Lancaster replied, "But you knew it would be."

The much-anticipated opening game of the Lancaster era at Broken Arrow against the program he rebuilt as its coach from 2003-05 lived up to the hype before the estimated crowd of 11,000 that filled Memorial Stadium. Hennesy was a former player and assistant coach under Lancaster.

An intense, tight game with plenty of hard hitting wasn't decided until Muskogee's Andre Anderson recovered Broken Arrow's onside kick in the final minute. That ending included some controversy.

After Broken Arrow's Peter Jessee booted a 30-yard field goal with 56 seconds left to cut the Roughers' lead to six, the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Broken Arrow's Trevor Morgan at the Tigers 46. However, after much discussion by the officiating crew, the kick was wiped out because it was ruled that the ball had not been placed ready for play. As a result, Broken Arrow had to re-kick and Anderson recovered.

"It was a horrible call," Lancaster said. "There wasn't anybody fooled. Everybody was lined up. We had waited forever."

Trae Cook had a successful debut as Class 6A No. 3 Muskogee's quarterback after starting the past two years at Tahlequah. Cook passed for two touchdowns and his score on a 15-yard run with 3:03 left provided the winning points.

Cook completed 20-of-34 passes for 191 yards. He also rushed 23 times for 84 yards.

Cale Fulps was 13-of-26 for 201 yards and a TD for 6A No. 5 Broken Arrow.

Muskogee senior Shjuan Richardson caught six passes, including a 7-yarder for a touchdown midway through the second quarter to give the Roughers a lead they never relinquished. He also set up the first TD of the game with a 13-yard fumble return midway through the first quarter.

With Lancaster on the opposing sideline, Richardson could feel there was more excitement for this season opener than in the past.

"It was real different," Richardson said. "It was a great way to start the season."

Richardson's cousin, Pete Richardson, scored five TDs to help Lancaster win his debut as Muskogee's head coach in 2003.

Muskogee cashed in Shjuan Richardson's fumble return to the Broken Arrow 3 with a fourth-down gamble. The Roughers passed up a field goal and Cook flipped a 4-yard touchdown pass to Colton Archer.

Fulps tied the game at 7 with a 31-yard scoring pass to Micah Robertson with 1:57 left in the first quarter.

Muskogee began the second quarter with a 14-play, 63-yard march, capped by Cook's TD toss to Richardson. The Roughers picked up the two-point conversion as Travon Brooks scored off the swinging gate formation.

Broken Arrow's response was a 10-play, 83-yard drive. Jerrod Green scored on a 4-yard run with 56 seconds left in the half, but a two-point conversion pass failed.

Jameel Owens' 29-yard reception gave Muskogee a chance to increase its lead just before halftime, but John Crank missed a 45-yard field goal as time expired, leaving the Roughers ahead 15-13.

Muskogee failed to capitalize on two Broken Arrow turnovers in the third quarter. After one of those turnovers, the Tigers kept the Roughers out of the end zone on three tries from the 1. Crank then missed a 23-yard field goal.

Cook's winning TD came after he ran for 9 yards to the Broken Arrow 16 to convert a fourth-and-4.

"It was a helluva of a game," Lancaster said.

Barry Lewis 581-8393
barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com

Friday night scoreboard

Carl Albert 34, BTW 14

David Oku ran for 299 yards and four touchdowns to lead the defending Class 5A state champions to a win.

Bishop Kelley 21, Memorial 14

Tom Kelley’s three touchdown passes helped the Comets down the Chargers in overtime.

Cascia Hall 7, Holland Hall 0

Ransom LaLonde’s 52-yard run in the second quarter set up the game’s only score and a win for the Commandos.

McLain 56, Central 6

Shawn Jackson ran for four touchdowns, threw for two and ran an interception back for score to lead McLain.

MUSKOGEE 22, BROKEN ARROW 16

M: Archer 4 pass from Cook (Crank kick)

BA: Robertson 31 pass from Fulps (Jessee kick)

M: S.Richardson 7 pass from Cook (Brooks run)

BA: Green 4 run (pass failed)

M: Cook 15 run (Crank kick)

BA: FG, Jessee 30