The best thing about the Meeker Bulldogs’ 61-6 beating of Holdenville on Friday was that it ended.
The night was cold and wet and the outcome was clear as soon as Meeker quarterback Jacob Martin ran for a touchdown on the Bulldogs’ first possession.
With the coaches’ agreement, the officials let the clock run continuously for the final three quarters.
At the final gun, the Bulldog players did bellyflops in the puddles, the fans headed for warmer, drier quarters and everyone began thinking about next week’s game.
For Holdenville, it’s Kellyville. Both teams go into the game 0-8 and, realistically, it’s the only chance either of them have to win a game and avoid an 0-10 record.
For Meeker, it’s ancient rival Prague, coached this year by former Meeker player, coach, high school principal and athletic director Mike Hedge.
There is plenty riding on the game — Meeker holding on to No. 2 in the district, Prague trying to make the playoffs, several ex-Bulldogs on the Prague sideline — but that’s really just the sauce on the brisket.
It’s Meeker and Prague, which is enough motivation.
“One of our goals at start of the season is to make sure we win this game,” said Meeker coach D.J. Howell.
“I think there is an added element because of Prague Week, period. But if you know someone as well as we know Mike, you want to go out and play well against them.
“It’s one of those weeks that’s easy to get ready for.
We just have to make sure we’re going to want it more than they do.”
The Bulldogs will be after their second straight win over Prague, following last year’s 52-6 wood-shedding of the Red Devils.
Prague goes into the game with a 3-5 record, but the Red Devils are 3-2 in district and could make the playoffs with upsets over Meeker and Jones in their last two games.
“They certainly pose some problems,” Howell said.
“They run the wing-t, so they’re going to have a lot of different things — motion, mis-direction.
“You have to get lined up for different formations and we have to make sure we’re in the right spot. If you get lazy with your technique or responsibilities, you can get going right and the play is going left.”
As for the Holdenville game, Howell said he was pleased overall.
“When we looked at film, there were some things that worked because our stick was bigger than theirs,” he said.
“And there were some plays we made because we executed, and there were some plays that were successful because our guys just out-athleted them.
“What we want to do is to fix the things we didn’t do well.
“I really think one of the important things for us to continue to get better. There are some things we can do, but it starts with playing well.
“We certainly have to be happy with the results. I thought overall we had some good things.”
Wins Friday and the following week against Henryetta would put the Bulldogs into No. 2 in District 2A-2, which would give them a first-round playoff game at home against the No. 3 team in District 2A-1.
At this writing, Oklahoma Christian School is that team, but the Saints still must play Perry and Luther. Depending on the outcomes of those games and this week’s showdown between district leaders Luther and Chisholm, the Bulldogs could host a rematch with Luther or Perry or even renew their annual first-round series with Chisholm, whom they’ve faced in the first round the last three years.