High school football notebook: Sandites stay hot
BY BARRY LEWIS & ZAK PATTERSON World Sports Writers
Sunday, October 07, 2012
10/07/12 at 6:59 AM
Sixth-ranked Class 6A Sand Springs doubled its victory total from last year with a 47-17 win over Ponca City on Friday. The Sandites improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in District 6A-1 after going 3-7 in 2011. Sand Springs trailed 7-6 early in the second period and led only 19-10 at halftime before breaking the game open as it scored on four straight possessions to open the second half.
"We always struggle at Ponca City, but the defense played well in the first half and the offense picked it up in the second," coach Dustin Kinard said.
Cody Hale passed for 371 yards and five touchdowns, and Raymond McLaurin had 118 yards rushing, 72 yards receiving, and three touchdowns.
Morris, defense lift Comets: Eighth-ranked 5A Bishop Kelley's defense held outstanding Noble running back Jimmy Wood to just 44 yards on 27 carries en route to a 28-7 victory on Friday. Kelley's standout running back, Austin Morris, had 304 total yards and three touchdowns. Kelley (4-2, 3-0 5A-3) also had three interceptions, including one by Morris.
"We played well on defense, so we're happy about that, and Austin had a good game, but we struggled to find a rhythm offensively the entire game," coach J.J. Tappana said.
Mannford ends streak: Junior quarterback Luke May's 34-yard touchdown run with two minutes left rallied Mannford past Harrah 14-7 on Friday. May also added the 2-point conversion run. Mannford snapped a 19-game losing streak with its first win since Oct. 8, 2010.
"We've been talking about playing with a purpose," said Eddy Scott, in his first season as Mannford's coach. "Our players have been showing character and heart lately, and I'm proud of them for not giving up."
After May's TD, Harrah drove to the Mannford 15 before being stopped.
"Our kids were very excited," Scott said. "It was kind of chaotic after the win. It was a neat deal."
Smallwood carries Pryor: Carson Smallwood exploded for 382 yards on 18 carries and had six touchdowns in Pryor's 44-18 victory over Grove.
"He's a guy we can count on every week," coach Jason Freeman said. "He knows what's expected of him, and sees things he can improve on. He's a Division I athlete."
Pryor improves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in District 5A-3.
"I don't think there's a team in the district that's head and shoulders above everybody else," Freeman said. "Not many people gave us a chance this year, and I think it just shows the resolve of our kids."
Coweta bounces back: After a 35-28 loss to No. 2 East Central a week earlier, sixth-ranked 5A Coweta (4-2) came back with a 43-0 victory over Tahlequah on Friday. Senior wide receiver Adam Price ran for one touchdown and had a fumble return for a touchdown, and Hayden Holmes went 14-of-18 through the air for 157 yards and a TD.
"It was a great team effort," coach Bubba Burcham said. "I like how we bounced back after last week. We got off to a slow start but the juices started flowing the second quarter. We need to play to our potential, not to the level of our opponent."
Summit wins thriller: Dagan Schroeder's 25-yard TD run with 3:05 left lifted undefeated Summit Christian past Porter 58-51 on Friday. Schroeder racked up 267 total yards and had four second-half TDs, with his last erasing a 51-50 deficit. Jeremy Pelotte's interception near the goal line sealed the victory for the Eagles (6-0, 3-0 A-8). Sophomore quarterback Cameron Gilbert had a huge night for the Eagles, throwing for 527 yards and six touchdowns.
"The kids are amazing," coach Ron Davis said. "We're enjoying it right now, but we know we have a lot left to play for before we celebrate."
