Meeker’s next in first-place showdown
Staff writer
BRIAN BLANSETT For the first time this season, there was absolutely no drama at the Chandler football game.
After three games in which the issue was in doubt deep into the fourth quarter, the Lions dominated Kellyville enough for the officials to keep the clock running before halftime.
It was 20-0 at the end of the first quarter and 41-0 at the half.
That was pretty much it for the Chandler starters, who watched as the backups extended the lead to 53-0 in a clockshortened second half.
The win was the district opener for the Lions, who travel to Meeker Friday to play the Bulldogs, also winners in their district opener, thumping Bethel, 46-7, last week.
Whoever wins that game will be 2-0 and tied for first place with either Jones or Crossings Christian, who play Friday in a match of the other district unbeatens.
“Our execution was all good. I’m glad we came out and took care of things early,” said Chandler coach Jack Gray.
“Our defense played great. Everybody got in, our Twos and our JV, and played well.”
Senior Carson Clagg ran two yards for the first touchdown of the game with 9:23 to play in the first quarter.
Cruz Jackson ran 24 yards for another with 4:37 left in the period and Ty Garver caught a 22-yard touchdown pass, making it 20-0 with 2:43 remaining.
Alec Jackson ran 90 yards down the Kellyville sideline for another score with less than a minute expired in the second period.
Chandler recovered a fumble on Kellyville’s next possession, and on the next play Jackson hit Braxton Estes for 17-yard touchdown pass. Five minutes, later, Jackson and Corbin Hollon connected on a 22-yard catch-and-run score, making it 41-0.
Javarious Wade added a touchdown run in the third quarter and freshman Collin Strickland ran 10 yards for another in the fourth, accounting for the final score of 53-0.
Things should be more challenging Friday night at Meeker.
The Bulldogs are 2-2 after thumping Bethel. They lost by 14 to Prague in their opener, then won at Holdenville and lost at home to Pawnee.
“They have a very mobile quarterback and an explosive offense,” Gray said. “Coach Lang is very good at schemes - he does a great job with their pass game. They were great in 7-on-7.
“They have athletes that make them dangerous. They have a good passing game, a good running back.
And they’re bigger up front. They have the size and the athletes behind them, so we’re going to have be disciplined and have a good game plan.”
After Meeker, the Bulldogs will be back home for Homecoming against Bethel, then play at Crossings Christian the Thursday of fall break.
Jones is in town the week after the Crossings game.