By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page Junior Varsity football team suffered a loss for its final game of the season Monday night, falling 40-6 to Booker T Washington at Memorial Stadium in Sand Springs.

Freshman quarterback Caden Pennington led the Sandites in offensive yardage with 105 passing and 3 rushing. Sophomore Ben Norte picked up 45 yards over 15 carries, followed by backup quarterback Cameron Smith who made a late fourth-quarter appearance for 31 yards on 4 carries.

Tre Finch and Austin McNatt were the defensive stars. Finch led the team with six tackles and the lone fumble recovery. McNatt had five tackles and two pass-breakups.

The junior Hornets emerged to an early lead on the fourth play of the game with a 29-yard touchdown reception. Sand Springs blocked the point-after attempt, but trailed 6-0 with 7:55 left in the first quarter.

Sand Springs drove the ball 31 yards before Josiah Chism punted it away to the Hornet 9 yard line.

Two plays later, the Hornets took to the air with a 90 yard touchdown pass. This time the PAT was good and the visitors had a 13-0 lead that they would take into the second quarter.

With 2:28 left in the half, a 2-yard quarterback keeper gave Booker T a 20-0 advantage. The corresponding kickoff was picked up by Colton Washington for a 43 yard return to the Hornet 37.

The Sandites had some magic up their sleeves and Pennington pitched a lateral to Cody Motes who connected with Tyler Smith for a 37-yard touchdown. A 2-pt conversion attempt failed, but the Sandites avoided a shut out with 1:57 left in the half.

Sand Springs wouldn’t have the final score of the quarter, however, as the Hornet quarterback launched a 38 yard pass for a touchdown and a 27-6 lead.

The home team tried to respond with a 42 yard pass from Pennington to Washington, but the receiver was finally drug down at the 10 and lost the ball as the clock expired.

The second half was a knock-down drag out as the Sandites managed only 85 yards of total offense over 21 plays.

The defense played a great third quarter, however, and held the Hornets scoreless. Finch snagged a fumbled lateral and the next drive took the ball to the Hornet 11 where a fourth-and-short attempt fell flat.

The secondary showed themselves strong when they put a stop to a 74 yard drive and held the Hornets to a field goal attempt that missed.

The visitors would not be denied in the fourth quarter, however, and scored on a 12 yard pass and a 40 yard interception for a final score of 40-6.