Stillwater tried its hardest to lose its Thursday night game to Sand Springs, but even with 190 yards in penalties the Pioneers managed to pull out a 35-18 district win on Homecoming.
The No. 4 ranked defending State Champions improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in district action with their fourth consecutive win.
No. 5 Charles Page High School (3-3, 1-2) only trailed 14-10 at halftime but struggled with its own penalties while failing to sustain any momentum on offense.
Despite the loss, head coach Bobby Klinck saw reasons to be optimistic.
“We’ve gotten boat raced the last two times we played these guys,” said Klinck.
“We lost by 50 points I think the last time and then in the playoffs it was like 42 to 6 or something like that. So we’re getting closer and we’re moving forward. I think we’re going to be a good football team towards the end of the year.”
The Sandites did indeed fall 58-7 to Stillwater last season at home, and lost 49-17 in a road playoff game during Klinck’s first season in 2020.
“I was very pleased with how we were able to keep up with their physicality. They’ve hung their hat on physicality for a long time and we’re trying to get to that point. I think that was a big step forward for our football program.”
Sand Springs had an opportunity to set the tone early, forcing a punt and getting a red zone turnover on downs in the first quarter before responding with a seven-minute march downfield.
On their second drive of the game the Sandites converted on three fourth-downs, including a punt fake, before things stalled out when a three-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Page was nullified for holding.
After watching second-and-goal from the three turn into third-and-goal from the 21, the Sandites ultimately settled for a 30-yard field goal from Dawson Puckett to open the second quarter.
Then Pioneer quarterback Chance Acord got hot, throwing for 219 yards and a touchdown while running for 23 yards and another to make it 14-3.
The senior’s two scores sandwiched a three-play drive that ended with Easton Webb’s second interception and momentum was firmly on Stillwater’s side.
The Pioneers forced a quick three-and-out and were working their way downfield again when Gatlin Gunn forced a fumble at midfield that Landyn Barnes recovered to give the Sandites new life.
Sand Springs turned the ball over on downs inside the Pioneer red zone, but forced a punt and got one last opportunity with two minutes remaining in the half.
On a second-and-eight from his own 32-yard line, Webb scrambled right from a collapsing pocket and lobbed a 20-yard pass down the sideline to Wyatt Rutledge who won a 68-yard foot race Talon Kendrick for the touchdown.
The chunk play left enough time on the clock for Stillwater to respond with a seven-play, 51-yard march, but Brodey Long’s 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Alex Dudley to end the half.
The two teams took turns trading three-and-outs to open the second half but the Pioneers managed to pad their lead with a 41-yard scamper by Holden Thompson.
Thompson added another score on a seven-yard run with 8:30 left to play to make it 28-10.
Sand Springs didn’t give up and put together a four-minute march downfield, scoring on a four-yard fourth-and-goal keeper by Webb. Page punched in a two-point run for the Sandites’ final points of the game.
Stillwater successfully covered an onside kick attempt but the Sandites quickly forced a three-and-out to keep the momentum.
Then the magic ran out. Sand Springs went for it on fourth-and-six and an errant snap traveled over Webb’s head and resulted in a turnover on downs deep in Sandite territory.
Four plays later and Thompson punched in his third touchdown from 25 yards out.
Sand Springs returned to the red zone once again with 13 seconds left but Webb was picked off for a third time by Kendrick to seal the victory for the home team.
Webb finished the night 15-of-33 for 168 yards and three interceptions as the Sandites once again failed to establish much of a downfield passing game. Sand Springs has only surpassed 200 passing yards once this season, with backup QB Jace Arnold at the helm in Week 3.
“The wind picked up a little bit and I think that kind of made some of his balls sail,” said Klinck. “But the kid showed toughness. He’s just a sophomore - he’s only going to get better.”
“I think it’s just the timing. It’s an all-new receiving corps. So I think as it gets going, we’re going to figure it out. I think we’re going to be a good football team moving forward.”
Rutledge led the Sandite receiving corps with three catches for 96 yards on the night while Ali McCoy led the ground attack with 12 carries for 86 yards.
Owen Floyd led the defense with 11 tackles and one fumble recovery; Dudley had 10 tackles and a blocked kick; Gunn had nine tackles and a forced fumble; Hunter Wilson had nine tackles; and Barnes had seven tackles, a fumble recovery, and three pass deflections.
For Stillwater, Acord was 27-of-38 passing for 325 yards. Trey Tuck had eight catches for 91 yards and Holden Thompson had 22 carries for 148 yards.
“The program is moving in the right direction,” said Klinck.“It’s just how soon are we going to get there? Are they willing to sacrifice and work to get there sooner?”
“We’re going to be a good football team towards the end of the year. I know it in my heart. I’m excited to get back to work.”
Sand Springs will return to action with another Thursday night road game at No. 10 Putnam City West (3-2, 0-2). Stillwater will travel to No. 6 Bartlesville (2-3, 2-0) next Thursday.
Box Score
Stillwater 35 CPHS 18
1Q: 0-0.
2Q: Stillwater 14-10.
3Q: Stillwater 7-0.
4Q: Stillwater 14-8.
First Downs Stillwater 19, CPHS 12.
Passing: Stillwater 27-38-325-0, CPHS 16-36-171-3.
Rushing: Stillwater 33-178, CPHS 38-126.
Offense: Stillwater 71-503, CPHS 74-297.
Fumbles-Lost: Stillwater 3-2, CPHS 1-0.
Penalties: Stillwater 17-190, CPHS 8-75.
Scoring Summary
2Q (11:56) - Puckett 30-yard Field Goal, CPHS 3-0.
2Q (9:28) - Jones 17-yard Pass from Acord, Long Kick, Stillwater 7-3.
2Q (7:21) - Acord 2-yard Run, Long Kick, Stillwater 14-3.
2Q (1:46) - Rutledge 68-yard Pass from Webb, Puckett Kick, Stillwater 14-10.
3Q (8:26) - Thompson 41-yard Run, Long Kick, Stillwater 21-10.
4Q (8:30) - Thompson 7-yard Run, Long Kick, Stillwater 28-10.
4Q (4:19) - Webb 4-yard Run, Page Run, Stillwater 28-18.
4Q (1:18) - Thompson 25-yard Run, Long Kick, Stillwater 35-18.
