CPHS Football dominates Ponca City 42-7, Payton Scott scores 5 touchdowns

Braden Foster (pictured here in a scrimmage against Claremore) threw a touchdown on his first varsity pass attempt Friday night in Ponca City. 

The No. 8 ranked Charles Page High School football team (4-2 overall, 2-0 district) won its fourth-straight game of the season 42-7 against No. 14 Ponca City (1-5, 1-1) Friday night at Sullins Stadium. The Sandites put themselves one step closer to the post-season by winning their sixth-straight meeting with the Wildcats.

CPHS 42 Ponca 7
1Q CPHS 14-0
2Q CPHS 7-0
3Q CPHS 14-0
4Q All 7-7

Passing: CPHS 4-4-98-0, Ponca 12-25-102-1.
Rushing: CPHS 46-376, Ponca 41-183.
Plays-Offense: CPHS 50-474, Ponca 66-285.
First Downs: Ponca 18, CPHS 16.
Penalties: Ponca 6-46, CPHS 4-35.
Fumbles/Lost: CPHS 1/1, Ponca 1/0.

The Sandites were nearly flawless in the opening minutes. Defensively they gave up 27 yards before Braden Askew picked off the second pass of the night and returned it 20 yards to the Sandite 45. From there Payton Scott marched the whole distance in only six carries and scored from three yards out. Jaden Weiser kicked the extra point and the Sandites were up 7-0 right out the gate.

Ponca’s next drive amounted to nine yards and a punt, and the Sandites easily replicated their prior success. Just like last time, it was Scott with the three-yard touchdown run, but this time he had help. Caden Pennington connected with Garrett McCallie from 33 yards out to set up the scoring play.

The home team made it 25 yards to midfield before punting at the beginning of the second quarter. The Sandites saw their first unsuccessful drive end in a fumble at the Ponca 30, recovered by Lane Bristow, but the Wildcats were once again unable to capitalize.

The home team marched as far as the Sandite 29 before Mason Shipman broke up an endzone pass attempt for a turnover on downs. Payton Scott needed just a single snap to take the ball 71 yards to the house. Weiser’s PAT made it 21-0 where it remained till halftime.

Sand Springs picked up right where they left off, marching 65 yards in five plays with a 34-yard touchdown run from Scott on the opening drive of the third quarter.

One of Ponca’s most promising drives fell short as Bryson Denton ended their 58 yard march with an endzone breakup. The offense went right back to work with an 82 yard drive and one-yard Scott touchdown to tie his career-best five scores in a single game.

The fourth quarter was a different game as the Wildcat first team took on the Sandite backups. The Sandites punted on their first possession, but on their next drive sophomore backup quarterback Braden Foster connected with Daren Hawkins for a 45-yard touchdown on the first pass attempt of his varsity career. Weiser finished a perfect six-for-six for a 42-0 lead.

The Wildcats finally averted the shutout with 3:17 left to play, marching 80 yards and scoring on an eight-yard keeper from Justin Andrews. Josh Fairbanks kicked the final point of the game and sophomore running back Seth Jones finished out the night with a series of handoffs.

The Sandites will return to action next Friday for Homecoming after a four-week stretch on the road. They will host the talented No. 4 Muskogee Roughers (2-4, 1-2) who most recently fell 42-21 to No. 1 Booker T. Washington(6-1, 3-0). 

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Sand Springs Individual Statistics

Passing: Pennington 3-3-53-0, Foster 1-1-45-0, 1TD. 
Receiving: Hawkins 1-45, 1TD, Scott 1-13, McCallie 1-11, Goins 1-7.
Rushing: Scott 25-284, 5TD, Pennington 6-46, Jones 7-15, McCallie 1-12, Edwards 1-11, Nortey 1-10, Fleischman 1-(-2).
PAT: Weiser 6/6.
Punting: Smith 2-30AVG.
Kicking: Cox 7-331AVG.
Tackles: Fain 7, Cramer 7, Finch 6, Fleischman 5, Bratcher 4, Lyons 3, Edwards 3, Askew 2, Cartwright 2, Mock 2, Hunter 2, Evans 2, Jordan 1, Shipman 1, Wright 1, Smith 1, Jones 1, Denton 1, Moyer 1, McCallie 1.
Tackles For Loss: Finch 4-13, Cramer 1-12, Evans 1-10.
Sacks: Finch 2-5, Cramer 1-12, Evans 1-10.
Interceptions: Askew 1-20.
Breakups: Denton 2, Shipman 1.

Ponca City Individual Statistics

Passing: Andrews 12-25-102-1.
Receiving: Tipton 4-27, Fahs 2-26, Vogele 2-25, Tapp 1-14, Defoor 3-10.
Rushing: Andrews 24-83, 1TD, Defoor 15-75, Fahs 3-25.
PAT: Fairbanks 1/1.
Punting: Fairbanks 5-38AVG.
Kicking: Fairbanks 2-38AVG.
Kick Return: Vogele 2-19.
Fumble Recovery: Bristow 1.

No. 8 Sand Springs looks to win sixth-straight over No. 14 Ponca City Wildcats

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TE Dash Fleischman posts a block for former QB Hunter Greathouse in a 56-35 win over Ponca City last season. (Photo: Morgan Miller). 

The No. 8 ranked Charles Page High School Sandites (3-2, 1-0) are headed to No. 14 Ponca City this Friday to take on the Po-Hi Wildcats (1-4, 1-0). Both teams are coming off wins, and both need to win this game to have a good shot at the playoffs.

Both Sand Springs and Ponca are coming off wins...

Ponca City started districts last weekend with their first win of the season. While Sand Springs came out on top of a 26-21 non-district thriller in Yukon (2-3), the Wildcats were winning a 14-12 upset against Bartlesville (0-5, 0-2).

Junior quarterback Caden Pennington had his best passing percentage of the season, completing six of seven throws for 58 yards. For the first time this year he didn't have an interception. He also carried eight times for 33 yards with one touchdown and a two-point conversion. Payton Scott bore most of the workload per usual, running the ball 33 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns to surpass the 1,000 yard mark for the season.

The special teams struggled, giving up two blocked point-after kicks and a blocked field goal, but the defense was sturdy and paved the way for victory with a fumble recovery and two goal-line stands as time ran out.

SEE RELATED: Defense paves the way to 26-21 victory at Yukon.

Ponca City came into their matchup with Bartlesville as the sixteen-point underdogs and the bottom ranked team in Class 6A-II.  Surprising everybody, they held a 14-0 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Bruins battled back with two touchdowns, but missed an extra point and failed a two-point conversion. 

Ponca was equally reliant on their defense for the win, recovering two fumbles and an interception in the third quarter, one of which led to their second touchdown. 

Double-threat quarterback Justin Andrews passed 8-18-138-0 with one touchdown and ran the ball 25 times for 125 yards and the other touchdown. 

Sand Springs has won its last five encounters with Ponca...

The Sandites have won their last five encounters with the Wildcats, all by healthy margins. Last season the Sandites won 56-35 and the last time the Wildcats won was 35-31 in 2011 when the Sandites went 3-7. The Sandites are 9-1 against Ponca in the decade that Dustin Kinard has led the program.

Josh Allen is in his sixth year at Ponca City and has yet to notch a win against the Sandites. Kinard is 58-56 with his program while Allen is 11-43 in Ponca. However, the Wildcats' win against Bartlesville was also their first in six years against the Bruins. 

Sand Springs has a 24-18-1 record against the Wildcats overall. Sand Springs High School was 1-1-1 against Ponca City, and the Sandites are 23-17 since the town desegregated and build Charles Page. 

Sand Springs has two five-win streaks against the Wildcats, but Ponca has the longest win streak at six-straight from 2000-2005 when the Sandites went a cumulative 13-47. Ponca's biggest win was 48-2 in 2003 and they have shut out the Sandites only once, 41-0 in 2004. The Sandites have shut out the Wildcats four times and their biggest win was 57-7 in 2013. 

The two teams first met in 1952 in the Class A Playoffs. The Sandites were 8-1-1 under Head Coach Cecil Hankins going into the Thanksgiving Day Regional and were defeated 27-9. Ponca went on to get trounced 41-7 by the eventual State Champions from Ada in the Area playoff. In 1953 the two teams tied 7-7 and in 1954 quarterback Jerry Adair led the Sandites back from a 20-0 deficit to a 21-20 victory.

The two teams met again in 1961 and the Wildcats prevailed 35-6 over Travis Rhodes's Sandites. They didn't meet again until 1978 and they have played all 39 seasons since then. Sandite Pride has picked the Sandites as a 20-point favorite over Ponca. 

Looking past Ponca...

The Sandites are halfway through the regular season, but just getting started in the most important stretch. With Sapulpa out of the way, the Sandites will likely only need two more wins to make the playoffs. If they play to the standard they've set in the past three games, they should get those wins against Ponca City and Bartlesville. Nothing is ever certain, however, and an off night with too many mistakes could easily put the underdogs ahead. 

Two games that don't have a clear favorite are home games against Muskogee (2-3, 1-1) and Bixby (2-3, 1-0). Neither team is playing to the level they did last year, but both have coaches with State Championship wins on their resume. Bixby had a rough 2-3 start last year too, but still pulled together during Districts and ended up with a third-straight gold ball. Muskogee had their best season in a decade at 9-2 before falling in the semifinals. 

Sand Springs beat Muskogee last year, but like Muskogee and Bixby, they had an experienced senior-laden team last year. The Sandites lost two games to Bixby last year, once on the road and once in the playoffs. The year before that they lost to Bixby in the State Title game, but shut the Spartans out 20-0 in the last home game of the season. 

Likely the most difficult opponent the Sandites will face in their district is No. 1 Booker T. Washington (4-1, 1-0). In 2015 the Sandites split games with Booker T., losing in the regular season but winning in the playoffs. Last season the Sandites lost a close 17-12 regular season home game. 

Sand Springs Individual Statistics 2017 

Passing

25-57-297-4 Pennington, 2 TD

Receiving

4-96 Scott, 1 TD
9-67 Millican
2-47 Fleischman, 1 TD
3-37 K. Adcock
1-23 McCallie
4-21 King
1-4 Mock
1-2 Bratcher

Rushing

159-1074 Scott, 14 TD
17-175 Nortey, 1 TD
4-16 Edwards
4-14 McCallie
1-8 Mackey
23-5 Pennington, 1 TD

Tackles

46 Cramer
35 Edwards
32 Fleischman
18 Fain
17 Lyons
17 Mackey
12 Denton
12 Haley
10 Bratcher
9 Askew
9 Finch
6 L. Adcock
4 Moyer
3 Cartwright
3 Tarver
2 Wright
1 Britton
1 Mallory
1 McCallie
1 Mock
1 Evans

Tackles-For-Loss

5-21 Edwards
4-18 Lyons
4-9 Fain
3-18 Fleischman
3-11 Finch
2-10 Bratcher
2-6 Cramer
1-4 Askew
1-3 Moyer

Sacks

3-17 Lyons
2-18 Edwards
1-12 Fleischman
1-6 Finch
1-3 Fain
1-3 Bratcher

Forced Fumbles

1 K. Adcock
1 Denton
1 Lyons
1 Mackey

Fumble Recoveries

1-24 Mackey
1-2 Edwards
1 Askew

Interceptions

2-11 Askew
1-6 Cramer
1 Lyons

Breakups

3 Cramer
2 Lyons
2 Mackey
1 Bratcher
1 Shipman
1 Haley

Punts-AVG

16-36 Smith

Kicks-AVG

22-35 Weiser
1-51 Smith

Kick Return

5-118 Denton
3-91 Scott
2-30 Bratcher
1-28 Millican
1-14 Mackey
2-9 K. Adcock

PAT

13/16 Weiser

Field Goals

1/2 Weiser

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Sand Springs vs. Ponca City

2016: Sandites 56-35 (H)
2015: Sandites 44-21 (H)
2014: Sandites 31-7 (A)
2013: Sandites 57-7 (H)
2012: Sandites 47-17 (A)
2011: Wildcats 35-31 (A)
2010: Sandites 35-21 (H)
2009: Sandites 31-10 (H)
2008: Sandites 45-42 (A)
2007: Sandites 21-19 (H)
2006: Sandites 21-0 (A)
2005: Wildcats 38-12 (H)
2004: Wildcats 41-0 (A)
2003: Wildcats 48-2 (A)
2002: Wildcats 41-22 (H)
2001: Wildcats 42-14 (A)
2000: Wildcats 28-10 (H)
1999: Sandites 26-0 (H)
1998: Sandites 19-7
1997: Sandites 20-6
1996: Sandites 35-16
1995: Wildcats 17-14
1994: Wildcats 30-14
1993: Wildcats 14-7
1992: Sandites 17-10
1991: Wildcats 21-13
1990: Sandites 28-0
1989: Sandites 22-15
1988: Sandites 20-0
1987: Sandites 14-13
1986: Wildcats 26-10
1985: Wildcats 14-13
1984: Wildcats 28-14
1983: Sandites 13-2
1982: Wildcats 28-12
1981: Sandites 31-24 *3OT
1980: Sandites 17-13
1979: Wildcats 30-9
1978: Sandites 25-18

1961: Wildcats 35-6 (H)

1954: Sandites 21-20
1953: Tied 7-7
1952: Wildcats 27-9 *Playoffs

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.