHS 48-254, Choctaw 33-86.
Plays-Offense: Choctaw 60-308, CPHS 66-293.
First Downs: CPHS 17, Choctaw 15.
Penalties: Choctaw 10-59, CPHS 4-40.
Fumbles/Lost: Choctaw 1/0, CPHS 0/0.

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For the second-straight year, an under-ranked Choctaw dealt a top-five Sandite team an upset loss for an 0-2 start to the season. Last year the Sandites recovered from their 0-2 start to finish 7-5 with a Playoff Semifinal appearance. This year's team has a lot of the ingredients for a successful season, but first they have to figure out their passing game.

For the first half of the game, junior quarterback Caden Pennington was five yards long on his receivers for most pass attempts. In the second half he hit them dead-on, but they dropped the ball both literally and metaphorically.

While the passing unit figures out their game, running backs Payton Scott and Ben Nortey are picking up the slack, combining for 250 yards on the evening. Scott, 5'5" 180-pound senior and wrestling State Champion, accounted for 214 of those yards, marking the third-best performance of his career. He scored two of the Sandites' three touchdowns.

Sand Springs got off to a good start, holding Choctaw to negative yardage on their first possession, then marching 69 yards in twelve plays to score on a six-yard Scott run with 7:37 in the first quarter. J.T. Bristow snapped the ball to Pennington who held it for Jaden Weiser's kick, and the Sandites were up 7-0. 

The Sandites next two possessions came up dry while Choctaw's first four were all fruitless. On their first possession of the second quarter, Choctaw looked to be building some momentum. They picked up two first downs and 33 yards before junior line backer Hayden Cramer got the first Sandite pick of the season, returning it six yards before being brought down. 

It looked like the Sandites might squander their good fortune after a sack and a bad pass put them third and twelve at the 25, but Scott came to the rescue with a fifteen yard run through a hole opened up by Nicolas Hancock for the first down. Two plays later, Pennington connected with Dash Fleischman for a seven-yard touchdown reception, his first of the season. Unfortunately for the Sandites, Weiser's point-after attempt was blocked, and it would come to haunt the home team.

Trailing 13-0, Choctaw pulled it together for a 71-yard march and 42-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Hudson Woods to Zane Coleman, accompanied by a kick from Jacob Dunning to cut the deficit to 13-7 before the half.

Both teams failed to convert on their first possessions of the second half, but on their second try Sand Springs powered their way downfield behind Scott, Norte, and the Ford-tough offensive line where Scott leaped over a dogpile for a one-yard touchdown. This time Weiser's kick rang true and the Sandites were back out front at 20-7.

The Yellowjackets were quick to retaliate as Woods connected with Ethan Crews from 21 yards out just two minutes later. 

In the fourth quarter Choctaw took their first lead of the game, and the only lead that counts. With a 36-yard passing catalyst, the Yellowjackets pushed 90 yards in twelve plays. Dunning's kick gave Choctaw the one-point advantage that should have simply tied things up.

Sand Springs didn't go down without a fight. Scott ran for 33 yards in five plays, setting up the Sandites at the 27 yard line. Scott took the handoff, pitched it back to Pennington, who heaved it at the endzone into the waiting arms of his receiver. The only problem was, it wasn't his receiver. Instead of a friendly Sandite, he found Tae Gibbs who promptly returned the ball all the way to the Sandite 25. A block in the back returned it to the Choctaw 18, but possession remained theirs and the clock was winding down.

After holding Choctaw to seven fruitless possessions, the Sandite defense was finally out of gas. Woods picked up three first downs to drain the clock before finally taking a knee at the fifty yard line to seal the deal. 

The Sandites will return to action next Friday with their first road game of the season at No. 11 Putnam City West (1-1). Choctaw will take on Putnam City North (1-1) who hammered the Patriots 30-7 Friday night. 

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Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 6-18-39-1.
Rushing: Scott 40-214, Nortey 6-36, Pennington 2-4.
Receiving: King 3-18, Millican 1-9, Fleischman 1-7, Scott 1-5. 
Punting: Smith 6-219.
Kicking: Weiser 2-71, Smith 1-51.
Tackles: Edwards 11, Fleischman 9, Cramer 7, Fain 4, Bratcher 4, Mackey 4, Lyons 3, Finch 3, Haley 3, Wright 1, Denton 1.
Tackles for loss: Finch 2-7, Fleischman 1-4, Cramer 1-3, Fain 1-2, Edwards 1-1.
Sacks: Finch 1-6. 
Breakups: Lyons 1, Cramer 1, Shipman 1.
Kickoff Returns: Denton 2-43, Bratcher 1-15, Adcock 2-9. 
Interceptions: Cramer 1-6. 

Choctaw Individual Statistics

Passing: Woods 17-27-222-1.
Rushing: Woods 21-65, Curry 10-19, Navarro 1-6, Nealy 1-(-4).
Receiving: Coleman 3-60, Navarro 3-52, Crews 2-36, Curry 3-25, D. Armstrong 2-21, C. Armstrong 3-16, Moore-Johnson 1-9.
Punting: Crews 5-158.
Kicking: Zook 4-184.
Kickoff Returns: C. Armstrong 3-55, Navarro 1-3.

Choctaw stuns Sandites in come-from-behind 45-41 shootout

Photo: Morgan Miller

By: Virgil Noah, Staff Writer

The No. 2 Charles Page High School Varsity Football team (0-2) came into their non-district contest with the No. 9 Choctaw Yellowjackets (2-0) looking to get things going offensively after only managing to score 21 points in their season opening loss to Pulaski Academy. They succeeded, scoring 41 points in the game but it would not be enough as the team fell 45-41 to the Yellowjackets. 

The contest was a back and forth battle all game, with the Sandites threatening to pull away multiple times, but the Jackets kept clawing their way back into it.  

The teams traded possessions until near the end of the first period when Payton Scott, who was the game's workhorse for the visitors, capped an 8 play, 66 yard drive with a 6 yard touchdown run. Kasey Bales tacked on the extra point and the Sandites lead 7-0. On the ensuing Choctaw possession Senior quarterback Dylan Weaver threw a pass into the waiting arms of defensive back Cody Motes who scampered 36 yards up the sideline for the pick 6 and the lead was 14-0. 

Choctaw got on the board with a touchdown pass from Weaver, and the Sandites answered on the first play of the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Dalton Morgan to Bales.  

Another touchdown toss from Weaver, and a rushing touchdown by running back JD Kolb tied the game at 21. Second-year quarterback Hunter Greathouse scored on a quarterback sneak with 0:33 left in the first half but Bales's PAT was blocked. On the last play of the first half, Jacket kicker Liam Jones made a 32 yard field goal and the game went to intermission with the home team trailing 27-24.  

Scott found pay dirt again in the third, this time from 23 yards out to extend the Page lead to 10 points, but Kolb cut it back to 3 quickly with a run of his own. The Sandite offense faced a fourth and 15 deep in Choctaw territory, and elected to go for the conversion. It proved to be a smart decision as Greathouse connected with Caleb Wash for a 25 yard touchdown and increased the lead to 41-31. Kolb ran 21 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game just 30 seconds later and put the pressure back on Sand Springs. 

Choctaw snagged an interception on the ensuing Sandite drive, but Jerry Lyons forced a fumble and got the Sandites the ball back in Yellowjacket territory with under four minutes remaining.  

With 1:16 remaining Choctaw stuffed a fourth down run by Scott to give their offense one more attempt at scoring, and they made the most of it. On fourth and 5, Weaver completed a pass to Kolb who broke a tackle short of the first down marker, and turned on the jets up the sideline for a 78 yard touchdown, his fifth of the game.  

Down four points with just 0:49 seconds left, Greathouse lead the offense back on the field. With 0:10 left he completed a pass to Wash for 45 yards down to the Choctaw 13-yard-line. Greathouse attempted two throws to the end zone, the first broken up, and the second just past the fingertips of Bales and the game ended.

Scott lead the way for Sand Springs, carrying the ball 39 times for 239 yards and two scores. Greathouse passed 14-29-251-1 for one touchdown, and also scored a touchdown rushing. Bales lead the way receiving with 5 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Delvin Jordan took a beating, going down twice, but rejoining each time to lead the Sandite defense in tackles.

Charles Page will host their first game of the season Friday at 7:00 p.m., in a non-district match-up with Putnam City West  (2-0). Choctaw will take on Putnam North (0-2) in a non-district battle Friday at 7:00 in Putnam City. 

Sandite Football drops season opener to Pulaski Academy

Photo by: Morgan Miller

SCORING SUMMARY

1Q 11:08 Hatcher 88 yard pass to Johnson. 2pt conversion failed. 6-0 Pulaski.
1Q 9:25 Greathouse 29 yard pass to Bales. Bales PAT. 7-6 Sandites.
1Q 8:59 Hatcher 23 yard pass to Johnson. 2pt conversion failed. 12-7 Pulaski.
1Q 2:14 Hatcher 80 yard pass to Johnson. 2pt run by Adams. 20-7 Pulaski.
1Q 0:15 Edwards 55 yard interception return. Bales PAT. 20-14. Pulaski
2Q 8:28 Hatcher 14 yard pass to Watkins. 2pt run by Hatcher. 28-14 Pulaski.
2Q 4:37 Hatcher 44 yard pass to McMillan. 2pt pass from Hatcher to Johnson. 36-14 Pulaski.
2Q 1:34 Anderson 33 yard run. Hatcher PAT. 43-14 Pulaski.
3Q 5:48 Hatcher 3 yard pass to Johnson. Hatcher PAT. 50-14 Pulaski.
4Q 9:46 Scott 7 yard run. Bales PAT. 50-21 Pulaski.
4Q 4:14 Titus 11 yard run. PAT failed. 56-21 Pulaski.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The No. 4 ranked Charles Page High School varsity football team (0-1) bit off more than they could chew when they traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas Friday night. The 6A-II State Runners-Up played well against No.1 Pulaski Academy (1-0), but the Bruins rode a 27-game winning streak and back-to-back 5A State Championships. Their offense was machine-like, never punting, always going for fourth down, and racked up 614 offensive yards while holding the Sandites to 222.

Senior quarterback Hunter Greathouse was consistent with his performance last year, completing 12 of 25 passes for 110 yards and 1 interception. Junior running back Payton Scott led the Sandite ground game with 101 yards on 14 carries. Each scored a touchdown. Delvin Jordan led the defense with 11 tackles and a 7-yard sack. Josh Taber performed well in the secondary with 3 tackles and 3 pass break-ups, and sophomore Hayden Cramer impressed with 7 tackles.

The Sandites won the toss and elected to kick. The Bruins received the ball at their 27 and it looked like the Sandites would have little problem getting a turnover early-on. Gage Fain tackled Jaren Watkins for a loss of three, the Bruins had two passes fall incomplete, and a sideline interference call pushed Pulaski back to their 12. On fourth and 28 at their own 12 yard line, any normal team would have punted.

The Bruins aren’t any normal team.

Junior quarterback Layne Hatcher sent a screen pass to Tra Johnson and the receiver got the edge on the Sandite secondary for an 88 yard touchdown reception. Hatcher completed a pass to Johnson for a conversion attempt, but the receiver was laid out by Cramer.

Less than a minute into the game and the Sandites trailed 6-0.

The Bruins let off one of their notorious onside kicks, but Cody Motes downed it at the Sandite 49. Greathouse connected on his first pass attempt of the season to Kasey Bales for a gain of 4 and Scott picked up the first down with a 14-yard run. Scott only managed 1 yard on the next pitch, but on second down Greathouse let loose a 29-yard pass to Bales for a touchdown. Bales sent in the PAT to make it 7-6 in the Sandites’ favor and it looked like the game would be a shootout.

The Bruins scored on their next drive after picking up two first downs, each on a single play. Watkins ran for 30, Brett Lynch hauled in a pass for 16, and Johnson caught a 23-yard touchdown reception to regain the lead barely three minutes into the game. Once again the two-point conversion failed, but the home team led 12-7.

This time the Bruins’ onside kick was successful and they regained possession at the Sandite 48. Their drive fell flat, however, after Delvin Jordan picked up a 7-yard sack and three pass attempts fell incomplete.

Sand Springs picked up a pair of first downs, one on a fourth-and-short, before running out of steam. Isiah Woods tackled Scott for a loss of 4 and Blake Titus sacked Greathouse for a loss of 12. Bales punted and the Bruins took possession at their 20 after a touchback.

Hatcher’s first pass attempt was incomplete, but the second found its mark in Johnson for yet another massive touchdown. After receiving the screen, Johnson broke three tackles before clearing the Sandite secondary and running it 80 yards to score. This time the two-point conversion was good in the hands of Trey Adams and the Bruins took the 20-7 advantage with 2:14 remaining in the first quarter.

The Sandites succeeded in downing the ensuing onside kick, but failed to convert a first down and gave up the ball at the Bruin 46.

Taber pulled down receiver Jacory McMillan who picked up 8 yards, and Tre Finch tripped up Watkins to hold the Bruins at third and 1. A pass attempt fell flat on third down, and a fourth down pass attempt found the open arms of Kris Edwards.

Edwards is a junior transfer from Okmulgee who had to sit out last season due to OSSAA eligibility rules. Edwards picked off the pass and returned it the full 55 for a touchdown with 15 seconds on the clock.

The Sandites began to plug the holes in their offense that allowed the long runs, but they couldn’t stop the Bruins from moving the ball all together. The next drive saw four first-downs for the Bruins before Hatcher connect on a 14-yard touchdown screen to Watkins. Hatcher punched in the two-point run and the Bruins doubled down on the Sandites, 28-14.

The Sandites’ next drive ended in a punt and once more the home team made quick work in driving 42 yards before connecting on a 44-yard pass to McMillan to score. Hatcher sent a two-point pass to Johnson for the 36-14 advantage.

Sand Springs punted once more on their next drive and the Bruins scored in six plays. RJ Anderson took a handoff and ran it 33 yards to score. Hatcher kicked the first point-after of the game for the Bruins and Sand Springs was down 43-14.

Sand Springs picked up 13 yards on a pass to Caleb Wash, then added another first down on a 12 yard reception by Mack Thompson. With 0:04 left Greathouse lobbed a deep ball downfield intended for Wash, but it was picked off by Hayden Henry and ran out of bounds to end the half.

The Sandites received the ball to start the second half and quickly picked up a pair of first downs before Henry broke up a pass attempt to Bales to force a turnover.

Pulaski went to work on a 91-yard touchdown drive that culminated in a 3 yard pass to Johnson. Hatcher’s kick was good and the lead furthered to 50-14.

The Arkansas High School Activities Association utilizes a mercy rule adopting a “running clock” anytime a team reaches a 35-point lead after the first half. The Sandites were quickly running out of time.

Sand Springs quickly went to work on a 71-yard drive and Scott broke three tackles on a run before being piled into the endzone for a 7-yard touchdown. Bales sent in the PAT, but the Sandites still trailed 50-21 with less than ten minutes remaining.

The Bruins fielded an onside kick attempt at their 33 and made quick work with another march downfield. Titus took a direct snap 11 yards for a touchdown, but the extra point attempt was a miss.

The remaining few minutes quickly passed and the Bruins had secured their 29th-straight victory.

The Sandites will return to action on Friday, September 9th, when they travel to Choctaw. The Yellowjackets won their first game Friday night in a 52-42 shootout with Sapulpa.