Booker T. Washington knocks off Sand Springs 37-32
/A version of this story was originally written for the Tulsa World.
Usually when a football team takes a knee to run out the clock, that means the game’s over. But with 1:21 left to play, Dominic Ornelas burst through the Booker T. Washington line and snatched a takeaway to give the host Sandites one last shot.
Fortunately for the Hornets, they would also get a sudden takeaway in the dying moments, as Micah Tease snagged a fumble from Jacob Blevins just 16 seconds later, and this time the offensive line held up to the hungry Sandites.
Class 6A-II No. 3 Booker T. Washington (5-1, 2-1) led for most of the ballgame, but never comfortably, and held on for a 37-32 win at previously undefeated No. 4 Charles Page (5-1, 2-1).
“I just told our team to keep fighting, keep going out there and making plays,” said Hornets head coach Jonathon Brown. “It was just a hell of a win.”
A far departure from last year’s 49-0 home field rout.
“Every time we’ve been out here it’s usually tough,” said Brown. “I’ve been out here eight years, and every time we come over here it’s usually a tough game. Coach Klinck is doing a hell of a job of building that team in his image. They’re hard-nosed and they fight and they do a hell of a job, so I’m proud of them and it was a hell of a game.”
Despite the defensive reputation that both teams have built, it was their offenses that shined.
Junior Hornet quarterback Lathan Boone was 21-of-29 passing for 253 yards and three touchdowns, while his Sandite counterpart was 14-of-27 for 270 yards and two passing scores.
“I thought the best pass he threw was the last one to Micah Tease,” said Brown, of Boone. “So composed. He just went back and let it go. That’s a credit to the offensive staff and the quarterback coach getting him ready. He’s truly becoming a leader. The game is starting to slow down for him and he’s doing a hell of a job.”
Meanwhile the Sandite quarterback had a bit of a consolation prize, as he set the Sand Springs career passing record at 5,061, surpassing his own quarterback coach, Darrack Harger.
“If anybody’s going to do it, I’m glad it’s that guy,” said Harger. “I’ve told him for the past three years that my goal for him was to beat my record. That dude is a baller and he’s going to go on to the next level and do all kinds of great things.”
Pennington also had 62 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground.
In addition to Tease’s defensive takeaway to seal the game, he also had a huge hand in the offense, racking up 98 yards on five catches with two touchdowns, including a 40-yarder for the 37-26 lead with 4:57 to play.
Sand Springs will have another tall task next week at No. 1 Bixby (6-0, 3-0) while the Hornets will host Putnam City West (0-6, 0-3).
