Dawgs 2-1 going into district
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Meeker’s Bobby Brooks hold on to a fumble recovery in the middle of lots of red jerseys. Photo/Traci Cook
Meeker blocked a Purcell punt to score its first touchdown, then intercepted the Dragons in the end zone to finish the game.
In between, Meeker lost seven turnovers, but still had enough defense to emerge with a 25-24 victory Friday night in Purcell.
The victory lifted the Bulldogs to 2-1 in their non-district schedule. They get a bye this week, then open their district schedule at Kellyville before heading east the following week for their annual grudge game with Prague.
“It was one of those nights,” said Meeker coach D.J. Howell. “We turned ball over too much. Seven turnovers.
“We had chances to separate and pull away and didn’t.”
Meeker started off strong, with Caden Wolford blocking a Purcell punt and going for a 60- yard scoop and score early in the game and adding a four-yard run for a score later in the first quarter.
Things got a little dicier after that, with Purcell taking an 18-13 lead.
Wolford ran for another score to put Meeker back ahead, but Purcell answered with another touchdown to lead 24-19 in the fourth.
Meeker came back with a long drive with two key receptions by sophomore Ty Gabbert, who caught a long pass and made a man miss, then caught another, split two defenders and scored from 20 yards out.
That made it 25-24. The Bulldogs had the ball inside Purcell’s five and a chance to score the clincher, but didn’t.
Purcell moved from its own five to the Meeker 25 in the final minute, but the Bulldogs got a sack and interception to end things.
“The thing I like is we competed. Our guys didn’t flinch and they overcame a lot of things. We played really well defensively.
“When you have seven turnovers and will win, you know your defense is playing well.
“I’m happy we won and beat a good team.”
Gabbert and Wolford topped the Bulldogs’ yardage chart.
Gabbert had 96 yards in receptions and a score, and Wolford had 138 on the ground and 12 in receiving, plus three touchdowns.
Howell said the Bulldogs would spend some practice time this week working on ball security and begin looking ahead to Kellyville.
“This will be a good week to work on things we need to correct. This week, we’re going to work on Meeker, then start thinking about Kellyville.
“We have to get better, but we know we’re capable of doing it.”