The Zebra football season got started last week and it couldn't have went better. It started on Thursday night as the junior high traveled to Catoosa to open their season. The 7th grade got in going with help from POW Devin Kinnard who had 2 touchdowns and an interception. The 8th grade won 28-23 which would not have happened without their POW Seth Bacon. Seth plays outside linebacker and was all over the field. Thursday night was brought to a close with a 19-7 victory by the freshman squad. The POW for the 9th grade was the defense. The defense held the Indians to a single touchdown in the first half, and shut them down completely in the second half to seal the win.
The following night the varsity traveled to Bartlesville to take on the very tough Bruins. The boys got off to a great start with a touchdown pass from Braxton Ethridge to Gage Deckard late in the 1st quarter. At the end of the first half the Zebras were clinging to a 14-7, but took the opening possession of the 2nd half into the end zone to make it a 2 score game. This is when things got interesting and the momentum started to shift back to the Bruins. It seemed like in a blink of an eye the Zebras were now trailing 27-21 after a late 4th quarter TD from Bartlesville. At that moment Coach Hurt could have panicked but he did not, the Bruins missed the extra point and Coach Hurt calmly said "we are going to drive down and win this game 28-27." As you already know that is exactly what happened. The boys had to dig deep and find a way. Moments like these usually propel a season into high gear, and come week 6 and 7 the Zebras will look back and remember that moment as one of the reasons the season is going so well.
This result may have not happened if it was not for some key players during all aspects of the game. Landon King was named JV player of the week for doing such a great job giving the team great looks in practice. Jesse Cagle was defensive POW for being the leader that stands in the middle of the defense and always being around the ball. Micha Teel carried the ball 28 times from the tailback spot and score the go ahead touchdown on a 20 yard scamper with less than a minute to go in the game. Last but not least is our special teams POW Zayne Hepler. Hepler kicked the clutch extra point that put the Zebras in the lead and eventually won the game. Without all of these performances who know what the out come would have been. Great job.
Then on Labor Day night the JV team hosted Bartlesville and capped off the sweep. Tripp Jackson lead the way at quarterback with 3 touchdown passes to help the team win 21-14. What a way to end the first week of football 5 wins and 0 losses for the entire program. It does not get much better than that.
Keep up the good work and lets make it 10-0 as the junior high travels to Skiatook and the Varsity and JV play host to rival Oologah.