Anadarko's defense steals the show in 3A title win
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Saturday, December 10, 2011
12/10/11 at 5:27 AM
STILLWATER - The obvious marquee matchup Friday night in the Class 3A title game at Boone Pickens Stadium was Cascia Hall's dominant defense against Anadarko superstar Sheldon Wilson.
But in the Warriors' 35-18 victory, their defense delivered the biggest blows, holding the Commandos to only 111 yards for the game and no points in the second half to give Anadarko its first state championship.
"Their defense was outstanding, and that's exactly what I expected," Cascia coach Joe Medina said. "I thought their defensive line was going to give us some troubles and they did, but we started to break them little by little."
Cascia didn't pick up a first down until the final minute of the first half, and then got three over the span of five plays extending into the third quarter. Despite that, the Commandos led 18-8.
But that's when things went awry for the offense.
Anadarko's Dakota Batone recovered a fumble at the Cascia 36. Moments later, after the Warriors cut the lead to 18-15, Andy Smith recovered another fumble at the Cascia 13.
Said teammate Wes Satoe: "(Smith) is as mean as a Texas rattlesnake. He is mean."
Anadarko capitalized on Smith's fumble, with Wilson scoring on a 6-yard run for the 22-18 lead. When the Commandos fumbled on the ensuing drive, Wilson scored again.
"The turnovers kill," Medina said. "As I always tell those kids, that's the number one key to victory - taking care of the ball."
Quarterback Thomas Rouse was pressured all night and threw interceptions to Wilson and Kyle Bert, his 11th interception this year.
The Commandos mustered only 34 rushing yards on 24 carries.
"The score doesn't dictate how well our defense played," Anadarko coach Kent Jackson said. "Those guys have been super all year long and probably the big thing, just unselfish.
"They knew the offense was getting all the credit, but they kept doing their thing and they won us the ballgame tonight."
Satoe, a linebacker, and lineman Russ Mithlo led the team with nine tackles each, including one for loss.
"When we got down, we weren't going to let this end that way," Satoe said. "That's the way Indians are. We fight tooth and nail."
Original Print Headline: Anadarko's defense steals the show
Kelly Hines 918-581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Cascia Hall running back Abrm McQuarters tries to find a hole in the Anadarko defense. JEFF LAUTENBERGER/Tulsa World
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