Sandites top BTW, improve to 4-0

BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Saturday, September 22, 2012
9/22/12 at 5:05 AM

Booker T. Washington had the speed to keep 10th-ranked Sand Springs off balance most of the night, but the Sandites finally started cashing their opportunities.

With Cody Hale and Raymond McLaurin leading the way, and with an assist from senior defensive back Zach Marshall, the Sandites powered to a 21-7 win in the District 6A-1 opener for both teams Friday at S.E Williams Stadium.

Sand Springs improved to 4-0, its best start since going 12-1 in 1997. Booker T. Washington, playing its first 6A district game since 2007, fell to 2-2 overall.

"It's amazing being 4-0 for the first time in a long time," said Marshall, whose interception set up the Sandites' third touchdown. "The program's changing, and it's fun being a part of it."

Hale threw for 171 yards and one touchdown and ran for another. McLaurin was held to 67 yards on 23 carries by a swarming Hornet defense and scored on a 2-yard run.

Ron Goudeau Jr. rushed for 183 yards on 25 carries for the Hornets, and James Caligone gave the Hornets their only score with an 83-yard run in the second quarter.

Mostly, the Sandites neutralized the Hornets' speed by holding onto the ball. They ran 18 more plays in the first half, but they missed chances to get a comfortable lead by failing three times in Hornets territory after taking a 7-0 lead with an 80-yard, 13-play drive to start the game.

"Every game, we come out looking like we're moping in the first half," Hale said. "When we learn to put two good halves together, we'll really be good."

Tied 7-7 at halftime, the Sandites raced 68 yards to start the third quarter, capped by Hale's threading-the-needle 11-yard scoring toss to Cody Hilderbrandt.

Then, opportunity knocked and Marshall answered. A pass slipped through Hornets receiver Myles Tease's hands with the Sandites' Tyler Belty defending, and Marshall picked the ball out of mid-air at the Sand Springs 45.

The Sandites faced third-and-9 from the BTW 30, but a pass interference call gave them new life, and when McLaurin slammed over from 2 yards out, they led 21-7.

Cameron Durant intercepted two passes to pace a Hornet defense that played without senior linebacker Hollis Birmingham and lineman Dallas Thompson.

Head coach Marvin Dantzler said he hoped to have those two back next week when the Hornets travel to Enid, along with starting quarterback Bennett White, injured in the season opener against OKC Douglass.

Caligone started Friday at quarterback for the Hornets and gave way to Cordale Grundy in the second half.

SAND SPRINGS 21, Booker T. WASHINGTON 7

Sand Springs	7	0	14	0	-	21
Booker T. Washington	0	7	0	0	-	7

SS: Hale 1 run (Betts kick)

BTW: Caligone 83 run (Beasley kick)

SS: Hilderbrandt 11 pass from Hale (Betts kick)

SS: McLaurin 2 run (Betts kick)

	SS	BTW
First downs	19	14
Rushes-yards	33-82	41-280
Passing yards	182	16
Passes	17-32-2	3-12-3
Punts-avg.	6-29.5	3-36.7
Fumbles-lost	0-0	1-1
Penalties-yards	6-50	9-82

Mike Brown 918-581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Sand Springs quarterback Cody Hale (7) throws a pass during high school football action between Sand Springs and Sapulpa at Sapulpa HS on September 14, 2012. JOEY JOHNSON/For the Tulsa World

QB Cody Hale: He threw for 171 yards and one touchdown and ran for another to lead the Sandites past Booker T. Washington