Meeker returned two interceptions for touchdowns and beat Stroud, 20-8, giving Maverick Lang a win in his first game as the Bulldogs’ head coach.
A third generation coach, Lang was able to make it a family affair, with his dad- Blackwell head coach Rick Lang - and his grandfather -retired coach Glen Lang - in attendance at Jack Poskey Field in Stroud.
In other games in the area, North Rock Creek won a blocked field goal and a scoop-and-score in overtime, and McLoud pounded on Classen, 42- 14. Wellston fell to Empire 62-12.
The Bulldogs had some unknowns going into the game, with only two starters returning on each side of the ball. But what they lacked in experience, they made up for with effort.
“The kids played hard,” Lang said. “That stood out the most. That’s what won the game for us, the effort the whole game.”
Braden Harris and Manny Saavedra returned interceptions for touchdowns and Ty Gabbert hit Keavin Grady on a touchdown pass.
Meeker is on the road at Bethel this week, while Stroud hosts Chandler in their annual Highway 66 grudge match.
NRC 12 Heavener 6
At North Rock Creek, the Cougars won on the last play of overtime when Conlan Chesser blocked a Heavener field goal attempt and freshman Caleb Hawkins took it 85 yards to the house.
“I don’t think I have ever been in a game like that, where it was settled with a blocked kick for a touchdown in overtime,” said Cougars’ coach Jason Murray.
“That was a headsy play for a freshman. A lot of people would have just fallen on it.”
Hawkins also had the Cougars’ first touchdown, a 40-yarder with about five minutes to go.
NRC lost to Heavener, 22-6, last year in their program opener, but took the field a different attitude this year, Murray said.
“The thing I was most impressed with was the grit our kids showed,” he said. “It was a defensive battle and twice we had a kid make what would have been a game-saving tackle.
“The kids had a lot more confidence. Now they’ve been there and done that. They have some games under their belts and a full senior class.”
McLoud 52
Classen 14
The McLoud Redskins opened the 2021 gridiron season with a convincing 52-14 win over Class 4A Classen High School at Redskin Stadium.
Veteran Head Coach Rusty Hall indicated the Redskins were dominant on both sides of the ball. “We had 517 total yards on offense,” Hall said, noting, “We had one running back gain more than 200 yards and another with over 100 yards.”
Hall noted, “Our first team defense gave up only three first downs and held Classen to 70 yards total offense. They didn’t score on our first team defense.”
He said the first team defense didn’t play a down in the final quarter.
Senior running back Cirillio Valles led the rushing attack with 28 carries while running for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Kaiden Cue packed the pigskin 11 times and ran for 111 yards and four TDs, Hall said.
“We concentrated on the ground game. Our offensive line had the best game we’ve ever seen. We had 30 pancake blocks and 12 knock down blocks,” Hall added.
Sophomore quarterback Kaden Carl was 15-23 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions for 151 passing yards. “He threw it well,” Hall thinks.
“Our receivers dropped two long bombs that would have been touchdowns. If they don’t drop those, he has over 300 yards passing,” Hall stated.
Hall pointed out that starting junior running back Clint Campbell, who suffered a broken arm during a scrimmage, may be back in time for the Bethel game on Sep. 10.
“He may get the cast cut off below the elbow and that would allow him to play. If not, the Harrah game the following week after that for sure,” Hall is sure.