CPHS Football: Sandites thump Sapulpa 31-16 behind Payton Scott's 352 yards

It was a packed house at George F. Collins Stadium and the Sandites had plenty of fans to cheer them on to a 31-16 victory. (Photo: Morgan Miller). 

It was rivalry week on the West side as the Charles Page High School Sandites (2-2 overall, 1-0 district) traveled to Sapulpa (0-4, 0-1) for the Chieftains' Homecoming game. Sand Springs rolled to a dominating 31-16 victory over their arch rivals to start district play.

CPHS 31 SHS 16
1Q CPHS 7-0
2Q CPHS 10-0
3Q SHS 13-7
4Q CPHS 7-3

Passing: CPHS 4-6-44-1, SHS 10-16-80-2.
Rushing: CPHS 44-359, SHS 29-203.
Plays-Offense: CPHS 50-403, SHS 45-283.
First Downs: CPHS 13, SHS 13.
Penalties: CPHS 6-56, SHS 3-19.
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 0/0, SHS 1/1.

Click here to view full photo gallery.

Just a week after carrying for 231 yards and three touchdowns against Putnam West, senior running back Payton Scott had the biggest night of his career with 29 carries for 352 yards and four touchdowns against the Chieftains. He was one touchdown short of his highest-scoring night, but surpassed his highest running output by 79 yards and his highest total yardage by 30 yards. His four touchdowns came on carries of 45, 19, 75, and 36 yards.

The Sandites throttled Sapulpa in the first half, leading 17-0 as they headed to the locker room. Click here to read the full story from the first half.

Scott was already sitting comfortably at 18 carries for 190 yards before the Sandites returned to the field. Junior quarterback Caden Pennington was 4-6-44-1 in the first half, and didn't attempt a single pass in the second. Scott was the only player to run a play in the third quarter, and with the exception of a three-yard run from Tyler McCallie, and three knees from Pennington, he was the only carrier in the fourth quarter too. 

What Sand Springs did in the first half, Sapulpa did in the third quarter, running the ball for 56 yards before Elijah Willliams hit Marcus Esparza for 22 yards and a touchdown. Kaivon Mortazavi drilled the PAT and the Chieftains were on the board.

Scott pulled out a big eighteen-yard run for the Sandites on their first possession, but three runs later he was still at the line of scrimmage and the Sandites punted for the first time.

Sapulpa took advantage, marching 85 yards in fourteen plays, scoring on a one-yard keeper. This time Mortazavi missed the kick and the Chieftains trailed 17-13. Scott had an answer for them, taking the ball 75 yards to the house on the first play of the corresponding drive. 

Sapulpa had the ball to start the fourth quarter, racking up four first downs and 61 yards before settling for a field goal. The Chieftains handled the ball well at the start of the drive, heading 64 yards in nine plays for first and goal at the two-yard line. Then they caught a holding penalty, a few incomplete passes, and a stout Sandite D-line and ended up fourth and goal at the ten. An unsportsmanlike penalty on Sand Springs gave them an extra five, and Mortazavi drilled the goal from 23 yards out.

The Sandites didn't need nearly as many snaps to do twice as much damage on their next possession. A failed onside kick attempt gave them great field advantage at the Chieftain 47. Scott used three snaps for a first down, then took it 36 yards for the score, making it a two-possession game once again with only 3:32 to play.

Sapulpa's next drive ended in an eleven-yard interception return by Braden Askew. The Sandites picked up a first down from Scott, traveling to the Chieftain 32 before ending the game in victory formation.

Braden Millican and Kameron Adcock split receiving duties down the middle with two catches apiece. Millican ended up with 21 yards and Adcock had 23. Hayden Cramer led on defense with nine tackles, one for loss. 

The Sandites will return to action next week in Yukon with a non-district game against the 6A-I Millers (2-2). The Millers have losses of 31-14 to Mustang (2-2) and 56-20 to Broken Arrow (1-3), but defeated Norman North (3-1) 38-31 and Southmoore (0-4) 28-7. Last season the Sandites hosted Yukon and improved to 3-2 with a 30-14 victory behind Hunter Greathouse's three passing touchdowns.

Sapulpa will take on the top team in Class 6A-II as they travel to No. 1 Booker T. Washington (4-1) who started district play with a 63-21 thumping of No. 15 Ponca City (0-4)

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 4-6-44-1.
Rushing: Scott 29-352, Edwards 4-16, Nortey 3-8, McCallie 2-5, Pennington 6-(-22).
Receiving: Adcock 2-23, Millican 2-21.
Punting: Smith 1-25.
Kicking: Weiser 5-161.
PAT: Weiser 4/4.
Field Goals: Weiser 1-25.
Tackles: Cramer 9, Fleischman 5, Edwards 4, Moyer 3, Bratcher 3, Adcock 2, Fain 2, Haley 2, Mackey 1, Denton 1, Lyons 1, Mallory 1, Askew 1, Finch 1.
Sacks: Edwards 1-5.
Tackles for loss: Bratcher 1-7, Edwards 1-5, Cramer 1-3, Moyer 1-3, Fleischman 1-2, Fain 1-1.
Kick returns: Scott 1-37.
Interceptions-return: Askew 1-11, Lyons 1-0, Edwards 0-2.
Forced Fumbles: Denton 1.
Fumble Recoveries: Weiser 1.

Sapulpa Individual Statistics

Passing: E. Williams 10-16-80-2.
Rushing: Esparza 6-99, Williams 13-70, Vann 10-34.
Receiving: Esparza 3-41, Sanders 5-40, K. Williams 1-6, Hancock 1-(-7). 
Kick returns: Sanders 1-22.
Punting: Mortazavi 1-15.
Kicking: Mortazavi 2-90.
Field Goals: Mortazavi 1-23. 
Interceptions-return: Lopez 1-25.

CPHS Football: Sandites lead Sapulpa 17-0 at halftime

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Photo: Morgan Miller.

No. 7 Sand Springs (1-2) is visiting George F. Collins Stadium for the Highway 97 rivalry game against Sapulpa (0-3). The district-opening battle is also Sapulpa's homecoming night, and they're in trouble after the first half.

The Sandites got off to a great start, scoring on their first possession, marching 80 yards in only five plays. Payton Scott snagged a first down on the first run of the game, Caden Pennington hit Kameron Adcock for an eight-yard pass and another first down, then Scott took it 55 yards to the house. Jaden Weiser made his tenth extra-point of the season and the Sandites were up 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.

Sapulpa’s first possession netted four yards and no first downs, and the Sandite offense ended up with great position after a high punt started them at the Chieftain 42. It was a rough drive, however, and the Sandites needed fourteen snaps to push it 29 yards before turning the ball over. Pennington found Braden Millican for sixteen yards on a fourth down, setting up Scott for a seventeen-yard run.

Unfortunately for the Sandites, the play was called back for holding and they couldn’t replicate the success. Ben Nortey picked up six yards, then Pennington escaped from a collapsed pocket and ended up with a gain of six, but this time their fourth-down pass was batted down and Sapulpa got the ball.

The Chieftains had their first big play on an eleven-yard screen pass from Elijah Williams to Marcus Esparza for a first down to end the first quarter. Esparza snagged a huge run for 53 yards to the Sandite redzone before Braden Askew caught up with him, but the defense rallied from there. Gage Fain pushed Williams back several yards before losing his footing. Williams regained some of the ground, but couldn’t make the line of scrimmage before being brought to earth by Hayden Cramer and Lucas Adcock. Williams grabbed nine yards on a keeper, but a fumbled snap returned it to the Sandite fifteen. A 36-yard field goal attempt from Kaivon Mortazavi hit a headwind and sailed high left leaving Sapulpa with nothing to show for their huge drive.

Sand Springs had another decent drive with 30 yards from Scott and a five-yard screen to Millican, but after picking up two first downs the Sandites turned it over with an interception from Sapulpa’s Josh Lopez.

The Chieftains didn’t hold onto the ball for long as a screen pass was tipped up into the hands of Jerry Lyons. Lyons was hit from behind and let the ball fly, but once again it found the hands of a Sandite. Kris Edwards secured the pick and the Sandite offense returned to the field after a nine-second break.

This time the Sandites executed flawlessly for a four run, 58-yard drive capped by a 19-yard carry from Scott. Weiser’s kick sailed true and the Sandites were up 14-0 with 4:19 in the half.

Weiser sent the kick to the 29, the Chieftains returned it to the 38, and Bryson Denton knocked the ball loose where it was recovered by Weiser. The ecstatic kicker spiked the ball for an unsportsmanlike penalty, but it didn’t slow the Sandite train. Nortey, Scott, and Edwards combined for 38 yards on six carries for another penetration, but the Chieftain defense held true this time. Scott was met at the line for no gain, then Garrett Clark sacked Pennington for 10. Pennington found Adcock for fifteen yards, but with a fourth-and-five opportunity in front of them, the Sandites elected to go for the field goal. Weiser connected from 25 yards for his first goal of the season and the Sandites retired the half 17-0.

Week Four 6A-II rankings and predictions; a look at this weekend's games

No. 1 Booker T. Washington Hornets (2) vs. No. 15 Ponca City Wildcats (15) *District 2

Booker T. (3-1) snapped back from their prior week's loss to West Monroe, Louisiana (4-0) with a devastating 63-0 shutout of Shawnee (2-1). The Hornets held their foes to a mere 109 offensive yards, while racking up 488 of their own. Phillip Wheatley was 9-13-166-1 and the Hornets were 32-322 on the ground. They secured two interceptions and one fumble recovery, but gave up 137 yards in penalties. 

Read the full story from Mark Foster with the Tulsa World.

Ponca (0-3) is coming off a much needed bye week after being brutalized 48-0 by Guthrie (1-2), 61-34 by Enid (2-0), and 28-7 by Edmond Memorial (1-2). 

The pick: BTW 59 Ponca 6.

No. 2 Bixby Spartans (Last week No. 1) vs. Westmoore Jaguars

The defending Division II State Champions (1-2) suffered a major blow Thursday, falling 37-35 to Putnam City (3-0) in a sloppy offensive mess. The Pirates started 16-0 and the Spartans ended 13-0, but failed a two-point pass that would have tied things up. Bixby gave up a full field's length in penalties, fumbled five times, and threw four interceptions. 

Read the full story from Jacob Unruh with The Oklahoman.

Westmoore (3-0) is still undefeated this season, winning their first three games in dominating fashion. The Class 6A-I Jaguars won their hometown rivalry series 50-18 over Moore (1-2) and 53-6 over Southmoore (0-3) before rolling over Edmond North (1-2) 42-17. Braxton George ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries. Braxton Bohrofen passed 24-38-323-1 for three touchdowns. The Jaguars outpaced their fores 540 yards to 229.

Read the full story from Peter Agnitsch with the Edmond Sun.

The pick: Bixby 45 Westmoore 38.0

No. 3 Midwest City Bombers (3) vs. No. 4 Lawton Wolverines (5) *District 1

The Bombers (2-1) bounced back from an overtime loss to Booker T. with a 41-6 blowout of 5A Del City (1-2). Preston Colbert ran in two scores and passed 13-18-255-1 for three touchdowns to three different receivers. The run game was practically nonexistent, however with 27 carries for 43 yards. Defensively they held Del City to 213 yards while picking off two passes and snagging one fumble recovery. In a recurring trend among the top teams in 6A-II, the Bombers gave up a field's worth of penalties.

Read the full story from Adam Kemp with The Oklahoman.

Lawton (2-1) rolled over their 5A in-town rivals in Eisenhower (0-3) 67-13 with five touchdowns from Miles Davis who carried nine times for 226 yards. Alihas Hopper was equally lethal, passing 5 of 9 for 157 yards and a score.

Read the full story from Glen Brockenbush with The Lawton Constitution.

The pick: MWC 31 Lawton 27.

No. 5 Muskogee Roughers (4) vs. No. 9 Bartlesville Bruins (8) *District 2

Muskogee (1-2) lost their season opener 26-20 to Midwest City despite ending with 20 unanswered points, then shutout McAlester 54-0, then started Friday's game 10-0 for a streak of 84 unanswered points before Bentonville West (3-0) put an end to the onslaught and ultimately prevailed 43-35. The Roughers gave up 116 yards in penalties, fumbled twice and lost one. Jacob Medrano passed 23-40-328-0 with three scores, while Kristian Hillmon led the ground game with 10 carries for 57 yards and a score. Head Coach Rafe Watkins credited thirteen dropped passes, one that could have been a score, as a top contributing factor in the loss. 

Read the full story from Mike Kays with the Muskogee Phoenix.

Bartlesville (1-2) kicked off the season with a 30-25 victory over 5A McAlester (0-3), but dropped their past two games 56-14 to 6A-I Owasso (3-0) and 48-29 to 4A Cascia Hall (1-2). Noah Sunday threw 15 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns against the Commandos. The Bruins lost their Head Coach two weeks ago, putting the reigns in the hands of interim coach Kyle Ppool. They had a bye week to adapt to the changes.

Read the full story from Nathan Thompson with the Bartlesville Examiner.

The Pick: Muskogee 47 Bartlesville 21.

No. 6 Putnam City Pirates (10) vs. No. 7 Choctaw Yellowjackets (6) *District 1

Putnam City (3-0) pulled off a massive 37-35 upset against the defending State Champions from Bixby (1-2) thanks to a powerful passing game, solid defense, and a whole lot of Spartan miscues. A.J. Newsome was 23-38-418-2 with all five Pirate touchdowns. The Pirates won the turnover battle with one fumble recovery and four interceptions, and blocked a punt for a safety in the first quarter, jumping out to a 16-0 lead. 

Choctaw (3-0) is on their first 3-0 start since 1982 after dominating Putnam City North (1-2) 42-14. Hudson Woods was 19-27-158 passing with two touchdowns and added another 95 yards on the ground. The Yellowjackets amassed 220 rushing yards in the murderous campaign.

Read the full story from Ryan Horton with the Chcotaw Times.

The pick: Putnam 34 Choctaw 24.

No. 8 Sand Springs Sandtes (7) vs. No. 14 Sapulpa Chieftains (14) *District 2

Charles Page High School (1-2) notched their first win of the season 28-14 against Putnam City West (1-2), finally getting the monkey off their back in regards to the passing game. The bulk of their offense came from Payton Scott's 34 carries for 231 yards and three touchdowns, but Caden Pennington had his breakout game passing 6-12-145-1 for a touchdown. Scott was also the leading receiver with 3 catches for 91 yards and a score. Defensively the Sandites recorded two forced fumbles, one recovery, and one interception.

Read the full story from Scott Emigh with Sandite Pride News.

Sapulpa (0-3) is off to a rough start this year, falling 28-12 to Duncan (1-2), 27-20 to Choctaw (3-0), and 38-3 to Bishop Kelley (2-1). 

The pick: CPHS 35 Sapulpa 12.

No. 10 Enid Plainsmen (9) vs. No. 13 Putnam City West Patriots (13) *District 2

Enid (2-1) suffered their first loss of the year 60-34 at the hands of 5A powerhouse Bishop McGuinness (3-0), putting up 454 yards to the Irish's 640. Mason Skrimager passed 25-44-228-0 with one touchdown in the loss, and picked up another score on a 66-yard run. The Plainsmen finished with 226 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, three of which came from outside the red zone. The Plainsmen were well disciplined with no fumbles, no interceptions, and only five penalties for 26 yards. 

Read the full story from Dave Ruthenberg with Enid News.

Putnam West (1-2) had a hard-fought 28-14 loss to Sand Springs. The Patriots had zero passing game, making only one completion for eight yards, and throwing one interception to accompany their six fumbles. On the ground they were 48-276.

The pick: Enid 42 PCW 21.

No. 11 Deer Creek Antlers (11) vs. No. 12 Stillwater Pioneers (12) *District 1

Deer Creek (2-1) snapped back from a 38-21 loss to Edmond Santa Fe (2-2) with a 27-14 win over Edmond Memorial (2-2). Hunter Freese passed 14-25-252 with two touchdowns and ran the ball nine times for 66 yards. 

Read the full story from Aaron Albertson with the Edmond Sun.

Stillwater (3-0) had a huge 31-14 upset win over Mustang (2-1), utilizing six turnovers to stun a team that had dominated its first two opponents. Gunnar Gundy passed 12-22-105-0 for one touchdown, while Qwontrel Walker lit up the ground with 27 carries for 159 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Disidore added another 7 carries for 77 yards and two scores. 

Read the full story from Jimmy Gillispie with the Stillwater News Press.

The pick: Stillwater 28 Deer Creek 17. 
 

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
Overall: 23-10 (.697)
Last Week: 8-3 (.727)
Last Year: 48-21 (.695)

Virgil Noah
Staff Writer
Overall: 11-10* (.523)
Last Week: 7-4 (.636)
Last Year: 43-26 (.623)

*Virgil missed the first week of picks.

CPHS Football: Payton Scott's 322 yards and 4 TDs lead Sandites to 28-14 victory

Sponsored by Nozak Consulting.

The No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School football team (1-2) finally got in the win column Friday night in Warr Acres with a 28-14 performance against the No. 13 Putnam City West Patriots (1-2). The home team hung tight with the Sandites through most of the game, but were unable to overcome the staggering Sandite defense and potent play-making of Payton Scott.

CPHS 28 PCW 14
1Q All 7-7
2Q CPHS 7-0
3Q All 7-7
4Q CPHS 7-0

Passing: CPHS 6-12-145-1, PCW 1-6-8-1.
Rushing: PCW 48-276, CPHS 44-238.
Plays-Offense: CPHS 56-383, PCW 54-246.
First Downs: CPHS 14, PCW 11.
Penalties: CPHS 5-45, PCW 5-45.
Fumbles/Lost: PCW 6/1, CPHS 2/2.

Click here to view full photo gallery.

Scott, a 5'5" 180 pound running back and wrestling State Champion, has been the Sandites' bread and butter this season. Just last week he carried 40 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns. This week he only needed 34 runs to amass 231 yards and three touchdowns. 

The Sandites saw major improvement in the passing game, which has been practically nonexistent in the past two weeks. Theoretically, junior quarterback Caden Pennington should be about 50% on completions this year. Unfortunately, after graduating the entire varsity receiving team, the young guns he's throwing to have been unable to secure the ball.

Pennington was still throwing long on the few deep attempts he made, but the Sandites compensated by cutting his distance and relying primarily on screen passes. The formula worked, and Scott had the biggest receiving night of his career with three receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Dash Fleischman hauled in one pass for 40 yards, and Braden Millican took two hits for 14 yards, leaving Pennington with a career high 6-12-145 performance and his first varsity touchdown.

The home team made a statement on their opening drive, marching 61 yards for an 11-yard touchdown run from Anthony Johnson. Dylan Smith kicked the extra point and the Sandites were in a 7-0 hole just three minutes into the game.

Never daunted, the Sandites responded with an 80-yard march in seven plays. Pennington hit Millican for his first pass of the night, picking up a first down in six yards thanks to a Patriot penalty. Next he showed off his scramble, snagging four yards after a bad hike prevented the planned pass.

Scott's first run came up negative, but he snatched his first screen of the night and took it 37 yards. Then Scott dragged a pair of defenders for four yards after contact and snagged a first down in the redzone on his second run of the night. Two snaps later and the rugged running back broke multiple contacts for an 18-yard scoring run. Jaden Weiser's kick sailed true and it was a tie ballgame at Putnam City Stadium.

The teams traded possession from there and Sand Springs lit up the scoreboard three plays into the second quarter with a 52-yard screen play from Pennington to Scott for the lead. Weiser's kick made it 14-7, which would remain the score at half time.

With three minutes left in the third quarter the Sandites made it a two possession game thanks to a 31-yard carry from Scott. The home team responded in a mere three plays. Tyvon Ellis took a handoff 65 yards before being toppled at the four-yard line by Joel Mackey. Mackey may have clocked the fastest sprint in the night to prevent the touchdown, hitting Ellis so hard that the senior back couldn't get off the field for a good five minutes. Not to worry though, Ellis made it back in the fourth quarter for a quick run before being clobbered all over again by the lethal Sandite defense. 

Unfortunately, Mackey's magnificent play couldn't prevent the inevitable and the Patriots scored two plays later with a 1-yard run from Larrell Smith. 

In the fourth quarter Patriot kicker Dylan Smith tried to boot a field goal from the 34-yard line but came up dry, and Sand Springs returned to a double-digit lead on their next possession.

Fleischman took his lone pass of the night and made it count, breaking three tackles for 40 yards. Scott took it the rest of the way and scored from five yards out. Weiser finished the night perfect for a final score of 28-14.

Defensively the Sandites made several big plays, forcing three punts and two fumbles, hauling in one interception, and three turnovers on downs. Braden Askew hauled in his first pick of the season on a deep pass at the two-yard line, likely preventing a Patriot score. Kameron Adcock and Jerry Lyons both forced fumbles, and Askew secured one of the Patriot's six dropped balls. Hayden Cramer was the quick man to the ball, finishing with a team high 11 tackles.

The Sandites will return to action next Friday with a Highway 97 rivalry road game against No. 14 Sapulpa (0-3) who most recently fell 38-3 to Bishop Kelley (2-1).

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 6-12-145-1.
Rushing: Scott 34-231, McCallie 2-9, Mackey 1-8, Pennington 7-(-10).
Receiving: Scott 3-91, Fleischman 1-40, Millican 2-14.
Punting: Smith 4-145.
Kicking: Weiser 5-166.
Tackles: Cramer 11, Fleischman 7, Edwards 7, Mackey 6, Fain 4, Denton 3, L. Adcock 2, Haley 2, Finch 1, Lyons 1. 
Tackles-for-loss: Finch 1-4. 
Breakups: Lyons 1.
Kickoff Returns: Scott 1-34, Mackey 1-14.
Interceptions: Askew 1. 
Forced Fumbles: K. Adcock 1, Lyons 1. 

Choctaw Individual Statistics

Passing: Cotton 1-5-8-1, Ansley 0-1-0-0.
Rushing: Ellis 9-85, Johnson 5-67, Ansley 7-57, Sharp 8-43, Smith 4-7, Cotton 14-5.
Receiving: Trotman 1-8.
Kick Returns: Ingram 3-57.
Punting: Henry 3-102.
Kicking: Smith 3-150.

Week Three 6A-II rankings and predictions; a look at this weekend's games

No. 1 Bixby Spartans (Last week No. 1) vs. No. 10 Putnam City Pirates (11)

The defending Division II State Champions (1-1) suffered a 47-28 loss against Arkansas 7A Bentonville (1-1). The Spartans jumped out to 21-0 lead in the second quarter, but the Tigers closed out with five unanswered touchdowns and held the home team scoreless in the second half. Staton King was 18-31-191-2 passing and 17-82 on the ground. The Spartans gave up a full field worth of penalties, but performed well defensively with three fumble recoveries and an interception.

Putnam City (2-0) pulled off a massive victory against 5A El Reno (1-1), utterly dominating the Indians 63-6. AJ Newsome was 15-22-222 passing and scored six touchdowns, three by air and three by land. The Pirates picked up three fumbles, including a 35-yard touchdown return. 

The pick: Bixby 57 Putnam 29.

No. 2 Booker T. Washington Hornets (2) vs. Shawnee Wolves

Booker T. (2-1) dropped their first loss of the season 30-21 to Louisiana 5A State Runners-Up West Monroe (3-0) at the Battle on the Border. Phillip Wheatley was 19-40-310-0 with all three Hornet touchdowns. The ground game was nonexistent with 19 carries for 28 yards. 

5A Shawnee (2-0) is undefeated, but their wins were low-scoring against average teams. They topped Duncan 7-6 with a fourth-quarter 69-yard pass to take the lead. Hunter Heath was 11-21-135-2. The Wolves will be without their head coach, who was ejected in the game against Duncan (1-2).

The pick: BTW 39 Shawnee 10.

No. 3 Midwest City Bombers (3) vs. Del City Eagles

The Bombers (1-1) lost a 27-24 overtime heart-breaker to Booker T. two weeks ago and had a bye week to recover. 5A Del City (1-1) picked up their first win of the season 40-14 over Eisenhower (0-2).

The pick: MWC 32 Del 14.

No. 4 Muskogee Roughers (5) vs. Bentonville West Wolverines

Muskogee (1-1) lost a close 26-20 season opener to Midwest City (1-1), but ended on a high-note. They fell in a 26-0 deficit before getting on the scoreboard, then shut out McAlester 54-0 leaving them with a streak of 74 unanswered points over the last two games. Against McAlester, QB Jacob Medrano recorded 481 yards, finding Diante Crutchfield for 292 and three touchdowns. Defensively they held the Buffalo to less than 100 yards with five sacks. The Roughers are coming off a bye week and are all rested up and ready for action.

Arkansas 7A Bentonville West (2-0) easily handled 5A Pryor (0-2) 49-13 and Central Little Rock (1-1) 48-14. The Wolverines were 10-20-241-0 passing and 35-229 on the ground with zero fumbles and only four penalties. 

Virgil says: Bentonville 42 Muskogee 28.
Scott says: Muskogee 48 Benvontille 35.

No. 5 Lawton Wolverines (6) vs. Eisenhower Eagles

Lawton (1-1) steamrolled their 5A rivals from MacArthur (1-1) 50-20, thanks in part to junior running back Miles Davis who carried 18 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns. This week is another in-town rivalry game against Eisenhower (0-2) who fell 40-14 to Del City (1-1) last week.

The pick: Lawton 58 Ike 17.

No. 6 Choctaw Yellowjackets (7) vs Putnam City North Panthers

For the second-straight week the Yellowjackets (2-0) trailed at the half and came back for the win. This time they were down 13-7 to Sand Springs (0-2) before surging to the 21-20 victory. Hudson Woods was 17-27-222-1 passing and led the ground game with 21 carries for 65 yards. 

Putnam North (2-0) won their in-town rivalry game against Putnam West (1-1) with a hearty 30-7 beat down.

Virgil says: PCN 28 Choctaw 21.
cott says: Choctaw 35 PCN 21.

No. 7 Sand Springs Sandtes (4) vs. No. 13 Putnam City West Patriots (13)

Charles Page High School (0-2) took a 13-0 lead on Choctaw (2-0) last week before the Yellowjackets surged back in the second half for a 21-20 victory. The Sandite passing game improved from the week prior, but was still shoddy at 6-18-39-1. Payton Scott led the ground with 40 carries for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively the Sandites were solid with an interception and nine tackles for loss. 

Putnam West (1-1) was hammered 30-7 in a rivalry game against Putnam North (1-1). The Patriots also relied primarily on the ground game, carrying 48 times for 231 yards.

The pick: CPHS 31 CPW 14.

No. 8 Bartlesville Bruins (8) - Bye Week

Bartlesville (1-1) kicked off the season with a 30-25 victory over 5A McAlester (0-2), but dropped their past two games 56-14 to 6A-I Owasso (3-0) and 48-29 to 4A Cascia Hall (1-1). Noah Sunday threw 15 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns. The Bruins fired their Head Coach last week, putting the reigns in the hands of interim coach Kyle Ppool. They will have some down time to adapt to the changes before returning to action against Muskogee next week. 

No. 9 Enid Plainsmen (9) vs. Bishop McGuinness

Enid (2-0) is off to a hot start with their best record since 2012, topping Guthrie (0-2) 34-23 and Ponca City (0-2) 61-34. Junior QB Mason Skrimager passed for 191 yards and three touchdowns against the Bluejays, then recorded 290 yards and two strikes against the Wildcats. 271 yards came in the first half alone. Marlo Hughes ran for 155 yards and three touchdowns, while Seth Ellis set a single-game record for the Plainsmen with four interceptions, including a 99-yard return. Enid jumped to a 21-0 first quarter lead and was up 34-14 at halftime. The Plainsmen are all rested up after a bye week.

5A Bishop McGuinness (2-0) is also on a strong start to the year, handling Del City (1-1) 32-23 and Bishop Kelley (1-1) 42-21. Sophomore running back Dominic Richardson carried 26 times for 273 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Brennan Mullins scored twice on the ground. 

Virgil says: Enid 32 McG 31.
Scott says: McG 42 Enid 35.

No. 11 Deer Creek Antlers (10) vs. Edmond Memorial Bulldogs

Deer Creek (1-1) started the season with a 21-13 win over Southmoore (0-1), but fell 38-21 to Edmond Santa Fe (2-1). Dylan Diaz had a marvelous 97-yard kick return, while quarterback Hunter Freese found Logan Huslig for a pair of scores through the air. Freese was 18-28-170-1, but the ground game went negative at 21 carries for negative seven yards. 

Edmond Memorial (1-2) dropped a 25-17 decision to Edmond North (1-1). Memorial was 11-22-94-0 passing and the dogs combined for 91 yards on 30 carries. 

The pick: DC 35 EDM 30.

No. 12 Stillwater Pioneers (12) vs. Mustang Broncos

Stillwater (2-0) easily handled Edmond Memorial (1-2) 23-7 in their season opener then topped Moore (0-2) 14-7. Gunnar Gundy was 7-8-188-0 passing for both touchdowns. The game was sloppy on both sides. Moore had three fumbles but recovered each, while Stillwater lost three of their four fumbles, but picked off two passes from the Lions. Stillwater won the first half 14-0 while Moore scored the lone points of the second half with a fourth quarter run. 

6A-I Mustang (2-0) is off to a dominating start with a 31-14 victory over Yukon (1-1) and a 48-14 win against Norman (0-2). Brayden Garrett was 9-18-171-0 through the air and the Bronchos combined for 241 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. 

The pick: Mustang 43 Stillwater 18.

No. 14 Sapulpa Chieftains (14) vs. Bishop Kelley Comets

Sapulpa (0-2) got off to a rough start this year, falling 28-12 to Duncan (1-2) and 27-20 to Choctaw (2-0). The Chieftains took a bye week to recover and will return to action against 5A Bishop Kelley (1-1). The Comets fell 42-21 to Bishop McGuinness (2-0) but rolled over Edison (1-1) 48-14 in week one.

The pick: Kelley 30 Sapulpa 18.

No. 15 Ponca City Wildcats (15) - Bye Week

Ponca (0-3) will get a much needed bye week after being brutalized 48-0 by Guthrie (1-2), 61-34 by Enid (2-0), and 28-7 by Edmond Memorial (1-2). Justin Andrews was 14-28-116 against the Bluejays, but the ground game was practically nonexistent with 26 carries for a mere 44 yards. 

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
Overall: 15-7 (.681)
Last Week: 5-5 (.500)
Last Year: 48-21 (.695)

Virgil Noah
Staff Writer
Overall: 4-6* (.400)
Last Week: 4-6 (.400)
Last Year: 43-26 (.623)

*Virgil missed the first week of picks.

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.

Click here to view full photo gallery.

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.