Chandler ran off 26 unanswered points in the second half to turn what had been a close game into a blowout Friday night.
The final: Lions 40, Okemah 12.
The game was a tight one, especially after Okemah scored to make it a 14-12 game in the third quarter.
And then, almost suddenly it wasn’t.
The Lions dominated the final 18 minutes in every aspect - offense, defense, special teams - and prompted head coach Jack Gray to shout to his team on the field: “That’s how you finish! That’s how you finish!”
Highlights abounded.
Senior Dylan McKinney was a hammer out of the backfield, rushing 21 times for 206 yards and scoring twice.
Darian Mahan had eight tackles, including four unassisted, and intercepted two passes.
Caedon Parris had two interceptions. Drake Rodrigues, Spencer Clagg and Cameron Telford had tackles for losses.
Ashton Yates had one of the night’s highlights when Okemah fumbled a kickoff.
Yates snatched the ball out of the air and sprinted to the end zone for a touchdown.
Throughout the second half, Chandler’s offensive line imposed its collective will on Okemah and opened holes for the Lion backs to rack up 284 yards rusing.
The game was played in a steady cold rain that soggied the playing field and created a canal on the sideline behind the Lions’ bench.
After the game, the Lions celebrated by belly-flopping and water-sliding across the field.
It was cause for celebration, because the win put them solidly into the No. 3 spot in District 2A-2.
Although the Lions, Okemah and Prague all have 3-2 records, Chandler wins over the other two clubs.
If the Lions win on the road this week against Henryetta, they will effectively sew up third place and play the No. 2 team in District 2A-1 in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s hard to divine who that might wind up being, because the leaders in that district still have several games remaining among themselves.
Chisholm and Luther currently lead the district with unbeaten records and play this weekend.