Stroud rolled past Beggs, 49-21 Friday to charge into this week’s Class 2A-II state quarterfinals.
They’ll take on the Wyandotte Bears at Jack Poskey Stadium Friday, with the winner advancing to face the winner of the Adair-Holdenville game in next week’s semifinals.
“I thought we played one of our best ballgames of the year,” coach Josh Presley said. “We thought we had a chance to be more physical and we took advantage of that. Our kids up front played really well - we knocked them off the ball and had them on skates most of the night.
“I thought our level of physicality was outstanding and I think that’s the biggest thing that won us the game.”
Stroud jumped out to an early lead, with Jacob Beck scoring the first five touchdowns of the game. Beck ran for 252 yards and scored on runs of 31, 13, 4 and 65 yards and a 58-yard pass from Aiden Collins.
“Jacob had a great night on the ground,” Presley said. “He ran hard and our offensive line did a fantastic job. Brandon McNeil, Trenton Stewart, Chalin Morris, Jacob Aylor, Zane Abbey and Justin Leathers.
“They just keep on getting better and better every week. The sophomores are growing up and they just reset the line of scrimmage all night long.”
Gage Bailey ran four yards for a third-quarter touchdown that make the score 42-0 and Trystan Baker closed out the scoring with 15-yard interception return for a touchdown later in the quarter.
Stroud finished with 387 yards total offense and held Beggs to 231.
The Tigers’ attention now turns toward Wyandotte, which is 9-2 for the season. Both their losses came in district play, when they fell to Salina, 42-13, and to Adair, 49-6.
“They have an athletic quarterback who can run and throw,” said Presley. “They run the ball as much as they throw it. They use a lot of misdirections in the run game and the passing game. So a key this week will be making sure our eyes are where they’re supposed to be.”
The Bears knocked off Valliant, 21-19, on the road last week.
“They have some size up front,” Presley said. “They have a big kid - 300 pounds - and he’s not a fat 300. He’s a good-looking 300-pounder.
“And they have a couple of kids that are 6-4, 6-5, 220. “We tell our kids that it doesn’t matter who we play we just have to be the best version of ourselves we can be and keep on being the most physical team on Friday night and we should be in good shape.”
The Tigers have advanced to the third round of the playoffs every year that the current seniors have played. They are steeled in playoff football, and Presley said they won’t change their mental preparation or approach to the game.
“We’re going to do our homework and prepare our kids for the best chance of success, as far as coaches go. And it’s the same thing with the ids.
“It didn’t matter if we were playing the best team in the district or the worst team in the district - we still expect to go out and perform in practice and know the scouting reports and watch film and take care of business.
“It’s a win-or-go-home game and the kids know that. “We can’t take anything for granted and, for this group of seniors, it’s the last time they’ll play at Jack Poskey.”