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

No. 1 Booker T. Washington Hornets (Last week No. 1) vs. No. 4 Muskogee Roughers (4)* District 2

Booker T. Washington (5-1, 2-0) took a 63-0 third-quarter lead for the second-straight week and defeated the Sapulpa Chieftains (0-5, 0-2) after a scoreless fourth quarter. 

The Hornet defense put up unreal numbers against Sapulpa, holding them to negative yards rushing, six yards passing, a single first down, and nine punts, including one that was blocked in the endzone for a D.J. Jones touchdown. Carrick Jackson added another defensive score on a 34-yard interception return. Offensively the Hornets racked up 339 yards on 40 carries and were 9-12-162-0 passing.

Muskogee (2-3, 1-1) is coming off a 39-23 loss to Bixby (2-3, 1-0). The Roughers played a solid game behind Jacob Medrano's 29-43-428-1 passing performance, but gave up two fumbles, thirteen penalties for 89 yards, and failed to secure any turnovers of their own. They were also held to field goals on three drives, scoring on kicks of 27, 21, and 37 yards from Manuel Espinosa. 

The pick: BTW 42 Muskogee 26

No. 2 Midwest City Bombers (2) vs. No. 9 Choctaw Yellowjackets (9)* District 1

Midwest City (4-1, 2-0) won their highest-scoring game of the season, hammering Deer Creek (2-3, 0-2) 63-14. Preston Colbert passed for five touchdowns, Astin Anderson scored three on the ground and backup quarterback Semaj Donner added another running score.

Choctaw (4-1, 1-1) bounced back from their loss to Putnam City (4-1, 1-1) with a 37-0 shutout of Enid (3-2, 1-1). The defense played lights out with four sacks, two interceptions, and one pick six from Angel Ackerman. 

The pick: MWC 42 Choctaw 26. 

No. 3 Bixby Spartans (3) vs. No. 15 Sapulpa (14)* District 2

The three-time defending State Champions (2-3, 1-0) got their season back on track in the district opener, solidly defeating Muskogee (2-3, 1-1) 38-23. They may have a losing record overall, but they're undefeated in the part of the season that actually matters. The Spartans had two fumble recoveries and an interception, without giving up any turnovers of their own. They also contained themselves to only 52 yards in penalties, a notable improvement over their 95-yard average over the prior three games. Braden Roller was 29-258 rushing while Staton King passed 14-23-306-0. 

Sapulpa (0-5, 0-2) is still looking for their first win of the season and they aren't likely to find it in Bixby. Last week the Chieftains were shut out 63-0 by Booker T. and were held to a cumulative 5 offensive yards with three pass completions, nine punts, and two turnovers. 

The pick: Bixby 68 Sapulpa 8.

No. 7 Putnam City Pirates (5) vs. No. 12 Putnam City West Patriots (13)* District 1

Putnam City (4-1, 1-1) saw their undefeated season come to an end 27-21 at Lawton (3-2, 1-1). A.J. Newsome was 17-36-244-2 passing, and those two interceptions combined with a fumble gave the Wolverines the edge they needed. Damon Jemison carried 22 times for 97 yards and a score while Newsome connected with Jawaun Bell and Eric Butler for touchdown passes. 

Putnam West (1-4, 0-2) suffered a blowout against undefeated Stillwater (5-0, 2-0) falling 49-7. The Patriots attempted only three passes and didn't complete any. They were 44-246 on the ground, but gave up three fumbles and 159 yards in penalties. 

The pick: Putnam 51 PCW 21.

No. 5 Lawton Wolverines (6) vs. No. 6 Stillwater (8)* District 1

Lawton (3-2, 1-1) got back in the win column with a 27-21 victory over Putnam City (4-1, 1-1) thanks to a consistent run game and three turnovers. Miles Davis ran 40 times for 215 yards and scored all four Wolverine touchdowns. The passing game was lackluster at 9-19-86-1, but the Wolverines caught two interceptions and recovered a fumble to help offset their 155 yards in penalties.

The Pioneers (5-0, 2-0) are now the only undefeated team left in Class 6A-II after hammering Putnam West 49-7. Gunnar Gundy was 6-8-120-0 passing with two touchdowns while freshman Qwontrell Walker carried 28 times for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively they recovered three fumbles 

Scott's pick: Stillwater 38 Lawton 35.
Virgil's pick: Lawton 28 Stillwater 27.

No. 8 Sand Springs Sandites (7) vs. No. 14 Ponca City Wildcats (15)* District 2

Sand Springs (3-2, 1-0) won their third game straight Friday in Yukon (2-3) 26-21 over the 6A-I Millers. The Sandites held a 20-7 halftime lead but lost the second quarter 14-6 and barely held on with a pair of goal-line stands in the final seconds to secure the victory. Caden Pennington was 6-7-58-0 passing while Payton Scott was 33-185 on the ground. The special teams struggled, allowing two point-after kicks and one field goal to be blocked, but the defense excelled with a sack, a forced and recovered fumble, and the game-winning heroics in the final moments. 

Ponca City (1-4, 1-1) notched their first win of the season 14-12 over Bartlesville (0-5, 0-2). Justin Andrews was 8-18-138-0 passing and 25-125 rushing with both touchdowns for the Wildcats. Defensively, Ponca came up with two fumble recoveries and an interception. 

The pick: CPHS 35 Ponca 15.

No. 10 Enid Plainsmen (10) vs. No. 11 Deer Creek Antlers (11)* District 1

Enid (3-2, 1-1) was throttled on Homecoming, falling 37-0 to Choctaw after being held to only 26 yards passing and 140 total. Marlo Hughes led the ground game with 22 carries for 99 yards. Mason Skrimager completed only three passes, was intercepted twice, and was sacked three times. 

Deer Creek (2-3, 0-2) fell 63-14 to Midwest City (4-1, 2-0) Dylan Diaz scored a 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and the Antlers didn't score again till the fourth. 

Scott's pick: Deer Creek 27 Enid 21.
Virgil's pick: Enid 24 Deer Creek 21.

No. 13 Bartlesville Bruins (12)* District 2

Bartlesville (0-5, 0-2) started the season with a 30-25 victory over McAlester (1-4) then lost their next four games. To add insult to injury, they had to forfeit their lone win after playing an ineligible player. Last week the Bruins went down 14-12 to Ponca City (1-4, 1-1) on Homecoming night. They fell in a 14-0 deficit and scored all of their points in the fourth quarter. Two touchdown passes, one with a missed PAT and one with a failed two-point conversion. Those two combined with a missed field goal in the first quarter left the Bruins just short of the win. Bartlesville will get a bye week before hosting Sapulpa. 

Scott Emigh
Editor-in-Chief
Overall: 35-14 (.714)
Last Week: 5-3 (.625)
Last Year: 48-21 (.695)

Virgil Noah
Staff Writer
Overall: 24-13* (.649)
Last Week: 6-2 (.750)
Last Year: 43-26 (.623)

*Virgil missed the first week of picks.

Sandite of the Week Payton Scott breaks 1,000 rushing yards in five games

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Charles Page High School senior Payton Scott was selected as our Sandite Pride Sandite of the Week for the third time for his record-breaking performances over the last several football games.

Click here to view previous Sandites of the Week. 

Scott has been the offensive anchor for a team that graduated its quarterback and entire receiving squad last year. While the young passing unit has been working to find its mojo, Scott has heartily picked up the slack to account for 83% of the Sandite run game and 73% of the total offense. 

In the season-opener against nationally-ranked No. 27 Pulaski Academy (5-0), Scott handled 51% of the plays and scored two touchdowns in the 59-21 loss. He carried 23 times for 92 yards with a long of 27. He also had a 20-yard kick return.

In week two the Sandites hosted Choctaw (4-1) and fell 21-20 after blowing a 13-point lead. Scott scored two more touchdowns with 40 carries for 214 yards and a long of 30. 

Sand Springs secured their first win of the season 28-14 on a trip to Putnam City West (1-4). Scott improved on the ground once again, carrying 24 times for 231 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching three passes for 91 yards and a score. His longest carry was 31 yards, he caught a pass for 52 yards, and he recorded a career-best 34-yard kick return.

Not many players can accrue 322 yards and four touchdowns in a single game and follow it up with an even better performance the very next week. Scott pulled it off in a 31-16 rivalry win at Sapulpa (0-5), carrying 29 times for 352 yards and four touchdowns with a career-best 75-yard carry and a career-best 37-yard kick return.

Last week the Sandites traveled to 6A-I Yukon (2-3) and made a goal-line stand for a 26-21 victory. While the defense stole the show for much of the game, Scott was still an invaluable asset for the Sandites, carrying 33 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns with a long of 50 yards. 

This year alone, Scott has amassed 1074 yards on 159 carries for fourteen touchowns, plus 96 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Last year he carried 327 times for 1799 yards and 20 touchdowns, plus 10 receptions for 143 yards. That season the Sandites made the playoff semifinals. Thus far he has played seven-fewer games and is already 60% of the way to beating his prior season's record. 

Scott's superstar career won't end with football season. He's also the defending 6A 152-pound State Champion on the Sandite wrestling team. One thing has been apparent throughout Scott's athletic career. Whatever he puts his mind to, he can and will achieve.

Sandite of the Week can be anyone with significant ties to the Sand Springs community who is making a positive impact in Sand Springs or the world. Nominations may be sent to Sanditepridenews@gmail.com

CPHS Football: Defense paves the way to 26-21 victory at Yukon

The Sand Springs Gold Pride marching band set the tone for the Sandites throughout the night. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

CPHS 26 YHS 21
1Q 7-6 YHS
2Q 14-0 CPHS
3Q 7-0 YHS
4Q 7-6 YHS

Passing: CPHS 6-7-58-0, YHS 1-3-8-0.
Rushing: YHS 48-374, CPHS 43-252.
Plays-Offense: YHS 51-382, CPHS 50-310. 
First Downs: YHS 19, CPHS 13.
Penalties: CPHS 3-13, YHS 7-76. 
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 3/0, YHS 1/1.

Click here to view full photo gallery.

The No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School football team (3-2) won a 26-21 thriller against 6A-I No. 9 Yukon (2-3) to improve to a winning record Friday night on the road. After a slow start and 7-6 first quarter deficit, the Sandites burned up the turf for 14 points in the second quarter and held a comfortable 20-7 halftime lead. The Millers surged back in the second half, however, and the game culminated in a controversial goal-line stand.

Yukon's defense came out sturdy on the opening drive, holding the Sandites to six yards and a punt. The offense was equally effective, marching 63 yards in eleven plays before scoring on a five-yard keeper from senior quarterback Perry Olsen. Cody Watson connected on the point-after kick and the home team led 7-0.

The Sandites wouldn’t be denied on their second possession, however, and went on a twenty-point run from there. They marched 74 yards in eight plays, entirely behind Payton Scott who scored on a two-yard carry. Jaden Weiser’s kick was blocked, however, and the Millers held the lead.

Yukon accrued only sixteen yards on their next possession before being forced to punt at the start of the second quarter. The Millers would manage only three plays in that stanza. Sand Springs ate up nine minutes, marching 76 yards before scoring on a three-yard run from Scott. Once again, Weiser's kick was blocked, but this time the Sandites led 12-7.

Braden Askew hit Antonio Washington for a loss of one on the Miller's first play, then Joel Mackey stripped Bryce Williams and returned the ball 24 yards to the Yukon redzone. 

Junior quarterback Caden Pennington found Braden Millican for nine yards and a first down, then recovered a fumbled hike for a three-yard touchdown run. He found the endzone again on a two-point run with 22 seconds left for the 20-7 advantage.

The third quarter belonged wholly to the home team. Yukon got the ball to start the half and marched 57 yards in six plays thanks to big runs from Olsen and Noah Davis. Davis capped the drive with a five yard run, followed by a kick from Watson.

Bryson Denton fumbled the kick at the two-yard line, recovered, and ended up with a 34-yard return. The offense was unable to capitalize, however, and netted only four yards before punting. Yukon marched from their 25 to the Sandites 19 before a 35-yard field goal attempt came up flat. The Sandites' corresponding drive was equally marred by disaster as they traveled 65 yards and made their own field goal attempt from the fifteen. Weiser's kick was blocked for the third time, and Caleb Hernandez returned it to the Yukon 31.

Yukon's next possession was a success as they marched 69 yards in fourteen plays, scoring on a four-yard run from Olsen. Watson's kick returned the Millers to the lead at 21-20.

The Sandites wasted no time on their next drive. Pennington found Kameron Adcock for eighteen yards, then Scott carried for fifteen. Pennington snagged another first down with an eight-yard screen to Millican, then scrambled for a ten-yard gain. From 24 yards out, Scott leaped a pile of bodies, broke a tackle, and took it to the house for the final score of the game. Pennington came up short on a two-point run, and the Millers needed only one touchdown with 2:10 to try for it. 

On their first play of the drive, Washington flipped the field, running 53 yards to the Sandite red zone. Olsen took it down to the one-yard line over four runs, but couldn't find the endzone. The Sandites thought they won it once and the whole team stormed the field before a neutral zone infraction prior to the snap gave the Millers one last play with no time on the clock and a half yard to go.

Olsen's O-line went toe-to-toe with the talented Sand Springs defense and once again came up short, giving the Sandites their most down-to-the-wire win of the season. 

Pennington improved on his passing percentage for the fifth-straight week, throwing 6-7-58-0, marking his first game of the year without an interception. 

The Sandites will return to district play next Friday with a road game against No. 15 Ponca City (1-4, 1-1) who just won their first game of the season with a 14-12 upset of No. 12 Bartlesville (1-4, 0-2)

Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 6-7-58-0.
Receiving: McCallie 1-23, Millican 3-17, K. Adcock 1-14, Mock 1-4.
Rushing: Scott 33-185, Nortey 2-34, Pennington 8-33. 
PAT: Weiser 0/2. 
Field Goals: Weiser 0/1.
Punting: Smith 2-60.
Kicking: Weiser 5-164.
Kick Returns: Denton 3-75, Bratcher 1-15. 
Tackles: Cramer 10, Fleischman 7, Edwards 7, Lyons 5, Denton 5, Fain 4, Askew 4, Finch 3, Adcock 2, Mackey 2, Cartwright 1, Wright 1.
Tackles for loss: Lyons 1-5, Askew 1-4, Fain 1-3, Edwards 1-1.
Sacks: Lyons 1-5.
Breakups: Mackey 1.
Forced Fumbles: Mackey 1.
Fumble Recoveries: Mackey 1-24. 
 

Yukon Individual Statistics

Passing: Olsen 1-3-8-0.
Receiving: Williams 1-8. 
Rushing: Olsen 18-101, Washington 6-100, Williams 3-62, Kenley 5-39, Burnett 6-35, Davis 5-22, Donoho 5-15.
PAT: Watson 2/2.
Field Goals: Watson 0/1.
Punting: Andraszek 1-28.
Kicking: Humphrey 4-223.
Punt Returns: Hernandez 1-8.
Kick Returns: Kenley 1-15, Andraszek 2-9.

CPHS Football: Sandites face big test on the road at 6A-I No. 9 Yukon

The No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School football team (2-2) will travel to 6A-I No. 9 Yukon (2-2) Friday evening for their final non-district game of the season as they hope to improve to a winning record for the first time this season. 

Last year the Sandites' season went nearly identically to this year, at least thus far. Last year Sand Springs was totaled by Pulaski Academy, lost a heart-breaker to Choctaw, won a close one against Putnam West, dominated Sapulpa, and heartily defeated the Millers to improve to 3-2. 

Just like last year, the Sandites went down 59-21 to nationally-ranked No. 21 Pulaski (4-0), were edged out 21-20 by No. 9 Choctaw (3-1), then doubled down on No. 13 Putnam (1-3) 28-14 and No. 14 Sapulpa (0-4) 31-16. If history continues to repeat itself, they should be in for a solid win today. 

Yukon, however, is having a much different season under first year Head Coach Jeremy Reed. Last year the Millers went 0-10 under Brian Sauser, but Reed snapped the fourteen game losing streak in week two with a 38-31 win at No. 6 Norman North (3-1).

Reed turned around the 5A Altus program from a 3-7 season in 2014 to an 8-3 year in 2015 and a 2016 State Championship and 13-1 record before leaving for Lake Hamilton, Arkansas. He coached Hamilton to a 6-5 record before returning to Oklahoma. He got his coaching start in Sand Springs as the offensive coordinator in 2006 when the Sandites went 4-6 under Head Coach Brad Odom. The team averaged 26.5 points per game that season.

The Millers took a 31-14 hit in their season opener at No. 7 Mustang (2-1), but followed up the Norman North win with a 28-7 victory over Southmoore (0-4) before falling 56-20 in their district opener against No. 4 Broken Arrow (1-3).

The Sandites are a run-heavy team this year, averaging 259 yards per game with 222 of that coming from Payton Scott. The 5'5" senior running back has carried 126 times this season for 889 yards and eleven touchdowns. Just last week he set a career record of 352 yards on only 29 carries. He also has four catches for 96 yards and one touchdown this year, plus three kick returns for 91 yards. 

Junior quarterback Caden Pennington is steadily improving in the pass game. He sits at 19-50-239-4 this year with two touchdowns, but his passing percentage has gone up every week. He passed for a career-best 6-12-145-1 record against Putnam West two weeks ago.

Hayden Cramer has led a stout Sandite defense with 36 tackles this season, plus a six-yard interception return. Kameron Adcock and Bryson Denton both have forced fumbles. Braden Askew has two interceptions with eleven yards in returns and one fumble recovery. Jerry Lyons has an interception and a forced fumble, plus two sacks for twelve yards. 

First-year kicker Jaden Weiser is 13 of 14 on extra points and kicked his first field goal last week from 25 yards. He has booted kickoffs as far as 59 yards, but averages 36 yards due to several onside and squib kicks.

Click here to Virgil Noah's story from last year's game against Yukon.

Sandite Pride has unanimously picked Sand Springs with Virgil Noah predicting a 42-13 blowout and Scott Emigh calling a much closer 35-28 Sandite win.

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.