Sandites Pummel Lawton 56-24 in Playoffs

It was a brisk evening under the Friday night lights at Memorial Stadium, but the Sandites heated up quickly, scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter en route to a 56-24 victory.

Class 6A-II No. 5 Charles Page High School (8-3) earned its highest-scoring playoff win in program history against Lawton (3-8) in the first meeting between the two programs since 1987.

The Sandites stormed out to a 50-6 halftime advantage and were able to play their backups throughout the second half.

“It’s a little bit different with the new playoff system and all that stuff, but it’s good that we get other people in and get meaningful snaps in situations like this,” said fourth-year head coach Bobby Klinck.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb connected with Kenneth Page on a 65-yard screen pass to score on the first play from scrimmage.

Following a quick three-and-out from Lawton, the Sandites scored on their second offensive play with a 39-yard touchdown run from Ali McCoy. Kicker Dawson Puckett ran in a two-point play on a fake kick to make it 15-0.

After the defense forced another quick three-and-out, Page led a methodical nine-play scoring drive, earning 45 yards on five carries and scoring a 15-yard touchdown before exiting the game before the second quarter.

“It was great,” said Page, a senior. “I didn’t know it would feel like this. Last time coming through the tunnel, running out on the field with my guys I grew up with and having fun with them.”

“It was my last home game, so it meant a lot.”

Dallas Elifrits and Keagan Gilman combined on a sack to force a third consecutive three-and-out, and once again the Sandites needed only a single play to score on their ensuing drive.

This time it was a 49-yard touchdown pass from Webb to freshman Dom Forbes to go up 29-0.

Landyn Barnes closed out the first quarter with a 26-yard interception return to set up a one-yard dive by Jace Arnold on the first play of second quarter.

“I’m proud of Landyn,” said Klinck. “He struggled a little bit early and he’s really coming into his own at cornerback. He’s really become a really solid football player for us. It speaks a lot about what Coach (Jay) Fleischman does with those corners.”

Lawton finally earned a first down on its fifth possession, but Gilman gave the Sandites their second takeaway on a fumble recovery.

The Wolverines finally got a stop of their own when Puckett missed a 32-yard field goal, but Owen Floyd cashed in a 22-yard pick six on the very next play to make it 43-0.

Lawton finally hit paydirt behind the legs of Nathen Jones, leaning on the junior running back for a 68-yard drive and two-yard touchdown plunge with 3:44 in the half.

But, the Sandites would get the final say of the half when Webb connected with Caleb Goodman for a 62-yard screen to hang half a hundred by halftime.

Webb exited the game at halftime 7-of-7 passing for 207 yards and three touchdowns, his best performance of the season.

“It’s important for him,” said Klinck. “Moving forward, the competition is obviously going to stiffen up, but having a confident quarterback to go with our run game which has been good all year, that’s good going into the next game.”

“It felt great,” said Webb. “I feel like every week we’ve slowly and progressively gotten better at everything we’ve been doing. The connections have gotten better.”

One of those growing connections is with Forbes, who recently moved up to varsity after closing out an undefeated season as the freshman quarterback.

“He was really good,” said Webb. “I feel like he really helps us a lot. He’s a good kid. He’s fast, he knows what he’s doing, he’s football savvy, he’s smart. He knows everything.”

“That’s a huge deal for Dom,” said Klinck. “He was playing scout team and just started making a bunch of plays on our defense and I said ‘shoot, we’ve got to get that guy in the game.’ That kid’s worked hard, he does everything right, and he’s going to become a weapon for us moving forward.”

Kambren Foster recorded the Sandites’ third interception of the night on a pass that was deflected by Joseph Farmer.

Wolverine quarterback Pene Vaisagote finally found the end zone on a one-yard sneak with 1:16 left in the third.

Arnold ran the offense in the second half and was 5-of-6 passing for 67 yards while running the ball four times for 18 yards. He added the Sandites’ final touchdown on a 17-yard pass to Puckett early in the fourth.

Vaisagote responded with a 22-yard touchdown throw to Tyrone Dean with 6:28 to play and Tamarcus Malone ran in a two-yard score with thirteen seconds remaining. All four of the Wolverines’ PAT attempts failed.

Vaisagote ended the night 11-of-22 passing for 95 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Jones paced the Wolverine offense with 35 carries for 206 yards.

The Sandite defense was led by Floyd and Gatlin Gunn with nine tackles apiece and Gunn was also in on four tackles for loss. 33 different Sandites made defensive plays.

“I obviously wanted to play some more, but it was great getting the other guys in behind me so they can get practice for next year,” said Gunn, who leads the Sandites with 81 tackles this season.

“It was awesome to be able to play with my boys again on the home field for the last time.”

Next up for the Sandites is a trip to No. 3 Choctaw (7-1) next Friday. The Yellowjackets have been a familiar foe, beating the Sandites in each of the past three seasons, including a 48-29 playoff quarterfinal last year.

“We’ve got to step up,” said Klinck. “They’re a good football team. Coach (Jake) Corbin and their staff do an unbelievable job. That’s a tough place to win, that’s a tough football team to beat. We’re going to have to bring our A-game to have a chance.”

CPHS 56 Lawton 24

First Downs: CPHS 9, Lawton 18.
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 3/1, Lawton 2/1.
C-A-Y-I: CPHS 12-13-274-0, Lawton 12-23-138-3.
Rushing: CPHS 26-124, Lawton 50-248.
Offense: CPHS 39-398, Lawton 73-386.
Penalties: CPHS 2-15, Lawton 5-40.

Scoring Summary

1Q (11:47) - Page 65-yard Pass from Webb, Puckett Kick, CPHS 7-0.
1Q (9:41) - McCoy 39-yard Run, Puckett Run, CPHS 15-0.
1Q (4:25) - Page 15-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 22-0.
1Q (1:39) - Forbes 49-yard Pass from Webb, Puckett Kick, CPHS 29-0.
2Q (11:57) - Arnold 1-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 36-0.
2Q (6:58) - Floyd 22-yard Interception Return, Puckett Kick, CPHS 43-0.
2Q (3:44) - Jones 2-yard Run, Kick Failed, CPHS 43-6.
2Q (1:42) - Goodman 7-yard Pass from Webb, CPHS 50-6.
3Q (1:16) - Vaisagote 1-yard Run, Kick Failed, CPHS 50-12.
4Q (8:49) - Puckett 17-yard Pass from Arnold, Kick Failed, CPHS 56-12.
4Q (6:28) - Dean 22-yard Pass from Vaisagote, Pass Failed, CPHS 56-18.
4Q (0:13) - Malone 2-yard Run, Pass Failed, CPHS 56-24.

Sandites Snap 7 Year Losing Streak to Booker T. Washington, 24-14 on Senior Night

Kenneth Page (Pictured against Tahlequah) ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns against Booker T. on Senior Night. (Photo: Charity Emigh).

Class 6A-II No. 5 Charles Page High School (6-3, 4-2) snapped a seven-year losing streak against Booker T. Washington Friday night at Memorial Stadium, winning 24-14 on Senior Night against the No. 10 Hornets (2-8, 1-6) behind a powerful run game.

Senior Kenneth Page scored two touchdowns and ended the night with 17 carries for 130 yards to lead all players in his third triple-digit performance of the season.

“It feels great,” said Page. “This morning we found out it had been seven years, so I was like ‘Wow. We’ve got to get the job done, we’ve got to change the program and get it done tonight.’”

Sand Springs never trailed after jumping out to a 10-0 first quarter lead, but was never able to pull away from the pesky Hornets.

The Sandites forced a turnover on downs on the opening drive and cashed in six plays later on a career-long 42-yard field goal by Dawson Puckett.

The visiting Hornets marched as far as the Sand Springs 25-yard line before Hudson Sheppard, Gatlin Gunn, and Joseph Farmer combined to stuff Kuhron Ross on fourth-and-one.

The teams traded punts from there, but Page made it a two-score game with a 44-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.

“That play we had a fake sprint out and I’m coming back, I’m getting the ball, and I just see Tank (Tyler Smith) pull, wide open,” said Page. “Then I had to make sure the corner didn’t get me, so I had to run zig zags, but it was a great moment.”

Washington’s next trip to Sandite territory ended in a 26-yard interception return by Gunn, but the visitors got the ball back two plays later on a fumble recovery from Koreon Williams.

That turnover resulted in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Levi Brooks to Daylinn Overstreet to open the second quarter.

Three punts later, the Hornets threatened again, but Landyn Barnes picked off Brooks in the Sandite red zone and the home team took a knee to enter halftime.

“It was huge,” said head coach Bobby Klinck. “We give our guys opportunities to make plays and for the most part they made them tonight.”

Ali McCoy lost two fumbles last week against Bartlesville, but his hands were glue traps on Friday after receiving the Darnell Jefferson treatment.

“If anyone else brings this ball back to me, you’ll wish you were never born,” Klinck told McCoy on Monday, tasking him with babysitting a football all day in the spirit of the 1993 cult classic “The Program.”

The ploy worked as McCoy ended the night with 12 carries for 53 yards and a one-yard touchdown plunge to open the second half.

“I had to teach them about the movie,” said Klinck. “They didn’t know about it yet, so that was kind of fun. He brought it back, he was sweating, it was great.”

Washington tried to convert on fourth down to open the fourth quarter but Keagan Gilman lit up Brooks as he threw and the ball darted harmlessly into the turf.

This time it was Page’s turn to cash in, scoring on a six-yard run to go up 24-7 with 7:49 to play.

But, the Hornets would not go gentle into that good night.

Stefon Williams recovered a muffed punt deep in Sandite territory and Brooks scored on a two-yard draw for the final touchdown of the game.

Sand Springs successfully fielded an onside kick attempt and ate the final 5:20 of clock on the ground, picking up a trio of first downs to enter the Hornet red zone behind the legs of wildcat quarterback Jace Arnold before assuming victory formation.

“It’s hard soaking it all in, but coming out with a dub - that’s all we want on senior night,” said Arnold, who had nine carries for 39 yards in the second half.

The trio of McCoy, Arnold, and Page combined for 229 yards behind an offensive line that has been fairly dominant against most teams it has faced this year.

“Those guys have an attitude,” Klinck said of his o-line. “I like that they’re getting into it…Our offensive line has been a strength for us all year and our tailbacks are just feeding off that.”

Defensively the Sandites were led by Owen Floyd with eight tackles, followed by Dallas Elifrits and Gunn with seven apiece. Elifrits had three tackles for loss and Waylon Jeffers had two sacks.

The win cemented a third-place finish in the district for the Sandites after finishing fourth the past three years.

“We’re slowly moving up in the right direction,” said Klinck. “I really feel this program’s in a great place. It just depends. I think we are going to be pretty dang successful around here. We’ve just got see how quickly we want to do it and if this senior class wants to be the group that breaks through.”

The Hornets are fighting through their worst season since 1997 but they can still make the postseason with a win against No. 9 Putnam City West (4-5, 1-5) next week.

“Booker T. will be back,” said Klinck. “Coach (Jonathan) Brown’s an unbelievable coach. They’re too good, but we’ll take it this year.”

Sand Springs will look to finish the regular season on a four-game win streak next Thursday when it travels to U.S. Grant (2-7, 0-6). The Generals were the victims of an 83-0 defeat last season in Sandites’ biggest win in school history.

“I think we’re going to be playing our best football coming into the playoffs and that’s all we really want,” said Klinck.

CPHS 24 BTW 14

First Downs: CPHS 15, BTW 10.
C-A-Y-I: CPHS 8-14-63-0, BTW 11-21-132-2.
Rushing: CPHS 45-223, BTW 27-87.
Total Offense: CPHS 59-286, BTW 48-219.
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 4/2, BTW 2/0.
Penalties: CPHS 8-95, BTW 6-51.
Punts-AVG: CPHS 4-37.8, BTW 4-31.

Scoring Summary

1Q (9:18) Puckett 42-yard Field Goal, CPHS 3-0.
1Q (1:40) Page 44-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 10-0.
2Q (10:43) Overstreet 33-yard Pass from Brooks, Carpenter Kick, CPHS 10-7.
3Q (7:01) McCoy 1-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 17-7.
4Q (7:49) Page 6-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 24-7.
4Q (5:20) Brooks 2-yard Run, Carpenter Kick, CPHS 24-14.

Senior Night

Sandite Dance celebrated four seniors: Aubri Castillo, Kylie Colbert, Briley O’Dell, and Emma Warwick.

Cheer celebrated four seniors: Camrie Chatham, Abbigail Elder, Gabrielle Grubb, and Lillie Keim.

Football celebrated three senior trainers (Abby Bryant, Ava Durham, and Kiara Williams) and 17 senior players: Jace Arnold, Kayden Campbell, Jonathan Cruz, Dallas Elifrits, Owen Floyd, Keagan Gilman, Gatlin Gunn, Mason Harris, Kenneth Page Jr., Easton Pritchard, Wyatt Rutledge, Marcum Sims, Marcus Sims, Greer Simmons, Tyler “Tank” Smith, Evan Williams, and Hunter Wilson.

Band celebrated 19 seniors: Logan Baugher, Macy Beard, Mykaela Cole, Ava Duncan, Carsten Englestead, Thomas Fahland, Emily Gregory, Isabelle Hester, Byron Jarrett, Dillon Jones, Kaylah Morgan, Devyn Pearson, Caitlin Shipman, Joshua Simpson, Ty Sims, Garrett Sorenson, Miriam Wilbanks, Tatum Wright, and Shelby Young.

Undefeated Sandite Freshmen Win Frontier Valley Conference, Beat Sapulpa 42-24

For the third time in the past four years, the Sand Springs Class of 2027 football team has laid claim to a conference championship after wrapping up a 9-0 freshman campaign.

The Sandites ended their junior high careers with a 42-24 rout of Sapulpa in a Highway 97 Rivalry game Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium to secure the Frontier Valley Conference National West League Championship for the second straight year.

“What we’re trying to build here at Sand Springs is a winning culture,” said head coach Thomas Parks.

“With these kids winning these conference championships and the team before them winning the conference championship - when they get into high school, all they’re going to be used to is winning, and that’s a good thing for the varsity Sandites.”

This class of Sandites also won the Indian Nations Football Conference AA Division during their sixth grade year.

“Sixth grade we went all the way undefeated,” said kicker Kaidyn Cowan. “That was a sight to see.”

But in seventh grade the Sandites were split into two separate teams and neither was able to make the postseason after dividing their top players.

“Eighth grade we came back, we were still trying to get used to each other again,” said Cowan. “There wasn’t that much teamwork in it, but we got it done.”

The Sandites went 7-1 last year, losing only to Carver Middle School, with whom they split games and shared the conference title.

This time around, however, they finished alone atop the throne after winning 20-0 against Muskogee, 12-6 at Bartlesville, 14-6 against Booker T. Washington, 26-8 at Sapulpa, 30-6 against Union, 44-22 at Muskogee, 28-0 against Bartlesville, 26-14 at Booker T. Washington, and 42-24 against Sapulpa.

“They’re tough and they’re resilient,” said Parks. “There’s been times where things didn’t go our way but we never got too down, we always came back, we always had an answer.”

“We weren’t going to back down from anybody, no matter who we played. We always showed up and played Sandite football. If we play good Sandite football, it’s good enough to beat anybody we come across.”

In the season finale against Sapulpa the Sandites took an 8-0 lead to open the second quarter on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Dom Forbes to Boston Kissee and a two-point run by Kendell Page.

After Kaden Pope recovered an onside kick for the Sandites, Gabe Harris cashed in a 39-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0, but Sapulpa would soon respond.

After putting together a six-play, 74-yard scoring drive, the Chieftains forced a quick turnover on downs and were driving downfield again with the potential to tie things up. But Gabe Harris had other plans, intercepting Sapulpa for a 74-yard pick six.

“Gabe’s been a really good player for us,” said Parks. “Early in the year he faced a little adversity but he kept showing up, kept working hard, and became a dynamite running back and a dynamite player in our secondary. I love Gabe Harris and everything about him.”

Page converted a two-point run and the Sandites averted the momentum shift, taking a 22-6 lead into the half.

The Sandites opened the second half with an onside kick recovery and cashed in immediately. From an empty backfield with a five-receiver set, Forbes shocked the Sapulpa defense with a 60-yard touchdown draw on the first play from scrimmage.

Sapulpa responded with a 56-yard scoring run of its own on the very next play, but Dawson Jamison stuffed the quarterback draw to prevent the two-point play.

Joseph Farmer returned the ensuing kick 73 yards to set up a two-yard touchdown dive by Page and once again the momentum stayed with the Sandites.

“This year is (Farmer)’s first year in Sand Springs,” said Parks. “He’s been an absolutely amazing addition to this team. He can play offense, he can play defense, return kicks, cover kicks - he does everything. He’s a coach’s dream as a player.”

Page added another two-point run to make it 36-12.

“Kendell didn’t get as many carries as he would probably like,” said Parks, “but whenever he was in there he did his job, he did it right, he ran the ball hard, and there are definitely more carries coming that kid’s way if he keeps showing up and doing what he’s supposed to do and producing the way he did for us.”

The Sandite defense came up big on the ensuing possession with Nikyllien Crisp and Hunter Fields getting a tackle for loss, followed by a tackle for loss and a sack from Grady Harris to back the Chieftains up to fourth-and-23.

“Grady’s the type of kid that shows up every day, does what’s right, does his job,” said Parks. “He’s not looking for the accolades, he’s not looking to get noticed, he just wants to do right by the team. He’s the ultimate team player.”

The Sandites shifted Kissee to quarterback and brought Christian Headley into the backfield late in the third and the two methodically worked their way downfield for a two-yard touchdown run by Headley for the final Sandite points of the game.

Sapulpa added a 45-yard touchdown pass on their next drive but Charles Palmer sacked the Chieftain quarterback on the two-point attempt. The Chieftains ended the game with a 73-yard hook-and-ladder for a touchdown as time expired.

Forbes ended the game 2-of-5 passing for 62 yards and had five carries for 78 yards and two total touchdowns.

Pope had two receptions for 45 yards, Gabe Harris had four carries for 62 yards, and Kissee had four carries for 62 yards to go with his 56 receiving yards.

“Boston Kissee is another one of those players that’s a coach’s dream,” said Forbes. “He can play offense, he can play defense, he plays on both of our special teams, he comes to every meeting, he shows up and works hard. I never have to worry if Boston Kissee is doing the right thing. When he gets in at quarterback I have complete trust that our offense is not going to take a step back at all.”

Defensively the Sandites were led by Grady Harris with seven tackles while Caiden Ruhland and Crisp had three apiece.

After the game Cowan gave one last postgame speech to his team reminding them of the bond they forged over the past several years.

“We’re closer than brothers, closer than best friends, closer than anything,” said Cowan, who expects big things from his teammates in the coming years.

“I just hope it’s going to be great and we can get some more championships.”

Sandite Freshmen Move to 8-0 with 26-14 Win at Booker T. Washington

View fullsize

Thomas Parks, pictured in a varsity game, is in his first year as head freshman coach after leading back-to-back 8th grade teams to FVC titles. (Photo: Charity Emigh).

The Sandite freshman football team is in the driver’s seat for a second consecutive Frontier Valley Conference Championship after a 26-14 win over Booker T. Washington Tuesday evening.

The Class of 2027 went 7-1 during its eighth grade season and shared the FVC title with Carver Middle School, the feeder program for Washington. This time around the Sandites are 8-0 and looking to finish unbeaten next Tuesday against Sapulpa.

“It was good to come out and execute the way we did early,” said head coach Thomas Parks, who is pursuing his third consecutive conference title. “We got a little sluggish in the second half but we got the job done.”

The visiting Sandites jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and scored the opening touchdown of the third quarter before letting the Hornets on the board.

“This is a good group (of kids) and playing Booker T. Washington is always a good test,” said Parks. “I’m happy with the way they came out and played.”

Sand Springs set the tone early with a trick play for a touchdown on the first play of the game. Boston Kissee pitched a reverse to quarterback Dom Forbes who aired out a downfield pass to Kaden Pope for the opening score. Ornelas kept for a two-point conversion just 34 seconds into the game.

"Dom Forbes is a really good player for us,” said Parks. “He’s going to be a really good player at the high school. I’m excited to see what he accomplishes here.”

Pope picked off a fourth-down pass attempt on the Hornets’ ensuing possession, cutting inside on a 50/50 ball and wrestling it away from the receiver.

The Sandites took a more methodical approach to their next drive, marching 65 yards before fumbling the ball away in the Hornet red zone.

The defense forced a quick three-and-out, however, and this time the offense went back to its single-play approach, scoring on a 42-yard keeper by Forbes.

“We really just let Dom do his thing,” said Parks. “He’ll throw it, he’ll run it. He can do everything we ask him to do. He’s also a great leader and a great teammate. He’s just the perfect player to have on your team. I love everything about Forbes.”

Kissee broke up a fourth-down deep ball on Washington’s next drive to set up a three-play drive capped by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Forbes to Sutton Cook to go up 20-0.

Kissee also had the last play of the half, forcing out the Hornet quarterback at the 8-yard line to preserve the first-half shutout.

“Sutton Cook’s been a great player for us, Kaden Pope’s always making plays, Boston Kissee’s really good. It’s a total team effort,” said Parks.

Washington got the ball to open the second half and advanced as far as the Sandite 38-yard line before a fumbled handoff resulted in a 52-yard scoop-and-score from Grady Harris for the final Sandite touchdown.

Washington scored on a seven-yard run to end the third quarter and on a four-yard run with 2:08 left in the game, but Cook successfully fielded an onside kick attempt and the Sandites ended the game in victory formation.

Forbes ended the game 7-of-8 passing for 159 yards and two touchdowns plus five carries for 60 yards and a score. Pope had two receptions for 83 yards and Cook had four catches for 51 yards.

Defensively the Sandites were led by Nikyllien Crisp and Kasen McAffrey with six tackles apiece. Joseph Farmer, who also had an interception in the varsity game last week, had four tackles and two pass deflections.

“Joseph Farmer - I gave him the task of covering the best player in my opinion on Booker T.’s team,” said Parks. “He showed up, showed out, and did a great job.”

Sand Springs will look to finish the season undefeated when it hosts Sapulpa Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

"The kids know how important it is to win that one,” said Parks. “We’re just going to show up, have a good week of practice and get after it next Tuesday.”

Special Teams Spark Sandites to 39-14 Win at Putnam City West

Hunter Wilson scored the Sandites first points of the game with a blocked punt for a safety. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

When Bobby Klinck first arrived in Sand Springs in January of 2020, he held a meeting at HillSpring Church where he laid out his vision for the program to players, parents, and community stakeholders.

In that meeting he stressed the importance of special teams.

“Special teams have the ability to shift a game in either direction,” said Klinck. “Either negatively from failed preparation or positively from precise execution. Hidden yardage is the biggest advantage we will look for in special teams.”

In year four of the Klinck era, it’s clear that he wasn’t just talking. Thursday night at No. 9 Putnam City West (3-4, 0-4), it was the special teams who repeatedly shifted the game in the Sandites’ favor.

A blocked punt, two safeties, and kick returns averaging more than 35 yards were the difference maker in a 39-14 win from No. 5 Charles Page High School (4-3, 2-2) to remain undefeated against the Patriots.

“Coach (Jake) Bray, our special teams coordinator, is the best in the state,” said Klinck.

So when Bray came to Klinck this week and said he thought he could bring some pressure on the Patriot punting unit, Klinck said “let’s go get it, man.”

“Credit to the kids doing a great job and credit to Coach Bray for putting that game plan together and really taking advantage of our special teams.”

The first points of the game came on the Patriots’ second possession when Hunter Wilson blocked Brandon Garcia’s punt out the back of the end zone.

Alex Dudley returned the ensuing kick 40 yards to the Patriot 25 and Jace Arnold cashed in seven plays later with a four-yard wildcat run.

The Patriots’ next punt attempt was fumbled and recovered by Christian Freitus for a touchdown.

Then, Gatlin Gunn returned the next punt 41 yards to the Patriot 14, setting up a 9-yard run by Kenneth Page on the first play of the second quarter.

Two plays later, Owen Floyd forced a fumble that Marcum Sims recovered to set up a four-play scoring drive capped by Page’s 23-yard touchdown run.

Page was the workhorse for the Sandites all night, ending with 26 carries for 138 yards. The senior usually shares the load with Ali McCoy, who is missing this week and next with an injury sustained against Stillwater.

“It’s an absolute luxury,” said Klinck, about having two dynamic running backs.

“They’re stacking the box but we’re still able to get positive yards. We get some positive push up front, but then to have a big time tailback who knows where to hit the holes and then finishes runs - that’s a huge luxury to have.”

With a 30-0 lead just two minutes into the second quarter, it looked like the game would be a runaway rout, but the Patriots had other plans.

After holding Putnam West to only 13 yards in the first quarter, the Patriots exploded for 146 yards in the second quarter to make it a two-score game.

Shyheim Johnson led a methodical 10-play, 86-yard march and scored on a two-yard sneak to get his team on the board.

Then Marriceon Gilstrap recovered a fumbled hike to set up a six-play, 45-yard drive capped by a four-yard run from Dujuan Knight.

The Patriots stymied the Sandites’ last drive of the half and opened the second half with Aaron Edwards blocking a 40-yard field goal attempt by Dawson Puckett.

Jamar McCrary recovered the ball, but the Sandites had successfully eaten up nearly eight minutes of clock to slow the Patriots’ momentum.

“When it’s 30 to nothing, we’ve got to find a way to finish opponents and not let them back in the game,” said Klinck. “But I was glad we were able to have a long opening drive. I would have liked to have gotten some points out of that, but that was a good way to open the second half.”

The next three possessions were a series of turnovers on downs.

Freitus broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Mykel Ford in the end zone.

The Patriots responded by stuffing Arnold on fourth-and-one, but four plays later Johnson dumped an incomplete pass under pressure to give it back to the Sandites.

A 58-yard punt from Puckett pinned the Patriots deep in their own red zone and when Garcia failed to corral an errant long snap, the punter decided to toss the ball out the back of his end zone for the second safety of the night.

Dudley returned the ensuing kick 36 yards and Page cashed in a 36-yard screen pass from Easton Webb three plays later to pad the lead.

Freshman Joseph Farmer put the final nail in the Patriot coffin with an interception and the Sandites ended the night in victory formation.

Webb finished the game 7-of-15 for 83 yards passing. In addition to his 138 rushing yards, Page also had three catches for 57 yards.

Dudley led the defense with six tackles, followed by Floyd and Gunn with five apiece. The defense mustered five tackles for loss while holding Putnam West to only 184 yards, with only 25 yards in the second half.

Johnson was 9-of-25 passing for 125 yards and Knight had 15 carries for 77 yards to pace the Patriots.

Sand Springs improved to a perfect 6-0 all-time against the Patriots, though this was the closest meeting since 2017.

“Coach (Gregory) Johnson did a good job,” said Klinck. “Those kids were ready to go. They had a good game plan, they’re stacking the box. They did a good job taking away what we like to do, so hat’s off to them.”

“I was happy we were able to get some younger kids in to get some meaningful snaps and we had a freshman get an interception.”

“I think our program’s to the point of we’re disappointed in a 25-point win. Our kids know that we left some plays out there and that we need to finish an opponent off.”

Next up for the Sandites will be yet another Thursday night game, this time at home against No. 6 Bartlesville (3-4, 3-1), who fell 14-10 to No. 4 Stillwater in their Week 6 meeting.

Sand Springs has won three in a row against the Bruins, but Bartlesville leads the series 21-18. The series is one of the longest-standing rivalries for either school, having been played 22 consecutive seasons. The two teams have only missed playing each other twice since Bartlesville High School opened in 1982.

CPHS 39 PCW 14

First Downs: CPHS 10, PCW 7.
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 4/2, PCW 5/2.
C-A-Y-I: CPHS 8-16-83-0, PCW 9-25-125-1.
Rushes-Yards: CPHS 43-143, PCW 21-58.
Plays-Yards: CPHS 59-226, PCW 46-183.
Penalties-Yards: CPHS 10-65, PCW 13-95.

Scoring Summary

1Q (6:56) - Wilson Safety, CPHS 2-0.
1Q (4:23) - Arnold 4-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 9-0.
1Q (3:37) - Freitus Fumble Recovery, Puckett Kick, CPHS 16-0.
2Q (11:52) - Page 9-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 23-0.
2Q (9:51) - Page 23-yard Run, Puckett Kick, CPHS 30-0.
2Q (5:29) - Johnson 1-yard Run, Garcia Kick, CPHS 30-7.
2Q (1:56) - Knight 4-yard Run, Garcia Kick, CPHS 30-14.
4Q (7:12) - Safety, CPHS 32-14.
4Q (5:32) - Page 36-yard Pass from Webb, Puckett Kick, CPHS 39-14.