Broken Arrow rolls past Sapulpa 42-17
BY KEVIN HENRY World Correspondent
Saturday, October 27, 2012
10/27/12 at 7:00 AM
SAPULPA - On a cold Friday night in Creek County, Broken Arrow's ground game and defense took turns cranking up the heat on the Sapulpa Chieftains.
Fourth-ranked Broken Arrow racked up 239 rushing yards, including 107 yards and two touchdowns from Devon Thomas, as the Tigers posted a 42-17 decision over Sapulpa in a District 6A-2 battle at George F. Collins Stadium.
"It was a good win for us. (Sapulpa) is a good team with a good quarterback who makes things happen," Broken Arrow coach Steve Spavital said. "We knew we would have our chances to make some plays tonight and we did some good things."
One of those plays came from defensive back Damian Howard, who stepped in front of Sam Gottsch's pass on the third play from scrimmage and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to give Broken Arrow (6-3, 5-1) a 7-0 lead.
"I visualize returning one for a touchdown before every game and it finally happened tonight," Howard said. "The quarterback eyed the receiver the whole time and I was able to get a good break on the ball."
Sapulpa (5-4, 3-3) got the ball back and the Tiger defense once again stepped up, forcing the Chieftains into a three-and-out and a wind-hindered punt gave Broken Arrow the ball at the Sapulpa 44. The Tiger offense took advantage, needing just six plays to score, with Thomas scooting in from 2 yards out to push the score to 14-0 with 6:32 left in the first quarter.
Sapulpa, however, found its offensive rhythm on its next possession, piecing together a 12-play, 84-yard scoring drive to pull within 14-7.
Gottsch atoned for his earlier interception with a 15-yard strike to Corey Jones for the Chieftain touchdown.
Gottsch finished with 208 yards through the air and two touchdowns.
After a 23-yard field goal midway through the second quarter narrowed the Tiger lead to 14-10, Broken Arrow regained the momentum just before halftime, thanks largely to Thomas.
The junior running back accounted for 71 of Broken Arrow's 80 yards on the drive, including a 34-yard reception on a screen pass and a 1-yard touchdown plunge to give the Tigers a 21-10 advantage at intermission.
Broken Arrow increased its lead to 28-10 on its first possession after halftime, putting together a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by Blake Smith's 1-yard run.
BROKEN ARROW 42, SAPULPA 17
| Broken Arrow |
14 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
- |
42 |
| Sapulpa |
7 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
- |
17 |
BA: Howard 35 interception return (Moore kick)
BA: D. Thomas 2 run (Moore kick)
S: Jones 15 pass from Gottsch (Mortazavi kick)
S: FG, Mortazavi 23
BA: D. Thomas 1 run (Moore kick)
BA: Bell 1 run (Moore kick)
S: B. Johnson 80 pass from Gottsch (Mortazavi kick)
BA: P.J. Thomas 2 run (Moore kick)
BA: Carmichael 24 pass from Key (Moore kick)
| BA | Sapulpa |
| First Downs | 20 | 16 |
| Rushing | 47-239 | 29-94 |
| Passing yards | 154 | 208 |
| Return yards | 35 | 0 |
| Passes | 11-20-1 | 11-30-1 |
| Punts | 1-39 | 3-40.6 |
| Fumbles lost | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Penalties-Yards | 9-80 | 6-80 |
Original Print Headline: Thomas, Howard spark BA
